Wolf's Fire

Chapter Twenty One

| Cameron |

My head's throbbing, so much so that spots dance in my vision. Eyes closed I listen as Eric and Alaric argue. I've been awake for hours, but the sun has yet to rise over the trees. I stare out at the dark pack houses, my forehead pressed to the clear sliding glass door. Dried blood covers the left side of my face, and down my neck, causing my shirt to stick to my skin.

"She's his Mate, you idiot." Alaric hisses, catching my attention. I wince as I pull my head from the glass door, the dried blood making a suction-like noise. A round bloody imprint sticks to the glass.

"She's the first female wolfskin he's ever met." Eric snaps back. "So of course he thinks she's his mate," Alaric growls a low deep rumble.

"If you're wrong, you're going to get us into some deep shit." Eric throws his hands up.

I turn my attention back outside. The guys will be expecting breakfast soon, and the house, specifically the kitchen is a mess. The blood from my face, dried, covers a section of the granite countertop and there's a lot more on the tile floor. But I could care less. In fact, I hope the guys come into this mess.

Eric and Alaric are too busy snapping at each other to notice me slip outside. Or if they do notice, they don't care enough to follow.

I don't plan on shifting as I kick around the side of the house. But it's been weeks since Eric's allowed me to shift and my wolf is aching to be free. Absently I peel off my shirt, dropping it by a tree as I walk through the woods.

When I shift I don't feel it. For once I go on autopilot and allow Him to take the lead. It isn't until I've bounded past the property line that I realize what he's done.

And that I'm not alone.

′Cameron.′ Nick says through the mind link.

A fallen twig snaps behind me. I turn to spot Nick as he slows to a walk before me. His red and spotted grey fur shimmers in the sunlight. He's recently taken a shower by the look of it. I tilt my nose up to the sky and allow the cool morning breeze to blow through my fur. There's a familiar scent in the air. It's no wonder my wolf brought us here. We're nearly at Kat's pack line.

'How long have you been following me?' I ask absently. Nick takes a step closer. We've never shifted together. In the fourteen years that we've spent traveling around the country, Eric's never allowed me to shift with the rest of the pack. I'm larger than him I realize. Nick looks me over, my red fur, thin body, scars and all. He doesn't speak for a while.

'You aren't supposed to be in your wolf form.′ He chooses to say. I roll my eyes.

'And you're supposed to inform Eric. not follow me.' I say back. Nick snorts.

′Eric can kiss my ass.′ I would laugh if his words don't seem so out of character.

′He's Alpha.′

'Still an asshole.' He nudges me with his shoulder.

′You don't look well, Cameron. You're thin and-'

'Since when have you cared about my wellbeing?′ I interject with a growl. Nick takes a step back.

'I've always cared, Cam.' He says.

'You have a funny way of showing it.' Nick frowns. Pacing, he looks as if he's about to say something. But then he pauses and a growl escapes his muzzle, his body haunching up as if preparing for a fight.

'Of course, you two would be together.' Conner sneers. I spin to face Conner and Bogey as they slip between the trees. One of two gray wolves in the pack, Conner's smaller than the others which makes him fast and silent. He's probably on patrol and caught my scent leaving the territory.