Page 6 of The Wolf's Secret Baby

Ambrosia stirred when we approached. She was staring into the fire, her knees drawn into her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs. My gaze was drawn to her lips, the source of so much pleasure. I felt a twinge deep inside. I experienced an uneasiness about the fact that we would give her to Vance, and he would decide what happened to her. She was our prize, and we should have been able to keep her. That was the way it worked for other wolves, but not wolves like us.

“I feel as though I lived up to my part of the bargain. I think you’re both suitably satisfied,” she drawled, the words rolling across her sultry lips. There was a coy look in her eyes. She seemed fearless and uninhibited. I started to wonder if Vance had underestimated the humans.

“Indeed we are. You are a credit to your species,” Typhon said.

“And I’m sure the same is true for you. But what species is that, exactly? Are you really werewolves?” she asked.

“Do you find that impossible to believe?” I asked, baring my teeth, ready to give her another demonstration. It might have been worth it to test just how fearless she was. Ambrosia cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips.

“When I first saw it I thought that it must have been, but I would be a fool to reject something I saw with my own eyes just because it seems impossible. I’ve always possessed an open mind, and I like to think that I’m able to accept reality even when it’s surreal. In fact, I find it quite fascinating. It would be interesting to study you. What is your history? How long have you been in the world? Do you ever take part in human society?”

“We are not going to answer your questions,” Typhon said. “The matter is simple. You are going to come with us, and we shall bring you to our Alpha. He will decide what to do with you.”

“But you’ll make sure I’m kept alive, right? That was the deal,” she said.

Typhon and I inclined our heads.

Ambrosia sighed and looked around. “You know, we don’t have to leave right away. I have some food in the cabin. We could stay and hang around for a while and maybe, well… maybe I can offer you something else. What would it take for you to let me go?”

“That is out of the question,” I said.

“Are you sure?”

“We are taking you to Vance,” Typhon said.

Ambrosia ran a hand across her chin. “What makes him the Alpha?”

“He is the strongest wolf. He commands respect from every member of the pack. He has led the pack for a long time, and he has proven his prowess in battle on many occasions. He has also fought off every challenger who dared to face him. There are none stronger than him.”

“I see, so that’s why you’re ready to bow down in worship to him? I just thought that maybe you might want to show a bit of backbone and independence. Maybe you’d want to prove to yourselves that you don’t have to simply do whatever this Vance wants. I mean, if you defied him by, say, letting me go, then you might feel better about yourselves. It would do your confidence the world of good,” she said.

I stepped towards her and clenched my fists, just about to give her hell, when Typhon held me back.

“You are quick with your words, Ambrosia. You won’t be able to turn us against Vance. He is the Alpha, and we are awareof our place. We hope to improve our standing with him by bringing you to him. You will make a wonderful prize.”

“I see,” Ambrosia said icily. Her head dropped and her shoulders became rounded. There was a dark look in her eyes, and she crossed her arms, digging her hands into her armpits. “Then we might as well get this over and done with. Where are we going?”

I pointed into the vague distance our direction shrouded by darkness. Ambrosia shook her head and huffed.

“I’m going to need some food before we leave, and water,” she said, looking back towards the cabin. It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Typhon and I glanced towards each other, and he gestured for me to follow her. She entered the cabin. I leaned against the doorway as she gathered some food in a bag.

“You know, what you’re doing is pretty fucked up,” she muttered.

I shrugged. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“It’s a wolf thing, is it?”

“Something like that.”

“So tell me then, what’s the deal with you? Do you only change under a full moon?”

“We’re not going to answer your questions. Gather your things and let’s go.”

“Man, I thought I was in a bad situation with Derren. It’s only getting worse. You know, I came up here to get away from it all. I thought I was going to have a nice stress-free weekend in my family cabin.”

I heard drawers and cupboards opening. For a moment she disappeared from view, and my suspicions were aroused. She emerged with a bag slung over her shoulder. I narrowed my eyes and caught her arm on the way out. I grabbed the bag from her and rummaged through it, my hand finding the handleof a knife. I pulled it out and gave her a disparaging look. She scowled.

“Did you really think I wasn’t going to try to defend myself?” she muttered.

---