Page 60 of Father of the Wolf

Reultan checked the map and gave directions to Steve. Directions like, “Did you see that road we just passed? We should have turned left there.” And, “I know we’ve crossed this road before. I’m just not sure where.”

Somehow, they still managed to get to a place where both Reultan and Díon agreed they should park the car. It seemed like the middle of nowhere to Steve. The vehicle sat at the end of a long grassy path, more than a mile from the last pavement.

“So now what, guys?” Steve asked as they got from the car.

“We walk,” answered Reultan. “You can come with us if you want.”

“How far is it?”

“Not far. About a mile or so.”

Steve thought about it for only a moment before deciding to go with them. “Will the car be all right here?”

“It should be fine. From what Sgrios said, he was probably the only one in the area who could drive. By now he might be dragging Sandulfr back for some forced diplomacy.”

Steve laughed, and then stared in shock as Reultan and Díon shimmered, shifting into their wolf forms. He had started thinking of them as normal. Now, he stood looking at two large wolves. His edgy feeling came back fast. “Maybe I should stay here.”

“Can you hear me?”

Not sure who had spoken, Steve nodded.

“I can talk to most people in the silent language. You should come with us. We could be gone for hours.” This time, it sounded like Reultan.

“Okay.” Steve said. He felt he should go with them even if it was a long walk there and back. He didn’t want to have to wait hours by himself. He fell into step behind them, even though he sometimes had to jog to keep up. Every now and then, Reultan would point out some part of the landscape or wildlife.

The mile or so went quickly, and he felt like very little time had passed before they entered a small sheltered valley. The valley was beautiful, cleared of underbrush but still shaded by tall oak and cherry trees. Steve spotted a small rustic cabin standing to one side but saw no other houses. Did they all live in one house? He shuddered at the thought. The cabin was more than rustic. It was primitive, with rough walls and small windows. There were even animal hides pinned to the outside walls.

Steve hadn’t expected electricity or cable, but he’d thought they would have more than this. They had lived like this for how long? Centuries?

Reultan changed back into a man and called out, “Acair! We’re back!”

A man, who looked very much like Athair, stepped out of the house and waved. “I see Sgrios resisted his urge to kill you for your misbehavior.” The man looked around. “Or did you barely escape with your skin intact?”

Reultan laughed. “No. Sgrios is to the west helping Athair.”

“He is with the Bear Clan? How did you get back so quickly, and who is this with you?” he asked, motioning to Steve.

“This is Steve. He drove us back in his car. It was great! He even let us drive. You’ll never believe how quickly you can get from one place to another.”

“Sgrios has mentioned such things. I only half believed him. And you drove one? Very good.” Acair grinned, seeming pleased by this turn of events. “Please, come in. We were just sitting down to dinner.”

He turned without waiting for their response. Both Reultan and Díon followed him immediately. When Steve didn’t, Reultan reached back and dragged him along as well.

The inside of the cabin was much more comfortable than Steve had expected. It contained a spacious combined living and dining room, leading him to guess that the home was also used as a meeting place for the family. Acair was already getting more plates from the built in cupboards and Steve noticed two others setting the table. No, wait. There were three. A young girl darted from behind the table chasing a raccoon.

“Bandit! Give that back!” the little girl shouted, laughing and chasing the critter through the door into another room.

Steve stared after her with a silly smile on his face. Was she a werewolf, too? If so, she was the cutest little monster he’d ever seen. She would be great for public relations. They should keep Sgrios locked up here and take the little girl out visiting. They could have a werewolf fan club started in no time.

Reultan elbowed him. “Pay attention. I just introduced you,” came his silent reprimand. Steve looked around to find everyone smiling in the direction the girl had run. Interesting reaction.

“And this is my sister Adhar and her mate, Cradh. That was their daughter, Solas.”

Adhar held out her hand and said, “I am pleased to meet you, Steve. I had better go retrieve Solas, or she will miss dinner playing with that beast.” She jogged out of the room toward the sound of high-pitched giggles. Soon her rich laughter mingled with the happy sounds.

Cradh shook his hand in welcome but said little else.

Acair handed Steve a plate and said, “You will get used to it. We all wear foolish smiles when Solas shares her laughter.”

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