HERE’S A TIP B, MALE WEREWOLVES ARE ATTRACTED TO STRONG WOMEN.

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 11)

Declan reluctantly stood up from his half-eaten meal and then he waited for me to stand up. I had to lean on him whilst I pulled myself to my feet, as my legs wobbled horribly. I feel so weak and hungry!

FRICKIN’ HELL, YOU LOOK USELESS – he telepathically taunted – HERE’S A TIP B, MALE WEREWOLVES ARE ATTRACTED TO STRONG WOMEN.

“Man am I relieved that I’m not married to you!” I grumbled.

CLIMB UP AND I’LL CARRY YOU HOME TO YOUR HUSBAND – he thought bitterly.

He was so big in his European Werewolf body that even standing on all fours, he was almost the height of a horse. He was too high to climb in my weakened state! When I pointed this out, he growled unhappily and lowered himself to the ground. As soon as I’d clambered up, I wrapped my legs about his wide, muscled waist. I leaned over to hold onto his bulky shoulders which also enabled me to bask in his excessive body heat.

The monster raised himself once more to his four clawed feet, but he stood still for a minute or two as I sensed he appreciated our contact. Then after turning his beastly head to make sure I was holding on tightly, he took off out of the grassy plain! Declan bounded along on all fours at typical European Werewolf speed which was something like 300 km/h which was 100 km’s faster than what Lokoti Werewolves run.

We ran through the forest, with Declan expertly dodging the trees in our path as he simultaneously leapt over log, rock or bush. I must admit, I was enjoying the ride...! I felt as warm as toast thanks to his greater body heat and I also enjoyed the feel of his huge muscles ripple. However it took him twenty minutes running in supernatural speed, for him to reach the hill that my house sat on. I didn’t know I had gone so far…

WHEREABOUTS WERE WE? – I wondered when he slowed to a jog.

YOU MEAN IN THE NATIONAL PARK? ALL THE WAY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BORDER – he answered.

NO WONDER I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT PART OF OUR LANDS BEFORE – I marveled.

It was here that the ride ended when he leapt out of the tree line of the woods and landed on my dirt driveway. There we found Grant, Ian, Dad, Grandpa and Grandfather standing by the veranda steps talking to Mum and Gran. Everyone looked relieved to see me, but puzzled by the method of my arrival.

“B?” Mum came forwards, as did Dad and Grant.

“Hallo.” I growled out in my Werewolf voice as I gave a little wave with my claw-like hand.

Declan lowered himself to the ground once more, to enable me to climb off. When I did so, my legs gave away but Grant was quick to catch me. The European Werewolf looked on my husband jealously, before he abruptly turned and leapt back into the woods! Mum and Gran looked surprised by his sudden appearance and then disappearance, but I sensed he did it to stop himself from mauling the man who had become his rival.

“B, what’s wrong with you?” Mum cried out concerned as I had trouble standing on my own two feet.

“I instantaneously phased tonight.” I managed out, looking on their astonished faces. “I ran so fast in light speed that I accidentally turned myself into light. I looked bright and see through as I was running and when I nearly ran into a tree? Suddenly I found myself on the north side of the border, having instantaneously phased there without realizing it.”

“Hunter!” She whacked her husband on the arm. “You take our little girl out on a hunting trip as a Werewolf and she circulates for her first time without us!”

“You’re weak and tired at the moment, which happens to a Circulator who circulates for their first time.” Gran frowned. “Let’s get you inside and warmed up.”

“Actually,” I looked on in a pleading manner. “I’m really, really hungry…could I please have some bacon and eggs?”

“Of course you can!” She quickly agreed. “I was famished after the first time I circulated.”

Grant was about to scoop me up into his arms to carry his weakened wife inside, when I stopped him. I looked apologetically into his concerned eyes, before I next looked to Ian, Grandpa, Grandfather and then lastly, Dad.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you tonight and I’m not a very good Werewolf. I know if you had a son instead of a daughter he’d probably make a much better Lokoti Werewolf -”

“You think I’m disappointed in you?” He interrupted in an incredulous voice, before he crossed over to stand closely. “B I’m damn proud of you! I’m proud that you’re my daughter just as I’m proud of the fact that you’re the first female Lokoti Werewolf.”

“But,” I said in confusion, “when I couldn’t kill the bear you seemed angry or something.”

“Tonight I saw a new Lokoti Werewolf not let the bloodlust get the better of her. If that bear had been human, you managed to run away from the temptation of the kill and the human would have lived.” He said strongly.

“The human would have lived?” I asked amazed. “The human really would have lived because I ran away?”

“As long as Ian doesn’t snap its neck, sure.” Grandpa joked, making the men chuckle.

“Hey, how often do we get to eat grizzly?” Ian tried to justify himself. “The bear was just lying there like that…”

“I really can’t take you anywhere.” Grant mockingly shook his head at his older brother.

Just then Gran shuddered from the cold as Mum rubbed her arms in agreement.

“Er guys? Can we have this heartfelt moment inside where it’s heated?” My mother complained.

“Bacon and eggs do sound good right about now.” Grandfather smiled on Gran, before he escorted her up the veranda steps and into the house.

“But I thought you guys fed on grizzly tonight?” I looked at Grant.

“Never underestimate a Werewolf’s appetite, B.” Mum rolled her eyes. “They’re ALWAYS hungry.”

“Yeah well, it’s not just for food.” Dad laughingly pulled her close, before they followed her parents inside.

“C’mon then, let’s get some ‘human’ food inside of you.” Ian joked. He stepped back as he watched Grant pick me up to gallantly carry me over the threshold. As he trailed in after, he mused, “but what about Declan though, I’ve never seen him give anybody a ride on his back before.”

“With his European Werewolf temper, he would soon as maul whoever would even suggest such a thing.” Dad agreed.

Grant sat me down in a chair at the dining table before taking the seat next to mine, as Gran and Grandfather helped themselves to cooking in my kitchen for one and all. Mum even went in to help, as Dad set the table.

“Declan’s always been protective over B.” Mum mused, overhearing their conversation. “I remember how he used to pick her up and carry her everywhere when she was little.”

“He did?” I looked up, taken aback. “I must have been really little then, because I don’t remember it.”

“I remember.” Gran smiled softly. “You, Derik and Declan all used to be quite close until you and Derik hit seven years old.”

“That’s when the fighting began.” Mum chimed in. “Suddenly you and Declan went from best friends to worst enemies, almost overnight.”

Just then Grant frowned as he leaned in and sniffed me, “his scent on you is strong.”

“Oh, I had to hold onto him tightly so not to fall off.” I tried to say casually.

“Anyways that’s enough about Declan.” Dad said narkily.

“Agreed.” Ian declared. “Mmm that bacon smells good, Em and Arabella.”

All of our heads turned at the delicious smell of bacon frying and the creamy, cheesy scrambled eggs being cooked to perfection. As Gran and Grandfather were concentrating on these, Mum made the toast as Dad put out the butter, salt and pepper.

I was relieved when the conversation was changed and as soon as we were all sitting at the table eating; I was able to shrink back into my human body. My prior thoughts of Declan slipped away just as my Werewolf muscle bulk did.

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