Chapter Two

Four months later in a remote village in South Africa

I miss the cold.

Dane smiled at a young village boy who ran by him at the end of the path wearing nothing but a tattered pair of cut-off jeans. Tossing the chunk of wood onto the pile, he rolled his shoulders to ease the muscles.

“Hello, Mr. Dane.” A small hand waved in his direction.

Shoving a hand through his shaggy hair, Dane waved back. “Afternoon, Tau. Where are you off to in such a rush?” He dug the axe into the stump before him and wiped the sweat off his brow.

“Aida comes.” The smile grew wider if that were even possible.

It was infectious and Dane had one on his face as well. The children in the village could make him smile; otherwise he wasn’t known to do so. He kept to himself majorly but the villagers had made him feel more than welcome. He spent his days doing repairs and helping around when and where he could.

Resting a hand on the smooth wooden handle, he asked, “And who is Aida?” He’d met most of the people in this and surrounding villages, Aida wasn’t a name he knew.

“Teacher’s friend. Come, Mr. Dane. Come!”

With an indulgent chuckle, he reached for his shirt and drew it on over his head. “Okay, Tau, I’m right behind you.”

As they moved toward the schoolhouse, which doubled as a gathering area, Dane noticed Tau’s extreme excitement and yet the lad tried to contain it. There were a lot of people converging on the school where it sat nestled under the canopy of some huge shade trees. The thick, leafy foliage helped keep the interior cool in this African heat. I bet the ones I don’t see are already inside.

Dane hung back as Tau bolted ahead, scampering up the two steps. Through the noise and gaiety a new voice trickled to his ears. A woman’s laugh, low and rich it flowed over him. Thick warmed honey came to mind as he heard it. He swallowed hard while lust with possessiveness raced through him. It stunned him. This woman somehow had some form of effect on him and he hadn’t even laid eyes on her. Not remotely close to what I was expecting.

The teacher strode by, a child hanging on each leg and one around his neck. “Hey Dane,” he said.

“Christopher,” he replied with a nod. “Looks like you have an armful there.”

Sparkling blue eyes stared at him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Coming in?”

Dane watched the kids let go and bolt up to the interior of the building. “Who’s Aida?”

“A wonderful friend. I guess you could kind of say she’s like Santa Claus to everyone here, very giving. Aida usually brings clothing, non-perishables, and stuff like that when she stops by. Books, pens, paper and the like. She doesn’t come around to often but when she does,” Christopher waved a hand around, “this is the result. Come on, you’ll like her. She’s very easy going.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Christopher stared at him with understanding. “Okay, see you inside.” He disappeared in the darkened interior.

Dane knew Christopher understood he was running from something, yet didn’t pry, and for that Dane respected him immensely. Running his hand over his face, he paced back and forth. The beast within him stirred restlessly, chuffing with anticipation, of something he didn’t quite know. With a deep breath, he easily leaped up the steps and strode into the chaos reigning in the building.

His gaze found her immediately and just as fast he found himself without a breath. His animal scented her. Almost like she were prey. No. Not prey. Something else. Something more. So much more. But he knew. He knew. It was instinctual and emotional. Primeval and raw. Something he swore wouldn’t ever happen to him. She was his mate. Mine!

The wave of possessiveness he’d experienced outside was nothing like the one that broadsided him now. His knees shook and he had to lock them so he remained on his feet. He fought the longing to growl and make it well known that she belonged to him. His canines began to extend and he forced himself to retain control.

She stood at the far end of the building, Christopher beside her with boxes of things set out before her. Boxes from which parents were digging through and handing items to the many anxious children. Dane watched as she gave her full attention to person after person who hugged her, adult and children alike.

While she talked, he observed. Perhaps ogled would be a better word. Skin the color of rich brown ochre covered her curvaceous body. Wavy dark brown hair with coppery highlights sat gathered up off her neck, a few wisps stuck to her face courtesy of the heat. She wore a pale green tank top and dark, dusty pants. He could smell her and the scent of cinnamon, vanilla, and soft apples reached him. Lust raged through him.

Look at me! The command went unanswered. Dane stepped further in the room and her head lifted slowly finally allowing their gazes to meet. A pair of intoxicating brown eyes with flecks of gold scattered through them stared at him. He was lost as her eyes widened and slowly moved down his body and back up again. Dane remained motionless waiting until she finished her perusal of him.

Solnyshko moyo.

But more than just that. She was his.

My mate.