Changing Hearts Read Free

somewhere and tended his wounds as though he was her family pet. Now she met his gaze as though it were common to have a wolf in her home. Antiseptic smell made his nose wrinkle, but he sniffed again anyway. Underlying it all, her scent. He’d never known lilacs could be so inviting. She turned her attention back to the other woman.
    He took a slow, even breath as he looked at this angel of mercy. Not much bigger than many human teenagers, he guessed her to be a little over five feet tall. Most would call her petite if not just plain tiny. But that would have meant they missed her shape. Slade drank in his fill. Her figure looked full, soft and round—lush sprang to his mind. Add long, curly auburn hair to the package and he thought she could make good money on Bourbon Street. She met his eyes with a soft intake of breath.
    Her moss-green eyes enveloped him with warmth, compassion. It took him a moment to note that they had tears in them. He didn’t know if she cried for herself or for him. He blinked at the thought. No one had ever cried for him. He took it back. No way would she make it on Bourbon Street with such a soft heart.
     
     
    “So, you’re awake.” Joie stared into eyes of amber. His eyes were an almost liquid gold that seemed to bore into her. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear this animal understood what was happening. She blinked that thought away.
    Certainly intelligence lurked deep in those eyes. She thought that she’d never seen this kind of comprehension in any other injured animal. Joie laughed at herself. What a preposterous thought. As if! Still, she looked at him when she said, “I would like to take the muzzle off, but I’m afraid you’ll bite me.”
    The wolf’s amber eyes stayed on hers as he slowly lifted his uninjured paw and rubbed it over the cloth binding his mouth. A soft noise accompanied the gesture.
     
     
    “Take it off, girl.” The other voice he’d heard sounded loud in the silence. Slade turned his head slightly to stare at the wizened old woman standing on the porch. Slade growled softly as she moved closer.
    Stop that, Loup Garou . Yes, I know what you are. Don’t scare the child. She’s trying to help you.

Chapter Two
    Slade’s mind whirled. The old woman had spoken straight to his mind. How had she done that? How had he heard her? What are you? He thought the words hard at her, hoping she could hear him as well.
    Her answer told him that she had. You know what I am, boy. The question is, who are you? Why are you in my bayou?
    Slade broke eye contact with the older woman and looked at the younger one again. Tell her to take the cloth off. I won’t hurt her.
    I know you won’t. The older woman pulled a large handgun out from behind her back. The barrel pointed straight at his head. “Untie his mouth, cher . He’s not going to do anything stupid.”
    Slade could smell the silver. She knew what he was and she wasn’t afraid of him. Well, she was afraid of him, but she wasn’t so fearful that she would hesitate to pull the trigger and unload the gun in his head.
    What are you, old woman? He kept his eyes on the younger woman as she approached him. He could smell other animals nearby, but no humans other than the two women. It would be easy to overpower them except for the weapon in the older woman’s hands.
    Slade was sure she would use it to protect the younger woman. He had no intention of hurting them. He only wanted to get away before the others found him. Take the cloth off.
    He felt his mental voice become more urgent and damned himself for it. He had to get away. She stared at him for a long moment. You know I’ll shoot you if you try to hurt her. You know what I got in dis gun, for sure.
    I know. Slade rubbed his uninjured paw over his nose again. He had to get the binding off before he lost his mind. Claustrophobia closed its fist in on him with every passing second. How much longer could he fight off the panic? Then he felt her hands on him. A