Wolf's Bane Read Free Page B

Violet.
    “Me either.  I love it here,” Edie piped up.  There was Violet’s disarming smile again.  The one that carefully hid her true feelings.
    “Of course, I don’t want to force anyone to do anything they don’t want.  Our kind values our freedom, our individuality.  Come to Wolfsbane as a guest.  Let me show you what we have to offer and you may come to see differently.  Our kind are few but a healthy few.  I don’t mean to come off as dramatic.  But I think you and Yeager will come to see the value of living as part of a larger pack and I know you will have much to offer us in return.  I only ask you give me, us, a chance,” Violet said, her hands folded now and her voice almost pleading.
    I looked at Yeager but his eyes told me that he would let me decide.  I wasn’t ready to make the decision there and then, however.  I needed time.  I needed to discuss this without Lady Violet present or hovering nearby.  “I’ll consider it, we’ll consider it.  But we need time.  Give us a few days and we’ll talk again,” I said.  For a moment, there was obvious displeasure on Lady Violet’s face but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared, replaced by that practiced, reassuring smile.
    “Of course, child.  Agnes and I will come again in three days, at dawn.  I look forward to your answer no matter what it is.  We will leave you alone now,” Violet said and then glanced at Agnes who immediately stood up and came to her mistress’s side.  Violet was the young girl’s mistress, she held some sway over Agnes but in what way, I couldn’t tell.  They walked outside but as they left, Agnes looked back at Edie.  Her expression was forlorn but in her eyes, I saw a glimmer of something else.  The door to the motorhome closed and we sat in silence until the Black Cadillac Escalade had gone.
    “Well, that was awkward,” Edie observed.  Yeager turned to her.
    “No kidding,” he replied and then turned to me.  “You’re not really thinking of going, are you?”  He asked me.
    “I...I don’t know,” I admitted after a moment.
    “You don’t trust that woman, do you?” Yeager pressed.
    “No, but I’m curious.  Other shifters, other women shifters?  Aren’t you curious?” I asked.
    “Yeah, I suppose I am,” Yeager admitted.
    “It can’t hurt to visit, can it?  I mean, meeting other shifters would be a good thing, right?” I wondered.  It was obvious Violet wanted us to go to Colorado, and probably not just to visit with us, but what was she going to do to us once we arrived?  If she meant us harm, there were easier ways to accomplish that.  I suspected she was simply looking out for her own, trying to ensure our kind’s survival.  Would I do any less?
    “Let’s sleep on it, at least,” Yeager suggested.  I wasn’t certain and some time to ponder the offer would probably be best.  Some distance and perspective couldn’t hurt either.
    “Yeah, that’s a good idea.  What about you, Edie?” I asked.
    “I’m up for whatever.  You’re all I’ve really got, you and Yeager,” she replied.  Edie was all I had too.  Well, until Yeager appeared and announced I was his mate that is.  But Edie had a special place in my heart.  She was my best friend and she was there when my mom died when I had no one else.
    “I’ve got to work tonight.  I need to get some sleep.  We’ll talk it over in a couple of days, OK?” I offered.  Both Yeager and Edie nodded in agreement.  Edie bid us goodnight, though it was morning, and left Yeager and I alone.  We undressed and climbed into the bed wedged in the back of the old motorhome.  Yeager held me but he didn’t say anything for a while.  Finally, I asked, “Is being a shifter always so dramatic?”
    “I was going to ask if your life was always so dramatic.  Things were pretty quiet until you came around,” Yeager teased.  I could tell he was joking but there was a hint of truth in his