Chapter 32

Amaris did not know if the wolves in the woods were friendly or if they were the ones who had been hunting her. She decided that the best course of action was to run away, until she found someone that she could trust, and then she could stop running and let someone know where she was.

She had only just realized that she had left Anna at the meeting without telling her that she was going somewhere. Not only that, but Adam had announce that she was there and that they were going to have a ceremony involving her so they surely would be out looking for her in the woods. She was sure when she had gone out the door that a few of the people in the back row had seen her go. She made up her mind to find them in the morning light and pretend that nothing had happened except that she went out for a walk in the woods to clear her head. Gran had warned her about trusting people and at this moment she was feeling a bit paranoid toward all these new people that she had met in the last few days.

The number of wolves in the woods now following her had increased. There had to be 2 dozen running behind her now. She was sure this was not just a chance encounter in the woods and they were truly looking for her. She decided that she would run as fast as she could and that she would find a place to hide until dawn when hopefully she would be able to change back into her human self. She picked up the pace and the trees began to blur again. She circled around and angled away from the river. She had started back up the mountain. About half way up the mountain she once again encountered that intoxicating scent. This time and in this form she could not control herself. Instinct kicked in and she followed it. She ran as fast as she could and still be able to follow the scent. The trail led her right back to the cabin and to the firepit where she was earlier in the night. In the firelight she saw several wolves standing around the outer edges and one wolf tied to the ground in front of the fire with Adam standing next to it. All at once, as she came into view, the wolves around the circle started to howl.

“Amaris, I know you are out there. Show yourself.” Adam called out to the dark. “We are not going to hurt you. You need to trust us and come back. We will keep you safe.” As soon as Adam spoke the wolf on the ground went wild. Thrashing and bucking against the restraints. Amaris slowly moved a little closer. She was was able to see that there was a second smaller form tied up by the fire, but it was not moving. Amaris scanned the rest of the area and saw that there were three other wolves next to the house away from the fire that were being corralled by another group of five wolves. The smallest of the three seemed to be pacing inside the ring.

Amaris did not know what was going on. She had met Adam, but after his behavior earlier in the evening, and Gran’s warning, she did not think she could trust him. Why was he keeping both wolf and human captives? Had the same people attacked again? Did Adam capture them? As if he could read her mind. “Amaris, I found our traitors that were letting the others know where you were. You can come back now and we can take care of them together.” Adam continued to try to entice her to come out. Moving closer through the brush, Amaris could now see that the person on the ground was a woman. A tiny woman who looked like she maybe older. From this angle, Amaris could not see her head and shoulders, but even without seeing them she knew that this was Gran. Anger surged through her. She felt a strange energy seem to build in her chest. She started forward, and a loud ferocious growl left her lips. She neither knew where that had come from nor at the moment did she care. Why did he have Gran tied up and why was she unconscious? She sniffed the air and that tantalizing scent still permeated the air. There were also other scents that were under neath the stronger one. Some familiar, and some not. Amaris began to have a guess as to who the three wolves corralled by the house were. She was still not sure who the wolf that was tied was. Amaris’s eyes were glued to Gran. She needed to get to her. Amaris also knew that if she was tied up that Gran was right about Adam. He was not to be trusted. She took a few more steps out into the open. The power she felt still surging through her was growing. She was beginning to feel like it may surge out of her at any moment.

Adam could see her now, and his eyes locked on her. As soon as they did several more wolves made their way out of the woods and began to surround her. Amaris stepped further forward now, knowing that there was no reason to hide now that they knew where she was. As soon as she was in the clearing she was out in the full moon light. She could feel a tingling sensation through her fur. She suddenly felt at peace, even though Gran was still captive and so were the four wolves. She knew she had to get them free and get out of here. She was now surrounded. Two of the wolves were trying to slip in closer. Amaris saw them and growled. They backed off a little. She moved further forward. In the moonlight she shone silver. Adam walked toward her. “Amaris. Being a wolf suits you. You truly are chosen by the goddess.” Adam kept walking towards her as he spoke. He was now only a few feet in front of her.

“Amaris I am glad you came back. As you can see there are quite a few others that are glad also.” He held out his hand and motioned to the three wolves by the house and then to Gran and the wolf who was tied next to her. The two wolf guards were now pinning the tied wolf to the ground. It was a pitiful sight. Amaris looked from all of them and back to Adam. “ I know that they all mean something to you. So I will offer you a deal. Choose me as your mate, and I will let them go.” The wolf on the ground went crazy again, and then suddenly stopped. He began to shrink and change back to a man. When he finished, he stood up and faced the two wolves that were holding him captive. It was Lyle, and he was completely naked. Lyle side stepped one of the wolves and looked straight at Amaris in the eye. An indescribable feeling of love, rightness, and connection flowed through her and she knew at once that this man was her mate. She did not know how, but she was destined to be with him.