Chapter Six

I stayed in bed for over two months. Not leaving except to use the bathroom. My body hurt but my heart ached more. I tried not to think, or remember, or have any dreams but it was impossible not to and grief became an unwanted companion that wouldn’t leave my side whether I was awake or asleep.

Caleb was sweet and brought me food that I barely touched and tea that I drank gratefully.

I didn’t see Isaac. Not once, though I did hear his voice, several times. Usually in the dead of the night, murmuring quietly to Caleb, or so I presumed for they slept in the room next to mine.

Finally, one morning when the winter sun seemed brighter than the other days, I moved farther than the small bathroom and into the living area.

The fire was blazing yet no one was home. All was quiet and still.

On a wonky sideboard, set next to a stack of books, I spotted a length of thin rope. I wrapped it around my waist and used it like a belt to hold up the massive trousers I’d just pulled on. I’d lost weight; the trousers were now even bigger than they had been on my slim frame.

A swirl of wind whistled down the chimney and I moved to the window to look out of the front of the cabin for the first time.

Sunlight bouncing off an endless expanse of snow had me squinting. It glittered like diamonds and was one of the prettiest things I’d ever seen.

Rising in the distance, above the tips of the pine trees, were giant mountains, their peaks piercing a stunning blue sky. I could just make out the wind sweeping snow from their points into the thin air in long, white brushstrokes.

I moved to the front door. Cabin fever suddenly gripping me. I needed fresh air. A moment outside in the beautiful if dangerous world I’d been dropped into would do me good.

The door was heavy and its iron hinges squeaked. But as it widened I took a deep breath of gloriously pure mountain atmosphere. It was cleansing and healing, and I wanted more.

I spotted a pair of battered leather boots on the doormat and slipped my feet into them. They were huge and slopped around my ankles as I walked but I didn’t care; to be standing out on the snowy porch after so long in bed was luxurious.

But my enjoyment of the moment was short lived and my heart sagged. Aimery and Ryle should have been with me, enjoying this kind of view and spoiling me in the lodge that Ryle had organized for us to spend the winter in. I felt naked without their love, without their arms around me.

I sighed, moved to the edge of the porch and looked down at the soft snow that surrounded the cabin.

Fear ran through me.

Footprints.

But not human.

Wolf.

A sudden howl to my right, in the tree line, made me gasp.

I might not have heard one for real before, but I’d seen enough movies to know that only a wolf made that chilling noise.

And it was near too.

Dumbly, I stared at the footprints again. They were great big pads that sank deep in the snow giving an impression of the colossal weight of the beast.

Another howl. It seemed closer this time.

I stared in the direction it had come from and backed toward the door.

The cold air turned hot on my skin. Terror was playing tricks on my senses. I could almost see those snarling teeth and glinting eyes again, looming from the darkness.

I saw a movement in the trees. A dark shadow, stooped but huge. I was sure it was the wolf.

“What the bloody hell are you doing out here?”

Big hands gripped my shoulders and I was yanked into the cabin.

“Isaac,” I gasped as he pulled my back into his chest and slammed the door, the edge of it narrowly missing my nose.

“Have you any idea what kind of position you just put yourself in by stepping over the threshold?” he asked angrily.

“No, I just…”

“Never mind you just. We’re trying our bloody hardest to keep you safe and you go and step out there.”

“There’s wolves,” I said, spinning and looking into his flashing eyes. “There’s wolves out there.”

“Of course there is, you’re in Canada, this is wolf territory.”

“But Caleb, where is he?” I glanced at the door as another howl rang its way to the cabin. “He said he doesn’t have a gun or anything when he goes out. They’ll attack him.”

“No they won’t.”

“They might.” I wriggled from Isaac’s grip and rushed to the window, stumbling in the huge boots and then gripping the frame to steady myself.

Walking up the steps to the cabin was Caleb. He wore only a pair of ripped jeans and his old boots. His broad, golden chest was naked and flakes of snow, swirling in the wind, caught on his scruff of body hair.

“He’s there,” I said, “quick, open the door.” I spun to face Isaac. “Let him in.”

Isaac didn’t move. “I know he’s there. I heard him.”

I frowned and looked back at the forest.

I wondered if I’d see a wolf lurching from the trees, the one I’d heard. But I didn’t. And Isaac, how had he heard Caleb approaching? I hadn’t.

I glanced at him. He’d sat on the long sofa and was staring at the fire. I noticed that he too was bare-chested and wore only black jeans. It must be his boots that I’d borrowed because he wore no shoes or socks. His nonchalance made me wonder if it really was true. What I’d been thinking when I’d been in bed all of those months. I’d kept pushing it from my mind, telling myself it was my over active imagination again.

But…?

The cabin door opened and Caleb stepped in.


“Hey, you’re up,” he said, rubbing his hair and sending a few drips onto the floor.

“I heard a wolf out there,” I said, hurriedly. “Shut the door.”

Would Caleb tell me what they really were? If it were true, that was.

He did as I’d asked then walked over to me. He stood close—close enough for me to feel heat radiating from him. It was odd, his warmth, especially since he’d just been out in freezing conditions without proper clothing. Perhaps I’d become too accustomed to my cold husbands who’d never generated body heat and were permanently cool. I’d forgotten about the heat normal men released from their bodies.

“Yes,” he said, reaching for one of the cuffs on my shirt. He began to fold it upward, revealing my hand within the expanse of material. “There are wolves out there. Two of them locally.”

“Two of them, yes, that’s what I saw when I was tied to the tree. One was silvery gray and the other brown, reddish brown. I really don’t think you should go out there without protection.”

“Protection?” Caleb frowned and reached for my other cuff, began to fold it the same way.

“Yes, a gun or something. They’ll attack you. This time of the year they must be starving. There’s not much food around for them.”

“They won’t attack us,” Isaac said, stretching one arm along the back of the sofa and watching Caleb’s movements closely.

“How do you know that—?” I started.

“Shh,” Caleb said. “We’ve lived here for a few years now, Bea, peacefully and in harmony with the environment and creatures in it. The only thing that upsets our balance is when vampires pass through. The wolves are not an issue for us.”

“Which is why it was crazy for you to step outside,” Isaac said, shaking his head. “When there are vampires around.”

Caleb paused what he was doing and frowned down at me. “You didn’t?”

“I…I just wanted some fresh air.”

He shook his head. “Well next time you just want fresh air let one of us know. The moment you stepped onto that porch you made yourself available to Elfrida. She could have been on you quicker than you could blink. One hint of your scent in the breeze and she’d have been here.”

“I’m sorry, I…” I glanced at the window. “Do you think she’s still in the area, then?”

“I traveled to the pass yesterday,” Isaac said. “There are signs of movement there. But I struggled to pick up clues as to who or what.”

I suppressed a shiver. The thought of Elfrida lurking in the dark forest waiting for me created a black pit of fear in my stomach and made me nauseous. I glanced at the closed door.

“It’s okay.” Caleb stroked my head, smoothing my hair. “You know you’re safe in here, with us.”

It was strange but I didn’t mind his intimate touch. I hadn’t right from the beginning. He was gentle and calm and solid and had a presence that made me feel protected and nurtured when all else was lost.

I looked up into his rich, warm eyes.

“You should have said you were going to get up today,” he said. “I would have made sure I was here.”

“I didn’t know I was.” I smiled, sadly. “I suppose I just couldn’t stay in bed feeling sorry for myself any longer.”

“That’s the spirit.” He smiled in return.

“So I thought I’d get out of bed and feel sorry for myself in an upright position.”

“I’m glad you did. And I wish we could do something about these ridiculously big clothes but it’s all we have spare. We’re not too big on our wardrobe requirements.”

“They’re fine. They’re better than what I arrived in.” I bent and took off the enormous boots and returned them to the mat by the door. “Perhaps, if you have a needle and cotton you wouldn’t mind me altering them though. That way I won’t need to use this to keep myself decent.” I lifted the shirt and showed the two men the rope wrapped around my slender waist holding the trousers up.

“Good idea,” Caleb said, walking to the askew cabinet. From a drawer he pulled out a battered red tin with a picture of Marlborough cigarettes on the front. As he shut the drawer the row of dusty books on the top surface slid and then rested concertina style against the wall. “You should be able to find what you need in here. It’s basic but functional.”

“Thanks.” I took the tin. “But are you sure it’s okay, they won’t convert back to fit you once I’ve chopped them about.”

“Go ahead,” he said. “I’m not much into fashion.” He tapped his naked chest and his fingertips pressed into the springy hairs on his sternum.

“I’ve noticed,” I said, glancing at Isaac. “Just as well you keep it warm in here with the fire.”

“We wouldn’t like our guest to get cold,” Isaac said. “It’s lit for your benefit.”

“Well.” I inclined my head. “Thank you, for allowing me to be your guest and for keeping me warm.” I hoped he’d take my words as an apology of sorts, for slapping him, because it was all he was going to get from me after what he’d said.

Isaac held my gaze, he licked his lips and drummed his fingers on the back of the sofa. “No problem, Bea, our home is yours for as long as you need it to be.”

I took the sewing kit into the bedroom and set about slimming down the sweats and the shirt. It had been years since I’d done any serious dressmaking but my mother had taught me her trade well. I worked with precision and soon had an outfit that although would never grace a catwalk, at least stayed on as I moved.

The new cinched-in waist of the checked shirt made the shape more feminine, and, having reduced the bulk of the pants, I no longer had double the amount of material I needed which had given me odd rolls around my hips.

Once that job was done, I decided to fashion some underwear, knickers and a bra, using the sexy outfit I’d arrived in. Caleb had placed that and my high-heels in the locker next to the bed, and soon I had a bizarre mixture of lumberjack meets Ann Summers.

But it worked. I was clothed.

The light had faded just in time for me to finish the last stitch and, feeling pleased with my accomplishment, I wandered into the small kitchen area to show Caleb. I guessed that’s where he was because a delicious smell of cooking meat and frying onions was wafting through the cabin.

My footsteps were silent on the wooden floor.

When I reached the entrance to the kitchen I paused and then stepped back, to peer around the frame.

Caleb was indeed cooking. He was stirring the contents of a pan with a wooden spoon and facing side on to me, toward the window.

Isaac stood directly behind him. Pressed up against him with his bare chest meshed into Caleb’s back.

Isaac was nuzzling and licking Caleb’s neck. His eyes were closed as if savoring the taste of his skin.

“Mmm, that’s nice,” Caleb murmured.

“You’re nice,” Isaac said against his flesh. “More than nice. I want you.” He pushed his hips forward and up, as though sliding, through their jeans, his cock between Caleb’s arse cheeks. “I want you now.”

“Later,” Caleb said a little breathily. “Hold that thought.”

“I want to do more than hold a thought.” Isaac wound his hand in front of Caleb, skimmed down his taut belly and cupped him through his pants.

Caleb groaned. “I want that too, but wait, just a while. Let’s eat first and then we’ll have an early night.”

Guilt rushed through me. For the second time I’d witnessed their private moment by unwittingly sneaked up on them. It was clear they’d become used to having me stay in my room, safely tucked up in bed.

But now I was out.

Hurriedly, I retreated several paces. I looked at the fire, it was fading, so I noisily set about throwing another log on the top of the stack and then stabbed the embers with a long iron poker.

“Hey, I like it.” Caleb stood at the kitchen doorway holding a drying cloth over any telltale bulge in his pants. “Cool outfit.”

“You think so?” I hoped he’d put the redness in my cheeks down to having been stooped next to the fire. “It’s not my best work but it will be okay for now.” I ran my hands over my waist and hips, again enjoying the fact that I had clothes that fit.

“Yes, you look very…fetching.” He grinned. “Isaac is just stirring the dinner, I’m going to serve. Would you mind setting the table? I’m guessing for three tonight as you’re out of bed.”

“Yes, of course.” I took a deep breath and replaced the poker. When I straightened I made my back long and set down my shoulders. It was good to be up. I was still missing Aimery and Ryle with every beat of my heart, but I had to get moving. I had to start thinking straight and figure out what the hell I was going to do.