Fated- Wolf and the Hare Read online

  “What did you mean about natural wolves?” I asked Dax, curious now. There was so much I didn’t know.

  “Our natural cousins break off from their birth pack at maturity to find a mate and create a family,” Dax said. “Just like we’re doing.”

  All their comments about being similar to natural wolves suddenly filled me with doubt. If they were so wolfish, what was stopping them from turning me into a meal? A single hare was as good as a snack for three hungry wolves.

  But they’d also proven to be brave and noble. They saved my life from that nasty fox shifter Red, who’d ignored the unwritten law about shifters not eating other shifters. I’d be glad if we never saw him again. I remembered my nightmare of the fox and unconsciously shuffled closer to Hugo. He noticed with a slight, curious raise of a brow but didn’t comment.

  “Well? Can you keep up, hare?” Dax asked.

  I realized the alpha was challenging me. Despite my misgivings about being a hare omega among alpha wolves, I grinned. “You’re on.”

  The four of us changed at once, the ancient magic of shapeshifting coursing through us, the action as natural as breathing. The space where men had stood was now filled with three wolves and a hare, all sprinting joyously down the grassy slope.

  Freedom pumped in my blood. I’d never felt this way before. My whole life revolved around the warren—feeding the warren, protecting the warren, never straying far from the warren. But things were different now. The place I called home had abandoned me, and now I was a free hare living as wildly as wolves.

  Who, by the way, were not as fast as me.

  I out sped all three of them with ease, streaking across the land like a bullet. My heart pounded against my ribs. My whole body felt light and airy, becoming one with the earth and sky. My claws dug into the dirt as I propelled myself forward.

  “Damn, he’s fast!” Dax exclaimed.

  “Shouldn’t have challenged him,” Hugo said with a chuckle.

  “Wait up!” Sage called breathlessly from the back.

  I didn’t wait. I was too happy. The joy spread through my body in a burst of adrenaline and I was climbing up, up the next slope.

  But the exertion came with a price. As I turned back to see the wolves behind me, the motion ignited the pain from last night. It shot through me suddenly and I seized with a cry. I stumbled, tangling up in a pile of my own furry limbs.

  “Len!” Hugo cried.

  He was the first to reach me. His amber eyes glowed with worry. “What happened?”

  “Ugh. I’m fine,” I muttered, getting to my feet. “It’s just my injury from yesterday.”

  The fur on Hugo’s neck bristled. From this angle on the ground, he looked massive—and intimidating.

  “That damn fox!” Hugo growled. “If I ever see him again, I’ll bite his tail off!”

  “I’m fine,” I repeated. I shook myself off and stood, waiting to see if the pain returned. The sharp spike was gone but a dull agony in my side remained. I suspected it would be there for a few days at least. “It’s my fault. I ran too hard after getting hurt.”

  But Hugo remained annoyed. His hackles were like needles and he bared his teeth in a growl. Instinct wormed its way back into my heart. I stepped back from him and my muscles tensed, ready to spring.

  “Hugo, cut it out,” Dax scolded. His voice in wolf form was always laced with a growl, like it was for the rest of them, but I could tell he put effort into keeping his tone calm and steady. “You’re scaring Len.”

  Hugo’s face fell. His lips fell over his teeth and his ears pushed back like a guilty dog. “Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

  I sighed in relief. My hare soul seemed to realize the danger was gone. “It’s okay.”

  “No,” Hugo said, shaking his head. “I need to be more considerate. I’m sorry, Len.”

  Is this guy for real? I thought in amusement.

  Before my eyes he shifted from a wolf to a man, then kneeled in front of me. “Are you well enough to walk? I can carry you, if you’d like.”

  My whiskers twitched in surprise. “I…”

  “Len, you need time to heal,” Dax said. The authoritative edge to his voice was calm, not like the pompous tone of the Chief Hare. It made me more inclined to listen. “Let Hugo carry you for a while.”

  I glanced up at Hugo’s body. Even though he was kneeling, he looked like a giant from the ground. An unusually handsome giant.

  “All right,” I conceded. There was no use pushing myself and making my injury worse.

  “I’ll be careful,” Hugo promised as he reached for me.

  I let myself go limp in his arms. He held me close to his chest, which was warm and strong. I sighed contentedly. I’d never been carried before. The sensation was odd, but wholeheartedly pleasant. I leaned into it, laying my head against Hugo’s chest. His heartbeat fluttered quickly, probably because of all the running we’d done.

  A hare in the arms of a wolf, I mused. If only the Chief Hare could see me now. He’d probably shit himself.

  I shut my eyes as Hugo walked, content to simply exist for a few moments. The ache in my side had subsided except for a dull, distant throb, lost to the warmth of Hugo’s body heat.

  Something touched me. I stilled as my heart tumbled over itself. Then I realized it was Hugo’s hand. He was stroking my fur.

  My eyes snapped open and Hugo quickly removed his hand.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Was that inappropriate?”

  I glanced up at him. A blush dusted his cheeks. He seemed embarrassed by the action.

  “N-no,” I said. “It’s okay, it just startled me. I’ve never been… pet.”

  I was glad to be in hare form because if I’d been a man, my face would be redder than a beet.

  “As long as it’s okay,” Hugo said.

  Neither of us spoke. With my ear to Hugo’s chest, it amplified the sound of his thudding heart. I was beginning to wonder if it really was because of the exercise or something else. But it wasn’t just his pulse I felt. The scent he’d carried—the strangely pleasant one—was back, and much stronger this close to him. It wasn’t like a human cologne that originated in one place. It was Hugo’s natural scent, emanating from all of him, like his entire being was a blooming flower enticing me.

  I shook my head. What the hell, Len? Get a grip.

  “Hey, slowpokes!” Sage called.

  In my daze I’d forgotten about the other two wolves. They stood atop the crest ahead, impatiently flicking their tails as they waited for us to catch up.

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s harder to run on two legs,” Hugo shot back as he got close.

  I flinched with guilt. I hadn’t meant to slow down the group.

  “Put me down,” I said firmly. “I can walk myself.”

  Hugo furrowed his brow. “But Len, your injury—”

  “I’m okay.” My voice was firm, hiding the pain. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

  Dax’s expression softened. “No, Hugo’s right.” He shifted to become a man, and Sage followed suit. “We’ll go together like this. It’s not fair to you.”

  My long ears went wonky in confusion. I didn’t understand these wolves at all.

  “What’s with the expression?” Dax asked.

  “I—” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing, a strange chuff coming from my hare voice. “Nothing, it’s just that you three keep surprising me.”

  “How so?”

  “All my life, I was told wolves are cruel and cold,” I said. “But you’ve been nothing but kind to me.”

  Hugo smirked. “Maybe you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

  “Or maybe,” Sage said with a huge grin, “you shouldn’t believe everything you hare. Get it?”

  With a groan, Dax gave Sage a shove. The omega nearly toppled over.

  “Oh, come on, that one was funny,” Sage complained.

  “It was okay,” I said with an amused twitch of my whiskers. “I think you can do be
tter. Try to branch out next time.”

  “Thank you, Len. At least someone offers some constructive criticism…”

  6

  Hugo

  All day I had the joy of holding Len in my arms. His presence as a small furry animal was not only incredibly precious, but it warmed my heart to know he trusted me so openly. He could have refused my help and tried to walk on his own but chose instead to put his faith in me. I wouldn’t let him down—literally or figuratively.

  By afternoon, Len grew restless. I noticed him huffing and sighing and fidgeting more than usual. Instead of dozing, he scanned the land. We’d past the warren by now, leaving it far behind, and now all of us were in uncharted territory.

  “What is it?” I asked him.

  He opened his mouth to reply but before he could, his stomach let out a growl that answered for him. His ears drooped in embarrassment but I only laughed.

  “You’re hungry?” I asked. “You should have said something.”

  Len pushed his paws together. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  “Interrupt what? We’re not doing anything important. Just journeying.”

  I stopped myself from saying he was the most important thing right now, though I was definitely thinking it.

  From ahead, Sage’s voice rang out and interrupted my thoughts. “Hey, are you guys talking about food?”

  Len chuckled while I groaned.

  “Yes, Sage,” I said. “Why don’t you go find us something to eat?”

  “That’s a good idea,” Dax added. “We’ve been on the move all morning. We could all use a break.”

  “Yeah, yeah, food!” Sage said, bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet. “I’m starving.”

  “Why don’t you go get some then instead of running your mouth?” Dax grumbled.

  Sage grinned sheepishly. “Er, ‘cause I don’t know the area that well. Len, how about you?”

  “Sorry,” Len said. “We’re already way past the warren’s territory. I don’t know where we are any better than you guys.”

  Dax examined Len for a moment, as if thinking about something. Then he said, “Sage and I will go hunt. You two stay here and don’t wander off.”

  My brothers shifted fluidly into their wolves and took off, noses in the air to scent prey.

  “Hey, Hugo,” Len said. “I’m feeling better now. You can, er, put me down.”

  I ignored the flash of disappointment—I’d grown used to carrying him, and even felt a little pride from doing so—but Len’s wishes were more important. I placed him gently on the grass next to me. A moment later, he too had shifted. He let out a pleased groan and lay back against the hill.

  I smiled as I looked down at him. With his eyelashes fluttered shut against his cheeks and his expression peaceful, he was so handsome. He was cute as a hare, but as a man he was delicious in a way that had nothing to do with meat.

  Still with his eyes shut, Len chuckled. “I can feel you staring at me.”

  Heat rushed into my face. I averted my eyes. “No, I wasn’t.”

  “I’m a prey animal, Hugo. I know when I’m being stared at, even when my eyes are closed.”

  Thoroughly embarrassed, I stared out across the horizon and pretended I didn’t exist. Len just laughed. He sat up and elbowed me gently.

  “Gee, you really are flustered,” he said wryly. “You’re easy to rile up.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m a stoic wolf.”

  That only made Len laugh harder. The sound of his laughter made my chest tighten and tingle with pleasant electricity. Still, as much as I was drawn to look at him, I forced myself not to. Suddenly he seemed forbidden, like if I expressed too much interest in him that I would ruin what we had now.

  “Hello?” Len said. He waved a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Hugo.”

  “I’m on earth.”

  “I can see that. I’m asking why you’re ignoring me.”

  Appalled at the accusation, I whirled to face him. “I am not ignoring you.”

  “There we go,” he said, grinning. “And yeah, you were. What happened?”

  I obviously couldn’t tell him my true feelings without scaring him away, but I didn’t want to lie either.

  “I, uh, was thinking about lunch,” I said pathetically.

  “Okay.” Len cocked an eyebrow, not believing me but choosing not to comment. His expression shifted into something a little less amused. “Hey, sorry if this is a weird question but… What do you guys eat?”

  My heart sank. “We’re wolves. We eat any prey we can find, and sometimes scavenge carrion or berries.”

  Len made a face like he knew I wasn’t giving him the real answer. “It’s okay,” he said. “You don’t have to lie or hide things from me. Now that I’m travelling with you guys, it’s best I know. I don’t want you or your brothers to act differently for my sake.”

  I knew what Len was really asking. If we ate hare.

  I swallowed hard. “Well… We hunt deer, elk, voles… rabbit and hare…”

  “Thought so.” Len smiled, which confused me.

  “You’re not upset?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Not really? I mean, I knew what you were a wolf when I chose to join you.”

  “It would be stupid if I asked you to change that because of me.”

  Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “But I would change for you.”

  Len blinked, his brown eyes wide. My outburst stunned him into silence. I quickly scrambled my words into an order that made sense, or at least tried the best I could while my brain felt fried.

  “What I mean is,” I said, “I can easily omit rabbit—or hare—from my diet. For you.”

  Maybe it was the sun warming Len’s cheeks. Either that or he was blushing.

  Since I had a big wolf’s mouth and couldn’t stop taking apparently, I went on. “And you already know this, but I’ll say it again. We’re not like that fox shifter, Red. We don’t eat shifters, ever. We only eat natural animals. Ones that don’t talk or turn into people.”

  Len chuckled. “I got it, thanks.”

  Now that I’d made a thorough fool out of myself, I stopped talking. I felt ashamed over my blustering words until Len put his hand on my shoulder.

  “Thank you, Hugo,” he said softly. “I appreciate how much effort you—and your brothers—have put in to make me feel comfortable.”

  His words surprised me and I faced him with a slight frown. “But why? I mean, you’re welcome, but you’re acting like it’s a big deal when it shouldn’t be.”

  Something crossed Len’s face and he stared out at the field. “It is a big deal to me,” he murmured. “Back in my warren, nobody ever stood up for me. It’s gonna sound pathetic but I didn’t have many friends. And the Chief Hare hated me.” He rolled his eyes. “I guess I tried to pretend he didn’t, but it was obvious in the end when he banished me.”

  My wolf stirred in my soul, growling with anger. It infuriated me every time I recalled the way he’d banished Len like he was a nuisance. If I had a second chance with that Chief, he might not get away with that cotton tail of his intact next time.

  “That’s why it means a lot to me,” Len said, turning to me. His eyes were warm and full of emotion. “Sorry for being a sap.”

  Without thinking, I reached out and put my hand on his knee. His eyes flickered to it but he didn’t draw away.

  “You’re not a sap, and you’re not a nuisance,” I told him. “You deserve kindness. I’m sorry that you were treated that way.” My wolf growled protectively within me and I felt a flash of its amber flicker across my eyes. “You won’t be, ever again. You’re safe with me.”

  Len’s eyes widened.

  When I realized what I’d said, I hurriedly added, “Us. With us, I mean.”

  His expression softened. “Thanks, Hugo.”

  Neither of us spoke for a moment. A tender silence hung in the air, and as the gentle breeze blew, it carried Len’s scent closer to me. It was sweeter than
any flower, more delectable than any meat. He faced me, unmoving, and I did the same. He was all I could see. All I wanted to see.

  It was only when my fingers dug deeper into his skin that I realized my hand was still on his knee. But I didn’t want to draw it back and Len didn’t tell me to.

  A spool of my wolf’s courage unravelled and I opened my mouth to ask, “Len, what do you know about f—”

  “We’re back! Did you miss us?”

  I could’ve killed Sage. He bounded towards us, blissfully unaware that he’d ruined our moment. There wasn’t even anything in his jaws to make up for it.

  Len’s knee moved beneath my hand and I quickly removed it. Neither of us commented on it. Without words, we simultaneously decided to keep that moment a secret meant only for the two of us.

  “Oh, Len!” Sage said, wagging his tail. “You’re feeling better?”

  “Yes, thanks to Hugo,” Len said with a smile.

  Still annoyed at my little brother, I snapped, “So where’s our food?”

  “Dax is carrying it,” Sage replied, unaware that I was two seconds from ripping his fur off. “See?”

  A dark blur trailed behind him. As Dax drew closer, I saw a few pheasants in his jaws. He looked annoyed. He spat them on the ground then growled at Sage, “A little help would’ve been nice.”

  Sage flicked his ears back. “Sorry. I was excited to see Hugo and Len.”

  Both Dax and I were ready to chew him out when Len began laughing. He clapped a hand over his mouth but he couldn’t stop the giggles. Sage laughed along with him.

  I sighed, unable to stop a smile spreading over my lips. Len’s joy was contagious.

  “See?” Sage said, picking up a pheasant. “No rabbit. Just for you, Len.”

  I groaned at my brother’s bluntness. He had a lot of growing up to do on this journey. But thankfully, Len didn’t seem offended.

  “Thanks, both of you,” Len said. “I might eat something a little closer to home for now, but maybe next time I’ll share the catch.”

  “Closer to home? Like what?” Sage asked, tilting his head.