Wolf's Obsession Read online

  “Okay Thorne, stop worrying, come on. Let's take our blows like adults.” Melanie busted out laughing as they entered the hallway. Floorboards creaked as they made a sharp right to slip down the steps and take a seat in the living room.

  Donovan stood next to the fireplace, hands on his hips, giving the couple “the” look, eventually sitting down as Natalie walked past, swatting him on the arm.

  “Donovan, leave those children alone and watch television or something. Your pig's blood is in the kitchen, I forgot to bring it out!” Natalie said, giving her daughter a huge hug, and kissing Thorne on his cheek. “Thorne, I want you to know, we welcome you to the family. Please take care of our little girl.”

  “Thanks Mrs. Jackson.” Thorne grinned.

  “No worries Thorne,” Natalie crooned.

  Thorne grabbed Melanie, pulling her close to him while inhaling her fragrance. Accidentally, his hand brushed against the small patch of skin he felt earlier during the day. Satisfying his curiosity, he quickly pulled Melanie's hair up in an effort to examine the patch, despite Melanie's protests. “Thorne…nooo!” Melanie howled.

  “What the hell…Melanie!” Thorne growled in shock. “What is that?” The alpha of the Black Claw Clan demanded venomously. Melanie broke out in tears, fear gripping her, as she knew Thorne demanded an explanation for what he'd just seen at the occipital area of her skull.

  Donovan and Natalie rushed over to the couple in an effort to console Melanie while explaining to Thorne.

  “Donovan, now do you think it's time to explain to the man?” Natalie asked, raising her brow. “He needs to know if he's going to be her mate.”

  “Explain what exactly?” Thorne asked. “Melanie has a thick scaly patch in her scalp. I felt it earlier this afternoon, but she said it was a bump she had scratched. It looks like…like, like snake's skin.” Thorne said, wrinkling his eyebrows.

  “Son, sit down.” Donovan said as soft as he could despite his deep voice.

  “Melanie, why are you dishonest with me?” Thorne demanded.

  “Thorne honey, I'm sorry, but you just don… Oh my God, Mom!” Melanie whimpered, suddenly feeling weak at the knees at the look of disgust carved on Thorne's handsome features. The look in his eyes made Melanie consider crawling underneath a rock, remaining there for the rest of her existence.

  “What is it Melanie?” Thorne demanded. “Someone tell me something!”

  “Lower you voice in my house son,” Donovan said, raising a brow.

  Sitting down, Thorne placed his head in his hands, bracing himself at the explanation to come. Natalie sat down beside him, putting a hand on the confused man's shoulder.

  “Is something wrong with Melanie?” Thorne asked. He supported his chin against his knuckles, feeling his elbows digging deep into his quadricep muscles. He fought hard to regain control over his breathing as Melanie sat across from him, tissue in hand, her eyes red from crying.

  “Melanie and I are from a different clan of werewolves.” Natalie said, biting her lip as she glanced over at her daughter. “You see Thorne, I have a patch as well.” The woman turned her back to Thorne, lifting her sandy brown colored hair revealing the same scaly patch similar to that of her daughter, but larger. Looking closely, the patch was in the shape of a wolf's head, appearing to take on a life of it's own.

  “What the…Melanie..” Thorne shook his head. He knew she possessed a mark. It was supposed to have been in the form of a birthmark. But there was more. Thorne swallowed hard as Natalie turned, facing him.

  “You see Thorne, this isn't our original home. Our home was destroyed centuries ago by war and greed. Our home was a planet called Edolonia…

  (To be continued – Part 3 Out Now at Night Owl Romance – www.nightowlromance.com – This will be a free read!)

  Wolf's Obsession Part 3 of 3

  Thorne started shaking his head, looking at Melanie, Donovan, and then Natalie. Fighting to maintain his composure, Thorne bit his lip and proceeded to ask questions.

  Among the stars?” he asked.

  “Come on Nat, cut to the chase.” Donovan said. Young Wolf is becoming as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! You're making the boy sweat, for God's sake!

  “Our planet was called Edolonia Thorne.” Natalie said as calmly as she could, fearing the man would lose his mind on the spot. “We are an ancient race of advanced shape-shifters. My ancestors first visited this planet around the time when Native Americans freely roamed North America before Custer, even centuries before Conquistadors,” Natalie continued. We have existed for thousands of years until greed and war destroyed our planet. Quite similar to the way things are going here on Earth. Man is uncaring, wreaking havoc on Earth's resources, building senselessly, and killing animals, throwing Earth's balance off. I witnessed the same pattern on Edolonia. Earth is safe…for now.

  “Safe, for now?” Thorne asked.

  “Yes, for centuries, tribes foretold of the Earth changes Thorne. Look around you, global warming has affected the planet. Polar ice caps are melting, and the levels of the oceans are changing, destroying our barrier reefs. Certain wildlife is decreasing. You had to have known these things, elders in every Native American tribe knew of the approaching changes.

  “Aw, come on Nat, you’re depressing me!” Donovan exclaimed restlessly. “You know I hate it when you talk like that!” he said like a little kid pouting.

  “The truth hurts, doesn’t it Donovan? Edolonia went through the same changes. Our oceans dried up, and the suns destroyed our planet. It became increasingly harder to survive the heat.

  “Your planet had two suns?” Thorne asked in awe.

  “Yes and three moons.” Natalie responded. This is how the patch on the nape of our necks formed, it was a survival mechanism, capturing the harmful rays of the suns. At night, we regained our strength, allowing our species to develop a tolerance to the suns.

  “So, it’s true what my ancestors spoke of, witnessing iron birds in the sky centuries ago," Thorne said, sucking in a deep breath. "Melanie, why the hell didn't you say anything to me, I mean, why all the secrets?" Thorne asked, his gaze slicing through Melanie like a knife through a biscuit.

  "Thorne, I didn't say anything because I knew you'd react this way." Melanie said in a shaky voice. "I denied my heritage for the longest time, as though it would change things. I didn't accept myself Thorne, so how could I expect anyone else to accept me?"

  Thorne rose to his feet, slowly walking around the house, his gaze fixated upon the wooden floor. Confusion and doubt set in, causing him to analyze the situation and his relationship with Melanie.

  "So, how different are the species?" Thorne asked. "Melanie, I need my clan to carry on the wendigo line." Thorne said regretfully. "I'm sorry, I…I can't do this Melanie, not now, I need time to think." Thorne said.

  "You son of a bitch!" Donovan sneered. "My little girl was good enough for you to have your way with in the back of some shitty hole in the wall club…"

  "Donovan, please, don't…" Natalie started, rudely interrupted by Donovan.

  "No Nat, I'm going to have my say!"

  "Dad, please, let it go!"

  "Hell no Melanie!" Donovan hissed at his daughter. "Son, what you're saying is my baby girl isn't good enough for your clan? Well damn you and your fucking clan to hell, and get the hell out of my house while you can still walk, young wolf!" Donovan sneered, trying to stifle the mounting rage building within his chest.

  "Donovan, its not like that, I simply need time to think!" Thorne exclaimed, not wanting to get sucked up in a shouting match with the stubborn vampire.

  "If you love her like you say you do, what's there to think about Thorne? You know, I think I was wrong about you. When I first met you, I didn't like you, then after getting to know you, I liked you; some. Now, I don't fucking like your sorry ass at all! Go on boy, get out, my daughter will find someone who is capable of loving her, regardless of where she comes from! You haven't even listened to Natalie." />
  "Oh my God, Donovan!" Natalie cried out.

  Due to the increased stress and heartache, Melanie was in the process of painfully shifting, somewhere along the lines of wolf and vampire. Painful cries and animalistic moans escaped her lips, as she was forced down on all fours by the change. Bones crackled and popped underneath fur. Vicious, yellowish red eyes glared straight ahead into the wall, and Melanie's moans turned to screeches as she regained her composure, eventually rising on two feet.

  "Melanie?" Natalie called approaching her daughter, only to be answered with a growl as the beautiful creature backed up, towards the entrance of the house. She looked at her father, and it almost tore her heart out, seeing the sympathy he held for her within his eyes. Then there was Thorne, which was the hardest for Melanie. The look of confusion and disgust, clearly carved across his face.

  Thorne sucked in a deep breath as the large creature before him studied him with a hurt look on her face. His heart sank, for she was beautiful to him, different, but beautiful. Thorne had never seen a female wolf of this nature. Her black and silver fur gleamed in the lighting of the Jackson's home, and her fangs were a mixture of wolf and vampire alike. Her slender physique was muscular and dexterous. Her snout was rounded and her nose quivered.

  The female sniffed the air, and although in Thorne's present state of mind, his wolf pheromones excited her. Throwing her head back, Melanie howled a long heart felt howl, releasing all her pain and anguish.

  "Melanie honey, where are you going?" Donovan asked, as his daughter lowered herself on all fours, proceeding to the entrance of the house.

  Melanie turned, looked at her father and a strange hissing growl slowly escaped curled lips. Patience, all but lost to Melanie, she was ready to tear into anything that moved. She'd attack herself if it were a possible feat. Right now, hatred emanated from every pore in her body.

  "Who the hell are you growling at young lady?" Donovan hissed back, ready to approach his daughter until Natalie cut him off.

  "Donovan, let her go." Natalie said.

  "Are you crazy woman? She could hurt someone the way she is! We need to lock her up!" Donovan exclaimed.

  "No, you will not lock our daughter up!" Natalie said, her eyes beginning to glow with sheer fury. "Melanie needs to sort things out, on her own Donovan. You know it as well as I do. She needs to roam free, and this is just the place to do it. That is the purpose of our community. She has countless land to roam free on." Natalie insisted.

  Donovan stared at his daughter in shock, harshly sucking in a breath in agreement with his wife, and giving Thorne the evil eye. Thorne tried to approach Melanie, but to his surprise, she quickly turned around, slashing at him with her sharp claws. If it weren't for his lightening fast reflexes, he'd be sporting a large claw mark on the side of his face. Melanie bared her fangs, growling a warning, a warning that strangely racked fear throughout the leader's taunt body. Fear had never been a part of Thorne's life, until now.

  "You should heed that warning Thorne," Natalie said. In our race, females possess the ability to overpower the males, some even devour their mates, when they have been wronged by them.

  “Oh wonderful; well at least our clans have some things in common.” Thorne said harshly. "Both species are into cannibalism, go figure!”

  “Oh, yes, wendigos ate their women and children, that’s why your clan members were depleted long ago.” Natalie said.

  “So…you know of our clan, our heritage?” Thorne asked in surprise.

  “Thorne, there is much I know,” Natalie said. “I’ll explain it all to you later, but right now…

  Quickly, Melanie dashed out the door, knocking the screen off the hinges. Several lone howls broke the night as Melanie ran long and hard, far away from the torment, rage, and pain she was experiencing.

  Thorne attempted to shift into wendigo form, until Donovan stopped him. The vampire was simply too quick for the leader. Wrestling Thorne to the ground, Donovan warned Thorne of the impeding danger.

  "Get the hell off me, old timer!" Thorne gritted through his teeth as haunting, golden eyes slowly replaced his dark ones.

  "Boy, who the hell are you calling old timer?" Donovan hissed, baring his incisors. “I’ll show you an old timer, you young son of a…

  "You two! Cut it out now! Natalie growled.

  Suddenly, without warning a large black form came careening through the open door, snatching Thorne up from Donovan's clutches and into the cabin wall of the Jackson's home. The large wolf must have been at least six foot five. The wolf held Thorne within it's gaze as the man struggled in vain for freedom.

  "Storm! Get the hell off me, now!" Thorne choked out. Storm Cloudfeather was a mighty force in his wendigo form. One large clawed hand fit snugly around Thorne's neck, and Donovan simply couldn't get enough of the action, for he broke out in a deep, dark hysterical laughter. He would have definitely defended Thorne if forced to, but since this large wolf knew the young wolf, Donovan wallowed in seeing the man jacked up by this large wolf with the beautiful thick, long black hair.

  Slowly, the large wolf released his brother, dropping him violently to his feet. Red faced, Thorne angrily gripped his throat and quickly rose to his feet, muttering Chippewa and making hand gestures to the wolf, who slowly shifted to human form.

  Natalie shook her head as two large Native American men entered through the doorway one by one. Ronnie Redhawke acknowledged the Jacksons, introducing himself, and the other man, Jay Silvercloud. Slowly, an elderly Native American gentleman stepped through the door. Hawk Silvercloud, the clan's shaman spoke in Chippewa, chastising Storm and Thorne.

  Donovan shook the mens’ hands, introducing Natalie. The two men were strong, fierce warriors, and posed no threat, Donovan sensed. Hawk was tall, but elderly, possessing centuries of wisdom. They all stood proud and noble, filling Donovan with a sense of pride.

  "My deepest apologies to you both," Storm said, regaining his composure. He walked over, shaking the Jacksons’ hands.

  "You see, I've been tracking my little brother for quite some time. He led me all over the damned city, and now here, out in God only knows where," Storm said, with a puzzled look on his face.

  "Young man, how did you find us? This land is protected by our guardians’ ancient protection gates." Natalie asked, puzzled.

  "I tracked Thorne here, Mrs. Jackson, and I sensed your gate. Hawk, our shaman was able to break through the defenses of the gate, but I was the guinea pig, and since I was the first one through, it shocked the living hel…, I mean daylights out of me." Storm slowly explained. "It painfully caused me to shift into wendigo form. I'm truly sorry for barging through your home," Storm apologized to Natalie. Turning to his brother, Storm shook his head in utter disappointment.

  "Thorne, you and I really need to talk. I have a few choice words for you." Storm growled, eyeing the young warrior.

  "Storm, I can explain."

  "Truly Thorne, I don't wish to hear whatever it is you have to say. You tracked your mate here, to this state, leaving the clan vulnerable. That is a crime I cannot and will not forgive," Storm spoke harshly to his younger brother, his stone cold features hardening with each moment he looked at Thorne. A flash of yellowish orange poked through his dark brown eyes as his eyebrows knitted tightly together. His long jet black hair was neatly combed back and held with a deerskin tie. If not for his modern clothes, Storm looked like an ancient Native American warrior from the past.

  "Raphael followed me here, along with a few of his clan members." Thorne said to his defense. "Things aren't as bad as they appear to be Storm," Thorne said. "Try to lighten up a bit, and understand my situation."

  "Lighten up a bit? Your situation? Listen to yourself Thorne! You are simply a self-centered, uncaring ass!" Storm said quietly, trying not to curse too much in the Jacksons' home. Since childhood, Thorne had such a profound way of bringing out the worst in Storm.

  "I'm well aware of Raphael's presence. This entire town wreaks of him! Tho
rne, you’re unbefitting as a clan leader, and I hereby renounce you of your position!" Storm quickly said, glancing at Hawk, who nodded in agreement with the tall man.

  "What! But you can't do that to me Storm!" Thorne sneered.

  "Oh, but I can, and….I have Thorne. It is my own fault, I thought I had taught you better than this, apparently, I haven't. I'm disappointed in you, and myself Thorne." Storm said in a low growl. Hurt slicing through his tough exterior, Thorne sucked in a breath, and held his head high, for it was the wendigo way of not showing any emotion.

  "I challenge you Storm." Thorne croaked.

  "I don't think you want to go there." Storm quickly said, arching a brow.

  "No Thorne, I don't think you want to go there, either, not in my damn house." Donovan Jackson said, folding his arms across his chest. "You men need to take your problems outside, before I call my clan." Donovan said calmly.

  "I mean you no disrespect sir," Storm said.

  "Now see Thorne, why can't you be more like your brother. He's respectful, and doesn't dislike vampire as a whole." Donovan said.

  "Thorne doesn't think of anyone but himself," Storm replied. "I sensed pain when I approached the house, and I'm sure you're the cause of it Thorne!" Storm said.

  "It's a long story, our daughter, Melanie, Thorne's mate. Oh, hell, I don't even know where to start." Natalie said, sitting down, holding her head in her hands.

  "Your daughter is in danger" Jay said.

  "What do you mean, she's in danger?" Donovan asked, as his temper quickly flared.

  "Raphael's clan has struck a deal with your friendly neighborhood hunter." Jay quickly said. "Your daughter is hurt, and her judgement is way off," the medicine man added. "The hunter will soon find her!"

  "You're a very powerful medicine man," Natalie quickly added. "There is so much to talk to you all about, we just need to get my baby to safety," she added. "Will you please aid us in finding Melanie?"

  "Let me round up a few members of my clan," Donovan said, quickly grabbing his cell phone. "I'll need a few members watching over the premises here, while we split up and search for Melanie."