CHAPTER TWO
The wind picked up and tickled the leaves, making it difficult for Valeria to discern any sound. For hours, she had walked the forest, following her gut feelings. Her feet knew where she was going more than her brain at the moment.
Her senses tingled, her fingers rubbing her palms restlessly, but she continued walking deeper through the trees. Something rushed at a distance. Something or someone. As she started to jog in that direction, she cloaked herself with an invisibility spell. It wouldn't hide her smell from a shifter, but if she stayed downwind, she would have an undeniable advantage.
The moon, now high in the sky, barely glowed through the thick canopy. Valeria didn't see anyone at first, but as she approached, two silhouettes stood out beside a tree. Voices carried, one male, one female, but she couldn't make out the words. One form, the smallest, helped the other to lie down. Then, the tone of the voices changed, like they were having an argument. Gradually, the smallest form ran away, disappearing into the forest.
Valeria waited for a moment before moving forward, the silhouette remaining motionless near the trees. A werewolf was there. She could feel it by its energy. Was it one of the Stonelake clan? The infected one? The Stonelake territory wasn't that far after all. Only one way to find out.
She was no more than twenty feet away when the wind shifted and the figure by the tree growled. No need for a cloak now. She released her spell and braced for an attack as she stepped forward.
As she expected, the form turned out to be male. He tried to push himself into a sitting position, finally half-leaning on the tree.
Unable to see his face, Valeria conjured a few illuminated orbs, surrounding the two of them. He would be able to see her expression, as she would his.
The growl sounded stronger and more menacing, so she stopped moving about ten feet from him. Light glowed softly as she examined the shifter. First, she checked his eyes, but apart from the electric blue confronting her, there was no sign of ruptured blood vessels in them. There was, however, plenty of blood on him. He had shoulder-length blonde hair and a light blonde stubble, which almost shone like the sun in the dim light. His skin had a golden glow, not brown as so many other tanned men, and his face was set, his teeth bared. She knew werewolves to be exceptionally handsome, and there was the proof in front of her. He didn’t have the same beauty as James, his was more savage, raw with an undeniable air of danger. He looked tall and very built, as much as she could tell from his position against the tree, and with the clothing covering his body.
Slowly, she crouched down. The stranger breathed hard, and she could see more blood glistening on his side through his cotton shirt.
“You’re wounded. Let me help you.” Valeria extended her hand, but the man moved back.
“I won’t hurt you.”
The blonde man half laughed, half-growled. “Don’t come near, Enforcer.”
“I promise, I’m not going to hurt you.”
The werewolf bared his teeth again. “Who do you think did this to me? I’m not fool enough to trust the word of an Enforcer when you’re deemed to kill us all.”
“You’re of the Stonelake clan?”
The man didn’t answer and tried to sit more upright.
As he moved, Valeria saw the trail of blood dripping from his side to his leg, soaking his jeans. Even for a shifter, it was obvious that he had lost a lot of blood. He needed help.
She took a step forward, and as he growled again, it was her turn to snarl, exasperated.
“Stop that! If I wanted to kill you, you would be dead by now. You’re not infected so you can live. And if you wish to live, I need to stop that blood.”
“It’s one of yours who wounded me, so you can fuck off.”
Valeria turned her head around, looking for fellow Enforcers. Bad idea. The man attacked, grabbing her neck with his hand. Her heart skipped a beat. Even diminished, she had forgotten how fast and strong a werewolf could be. For him, a small amount of pressure would crush her windpipe and kill her. He could, but he didn’t react. Kneeling in front of her, their faces inches apart, his eyes bore into hers. One gesture and she could end his life too, but something stopped her, urged her to wait for his next move.
A moment passed, then he surprised her. The man leaned his cheek against hers, rubbing it gently, before skimming his lips over her neck and inhaling deeply. His beard scratched her skin in a pleasing manner, both soothing and arousing. His hand stayed locked on her throat, but the other circled her waist, bringing her closer. Valeria counteracted his move by placing her hands on his chest. He radiated heat, and his heart thumped strangely underneath her fingers. The blood loss was affecting him, and, without thinking, she summoned her powers, pushing healing energy into his body. At first, he didn’t seem to notice, but when he did, he growled against her neck and his hand tightened around it, almost stopping her breath. Valeria coughed and tried to push him again. His hand loosened but remained firmly in place. The shifter faced her again.
“Stop that, Enforcer.”
“Let go of me.”
He smiled wickedly, causing her heart to beat faster. Before she could act, his lips were on hers. A close-mouthed kiss, but it ignited a fire deep inside her belly, flowing through her limbs. When he ended it, something felt odd, out of place inside her. She was about to speak when his attention was drawn behind her. Instantly, his eyes turned deadly, and he looked back at her, baring his teeth. At that very instant, there was no doubt about his intention. Her self-preservation acted for her, and she hit him with a burst of energy, knocking him back into the tree, rendering him unconscious.
She turned to see what had made the stranger turn deadly, when something smashed into her head, sending her into vulnerable oblivion.