Awakening the Wolf Read online

  Belik squeezed his hands into fists, and the scent of burned flesh filled her nose. Her fear of the pain nearly seized her. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to calm herself. In the back of her mind, something stirred. It was the darker, more animalistic presence that always arose when she was stressed. That slice of her being was normal and nothing she could ever explain to her mother. Plus, it always gave her comfort. Each time she connected with the part, it got closer to making itself known to her. All she had to do was wait for it to show itself.

  A current of air wrapped around her, reminding her she was one of the flock. It gave her the courage to open her eyes and take her place before the fire pit. The otherness within her mind remained more prominent than before, but she welcomed the strength it imparted to her. Illiana stood before the priest and let that resolve bolster her as the priest held the brand before her. His blue eyes stared into hers, waiting to see if she was going to back down. She gave him a slight nod, staring at the glowing metal in the shape of a bird. She clenched her hands and pressed her nails into the meat of her palms. The scorching agony was not something she prepared for. Once the brand connected with her flesh, her brain blacked out and a howl erupted from the darkness. It seemed she would collapse, but the image of a black wolf flashed before her eyes. It was gone before she could understand it. A gasp left her throat when the cleric removed the brand. Her legs were shaky, but they carried her across the pavilion. The howl she had heard was coming from below them on the ground where the wolves were. It was a call she knew all too well. It was a summons for her alone.

  Her mother embraced her. “Welcome to the flock, my daughter.”

  Illiana gave her a nervous smile. Relief washed over her. The others were all being accepted as one of the flock. Everyone was happy they were now officially one of them. However, when her mother released her, the only one who greeted her was her aunt. She wanted to say something, but the ecclesiastic began again. Illiana turned back toward him.

  “The spirits have witnessed and welcomed you into the flock. Let the winds of destiny lift your wings to deliver wisdom and compassion to your lives. Let them be counted among us for now and all time.” The priest motioned for the gong to be hit once more. The sound penetrated the night, indicating the completion of the ceremony.

  Illiana was free to do as she pleased. Flute music erupted around them. An eerie melody wove through the trees such that even the leaves seemed to join in the tune the musicians played. Others from the flock drifted off to revel in their own way. A great feast had been set up on the other side of the landing where some of the ravens gathered. The pain lingered where her brand was, but it was fading. She touched it lightly, and the hurt flared up again.

  “H-hi, Illiana.”

  Illiana glanced behind her and saw Belik waiting to talk to her. His dark hair brushed his shoulders. He was taller than she, by almost a foot. Like all the males in the flock, he was wiry and well muscled.

  “Hi, Belik. How are you?”

  “I’m well. Thanks. That was intense. I thought it might be worse.” He smiled and wrung his hands into his white robe.

  Her mother touched her shoulder and leaned into her. “Go ahead, honey. We can celebrate later. Go with your new friend.”

  Illiana glanced between Belik and her mother. Her aunt leaned against a twisted oak branch with an impatient look on her face. She assumed it was because Coret desired to speak with her. Belik was anticipating talking with her. Her mind reeled over what he wanted with her when he had never shown her any interest before. Maybe it was all in the spirit of joining the flock and he finally wanted to get to know her. Maybe it was a trick. That was nothing new. She had suffered many degradations in the past from members of her flock because of her differences. She opened her mouth to say something when another howl reverberated through the woods, urging her to join him.

  Without another thought, Illiana raced to the railing and jumped over. Once she did, the air rushed around her, cushioning her fall from the branches above, letting her glide down to the forest floor. As the wind aided her landing, she glanced up and saw her mother staring down at her. The unamused expression told Illiana she would rather have had her stay, but, then again, her mother never liked her running off and hanging with the werewolves. In Lelana’s mind, the two species should never mix. Illiana argued that because their two clans were nearly joined at the hip, living off one another, trading with one another, when others had friends among them, then why could she not have friends among them. Her best friend Christopher, is the son of the leader of werewolves, and it didn’t matter what anyone said. She was not going to be giving him up.

  * * * *

  Belik watched Illiana jump over the railing to join the wolf below. She was beautiful in her defiance, and he would give anything to talk to her. He glanced at Lelana, Illiana’s mother, and saw the disgusted look on her face.

  “Typical. Just typical. I never should’ve expected anything else,” the flock leader muttered.

  “Well, what do you expect when you don’t tell her the truth? She’s a full member of the flock now, and you need to tell her,” Coret said.

  “I don’t need to tell her anything. And I suggest you stay out of it. You weren’t there when—”

  Belik glanced from Lelana to Coret, the high priestess of the Corvus flock. He had always been a little intimidated by the cleric and the leader of the flock. But now, as one of the flock, some of that pressure fell away. He took a deep breath and approached the women. “Umm . . . excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt, but do you know when Illiana will be back?”

  Coret smiled and patted his shoulder. “You’re Stefon’s son, Belik, right?”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Do you know when your niece might return?”

  Lelana snickered. “No one knows when my daughter will return. She makes up her own rules. I wouldn’t bother waiting around for her.” She turned and walked off, and he was left alone with the priestess.

  “Don’t mind my sister. Illiana and she don’t see eye to eye on many things. One of them being her friendship with the wolves. Are you interested in my niece?”

  The question caught him off guard. He had not expected to speak to Coret, but to Illiana herself. All these years growing up beside her, he had gazed at her longing to speak to her. However, his father had forbade him to ever fraternize with the leader’s daughter. Belik never understood why his father or the others in the flock scorned her. To him she was a gem among the other ravens. Her beauty was beyond all others. The other women in the flock all appeared the same. Whenever he saw her, it stirred his desire. Now that he was part of the flock, his father could not reprimand him any longer or keep him away from Illiana.

  “I-I would like to get to know her.”

  She studied him for a long while before she responded. “If you’re just going to hurt her like some of the other young men who said they wanted to court her, I will make sure you account for it.”

  He shook his head. “N-no. I don’t want to hurt her in any way. I’ve always wanted to get to know her but haven’t been able to.”

  “Good. If you do pursue something with her, how do you feel about the wolves?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. They have always been there.”

  “Illiana’s best friend is the son of the alpha wolf. I doubt she’s going to give him up just for a relationship. Can you deal with that?”

  Belik shrugged. He knew Illiana spent a lot of time with the wolves, but he did not think much about it. It was widely known that Illiana had no friends among the flock so that she went elsewhere. Many times he wondered what it would be like to join her among them. Even though the wolves were the ones they traded with and his father had acquaintances among them, Belik had never mingled with them. He preferred to be among the branches and soaring through the sky.

  “I can’t say, ma’am. I would have to get to know her more before I can truly make any statements about the wolves and Illiana’s relat
ionship with her friend.”

  Coret nodded. “At least you’re honest. That’s a good trait. I see potential for you. Try Illiana later. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

  “Thank you.”

  The other woman walked off and went to be with the members of the flock. Belik stared over the banister and heard the faint howls of the wolves. What did Illiana see in them? It did not matter if she would be gone for a few more hours. He had time. For now he walked away and went to join the others. His father the priest had made sure all the food was prepared and set out correctly. Because Belik was being initiated he could not have a more hands-on part within the ceremony. He joined his father and picked at one of the rice cakes. His father clapped him on the back.

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How does it feel to be part of the flock?”

  “It’s great, Dad.”

  “I saw you speaking to Lelana. What did you want to talk to the leader of the flock for?”

  Belik cringed because he knew what his father was going to say when he told him the truth. “I was hoping to introduce myself to Illiana. She was at the ceremony with me.”

  His father gritted his teeth. “Yes, I saw her along with the others who were being welcomed. You know my feelings about her. Lelana is our leader, and I respect her, but Illiana is not natural. She’s not one of us. She looks different, and the things she can do are not natural.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Father. She’s beautiful. Why can’t one of the flock look different? It doesn’t mean she’s some kind of a monster, and her abilities are mind-blowing. Why does everyone think that being different is so bad?”

  “Son, it’s not the point that she looks different than the rest of us. Illiana can do things the rest of us can’t. She frolics with the wolves and . . . I wish you wouldn’t bother with her.”

  Belik threw down the rice cake. “You can’t tell me anymore what I can and can’t do.”

  “This might be true, but you still live under my roof. If you truly wish to be independent and make your own choices, then you need to get your own aerie.”

  What his father had said was true. If he truly wished to be on his own, he needed his own nest. Belik could room with the bachelors in the flock as there was an aerie for them, but he did not enjoy their rambunctious lifestyle. The next thing he was expected to do was pick his profession. His father surmised he would follow in his footsteps and enter the priesthood. Belik assumed he might go into the trade his mother had been in before she died. His mother had woven beautiful things. Her cloth had been prized among the flock. He still had some of things so that he would remember her by. He was good on the loom, and it helped calm his nerves whenever he was angry or frustrated with his father.

  “I might live under you roof for now, but that will soon change.” Belik walked into the crowd still gathered on the platform. It was easy for him to disappear. The raven inside of him cawed and rustled its wings, hoping to be free of the flesh it was trapped in. He agreed with it and felt the need to be gliding along the air currents until he could chase his troubles away. He hoped that when he got back, Illiana would have returned and then he could finally speak to her.

  Chapter Two

  Illiana landed catlike on the ground and rushed into Christopher’s waiting arms. He pulled her into a strong bear hug before letting her down. A giggle slipped from her lips, and all her trepidations from earlier fell away. None of it mattered anymore. She was with her best friend, and whenever that happened, her life among the trees disappeared. All seemed right in the world with him, and another part of Illiana was satisfied to be on the ground and not flying through the air. Illiana also felt at home among the wolves and their territory.

  “I see you made it through without harm?” Christopher smiled.

  She twirled around, showing him that she had survived. Christopher caught her arm and pulled her close. Illiana bumped into his chest and pulled in a deep breath. She stared into his blue-gray eyes and found herself melting the longer she peered into them. Her legs went wobbly, and her breath got short. All she could focus on was the rapid beating of her heart and how warm his body felt against hers. It stirred her deepest yearnings, and she fought those desires with all her might. Christopher was her friend and nothing more, but he certainly brought up all of her buried emotions. Each time she saw him, it was harder and harder to keep those feelings concealed. His grin widened, and he laughed before releasing her. She felt her cheeks burn and focused on smoothing her dress.

  “Yes, I made it. All is well.”

  “I can see that.” He traced the brand on her left breast.

  Illiana sucked in a quick breath and looked down at his hand. A rush of pleasure shot through her and caused her nipples to harden. Her insides quivered. All she could think of was how smooth his finger was trailing over the mark. How cool his skin felt over the burn. How much everything he was doing was turning her on.

  “Chris, why . . . what are you?” Illiana asked.

  Christopher looked up at her, and she could see the scruff of his beard and smell the musk of his scent, mixed with the pine of the forest. He was tan from spending so much time in the sun. Her friend was no longer the boy she had covered up when he lost his mother. He was a man now, a full member of his pack, with a flat chest and muscled arms. His shirt was half-open, revealing a hairless chest, and he towered over her by a foot and a half. Christopher was everything the ravens were not. He was taller, broader, and enjoyed hunting. Most ravens thought themselves to be above hunting, not giving in to their animal natures. That was another argument her mother had with her. Illiana had no problem with giving into the animal that was in all of them. Hunting was a natural thing for her. There were times when she and Christopher would hunt in tandem, she taking to the air and him on the ground, each sharing the spoils of the kill. The idea of blood made her inner animal growl. She wondered if there was something inside of her that was different from the others.

  Christopher leaned in closer to her until their lips were inches from one another. Illiana kept her eyes trained on him, but they closed of their own accord. She held her breath and waited for their mouths to connect. His breath blasted against her lips. They were so close she could anticipate what it would feel like to actually kiss him. After a couple of heartbeats she opened her eyes. He was frozen, still inches from her.

  “What are you doing?” a female voice broke Illiana from her stupor. She knew the voice well.

  Christopher blinked and backed away a step. He shook his head, and the friend she knew retreated behind the facade he put up when he was around others of his pack. “Jalisa, how lovely to see you.”

  The other wolf wore a loose black top that showed off her ample cleavage. She slung her arm around Christopher’s waist and snuggled up against him. Illiana forced a smile. Her brown hair was streaked through with red, and golden eyes stared out from under brown lashes. She was shorter than Illiana but more muscled. A sneer adorned her lips, and through a hateful gaze, she stared right at Illiana.

  “I wanted to see where my wolfie had disappeared to. I thought we had plans to hunt tonight?” Jalisa grabbed Christopher’s chin and planted her mouth on his, drawing him into a very long and wet kiss. A cold chill swept through Illiana. The redness of pure anger and hatred tinged her vision. She curled her hands into fists and bit her lip as she watched the display. Christopher returned the kiss with the same fervor, but Illiana caught Jalisa’s gaze and witnessed the amusement in her eyes. The she-wolf knew how much it hurt to see them together.

  Besides the fury that Illiana felt, hurt stabbed at her soul and tore it into shreds. All she had ever wanted was to be with Christopher. Ever since they were teenagers and he had stood up for her against the bullies from both the raven flock and the wolf pack, she had had a crush on him. Although she tried to quell the love in her heart, it always got the better of her. Illiana had to remind herself it was not a match that could eve
r happen. She was a raven. He was a wolf. They might be friends, but they could never be mates. No matter how much she loved him. No matter how much it felt right that they should be together. It went against all the laws and customs the ravens and the wolves had. So she settled on the next best thing. She remained his friend. Illiana endured seeing him with Jalisa, the bitch who had her eyes set on being queen wolf because she had claws in Christopher. Jalisa assumed they would be mated. If that ever happened, Illiana was not sure what she would do.

  Hot tears slid down her cheeks, and she turned from the display because Jalisa ran her hands over Christopher’s chest, feeling him, marking her territory. Illiana sniffled and tried to hold in the wrath, hurt, and disgust she felt watching him return the affection. It was no use. Her heightened emotions called to that shadowed part of her. All the time she spent suppressing that piece of her personality, all the time she rationalized it was not something to give into, was falling away. The control she had was slipping. Illiana welcomed it. She clenched her hands and realized she was shaking, but she was more centered on seeing what was within the dark confines of her mind. It was different from her raven form. It called out for blood.

  “Jalisa, get off. I told you I wanted to be alone tonight.”

  “Being alone with this piece of bird trash makes me wonder what your relationship truly is. You do know that the bird brain lusts after you.” Jalisa chuckled.

  “Get lost. We’ll talk about this later,” Christopher growled.

  “You want to be alone with it, then I’ll grant your wish.” Jalisa strolled back into the forest.

  Illiana wiped the tears from her eyes, but she was used to the harsh words. She felt a hand on her shoulder. The familiar touch helped to anchor her.