Smoke Hunt (After the Saving Grace Saga Book 1) Read online

  Smoke Hunt

  By

  J.R. White

  © J.R. White 2018

  Terms and Conditions:

  The purchaser of this book is subject to the condition that he/she shall in no way resell it, nor any part of it, nor make copies of it to distribute freely.

  All Persons Fictitious Disclaimer:

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter One

  The dry chill in the night air was a welcome comfort after the heat of the day. Elizabeth padded across the desert with a blanket of stars stretching out above her. The open landscape of New Mexico was vastly different from her lifelong home in the Appalachian Mountains. She missed the sprawling forests, but the desert offered a world of discovery. Every morning she woke up and saw something new in the seemingly barren land. Every night she heard new sounds of life across the seemingly lifeless planes.

  Lifting her nose higher into the air, Lizzy smelt something she hadn’t expected. The musky scent of another wolf made her fur bristle. Picking up her slow pace, she turned off her normal trek and headed towards a rocky outcropping to the east.

  Even with the new scent in the air, Lizzy had to marvel at the rocky landscape shaped by the wind over thousands of years. Lit up by the full moon, the land was highlighted by dark shadows of deep red and brown.

  The play of the night view was filled with life. Jack rabbits rushed through dry brush and sleepy lizards scuttled here and there. Lizzy could hear the sounds of smaller mammals eking out a survival around almost every rocky edge. Mingled in with the now familiar scents was the musky trail she followed.

  The male was close and Lizzy came upon him rather unexpectedly. Rounding a rocky ledge, she saw him. Standing high on the edge, the male was still and watching the world around him.

  Instantly, Lizzy knew he wasn’t one of the skinwalkers. They were all tans and blacks. This wolf was neither. He stood, honey brown fur shifting in the breeze, like a master of the land. From her low vantage point, she could see him testing the air. She was down wind and didn’t have to worry about the male sniffing her out, but still she slunk back a little further into the shadows.

  Then his head turned and deep dark eyes stared straight at her in the darkness. Lizzy froze, suddenly hyper aware of herself. She wondered if her fur was as sleek and smooth as always or if she’d become covered in the dry dust of the desert. It almost felt like she was in her human skin again.

  Summoning up her normal confidence, Lizzy lifted her head and put out her front paw. It was clear that even hidden in the shadows the male wolf could see her. So slowly and with her eyes trained on him, she stepped out into the pale moon light. The wolf stared at her intently for a second and she waited for him to make a move.

  Ever so slowly the wolf leaped forward, paws landing softly on the ground. He watched her, head tilted to one side and started to pad his way towards her. His scent filled the air around her, mingling with the wilderness surrounding them and without realizing it she pulled in a chest full. Her senses buzzed with life and a sudden desire she hadn’t felt before.

  It made her fur bristle and had her stepping forward before she meant to. Together, the two circled each other and took in the sight of the other. The male was large and in his prime. His head was tilted down, just like her own, as they moved and once the circling was finished they came nose to nose.

  The male moved the fraction of a breath and the tip of his nose bumped hers and then he did something unexpected. Opening his mouth and letting out a low whine, the wolf leaned back. He dropped his shoulders down, streching out his front legs and then plopped his hind end down on the ground. His bushy tail flicked back and forth as he stared at her.

  Lizzy was so shocked that she skittered back several steps. She watched the other wolf lower his chin down to his paws and roll sad eyes up at her. Lowering her head just a little, she eased back toward him and popped the ground with her paw. The male lifted his chin and nipped at the air.

  It was clear the male wanted to appear friendly. He seemed playful, even. If Lizzy was in her human skin she would have laughed. In her fur the best she could do was take a playful step back and lower her shoulders to mimic his position.

  They stayed like that for only a second, almost smiling at each other, before the male jumped forward. Lizzy dodged to the left and suddenly they were circling each other again. This time they lifted their paws, swatting at the other, and hopped around happily.

  Lizzy pounced forward at one point only to find the male still in place. Instead of dodging away from her, he let her knock him over. It was the only explanation she could come up with as she rolled him over. Dust flew up in the air from their scuffle and before she knew it the male had flipped. She was suddenly on her back, paws in the air, looking up at the male.

  Standing over her, the strange wolf let out an excited bark. It was clear wolf behavior that Lizzy had known since she was a cub playing around with her siblings, but never before had she felt so completely dominated. This male had started the game and she wondered if he understood just how much stronger than her he really was.

  He leaned in, his chin nearly touching her chest and watched her. A playful glint shown bright in his honey brown eyes, but Lizzy didn’t feel like playing anymore. She felt threatened from her prone position. The realization that this stranger was more than just a male wolf struck. He was an alpha.

  A flash of her worry must have passed through her eyes, because the male lost his happy look and quickly moved off of her. Rolling to her feet, Lizzy side stepped further away from him. Her head was bowed just enough to show her submission, but she kept her eyes trained on the male.

  Letting out a soft whimper, the wolf lifted his paw and slowly swiped at the air. He was disappointed that their game had ended, but Lizzy just lowered herself to the desert floor and watched. She’d learned long ago that trying to play with the strongest of their kind was never in her best interest. Especially with alphas she didn’t know. There was no telling how far a wolf would go in the game. With her brother and sister it hadn’t been far, but she’d never known many other packs. She’d barely ever run with any other wolves outside her small family.

  Lowering her chin to her paws, Lizzy waited for the wolf to lose interest and go on his way. She rolled her eyes up to look at the vast stretch of stars above her. As she started counting the bright spots she felt the male drop down beside her. His fur brushed against hers and then his chin lowered to rest on her back.

  Lizzy wasn’t sure what he was doing, but she kept on counting. The comfortable feeling of having another wolf nearby made her less edgy. He wasn’t trying to entice her into another round of playful tumbling. Instead he just laid there for the longest time, silently keeping her company as she counted the stars.

  Together they stayed like that until the dark night began to fade into the first signs of morning. Somewhere to the east the sun had started to appear. The male was the first to move, lifting his head from her back. Lizzy took the chance then to stand and begin her steady trot back to her camp. Within an hour she wouldn’t be in her fur anymore. She would be in her human skin again and the male behind her wouldn’t be a strange wolf.

  He would be a naked man and she would be a naked woman. That wasn’t going to happen.

/>   She knew the male was standing and waiting for her to turn and invite him to follow. That was fine with her. He could wait all he wanted, because she never looked back to offer. Alphas and omegas didn’t get matched by the Fates and Lizzy wasn’t interested in any male that wasn’t her mate.

  Instead of inviting him back to her camp, Lizzy kept walking until he was well behind her and she set her mind to the days to come. She still had several unmated males in the skinwalker tribe that wanted to spend time with her. Maybe her mate would be found within their ranks.

  As she spotted her camp far ahead, Lizzy reminded herself that she shouldn’t worry about the strange wolf. He’d find his way to the skinwalkers or they would find him. He was no longer any of her concern.

  ****

  Rodney followed the alluring wolf back to her camp and there in the early morning light he watched her transforming into a captivating woman. She beckoned him to her with open arms and with a content sigh he slipped out of his fur and back into his human skin. In an instant he had his arm wrapped around her trim waist and was lost to the primal instincts that still surged through him.

  “My mate.”

  Jerking awake, Rodney barely stopped himself from sitting up and hitting the rock ledge he’d fallen asleep under. His heart was pounding and every muscle was tense, ready to jump up and find the woman from his dream. He could still feel her softness under his hands and her curves pressed against him.

  She had been beautiful. Even though Rodney couldn’t remember details of her appearance, he knew her somehow. As he tried to will his body to relax, he was flooded with images of the dream. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and reminded himself he had a job to do.

  Rodney rolled from under the ledge and quickly pulled his camping pack out with him. He’d left the bag, along with his clothing, snuggly tucked away the night before when he’d set out for his run. Focusing on why he’d trekked out into the desert, he made quick work of tugging his boots on and getting ready to set out in the midmorning sun.

  Hiking through the desert, with a forty pound pack strapped to his back, was not how he had wanted to spend the full moon. After a late night in his furry skin, hiking anywhere was the last thing he wanted to do. Unless it’s hiking towards that beautiful wolf.

  Thinking back to their playful chase, Rodney found an extra touch of bounce in his steps. Sure, she’d been skittish after a bit of playful fun, but she hadn’t snapped at him or run him off either. If the woman was a part of the pack he was looking for he had all the more reason to find them quickly. The small pack was an isolated tribe of Native American skinwalkers, at least that’s what they described themselves as. They had escaped the Federal attacks only because of a centuries old treaty, but thanks to declassifications after the Saving Grace Act was abolished the pack was again on the radar.

  And after the run in with the stranger the night before, Rodney was sure his destined mate was a part of their tribe.

  Of course, that would put the woman in the same danger as the tribe of skinwalkers. Moving faster, Rodney adjusted the straps of his backpack and scanned the horizon for any signs of civilization. He wasn’t sure what to expect from the tribe, but he knew they, like him, spent most of their time in human form. That meant they would need shelter, and that’s what he was looking for.

  Until running into the she-wolf the night before, Rodney had been looking for the tribe’s settlement. He’d been happily distracted, but not before realizing he had to head out in a different direction that morning. Luck was with him, because as he marched into the early afternoon sun he spotted a sign.

  Standing a quarter mile away, blurred by the quickly heating air, was a man. The stranger wasn’t moving. Instead he stood, watching Rodney approach.

  Once Rodney was close enough to make out faded blue jeans and long black hair, he lifted his hand to greet the man. The stranger waved in reply and soon Rodney found himself face to face with one of the most local of locals. The man’s deep tanned skin and dark eyes were clear signs that he was a Native American. “Hello,” Rodney said with a tilt of his head.

  “Hello.” The man stared at him, unmoving and waiting.

  Tightening his hands around the straps of his pack, Rodney took a deep breath and said, “I’m here to speak with the local tribe. I have news for their chief.”

  The man looked him over and abruptly turned around. Rodney took the chance that he should follow, even though the man made no move to invite him. It was an odd sort of feeling, not being trusted, but after years of working with the resistance and then after with the Federal Government trying to fix everything, Rodney was used to it.

  The decades when the Saving Grace Act had taken over the country had been hard for the witches and werewolves. Following the stranger, Rodney thought back to the countless people he had moved through the east coast escape route. With the Trail Angels, he had had a reason beyond his own need for a mate. After the existence of werewolves and witches had become public and the Saving Grace Act was removed he had found a reason within the government.

  Now, he helped werewolves, like the one in front of him, stay safe from the fraction of the population that hadn’t taken the reveal well. Small packs were often targeted by rouge hunting groups and one of those groups had found a new target.

  Rodney was led through large canyon. Watching the sheer, rocky cliffs climbing up on both sides of him, he started to feel trapped, like a cage was being dropped on top of him. A rippling twitch of anxiety raced over his skin. Gripping the shoulders of his pack, he tried to focus on the native leading him.

  He was so focused on the man’s feet that Rodney didn’t notice the others that appeared ahead of them. It wasn’t until one called out that he realized they were there. “Another stranger?” a harsh voice called out.

  Jerking his head up, Rodney saw them. Four men lining the opening of the canyon ahead of him. Three of the men were in their prime and the forth was older, silver haired and experience carved into his face with well-earned wrinkles. The guide that had met him in the desert lifted his hand to the others and replied, “Wandering around, just like you said.”

  The old man gave a stiff nod and as soon as Rodney and his guide got closer, the new comers turned and headed out of the canyon. On the other side of the rip of earth a small village emerged. Small houses of stick and stucco dotted a gentle hill slop.

  As they made their way into the settlement, Rodney’s original guide veered off and slowly so did the younger men. All around him men, women and children had stopped and stared at him.

  “Excuse me. I’m looking for the alpha,” he said finally, when at last it was only the older man he was following.

  “That’s me,” the man said, heading into an open house.

  Pausing outside the door, Rodney took a deep breath and glanced around the town. Deep tanned faces and black hair was the staple identifier among them all, but one person was out of place. She was paler, a bit more curl to her light brown hair, and she stared at him with brilliant green eyes. His eyes lingered on her. Huddled with a group of women, she held his stare.

  The old man’s face emerged from the doorway. “Come on in then,” the chief said.

  Breaking eye contact, Rodney turned towards the man and nodded stiffly. He reminded himself why he’d set out to find the tribe and stepped forward into the dim light.

  Chapter Two

  Walking among the tribe, Lizzy felt a kinship. These weren’t her people, but like her and her family they moved with the land. Small children raced between the adobe houses and squealed in delight, just like she had as a child in the mountain forests. Even though she wasn’t allowed to sleep or run on their tribal lands, she enjoyed their lively company whenever she could. It was better than her isolated camp site.

  Lizzy spent her time helping the women craft colorful throw blankets and fired black pottery. She wasn’t sure what the men did, but the unmated men in the tribe took turns spending time with her. Still she was no closer
to finding a mate. It was a disheartening feeling. Soon she would have to leave and let the skinwalkers return to their normal lives.

  It was a sad thought, but Lizzy knew she couldn’t stay with the tribe unless one of them was her mate.

  That morning as she settled in to help weave, Lizzy was as equally intrigued by the strange wolf that had courted her the night before. She hadn’t spent time in her fur with anyone in a long time and he had been welcome company after their awkward introduction. Part of her felt embarrassed by that awkwardness. She was no alpha, but the male clearly was. His invitation to play had been unexpected.

  Not being as strong as even her own little sister, Lizzy was used to being left behind. Dilly, her sister, was great most of the time, but when it came down to it, Lizzy was weaker and Dilly was braver. That’s how it worked in a pack, even in one as small as her little family. Her parents had held themselves back as protectors. It was their job as the leaders, but when Dilly had found her own mate and a life away from isolation she’d grabbed the chance.

  For Lizzy it had been different. Amongst others she was never a threat and rarely treated as one. That made it easier to travel between the packs looking for a mate, but it also pinned her in place once the moon shown bright. The male wolf would have been able to change into his human skin under the full moon. Lizzy could not. That put a world of distance between them.

  That also meant that the male was unlikely to be her mate. The Fates rarely matched the strong with the weak. With that depressing thought in mind, Lizzy turned her attention to untangling a long thread of deep blue.

  Then a humming excitement passed through the women around her and Lizzy looked around for its source. Several little girls had broken away from the group to lean around corners of the tan houses. Between those houses, Lizzy saw a group of men moving towards the settlement. Among them was someone new. He carried a large pack and respectfully followed after the tribesmen.