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Chapter 41: Sarah
“That was remarkably sociable of Baxter,” Katie comments when Aiden and the Estate Manager are safely out of earshot. I think it may be just the opposite, and my earlier idle musing about Baxter may turn out to be completely on point. I’m getting concern from Aiden, but nothing that suggests he is in imminent danger. I have to trust that he knows what he’s doing.
I also need to work out how much I can tell my parents without breaking my promise to Aiden. I wrap my hands around my empty mug, to give them something to do. “We can wait for Tim, but I think you might already have guessed what I’m going to suggest those dogs really were,” I begin.
“Werewolves,” Tony says flatly, and he’s not convinced yet, I can tell from his expression and his tone.
“I’ve seen enough to know they exist.” I fiddle with my mug, twisting it first one way then the other between my palms. “And I’ve
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Thunder and Frost cover the ground at a smooth wolf-trot, keen eyes sweeping the landscape, ears picking up every little sound. The scents of the intruders are fixed in their minds now. Eight wolves, five males and three females, all young adults in good health. The trail is strong enough to last for days, although there is water on the reserve that may weaken it in places.Now we are patrolling Blackmarsh land, Baxter and I observing through the eyes of our wolves. To the east runs the high stone wall that I saw from the car. To the north, bordering the bleak expanse of the nature reserve, a boundary fence is stretched between sturdy posts, high enough to prevent a deer’s leap but not a werewolf’s bound. The land staggers westwards in broken strides, the marsh scrabbling itself in among jagged rock and tufted grasses until it stretches unbroken in a rolling, fetid, lush expanse of greens and blacks and glittering water. Lines of white poles have been driven into
Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 43: Sarah
Everyone at Blackmarsh is expected to work, almost from the moment they can toddle, and the tasks frequently involve horses in some way. I am glad of the physical activity now. It helps to keep me from fretting over Aiden. There is plenty to do, and I am hot, sweaty and stinking of horses by the time I trail back up the drive behind Timothy. The two mares he is leading are behaving perfectly for him. My two are prancing around at the end of their lead ropes like a couple of lunatics. The hooves echo off the arches of the gate tower as we pass through into the yard, sending my two mares into even more bodily contortions and flurries of exaggerated snorting. Timothy ignores the circus show the three of us are putting on behind him and leads the way across the yard to the boxes at the far end. The door to the tack room opens just as he is about to pass it, Tony making his slow way out, leaning heavily on his stick. Aiden steps out behind Tony, having been waiting patien
Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 44: Aiden
It surprises me how quickly the kids seem to accept what I am saying. It doesn’t take them long to start wondering what my wolf form looks like. The adults are less trusting, but Sarah supports me. We work the kids' curiosity into the plan for the next day. I will travel in my wolf form. Sarah’s parents are reluctant until they understand that Changing means stripping first.Straight after breakfast we begin. Everyone is starting together from the house, the humans riding the horses that we know are not scared of me. Baxter and I pass a simple change of clothes each to Tim, then Shift inside one of the empty stables and rejoin the group. The kids promptly jump straight back off their horses and, before the adults can intervene, run over to pet the wolves.I will have to tell them that it’s a really bad idea to try petting wolves. Maybe some time when they haven’t got their hands all over Frost, who has a soft spot for pups and is lapping up the
Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 45: Sarah
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Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 46: Aiden
I Shift to the wolf for a while, while we put some distance behind us, but then return to human shape so we can talk. So Timothy and I can talk, anyway. Expecting Baxter to talk is like expecting to win the Lottery. Frost frets at the slower speed. There’s an urgency at the back of my mind, wanting me to hurry back, but I think words are needed now. Tim is angry again, understandably so. His hands keep twitching on the reins, as if he wants to wheel around and charge back to the Pack. “Can’t afford reparations? They couldn’t even be bothered trying to find some other way to apologise? And you’re suggesting we ally with them, with horse murderers? I should have just had the Marsh eat them all.” “Hasn’t there been enough death already?” This is why I’m not Alpha material. I’m no battle commander. Unless someone is already on the attack and has obviously decided to use violence, I’d rather negotiate than fight. “Where does the killing stop?” “W
Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 47: Sarah
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Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 48: Aiden
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Rhapsody for a Wolf Chapter 49: Sarah
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