In the common area the woman and Sam both screamed. Nafarius rushed forward only to find himself stopped by some invisible power. It wasn’t physical but he could no more move past it then he could have walked through the walls of this mountain.
Oblivious to what was happening around her Sam continued to move forward. It was dark and cold but she realized that she had reached a place inside the woman no one else had gone. This was a place each person had within him or her, where one came for peace and quiet and where lycanthropes found his or her animals.
Sam had found her animal but unlike the woman it wasn’t asleep. Her animal paced, caged and clearly looking to break free. Sensing Sam it turned and regarded her through black eyes. There was fear, panic and rage in those eyes.
Recognizing her as almost equal in stature Sam neither submitted nor tried to dominate. Instead she sought to reassure the animal through her thoughts and actions. There was no verbal language here, only animal instinct and Sam knew she didn’t belong. She tried coaxing, tried to urge the animal to follower communicating that the way out was with her. All without success.
Sam felt herself slipping, her energy draining away and she knew that there would be no repeat of this. Not only would she be too tired but by then the woman’s instincts would have compensated and breaking through those earlier barriers would be impossible. Finally, without warning she lunged, felt her hands wrapped fur and pulled dragging the animal with her.
Nafarius stood and stared as the woman’s animal literally burst through her skin. Sam lay panting beside the woman now in wolf form covered in blood and other things. The wolf lay stunned, panting just as hard her fur slick and wet. At the low growl of warning Nafarius stepped forward and attempted to draw Sam away.
“No, I’m alright. I’m the only one she’ll recognize.” Sam sat up slowly pushing her soaking wet hair back from her face. “You’re alright. We won’t hurt you, I promise. One of our members found you injured and unconscious. You suffered a blow to the head and internal injuries, the only way to heal was in animal form unfortunately you were unable to change.” Sam continued to explain, her voice low and almost monotone. The young woman listened her eyes never leaving Sam’s face until she had finished her story. The only indication that she heard or understood was the slow blink of her eyes.
All throughout Sam’s explanation Roland had been slowly moving forward. He didn’t want to startle her yet he needed to know for himself that both the woman and his mistress were alright. Sam looked the worse of the two, her clothes and hair soaking wet and her face streaked with grime. She needed a bath but what’s more her eyes held something that went beyond exhaustion.
Catching his scent the wounded wolf turned her head and whimpered. It was a sign of recognition. Somewhere in her memory she had marked his scent. She knew that he was safe, that he brought warmth and comfort and an end to the pain.
Roland eased down beside her and gathered her into his arms. Murmuring softly he held her close as her eyes moved back to Sam. “Thhhhank youuuu.” With that her eyes closed and she was asleep.
Sam turned to Nafarius and tried to say something, unfortunately she passed out before she could get it out. Nafarius was by her side, picking her up and sending for Maddie before she ever hit the ground. He issued orders to have the common area cleaned and the rest of the pack allowed back inside. The guards were to be on the lookout, whoever this woman was she belonged to someone and they might come looking for her. Together, Nafarius and Maddie saw Sam cleaned up and changed. The two of them climbed in to bed with her, one on either side giving her their warmth, comfort and their energy.
Both women slept late into the day. When Sam woke she found herself alone. Rising she pulled a sundress over her head and went to join the rest of the pack. She could hear several of them whispering wondering whom the strange woman was and what had happened last night to cause her to change. Sam ignored their questioning stares and sought out Maddie. The young woman glanced down the corridor leading to Roland’s private alcove and Sam turned in that direction.
There was no need to announce her presence. Both Roland and the woman picked up on her scent before she reached the door. A white bear hide covered the entrance. Roland had once shared the story of how he had come by the animal skin. He had been young, foolishly so and wandered away from the pack in unfamiliar territory when he was attacked. Luck and strength had been on his side and he’d managed to kill the bear, barely. He had sustained severe injuries during the fight and it was several days later before he regained consciousness. When he finally woke he found the bear skin covering him and his father by his side. It was one of the last things his father gave him before his death, having been killed by a neighboring pack.
Pushing the fur aside, Sam stepped into the alcove and let it fall back into place. Roland and the woman sat on a pile of blankets. They were both silent, neither one objecting when Sam knelt down beside them. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thank you.” Her voice was deep, husky and sent shivers up and down Sam’s spine.
“I’m Sam, Nafarius’ mate.”
“I know who you are.” At Sam’s raised brow she went on to explain. “Roland was kind enough to fill me in. When I woke this morning I was only able to remember bits and pieces of last night. He said you saved me, that somehow you were able to help me change so that I could heal.”
Sam nodded. “I’m sorry for the invasion but you were unconscious from a head wound with internal injuries. We were worried that in human form you wouldn’t be able to change in time.”