Page 58 of Father of the Wolf

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Steve decided, after only five minutes on the highway, that Route 80 was absolutely the most boring stretch of road that had ever existed. He was beginning to wonder why he’d volunteered to chauffeur his new wolf friends across the state. The boredom alone would be bad enough, but even worse was his edginess and uncertainty about where he stood with them.

Reultan provided the best distraction and entertainment when he started asking about the various buttons on the dashboard. Steve focused on his role as teacher and explained and demonstrated each switch. Who would’ve thought werewolves would love rock music? Both Reultan and Díon seemed to enjoy Van Halen and Queen. Reultan especially liked Kiss’ Almost Human. Díon favored the Doors, but also got into AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. Many miles and more than an hour flew by as Steve shared all he knew about each of the songs and bands.

Reultan offered to drive, and Steve hesitated before relenting. He wanted nothing more than to have someone else drive for a while. Although he couldn’t say that letting them behind the wheel was a bad idea, it certainly livened up the drive. Reultan had a lead foot and loved to pass other cars and trucks. He couldn’t seem to tolerate anyone in front of him, saying he considered it a challenge. So, within a few minutes of taking over driving, they were flying along at over seventy miles an hour, and often much higher than that.

His high speeds led to a long discussion about law enforcement, speed traps, and the cost of tickets for the numerous laws they were currently breaking.

Despite the many risks, Steve had a good time. They listened to music and talked about what was happening in the world. He was revered as an expert on current events. Reultan was fun and easy going about everything new, and Steve had the feeling Reultan would enjoy getting to know the world. The young wolf thrived on each new experience, while Díon quietly observed all that flashed by. He asked serious questions but made few comments about what Steve and Reultan chose to discuss.

After about an hour, Díon took over driving. He was considerably more cautious than his brother, which was good because he was not nearly as smooth at steering and braking. Twenty minutes later, Steve took the wheel again. Especially since they were leaving Route 80 and traveling on smaller highways.

* * *

Hope sighed as Athair caught her gently in his arms.

He pressed a kiss to her cheek, then dropped his head lower to nuzzle against her throat, feathering kisses over her tingling skin. “Now it’s my turn,” he said.

“What do you mean?” The car. He wanted to drive. How would he ever understand what kept her from the normal act of driving? To him, it was only something new to learn.

“You know what I mean. My turn to drive.”

“Yes, I know.” She thought back to Steve’s wonderful list of steps. Would they help her get through this?

“I need you to help me. The young pups will never let it go if one of them teaches me.”

“All right.” She felt Athair’s determination and knew he wouldn’t give up this argument.

They walked to the car, where Rath and Dàn stood examining the motor again. Rath seemed fascinated by the machine’s inner workings.

Rath looked up and caught Athair’s gaze. Athair must have said something telepathically, because Rath closed the hatch and started for the back porch. “Good luck. It’s really not that hard. There was nothing to hit in the field.” He chuckled, “Not even any runaway mongrels from the Bear Clan. They really do seem to have backed off some.”

“You can trust your safety to Athair,” Dàn murmured to Hope.

“Dàn knows me well. I could never put you at risk. To lose you would be like losing my heart. Already, it beats only for you,” Athair said as he touched her arm lightly.

The intensity of Athair’s mind touch sizzled through her. “I know you won’t hurt me. It’s the car I don’t trust.”

“Then we can simply sit and talk for a while.” He led her to the passenger side, opened the door, and handed her inside.

Hope hunched down in her seat as the car closed in around her, still warm and filled with a light musky scent that reminded her of the woods at night. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine Athair walking with her beneath a canopy of trees surrounded by chirping birds and leaves carried past on a soft breeze.

The quiet snap of the driver’s side door and the car’s dip told her Athair now sat beside her. But she stubbornly refused to open her eyes and give up her peaceful walk in the forest.

“Tell me where you are.”

“On a path in the forest. Somewhere safe.”

“Am I with you?”

“Of course.” His fingers tangled with hers, and she squeezed his hand. How could she be safe without him? His presence brought contentment to her walk in the woods. “I feel the breeze and wonder if you are controlling it.”

"If you like, I will call it to cool your cheeks and brush through your hair.”

“I like that you are in control, that you have the power to shape the wind.”

“Aye, control is something I do possess.” In their woodland daydream, he turned her in his firm grip and drew his lips to within a breath of hers. But you also have choices to make. His words blew gently across her cheek as his fingers combed through her hair.

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