Page 4

Unease twists in my belly. I round the corner onto a street bustling with activity.

People flood the streets, some carrying small children, others walking dogs of all sizes.

They rush past, chatting to each other or into strange handheld objects I’ve never seen before.

Humans, all of them. I’m surrounded by humans, my clan’s greatest enemies.

Not a single one of them smells like I do or even looks like me.

They’re all different, and where I’m from, anything different is a threat.

My wolf snarls below the surface, and my heart races faster than a rabbit. Sweat dampens my palms. Jamie’s scent is lost to me among a sea of other smells. I try and swallow, but my throat is dry as a bone.

What is this feeling?

Those strange metal horses emit loud, blaring noises that make my ears ache.

A man wearing rags shakes coins around in a cup.

Someone slams into my shoulder. “Watch it!” the man snarls as he bares his yellow teeth, but I barely hear him over the strange music blasting from some sort of wheeled instrument he’s dragging along behind him.

My gods, but this place is noisy!

It’s too much.

Kill them all. The wolf inside grows into a berserker beast as my fear turns to red-hot rage.

I can’t. There are too many of them. I am outnumbered. I am a lone wolf without a pack, and lone wolves never last long.

I grip at my chest as my lungs constrict.

I must follow him, get the necklace, and go home.

A huge metal horse lets out a booming blast that echoes through the street and drags me from my thoughts.

Some guy yells at the metal horse to “Shut the fuck up!” How odd.

As if a horse can understand them. A familiar splash of color grabs my attention.

It’s Jamie’s blue horse, and I can just make him out through the window.

As Jamie races off, I pursue him like the moon chases the sun.

He makes several twists and turns, and the crowd ebbs and flows until the streets are at last quiet and relatively deserted.

Jamie hitches his horse along the curb and steps out, but he’s unaware of my presence.

I slow my steps, knowing I must plan my next move carefully.

I don’t want to frighten him again. I can’t use force.

Not against my mate. I must try another tactic.

But what? I know nothing of gentleness. Where I’m from, kindness and consideration will get you killed.

There’s never been a time in my life I’ve needed to rely upon anyone.

Relying on others means trusting them, and in my world, trusting the wrong person can end with a blade in your back.

But Jamie is my only anchor in the sea of uncertainty I’ve found myself in.

My only chance of returning home. I must not lose him.

I must swallow my pride, be calm, and do whatever it takes for him to give me that necklace.

Jamie walks around the side of the horse and opens one of the doors. “Come on out, bud. We’re home.”

Yawning, Jace drags himself from the horse’s insides.

“Feel okay?” Jamie puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder and guides him toward a tall house I assume is his home.

“A little. Tired.” He rubs his face as they stop before the front door. Their backs are turned, so neither sees when a man in a mask steps out of the shadows, blade in hand, and lurches toward Jamie.

The man presses the blade against Jamie’s back and says in a low, commanding voice, “I want everything you’re carrying. Phone. Wallet. I don’t fucking care. Hand it over or else.”

“Jamie!” The boy clutches Jamie’s arm with a frightened whimper.

Jamie’s entire body stiffens, and the scent of his fear bowls over me. “I-it’s okay, Jace. Listen, man, I’ll give you whatever you want. Just leave my brother alone.”

A red haze descends over my eyes, and my blood begins to boil. My fingernails lengthen into claws, and my fangs gnash in my mouth. The wolf within bays for blood.

I can’t fight the fury a second longer. I throw my fur hood up over my head, and the shift takes hold.

I drop down onto four huge paws as my body transforms. The wind roars in my ears as I charge.

Jumping upon the craven thief’s back, I sink my fangs into his coat and hurl him off the stoop.

The boy screams, and Jamie puts himself between the boy and me to shield him, his eyes huge and full of fright.

The boy has nothing to fear from me. I direct my fury at the thief, who is scrambling backward, smelling of fear and urine as he says, “Oh shit!” All I want is to rend flesh from bone and lay the threat broken and bloody at my mate’s feet so he knows without a doubt that he is safe. That he will always be safe.

Pulling back my shift, I grab the dropped knife in my hand and hold it to the thief’s throat. “Lay a single finger on them, and I will kill you. Understand me, fool?”

“Oh my god,” the thief babbles. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. Please, let me go.”

“Silence!” I snarl, digging the blade in until beads of blood form on his skin.

“W-wait!” Jamie says. “Don’t kill him. Let him go.”

I turn a glare on Jamie. “Why should I?”

“He’s just some idiot kid. Let him go. I don’t want his death on my conscience.”

“He tried to hurt you.” I can’t fathom my mate’s intentions. How can he be so forgiving?

“But he didn’t. You were here. You stopped him. Just let him go. I’ll file a report with the cops. He can be their problem.”

I don’t know who these “cops” are, but I suppose Jamie knows the ways of this world better than I do. If he thinks killing him will bring more trouble down on his head, then I don’t want that.

“Fine.” I pocket the blade. “Get out of here, thief. If I ever see you again—”

“You won’t!” the thief babbles, springing up. “Thanks, man, thank you so much!” He dashes off into the night. The wolf in me longs to chase him down and kill him away from Jamie’s prying eyes, but I’m distracted when Jamie says, “Stay back. I appreciate what you did, but—”

“But he helped us!” the boy interjects, poking his head out from around Jamie.

“It’s all right. I won’t harm either of you.” I sweep my gaze over Jamie, relaxing when he doesn’t appear harmed, just frightened. The rage inside cools to a simmer as I let my gaze linger on his full, soft lips and pert button nose.

“Are you hurt?” I ask.

Jamie shakes his head. “N-no. Thanks to you.” His throat bobs when he swallows. “Just so we’re clear… I really saw you change from a wolf into a man, right? I’m not crazy?”

“You saw correctly.”

“Oh…” Jamie sounds faint as he leans his head back against the door. “Wait. No. Stop. This is weird.”

The boy looks from Jamie to me, wide-eyed. “That wasn’t weird! That was awesome!” A big grin lights up his face. “You totally went all Jacob on his ass!”

“Language!” Jamie huffs.

I normally don’t like children, but the lad’s enthusiasm makes the corner of my mouth tip up. “Who is this Jacob? He sounds like a fearsome fighter.”

“A werewolf from this book series my friend likes called—”

But Jamie says, “Is that what you are? A werewolf? Or a wolf shifter?”

“We call ourselves ulfhednar. Why? Is there a difference?”

Jamie nods, moving his hands animatedly as he speaks.

“So, yeah. In fiction, werewolves are usually men or women who are forced to change into a wolf when there’s a full moon.

Like a curse. Wolf shifters can assume their form at will and are generally more sympathetic than werewolves, especially in romantic fiction. ”

Fiction? What in Odin’s beard is he talking about?

Jamie laughs. “You don’t understand most of what I just said, huh?”

I scowl. “I understood fine.” I didn’t, but like hell I’ll admit to feeling so utterly lost.

“That’s okay. You said ulfhednar, right?” He butchers the pronunciation, but I nod. “Okay, so that’s what I’ll call you. Wow. This is wild!”

“What time are you from?” the boy asks, venturing closer to get a better look at me. “You look like a Viking!”

“Aye, I am.” The boy’s big, bright smile confuses me. Their reactions are not what I was expecting. Aye, Jamie is ulfhednar himself, and so is the boy, but they’ve grown up among humans. I’m surprised he hasn’t been told awful things about us or taught to hate himself. “You aren’t afraid of me?”

The boy shakes his head emphatically. “No way! This is awesome. You’re a Viking werewolf! How cool is that?”

Jamie considers my question. “Not really. You saved my life. Or my belongings, at the very least. Besides, I’ve always thought werewolves—uh, ulfhednar—were really cool. Especially in romance novels.” His cheeks flush pink.

He thinks we’re… cool? “How exactly do ulfhednar and the weather relate to each other?”

“What?” He barks a laugh. “No! I mean… I like ulfhednar. I definitely don’t hate you.”

For someone who grew up among humans, he’s more open-minded than I expected. But how doesn’t he know he’s like me?

“Thanks for saving me. I’m sorry I punched you in the face. You were kinda creepy, but you made up for it.” He shakes his head. “I feel like an asshole now.”

I just shrug. “I’ve had much worse. You’ve got a good arm! You’d make a worthy warrior where I’m from, pet.”

Jamie’s cheeks color at the nickname. Gods above, but he is lovely. He returns my smile. “All right. How about we start over, then?” He clears his throat, then sticks out his hand. “I’m Jamie Sullivan. I like reading, baking, and cozy sweaters.”

I stare at his hand. “What are you doing?”

Jamie laughs softly. It’s a sweet and musical sound. His smile is more radiant than any sunrise I’ve ever seen. “You’re supposed to shake it. Oh, wait. Wolf shifters usually smell each other, right?”

The boy tilts his head. “Like, sniff each other’s butts? Gross.”

It’s true we like to scent each other, though not our asses, but if I’m going to be here long, I should get used to these human customs. “Shake it? Oh.” I grasp his hand and shake. Hard. Jostling his arm up and down, I say, “I am Anders, son of Erik and Matilda.”

“Whoa, you’ve got a good grip!” Jamie says, voice breaking as I vigorously pump his arm. He frees his hand and shakes it out, laughing as he pulls a ring of keys from his pocket. “A man who can shift into a wolf and time travel. What a strange night.”

“Why is that so strange?” I ask him. “You’re ulfhednar yourself.”

Jamie drops his keys. “Wait. I’m what?”

I thought it was strange that he’d go out and about without his furs, but his utter confusion is even more unsettling. How can he not know what he is?

“Jamie,” I say slowly, “you’re ulfhednar too. I can tell by your scent.”

Jamie snorts, scooping up his keys. “No, I’m not.”

“Did your grandmother give you any furs, by chance?”

“No, why would my—” Jamie’s mouth goes slack, his eyes bulging. “How… how would you possibly know about—”

He’s quiet for so long I start to think he’s frozen from the cold.

Finally, Jamie blinks a few times, then plasters a smile on his face. “I could really use a hot drink. Do you want to come upstairs?” His voice is decidedly casual. It worries me.

“Aye, sounds good. Have you got any mead?”

“What? Uh. Yeah. Sure.”

I don’t think he has any mead.