Emerald Eyes (12 page)

“At this moment, there’s nothing I want more,” she said in all honesty.

He slipped his arm around her and walked her up to the house. Once on the porch, she unlocked her door and turned and looked up into those emerald eyes and said, “I hope you have a good sleep today.”

“You too, my sweet.” With no warning, he grabbed her and kissed her fully, which took her by complete surprise.

She sighed and all but wilted in his arms. When he released her, there was something she hadn’t noticed before in his gaze – a beautiful tenderness. Was it the beginning of love?

“Now, I must go. You get some shut-eye.” He vanished.

She stood there for a second looking around, halfway expecting to see the raven. Nothing. She let herself on inside and locked her door; took a quick shower, set her alarm for eleven, so she wouldn’t completely sleep the day away, and dropped into bed.

Chuck stepped out of his tent that his Indian friends had set up for him when he first began coming to the reservation. It was a cool, pleasant morning, and the fresh air was soothing to his agitated body. This time of the month, during the day, his body prickled all over as though pins and needles touched him everywhere. Here, on the reservation, when it wasn’t severely cold – being a werewolf, his body ran hotter than normal humans – he didn’t wear a shirt, and only had on shorts. For when night fell, he wouldn’t have need of clothes. He would have fur and his body would be even warmer.

He got a fire going and put on an old fashioned porcelain coffee pot to make coffee. Then he turned around when he heard a familiar female voice calling his name. Young Tickling Feather approached him, toting a brown paper bag. She was Indian Joe’s very pretty, nineteen-year-old granddaughter.

“Grandfather said to bring you this,” she said, smiling in her modest manner and handing over the bag.

He suspected it was freshly made beef jerky, and he was right. He glanced up into her sparkling obsidian eyes. “Tell him thanks. And thank you for bringing it.”

He was fully aware she had a crush on him; had for years. But he was not only a werewolf, he considered himself too old for her – over ten years her senior. He just couldn’t let himself get involved with her; although he was fully aware that was what she wanted. He’d even discussed it with Indian Joe, who had stated that it was up to him.

Tickling Feather knew what he was, and having chosen to live on the reservation after finishing high school – taking college classes online in history, as she wanted to teach on the reservation, and already helped out – she was relatively safe.

Still, Chuck had too much love and respect for his Indian friends. There was no way he wanted to take the chance of endangering the lives of any of them, and especially the granddaughter of his closest friend. He was afraid that if he got mixed up with her something would go wrong, for that was how his life had always been. He considered himself a magnet for trouble.

“You really shouldn’t be here, Tickling Feather.”

“It is still morning, Chuck. There are hours of daylight yet and plenty of time before the moon rises.”

Then, to his consternation, she crossed her legs and squat down beside him. This he hadn’t expected. She’d always been kind of shy around him, though she wasn’t shy around the young men of her tribe, as she was always outspoken with them, if she thought the situation called for it. She stared up at him and grinned.

“Dammit! Tickling Feather!”

“Grandfather told me that you could use some company.”

“Did he?” He rolled his eyes. “You go back and tell him I said to mind his own damn business.”

She didn’t budge. “Your coffee’s boiling.”

“Thank you!” He took up a rag and grabbed the pot with it.

She handed him his tin cup.

“You can’t stay here, Tickling Feather. I need time alone…time to mentally prepare myself for tonight.”

“Grandfather told me you’d say that. I understand this. Just thought I’d visit with you while you have breakfast.” The pupils in her eyes dilated, making her eyes appear even blacker. “You
don’t
have to be lonely, Chuck.”

He poured his coffee and offered her some. She declined. He sat the pot to the side of the fire to keep it warm. “Even if I weren’t a werewolf, I’m too old for you, Tickling Feather.”

“Maybe by your standards. Not necessarily by ours…” She smiled attractively. “Not by mine, anyway.”

He sipped on his coffee and sat his mug down. “Why are you doing this
now?”

She took hold of his upper arm and leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Because…In spite of what you say, you need someone. And I want you to know that I am here for you…always, Chuck.”

He squint his eyes shut. “Don’t, Tickling Feather. Please! Don’t!”

Ignoring his plea, she said, “Just think of me when the pain gets bad. For I will be with you in thought. You are
never
alone.”

He started to object again, but she jumped up and dashed off.

“Dammit!” he said, and his eyes misted over. “Dammit!” He knew Indian Joe had encouraged this. His friend meant well, but it still didn’t change things. He was a werewolf and couldn’t afford to love or be loved. He stood and kicked the ground, sending a spray of dirt and rocks flying. He had lost his appetite and decided not to cook breakfast. Besides, he had the jerky to eat when he got hungry. He kicked more dirt to smother out the fire, deciding to take a swim in the nearby lake instead of eating. It would help cool off his hot body and temper his inner rage.

Madison woke up to a horn honking from her driveway. She jumped out of bed and threw on her robe and, glancing at the clock, she saw it was two in the afternoon. The alarm had not awakened her. “Shit!” By the time she reached the door, Debra Jean was standing on the porch holding a package for her.

“From you mom,” she said. “Sorry. I looked at the return address.”

“Oh…shit. I didn’t even read her letter.”

Debra Jean sniggered. “Shame on you, girl.” She noticed Madison wasn’t dressed for the day. Her brow wrinkled. “You sick? Or did you and Chuck have a wild night last night?”

“No Chuck,” Madison quickly replied, taking the package and setting it inside the door. “We’re done.”

“Seriously?” Debra Jean glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go, but tell me quick. What happened?”

Madison sighed. “Not really sure. You know, that big secret he says he can’t tell me. I got mad and broke up with him.”

“I would too…damn.”

“That’s not all. I thought about it,” she said, not telling her the real reasons for her actions, “and decided I was willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. Went to see him and tried to make up with him. He totally rejected me!”

“You’re kidding? He seems nuts about you!”

“Well it’s over. Not going to worry about it anymore.”

“Good for you.” She indicated to Madison’s attire. “You weren’t up pining over him all night were you?”

Madison couldn’t help it, broke into a huge smile.

All ears, Debra Jean asked, “What?”

“I had a wonderful evening…Actually, I should say an entire night – but we didn’t sleep together – with Devin Knight. It was awesome!”

Debra Jean’s jaw dropped. “You had a date with Devin Knight?”

“I’m not sure it was a typical date. But he had told me I could come see him anytime I wanted to talk to someone. So, all depressed and feeling desperate, I went to talk to him about Chuck…And…Well, it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. I never realized how absolutely charming and entertaining he is.”

“Huh? Really? He’s always seemed so quiet and withdrawn. Hot…yes. But a loner.”

“Honestly, I think I was falling in love with Chuck. Only now, with Devin, I think I am getting over Chuck really quick.”

“Good for you, hon.” She glanced at her watch again. “Gotta get the rest of the mail delivered.” She touched Madison’s arm. “Hey…Don’t be a stranger. You come see us. Okay? Bring Devin with you, if he wants to come.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks, Debra Jean.”

“No problem.” She dashed down the steps and to her Jeep and drove off, waving.

Madison waved back and closed the door. She needed to shower and dress for the day. “Shit! I can’t believe I slept most of the day away.”

The sun was setting and the aching had begun. All the Indian’s had cleared the area and left Chuck alone, with the exception of some goats and pigs they left behind for the werewolf.

Chuck, who was already stripped of his clothing – something he’d learned a long time ago to do – sat just outside his tent, drinking coffee and watching the moon rise over the mountains. Soon as it reached its apex, he would become the hideous creature he so hated. There was nothing he could do about it. It was his curse. One he would have to live with for the rest of his life.

His thoughts fell on Madison, the woman he had let himself foolishly fall in love with. He also hated himself even more at this moment for having rejected her. It was truly one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do. Then there was Ticking Feather, who knew who he was and yet still wanted him. He was very fond her, and she wasn’t that much younger than Madison. He did find her very attractive. What’s more, she had a sweet disposition. He had no doubts she would make a good wife. She was willing to put up with his monthly transformations and would be under the protection of her tribe during that time.

Still, he didn’t want anyone to have to deal with his curse. It just wasn’t right.

Madison wondered if Devin would come to her cottage after he woke. She hated to admit it but she was antsy to see him, but then he probably already knew that.

She took a shower and picked out her nicest black pants and a black top with thin, rhinestone straps, just in case he was willing to take her to Alex’s. Though it was his nature to keep a private life, he had gone to Alex’s a couple of times. But then, was it because she was there? Funny, she thought. It was the first time the idea had dawned on her. Debra Jean had kidded that Madison was drawing in the loners that night.

“Oh well,” she said to herself, dressing up anyway. She wanted to be as attractive as she could possibly be. She promised herself that she was going to Alex’s either way. If he didn’t show, she didn’t want to sit home wallowing in disappointment and self-pity. She was determined that she was through with all that.

Time dragged by. She kept checking her watch every little bit, but no knock on her door. Then it occurred to her that he could very well be waiting for her to knock on his again – but that would be controlling. No matter how much she wanted to see him, she didn’t want him to think he could control her like some puppet, even though he probably could if he wanted to.

When nine p.m. rolled around and it had been totally dark for a good half hour, she said to hell with it, grabbed her small clutch purse and left, stepping on the gas a little heavier as she sped by Devin’s. She was just a little pissed that she hadn’t heard anything from him, even though there was no real, logical reason for her to be. He had made no definite plans with her. She had just assumed that since things had gone so well the night before that he would want to see her again tonight. Then she could almost hear her mother saying, as she often had,
“Never assume anything, Madison!”

“You were right, Mom…Again!” Angry with herself, she let her foot press heavier on the gas pedal, careening around a corner at seventy, almost losing control of the car. It shook her up enough that she slowed way down. She was being stupid and irresponsible again. It hit her then that her mother knew her very well and actually often harped at her out of frustration to her rebelliousness.

It wasn’t just that she wanted Madison to be a lawyer too. She was concerned that her daughter would simply throw away her life with her whims. “And I still haven’t read her letter! Didn’t open the package either.” She pulled over then and pulled out her cell phone and called her mother.

It was after eleven in Texas, but Lois Stevenson was so glad to hear from Madison that she didn’t care.

Madison thanked her for the package but didn’t admit she hadn’t opened it – would just hurt her feelings anyway – and when her mother asked her if she liked the dress jeans and tops she’d sent, Madison lied and said she adored them. And she was sure she would. Her mother was happy though, but asked her to write once in a while. At least get on the computer and send an email occasionally. Madison promised that she would. They said their goodbyes and she dropped her phone in her purse.

Looking out at the dark and lonely road ahead, she debated whether to go on to the club or not. She glanced in her rearview mirror. She’d taken great pains to make herself beautiful. “Hell! Not going to waste my efforts. Besides, I can keep Debra Jean company.” She pulled the car back onto the pavement and took off again, but this time keeping it steady at fifty-five.

The minute the moon reached its apex, horrific pain shot through Chuck’s body. And though he had been through the transition many times now, it never got any easier, just didn’t take quite as long as the first few times. Now it happened in minutes as opposed to hours. Of course there had been the aches and headaches the day before, and the edginess.

His screams ripped through the night air as his body contorted and his legs shortened. His mouth was now a snout and hair covered his entire body. Then it was over. He was a huge wolf with fur the color of his hair, the color of sand. Now, fully transitioned, the animal ruled. He immediately smelled the goats that had been left in the small valley and broke out into a run in pursuit of them.

“Get your pretty face on over her, girl,” Debra Jean shouted and slapped the stood beside her. “Was hoping you’d come.”

Madison took the stool and sat her purse on the bar just as Alex walked up and asked her what she wanted to drink.

“A Margarita.”

“Coming right up.”

Debra Jean glanced around. “No Devin?”

Madison let out a long sigh. “Not tonight. I was kind of hoping he’d come by. Especially after last night. But nothing.”