Wolf Tracks - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,10

arrival, and as she pulled her little car into its accustomed spot, her family spilled out of the house to welcome her home. Her mother came first, of course, having known already exactly when her baby girl would return. She gave Helen a hug and a look that said more than words could ever express, of pride and commiseration…and hope.

Mom always knew everything, so she probably had foreseen something about Helen’s reaction to Jim. Helen would have to question her mother later, but first, there were the guests to introduce and make welcome. Helen watched as Martin approached cautiously, parking his car outside of hers, even backing into the spot, so he could make a quick getaway, should that prove necessary.

She didn’t take offense. Magical folk and shifters didn’t mix. As a general rule, none of the Other races mixed much in modern times. Though shifters and mages, and yes, even bloodletters had been allies in the far, distant past, their camaraderie had not lasted the centuries. Each group had kept to themselves for as long as anyone living—except maybe a few of those immortal bloodletters—could remember.

Martin’s caution was understandable, especially considering what he and his family had just been through at the hands of an evil mage. That he’d accepted her offer of hospitality at all had said a lot about his willingness to trust her based on his recent association with both Helen and her sister, Kiki. The fact that Kiki was now mated to a bear shifter had probably gone a long way toward Martin’s willingness to give Helen the benefit of the doubt. That and the way Helen had taken to little Melissa, healing her wounds and befriending the child.

“Mom, I want you to meet Martin Ebersole, his mate, Lisa, and their daughter, Melissa,” Helen said, escorting her mother over to where the family was slowly emerging from their vehicle.

“I’m so glad to meet you all,” the matriarch of the family said, her smile beaming as she extended the hand of friendship to the newcomers. “We’ve got dinner almost ready. Come on in, and you can freshen up a bit before we sit down to eat.”

The meal was a great success, and they sent the little family on their way with a cooler full of perishables and several boxes of preserves, fruits and vegetables from the family’s stores. They’d even taken little Melissa out into the kitchen garden after dinner, which was just outside the back door, and let her pick some herbs she liked. The fact that it was dark out didn’t deter the little werebear cub. She could see better in the dark than just about anyone present, except for her father.

Helen put her arm around her mother’s shoulders as they watched the family drive away. “I think we made some friends here tonight,” she said, feeling happy and wistful all at the same time.

“It’s a good thing,” Helen’s mother said in that dreamy sort of a voice that sometimes indicated a moment of prophecy. Helen listened closely. “We’re going to need all the alliances we can get in the trials to come. What has grown apart will need to reunite, and all creatures who serve the Light will have to work together to defeat the threatening darkness.”

Helen felt chills run down her spine. When her usually happy mother spoke in such dark terms, it was time to batten down the hatches and prepare for…what sounded very much like…war.

*

Jim felt every mile he put between himself and Helen like a tear in his soul. He knew he had to be imagining things. He couldn’t really have grown so attached to the woman on such a short acquaintance. Could he?

He’d grown up hearing about shifters finding their mates through arduous trials that tested their commitment to each other. Or the lucky ones found their mates in long-time friends. A few of his extended family had mated within the Pack to other werewolves they had known all their lives until, one day when they were old enough, the mating instinct kicked in, and they realized they had always been meant for each other.

There were many singles in the Pack, too. Uncle Arch wasn’t the only bachelor, nor would he be the last. The sad truth was that most never found their true mates. While some went outside werewolf circles to find their one true mates, it was rare. There were only a few humans who had been brought into the Pack in the past fifty years.

Some