Story: "The Journey of Bella Night" (Episode One, Chapter One) by Tiffany Aaron 
Tiffany Aaron has graciously contributed another short story to our LI Katrina Aid blog! Please enjoy her gorgeous, sensual wolf tale in three chapters.

Chapter One

Bella was going crazy. She was sure of it. Her insanity was proven by the fact that she was sitting alone in a backwoods cabin watching Star Trek episodes and actually beginning to think William Shatner was a great actor. Yep, totally insane.

Glancing around the cabin’s living room, she figured she couldn’t complain. If she had to be on a forced vacation, she had pretty good accommodations. She had bought the cabin several years ago, but never made a visit until now. Her brother had used it for his own relaxation. Since her brother was a techno-geek, the cabin was now equipped with satellite cable, a big screen television, surround-sound stereo and Internet. Her brother didn’t believe in roughing it.

Captain James T. Kirk saved the day again and Bella could feel her mind turn to mush.

Some people like this show.

She turned to stare at the large grey wolf stretched out in front of the fireplace. “I’m not talking to you. It’s your fault we’re here in the first place.” She turned back to the TV with a pout.

How exactly is it my fault? 

“If I hadn’t gotten caught having an argument with you, my commander wouldn’t have forced me to take this lame vacation.”

If you learned to use your telepathy without talking, you wouldn’t be here now. The smug ‘I told you so’ tone of the wolf’s thoughts made her snarl.

“Listen, fur ball, I don’t have the same powers you do. I’m only half-whatever you are, so I can only do half of whatever you do.” Throwing the remote across the room, she smiled as it smashed against the wall. “Damn, I didn’t want to believe in talking wolves. I didn’t want to take this mandatory leave of absence. Why the hell can’t I be normal?”

The wolf eased to its feet. Its yellow eyes studied her for a second. A sigh rung through Bella’s mind. You are still young with so much to learn. At times, I fear what would have happened to you if I hadn’t taken you in. It padded up to the couch where she sat. Besides, there’s no such thing as normal. 

Hanging her head, a twinge of guilt hit her. Lobo was right. She had been on the fast track to death until that fateful day when the large wolf appeared and changed her life.
She challenged him. “No, I’m not going to let you guilt me out of feeling sorry for myself. We’re out in the middle of BFE, Lobo. This place isn’t even a spot on any map. Did you see the way those sheriff’s deputies looked at me when we stopped by their office earlier today?” The looks of disgust and shock the men had given her burned in her memory.

Maybe if you hadn’t dressed like a two-dollar whore and cussed like a sailor, they would’ve been more accepting of you. 

“What was wrong with the way I dressed?” 

If Lobo had eyebrows, she was sure he would have lifted them. Your skirt barely covered your ass. Your stiletto heels could have been lethal weapons. Your shirt was short enough and tight enough to let them know you weren’t wearing a bra. There was enough make-up on your face to make a tele-evangelist’s wife proud. 

She was disgruntled. She hated it when Lobo was right. “Okay, maybe I should’ve changed before I went to the office, but I didn’t have time. The commander rushed me out of the building without giving me a chance to change. He also made it clear that I couldn’t even stop by my apartment before leaving. I wanted to get reporting in over with before I got to the cabin.”

Why did we stop there anyway? Lobo jumped up next to her and laid his head on her lap.

“They needed to know that you were my K-9 partner. If reports started coming in about a lone wolf wandering the area, they might panic.”

I’m not sure they took you seriously. No K-9 unit would use a wolf. 

Shrugging, she wiggled around so she could lie down next to Lobo. She threw an arm over the wolf’s back and sighed. “Vacations aren’t good for me. I hate sitting around doing nothing. Gives me too much time to think.”

You’re not used to thinking. The wolf bared his teeth in a smile.

She thumped him and shut her eyes. It had been a long trip to get here and she hadn’t slept the night before. Bella couldn’t fight sleep anymore. She just hoped she wouldn’t dream.

* * * *
It felt like only seconds since she shut her eyes when Lobo bit her hand and spoke with an urgent tone.

Bella, wake up. Someone’s coming. 

She shot up and managed to catch herself before she rolled off the couch. “What the hell, Lobo? You know better than to wake me up like that.”

Get up. He’s almost here. 

“Who’s almost here? I’m not expecting anyone.” She reached out to grab her Glock from the end table. She had dropped it there when they arrived at the cabin.

Not sure, but he’s worried and anxious. 

“Okay.” Heading for the door, she turned on the light as steps were heard on the porch.
A knock pounded on the wood and she swore she heard frustration in the force of the fist on the door.

“Who is it?” She called out.

“Deputy B.J. MacAlister from the Wolfe County Sheriff’s Department.” A honey coated drawl came from the other side of the door.

“Show me your badge, Deputy. Hold it up to the window beside the door.” Bella wasn’t a trusting soul by nature and she wasn’t about to start now.

“Here,” MacAlister barked.

She peeked out the window and saw a badge for the Wolfe County Sheriff’s Department. The hand holding it was large with rough thick fingers. She didn’t bother to check out the rest of the man. Her Glock and Lobo would help her if the deputy wasn’t who he said he was.

“Let me unlock the door.” 

*

It was obvious that Miss Bella Night was an outsider. No local would lock their door. B.J. looked over the front of the cabin and behind him at the luxury car in the driveway. Of course, with a place as nice as this, maybe locking up was smart.
He still wasn’t sure how the floozy who walked into the station was going to help him, but she was the only one with a trained tracking dog-or wolf, he amended. The need to find the child was driving him and he knew he had to ask.

His mouth dropped open when the door swung in and Bella Night stood aside to let him enter. This couldn’t be the same woman. Her mile high teased blonde hair had been replaced by long straight auburn hair. Her creamy skin shone with a well-scrubbed glow. Not a drop of make-up was seen. His gaze dropped to see bare feet decorated with pale pink nail polish. Her long legs were revealed by a pair of cut-offs. The only thing that remained from the woman whom he had seen earlier that day was the short tight t-shirt and the fact she still wasn’t wearing a bra.

“Can I help you, Deputy?” Her brisk question brought him back to why he had come to see her. Well, her question and the Glock she held in her right hand as if it were an extension of herself.

“I’m hoping you can. We need you and your wolf to help us find a child.”
The woman frowned, but he didn’t think it was aimed at him. She glanced down at the wolf crowding behind her knees.

“Stop it, Lobo. Quit pushing.” She shoved back and gestured for him to come in. “How was the child lost?”

“Well, he’s not really lost.” He stepped inside, but Bella continued down the hall, not to the living room as he thought, but to a bedroom.

“If he’s not lost, why do you need to find him?”

The wolf growled at her. B.J. scrubbed his hand through his hair and thought about it. 

“He’s not lost. We just don’t know where he is.” He lifted his eyes to see her standing naked in front of him. He had a quick glimpse of plump mauve tipped breasts and dark curls at the junction of her thighs before he managed to whirl around. “Shit, Miss Night. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” A hint of anger came into her voice. “I said quit it. Lobo. I can’t go tramping around the woods in bare feet and shorts. So what is the definition of lost? I always thought it was defined as not being able to find something.”

“To be honest, we never knew where he was to begin with. And I’m sorry I saw you naked. I didn’t realize you were changing.” A flush crept over his cheeks.

“Stop it, both of you.” She screamed.

Cringing, he whipped around to find her dressed in a form fitting black uniform. She was fastening some combat boots on her feet. Her unusual amber eyes were glaring at him and the wolf.

“Both of us?” He was confused.

“Yes. Both of you. Lobo, stop pressing. I know we have to go, but I’m not going out there without equipment.” She turned that burning glare on him. “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not important whether or not you saw me naked. I’m hoping you can do it again under more pleasant circumstances, but for now you need to stop dithering. Tell me the truth and we’ll be a lot farther ahead.” She slid the Glock into a holster at the small of her back. A wicked looking knife was secured in a sheath on her thigh.
She talked to the wolf as if the creature could understand her. He blinked as she fastened a black vest over her chest and filled the various pockets with clips of bullets, a set of handcuffs and some other items he wasn’t even sure what they were.
He stammered when she pulled a long black case from under the bed. Opening the top, she began to assemble a rifle.

“Wait a minute. We’re just looking for a child. I don’t think you’ll need all of that for him.”

“You don’t know for sure though, do you? I’ve found it saves time being over prepared than finding out I need something I left behind. Lobo, if you don’t stop, I’m going to leave you behind. Go wait by the door.” She ordered the wolf who had been whining and growling at her.

He swore the wolf snorted before it stalked out.

“Now, MacAlister, what the hell is going on?” Bella passed him to head back down the hall.

“For six months now, we’ve been getting reports from campers about seeing a young boy in the woods. He’s often seen in the company of three or four large dogs. Whenever any one tried to approach him, the boy would run off and the dogs would attack.” He followed her into the kitchen and watched her pack a small bag with bottles of water and jerky.

“Where in the woods was he seen? Have anyone found tracks or where the pack might be staying?”

“Our best tracker has found a few scattered paw prints, but we’ve never been able to find where their den is.”

Her unnerving gaze met his and a glimmer of something other than annoyance flickered in it. His mind shied away from that thought.

“What’s brought about this urge to find the kid now? I don’t think searching the woods in the middle of the night is the best way to insure success.”

Bella swung the bag over her shoulder and gestured for him to lead the way out of the cabin. He waited for her to lock the door.

“We can take my vehicle.” He pointed to his Suburban parked behind her car. The wolf was already sitting next to it.

“Guess you don’t have a choice about driving.” She opened the back door and the wolf jumped in. “No, I’m not going to get one of these. They waste gas.”

He looked at her. She was staring at the wolf.

“Are you talking to me?” He wasn’t sure what to think about the fact that she seriously talked to the wolf.

*

Bella shot a glance at Deputy B.J. MacAlister. The man was huge and the bulge in the front of his pants made her want to show him just what other words B.J. could stand for. The man’s uniform had to be custom made to accommodate his bulging biceps and thick thighs. She hoped the muscles hadn’t migrated to his head and that the deputy had some intelligence. His chisled face and flat stomach made her imagine what he’d look like spread out on her bed, all tanned skin and rippling muscles. 

This isn’t the time, Bella. Lobo admonished her. A snort from MacAlister made her frown.

“It’s always time for that, Lobo.” She caught the wide-eyed glance of the deputy. “MacAlister, get used to it. I talk to my canine companion here.”

“Does he talk back? Please, call me B.J., Miss Night.” His drawl flowed over her.

“Yes, he does.” She wasn’t going to lie. No matter how good looking this stranger was, she wasn’t going to hide who she was. “I can’t call you B.J. because that gives me thoughts I shouldn’t be having while I’m trying to rescue a child.”

A blush traced its way over his cheekbones and down his neck. She wondered how far down it went.

“Really? I haven’t heard him.” The blankness in his voice made her grit her teeth.

Be nice. Lobo’s order rubbed her nerves raw.

“Be nice? I’m tired of people looking at me weird because I talk to you. It shouldn’t matter whether I talk to you or go out and commune with trees. He doesn’t know me, so he shouldn’t be all hot to judge me.”

“Hello, he’s in the vehicle with you.” MacAlister spoke up.

“Don’t butt in. I wasn’t talking to the human in the driver’s seat.” She turned her back on Lobo and crossed her arms. Pouting would be great, but she couldn’t do that. There was some urgency pushing her to find the child.

“Sorry,” the deputy apologized.

Bella, stop acting like a child. 

She ducked her head. If she’d been a dog, she would have flattened her ears and whined. She hated it when Lobo was disappointed in her. The wolf was more her family than her human parents were. She caught a smile chase across MacAlister’s lips.

“Nothing for you to apologize for. I’m tired. When I haven’t had enough sleep, I tend to be bitchy.”

Lobo snorted and she shot him a dirty look. MacAlister laughed and she saw him relax.
“As strange as you talking to you dog is, I don’t care. Just find the boy for me and you could talk to the man in the moon.”

The urgency was there again in the man’s voice.

“Why after hearing about the kid for six months, are you just now searching for him? I would think you would have looked earlier.”

He hesitated, then said, “The sheriff doesn’t know I asked you.”

“You’re kidding, right?” She stared at him.

“No. It’s supposed to freeze tonight and winter’s coming. I don’t want to leave him out there.” He shrugged and shot a glance at her. “You might also understand that I just feel this need to go and get the boy. It’s never been this strong, but since I saw you earlier today, something’s been pushing me to go out there.”

“Great, now you’re having urges. Why couldn’t you just want to fuck me like every other man?” Glancing back at Lobo, she asked, “How the hell do I manage to do this? I’m not even in town a full day and already I’m sneaking around behind the local law’s back.”

Your sparkling personality tends to put people on edge and you’re just naturally sneaky. 

Another smothered chuckle came from the driver’s seat. She narrowed her eyes. There was something off about the deputy, but she didn’t have time to figure out what. 

“Smart ass,” she shot over her shoulder as she turned back to look at MacAlister. “So what will your boss do when he finds out you called me in?”

“Nothing. He’s my uncle.” He winked at her.

“Oh, the joys of backwoods police forces.” She took a deep breath and focused on the job. “Do we have a description of the subject?”

“Not anything definite. He’s around five or six, dark hair about your color. He’s naked. I’m not sure if he’s ever had clothes.”

She listened closely. It was important for her to know what her target looked like. “The pack of dogs he’s running with. How many and what kind?”

“We’re not sure. Some reports say there’s three. Some say four. The one that’s always with him is a large female. I’ve seen them and I’d say she’s about the size of your wolf.” MacAlister pulled onto a gravel road leading into the deepest part of the wood.

“Could she be one of us, Lobo?”

The wolf gave a mental shrug. There are a few of us around. You’re the only one I’ve dealt with in a long time. 

“What type of dog is Lobo?” MacAlister asked, keeping his eyes on the road in front of them.

“Lobo’s a Lupus Maxiumus. It’s a superior species of wolf. His breed isn’t listed on any zoological charts of species.”

“Is he like a were-wolf? Since he can talk to you and everything.”

“No, were-wolves are an entirely different species.”

He shot a worried glance over at her. “Are you saying were-wolves are real?”

She hid her smile behind her hand and shrugged. “I know there’s a bunch of stuff on this earth that humans have no idea exist. Why not were-wolves?”

He stopped the SUV and turned it off. “I was worried you might turn on me.”
Rolling her eyes, she hopped out and let Lobo free. “I’m not sure what I am, but I know that I’m not a were-wolf. So you don’t have to worry about me getting all furry on you.”

“Good, I guess. This is where the most recent sighting took place. I was here earlier today and marked where the tracks disappear into the brush.”
Nodding, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a tie to hold her hair back. Her hair went up in a ponytail and her neck was revealed.

“What’s this?” MacAlister had walked up behind her. His fingers traced the golden dog collar she wore.

The heat pouring off his body made sweat bead on Bella’s upper lip and her thigh muscles clench. She curled her hands into fists, so she wouldn’t grab him and stuff her tongue down his throat.

When did you go into heat? I’ve never seen you react this way to a male. Sitting, Lobo stared at them, his head tilted to the side.

“Shut up,” she snarled. Looking at MacAlister, she said, “It’s a reminder to myself.”

“A reminder of what?” He moved close to her again.
She had the uncomfortable feeling he was stalking her. There was no way he could know how she was reacting to him. The one thing she was good at was hiding her feelings and controlling her body’s reaction to things. Shaking, she stepped away. She needed her head examined. She should be thinking about the child and how to get him away from those dogs, especially if the female was Lupus Maxiumus. She shouldn’t be wondering how MacAlister would feel between her legs and thrusting into her. Her breasts grew heavy and her nipples hardened.

Get your head out of his pants. The wolf snapped at her hand.

“Pain in the ass wolf. My collar reminds me that except for a blip in genes, I could have been walking on four legs like Lobo.” She pulled her gun and chambered a round.

“I don’t think we’re going to need them.” MacAlister gestured to the gun and the rifle she slung over her shoulder.

“I never go into a situation without insuring I can get out of it, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll leave the rifle behind.” She put it back in the SUV. It didn’t matter. The rifle would have gotten in the way.

“Lobo, have you got the scent?” She asked the wolf who had been sniffing around where the tracks disappeared into the woods.

Yes and the child is one of our kind, Bella. I can smell him. 

“Shit. Let’s go.” Following Lobo, she headed into the brush.

Story: "The Journey of Bella Night" (Episode One, Chapter Two) by Tiffany Aaron 
The story continues...

“Hey wait,” B.J. called after Bella as she and her wolf disappeared into the darkness.
What the hell was all this cracked shit about the wolf talking to her with telepathy? He gave himself a mental slap. He couldn’t deny it. He had heard the wolf’s replies to her, even though he’d tried to act like he hadn’t. The gift he’d gotten from his grandmother was a curse sometimes. All of his life, he had tried to act like he couldn’t read people’s thoughts. He had denied it so much that it came as a shock when he did hear things. He never thought he would find a beautiful woman hearing the thoughts of her wolf to make him feel less freakish.

And what was all that other crap about Lobo being a Lupus Maxiumus? There wasn’t any such thing as far as he knew. Of course, his knowledge of wolves came from Animal Planet, so maybe he wasn’t an expert on the canine species.

Bella Night was a man’s wet dream, even if she was crazier than a junebug. His cock had been hard since she’d opened the door for him. He found his mind wondering. How would it feel to sink into her wet heat? Would she like her sex hard and fast or would she like her lover to take his time?

A twig snapped and he jerked back to the woods. Shit, he needed to get his head on his shoulders and out of her pants. He’d wait until they found the kid, then he’d make his move.

He turned on his flashlight and followed the trail Bella was leaving. He wasn’t watching where he was going. He was too busy trying to keep their tracks in view.
“Ouch.” He ran right into Bella’s back. “What the hell?” He wrapped his arms around her waist to steady himself.

“Sh, talk quieter,” she whispered. “Lobo’s gone ahead to do some recon for us.”

“Sorry. Why’d you take off like that?” He wasn’t going to let go of her until she told him to.

“The child is one of ours. We can’t let him live any longer on his own. We’re worried about the female you’ve seen with him.” She held the gun loosely in her right hand, but there was a feeling of watchfulness vibrating through her.

“How exactly can he be one of your kind? Also, how can you be a wolf like Lobo?” He was confused, but he wasn’t sure he really wanted to hear the explanation.

“I’m not sure how it works. Lobo says Lupus Maxiumus have been around since wolves first evolved on the planet. When we’re born, it’s in human form. We stay that way until puberty. At that point, we change into our canine form and stay in that form for the rest of our lives. The males do usually. The females change back to human form when they become pregnant.”

He settled his hands on her stomach and felt a kick in his own stomach. “Are you pregnant?”

“What? No, I’m not pregnant. I’m different. I never went through the change. I’ve been in human form since I was born. The female carries the babies to term and then allow them to be adopted out.” She fell silent and he could tell she was listening for Lobo.

After a moment, he asked, “What happens when the kid hits puberty and needs to change? That isn’t something the adoptive parents are going to be understanding about.”

“A small percentage of the children that go missing each year are the children of Lupus Maxiumus. When the change is upon us, we wander off. Usually we’re found by another older wolf who can talk us through the change and teach us about our new life.”

“What about you?”

“Since I never went through the change, I never dealt with it. But I did run away from my adoptive home and live on the streets. I was on my way to a real bad end when Lobo found me. He took me down a peg or two. He also showed me why I was feeling the wildness inside me.” She stepped away from him and he couldn’t believe the sense of loss he felt. “Something’s wrong with my genetic make-up and I’ll always be human.”

Getting to know you time is over. We need to move quick. I’ve found the den and the child is there. Lobo appeared before them on the trail, his yellow eyes glowing in the light.

“Great. Let’s get moving.” Bella headed out.

“I assume he’s found something.” He commented as he followed her.

“He’s found the den and the kid’s there. We need to be quick.”

“What about the dogs?” He was winded, even though he was in shape. Bella and Lobo were outdistancing him with each stride.

“I’m not worried about any of them except for the female. If she’s one of us, she might have a reason for keeping the kid out here. I don’t want to take him from his mother.” She stopped at the foot of a rocky outcropping. 

He started to aim his light up towards the darkened opening. She pushed it down.
“No light. They’ll see and hide the child.”

“You can see in the dark.” It wasn’t a question. Of course she could see in the dark. If she really was a wolf, she would have all kinds of special talents.

*

Bella was tired of the patronizing tone she was getting from Deputy B.J. MacAlister. “Yes, I can see in the dark, jackass, but even if I couldn’t, I’d know better than alerting them someone was around.”

Bella! 

Lobo’s shout made her wince. She hated it when he did that. It made her head ring and her eyes cross.

“What is it?” She put a finger on MacAlister’s lips to keep him silent.

The female is one of our kind and there’s something wrong with her. Lobo sounded worried.

“Wrong? What do you mean?”

She’s not stable. She might be insane, in fact. 

“First, I didn’t think we could go crazy. Second, how do you know this?” She edged up the faint trail leading to the cave.

I’ll go into the crazy part later. I know this because she’s got me. There was a sheepish tone to Lobo’s thoughts.

“Shit. Got cocky, didn’t you? Where are you?” 

The vibes coming from the cave were those of a child. No vibrations reminded her of the wolf.

We’re in a clearing to the east of the den. Be careful. I’m not sure if she can hear us like this. 

“We’ll be right there.” She turned to MacAlister. “The female has Lobo in a clearing. We need to get over there.”

“What about the kid?” He looked up at the den.

“He’ll be fine for now. We have to save Lobo first.”

“How can he hear you if you can’t send him your thoughts? I mean he’s not close enough to us for him to hear you. Unless super human hearing is standard for him.” 

Frustration built in her. She didn’t want to stand around discussing the finer points of their powers. “I don’t know. I just know that he’s always been able to hear me, even if I’m talking and not projecting my thoughts. We’ve got to go. I don’t know what she’ll do. A wild animal is always unpredictable, but give that animal intelligence on par with a human and there’s no telling what it can do.”

She took off, following the directions Lobo had given her. Fighting panic wasn’t something she was used to, but she had to get control because her friend’s life depended on it. The deputy was blundering behind her. Being quiet didn’t matter anymore. Lobo would let her know if it was a trap.

She skidded to a stop at the very edge of the clearing. She wanted to check everything out before she exposed herself. Peering around a tree, she studied the situation.
The female had Lobo pinned. There were wounds on both of the, but his looked worse.
“Are you okay?” Fear welled up in her.

Yes, just some flesh wounds. I’m not as young as I once was, I’m afraid. 

“Okay, here’s the plan. Since I don’t have my rifle, I’m going to have to get in closer for the Glock to work. When I get her distracted, you drag your bloody ass out of her. MacAlister?” She looked over her shoulder to where the deputy stood. “You stay here. When Lobo’s close enough, you help him back to the SUV. I’ll take care of the bitch and grab the kid.”

She didn’t wait to hear either of them protest. Stalking out into the moonlight, she yelled, “Hey there, fuzz ball. Get off my partner.”

The female wolf was close to Lobo’s size. Her body bore numerous scars and one ear was torn. Her right eye was gone. It snarled at Bella, but didn’t move from where it stood over Lobo.

“Bitch, didn’t you hear what I said? You get your hairy ass off him or I’ll kill you where you stand.”

Brave words from a freak with a gun. Why not face me without it and prove how much courage you have. The female’s thought scratched through Bella’s mind.

She had nothing to prove about being brave. She knew just how tough she was, but she also knew that the female wouldn’t leave Lobo until she made herself vulnerable. 

“Fine.” She put the safety on and tossed the Glock behind her. MacAlister would pick it up. “Do I at least get to keep my knife since you have claws and fangs?”

I’ll allow you that. The female looked down at Lobo. You haven’t trained her well. Her telepathy is pathetic. I’ve never known one of our kind who must talk out loud to be able to project her thoughts. 

Bella didn’t care about the attempt to make her mad by putting Lobo down. She wouldn’t lose her temper because that was the best way to lose the fight. She stepped farther into the clearing. The moonlight broke through the clouds and shone on her collar.

The female crouched and snarled. It can’t be. You’re one of Sela’s kits. I thought I had killed them all. 

She didn’t have time to ask. The wolf leapt at her. Barely managing to get her knife out, she was knocked to the ground. The female’s teeth tore through her sleeve and bit deep into the arm holding the knife.

She didn’t cry out. Bringing her other hand up, she slugged the wolf in the head, trying to break its grip. When that didn’t work, she switched the blade to her free hand and plunged it deep into the furred side.

The female howled and jumped off her. Bella knew she inflicted a serious injury, but it wasn’t a deadly one. Sparing a glance over to where Lobo had been, she saw her friend had managed to make his way to MacAlister. Good, the deputy would take the injured wolf to the vehicle and keep him there.

She was blindsided by a heavy body slamming into her. She went down without a sound. He wrist crashed on a rock and she lost her grip on the knife. Shit, she might be in trouble now. Without a weapon, she did what she could to avoid the claws and teeth of her attacker. Once she gained her feet, she moved around the clearing with the intent of getting back to where he knife had landed in the underbrush.

Damn. A clawed paw caught her calf. If she hadn’t had Kevlar re-enforced protectors sewn into her uniform, she would have been hamstrung. As it was, the claws scratched through the muscle and skin.

“What’s your name, bitch?” She didn’t really care, but maybe talking would distract the wolf.

You don’t know? Lobo has done a piss-poor job with you. My name is Lilith and I’m your aunt. 

Bella felt shock rip through her. Lilith was her aunt. She had a family. Sharp teeth tried to take her hand off at the wrist. Okay, maybe she shouldn’t be thrilled with the fact that she had an aunt who was determined to kill her. She caught the glint of her knife to the right of her.

Stop, drop and roll. It worked not only to put out a fire, but to dodge an angry wolf and grab a weapon. Thrusting with the blade, she caught Lilith in the leg, cutting tendons and making it impossible for the wolf to follow her. Though all her instincts were screaming for her to kill the bitch, she couldn’t bring herself to commit lupicide and murdering family members wasn’t in her make-up.

Jerking the metal out of the flesh, she stood and moved cautiously away. Lilith dropped to the ground, her useless leg dragging.

This isn’t over, Bella Night. I’ll find you and I’ll finish you. 

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m taking the kid.” 

She limped off towards the den. Her arm and leg hurt, but she wasn’t allowing it to make her lazy. There should be two more dogs with the kid. She wasn’t sure if they would allow her to take the child. There was no way she would leave that kid there. 

She didn’t trust Lilith to raise any child.

Two dogs rushed out to meet her. She approached them without hesitation or fear. She had to establish dominance or she’d never get past them. The dogs growled and stalked towards her, but she didn’t back down. A tense moment or two later, the dogs rolled over on their backs and bared their stomach. She touched each one to acknowledge their submission, then moved to the cave’s entrance.

“Hello, boy. Come out here,” she called, not sure if the boy had any mental ability or not.

Who? The mental question was faint, but she could hear it.

“I’m a friend. Please come out where I can see you.”

Where Lilith? Fear hid in the words, but Bella couldn’t tell if the fear was aimed towards her or Lilith.

“Lilith won’t be coming back. I’ll be taking care of you now.” What a scary thought. She had no clue how to take care of a kid, normal or otherwise.

Gone? The voice was closer.

She saw movement in the dark shadows. The boy was coming closer.

“Yes, gone. I’m like you are and I’ll never hurt you.” She held out her clean hand. No point in scarring the kid for life by offering him a bloody hand.

In a rush, the boy raced from the cave and into her arms. Gone. Lilith gone. Boy free. 

“Free? Yes, you’re free. What’s your name?” She cuddled the child close to her. He was very dirty skin and bones. His brown hair was streaked with auburn and had twigs, leaves and other things stuck in the curls.

Lilith call boy. Mommy call Zev. The boy was shivering.

“Zev, Lilith wasn’t your mother?” She began to make her way down the trail, ignoring the pain in her arm and leg.

No. Lilith aunt. Mommy gone. Lilith take Zev. Live in cave with dogs. The boy gestured back to where the two dogs stood.

She growled at the mutts. They came slinking after her. There would be a place at her cabin for them. She was grateful that they had managed to keep Zev alive.

MacAlister materialized out of the shadows. Zev screamed and tried to crawl over her shoulder to cower behind her. The dogs raced forward, snarling and barking. She gave a sharp growl, warning them not to attack.

“Zev, this is a friend of mine. B.J. MacAlister. He won’t hurt you. I wouldn’t let him even if he wanted to.” She hugged the boy close.

MacAlister held out a blanket that she wrapped around the kid.

“How’s Lobo?” She asked him as he fell in with her group.

“He’s okay. Mostly scratches that’ll heal. You look like you got the worse of it. Where’s the other wolf?” He reached out and touched her arm above the wound.

“I hamstrung her and left her in the clearing. I couldn’t kill her. She said she was my aunt.”

MacAlister looked as surprised as she felt. “Really?”

“The strange thing is Zev told me she was his aunt.”

They got back to the vehicle where Lobo was waiting for them. The wolf came over to her and nuzzled her hand. Keeping Zev in the circle of her arms, she dropped to her knees and hugged her oldest friend. The boy reached out and stroked Lobo’s head.

“Guess he can tell the difference between you and Lilith.” Easing back onto her feet, she looked the wolf in the eye and asked, “Is Lilith really my aunt?”

Yes, but there will be time for explanations later. We have to get Zev cleaned and warm first. 

“Lobo,” she warned.

Trust me, Bella. You’ll get your answers. Lobo herded the dogs to the back of MacAlister’s Suburban.

The deputy wrinkled his nose and glared at her. “You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not going to put them in my vehicle.”

“They did their best to keep Zev safe, so they deserve to be given a home. Besides I’ll make it worth your time.” She winked at him.

Now that they had the kid and the operation was done, she could think about the burgeoning bulge in MacAlister’s pants and how soon she could get that in her.

After we get Zev settled, I’ll give you some time alone. Lobo winked at her and gave her a wolfish grin. 

“Thanks, old man.” She looked up to see MacAlister blushing again. She settled into the passenger seat holding on to Zev while he loaded the dogs. When he climbed in, she smiled at him and said, “Take us home, Deputy.”

Story: "The Journey of Bella Night" (Episode One, Chapter Three) by Tiffany Aaron 
The story's fascinating conclusion...

Throwing herself on the couch next to MacAlister, Bella yawned. “My mind did go to mush from all those Star Trek shows. How else can I explain why I agreed to take in a five year old boy?”

Laughing, he pulled her down on the blankets and pillows he set up in front of her fireplace. “I’ll be careful of your wounds, but let me work some of those knots out of your muscles.”

He quickly stripped her and made sure she was lying on her stomach. Hiding her smile, she let him arrange her the way he wanted. She’d take over soon enough. A whimper escaped her as his strong hands bit into her tense muscles. He kneaded her into a relaxed puddle of want.

When his hands cupped her ass and squeezed, she decided she had enough. Her breasts ached to feel his hands on hem. She was so wet, the inside of her thighs were slick from her juices. It was going to be fast and hard the first time.

“You had better be naked,” she said as she rolled over, catching him off guard and pinning him beneath her. She laughed at the surprised look on his face.

Grasping his cheeks in her hands, she bent down to lick his lips. When he groaned, she slid her tongue in his mouth and stroked the roof of his mouth. He tasted like coffee, whiskey and a deeper earthier scent she could get addicted to. She bit his bottom lip then sucked on it to soothe the sting. His hips surged and his erection rubbed against her ass.

“Oh, you are naked. Got to love a man who understands the importance of nakedness.” She took his hands and placed them on her breasts. She showed him how she liked his rough hands squeezing them to the edge of pain.

“Being naked is soon to be my second favorite state of being,” he groaned as she rocked back on his cock.

“What’s taking its place?” She wasn’t sure how she managed to ask.

“Being in you.” He started to take his hand off her.

“No, keep them there,” she ordered.

Reaching behind her, she fisted his thick shaft and pumped it hard once. His hips jerked. She slid her thumb over the blunt head of his cock and spread the drops of pre-cum over his skin.

His eyes widened as she trailed her hand down over her stomach into the dark curls covering her mound. Her fingers disappeared between her thighs. She let her head fall back as she rode her own fingers for a minute.

“Please,” MacAlister begged.

Showing her glistening fingers to him, she reached back to coat his cock with her own juices. She lifted her hips and teased her pussy with the head of his shaft until they both moaned.

“Fuck, Bella, just take me,” he pleaded.

That was what she wanted to hear. She impaled herself on his flesh and cried out. His voice rang in her ears. His hands left her breasts to grip her hips. He was trying to take control of their lovemaking and she wouldn’t allow that.

She pulled off him until only the tip of his cock was in her. “Put your hands behind your head, MacAlister, if you want me to ride you.”

His brown eyes met hers and there was a short battle for dominance. There was no way he was going to win. She had dealt with chauvinistic police officers all her life. She knew how to be an Alpha bitch. She slid slowly down and back up while she clenched her inner muscles. Sending him a wicked grin, she wasn’t above cheating either.

“Damn.” He shoved his hand behind his head. His gaze burned into hers and he said, “You owe me.”

“Next time I’ll let you be on top.”

Leaning forward, she braced one hand on his chest. Her other hand went back between her thighs and she tugged on her clit in rhythm with her riding him. He might not have a hold of her, but he was managing to participate. Bracing his heels on the floor, he pushed his hips up. She was sliding down as he was thrusting towards her. 

Her head fell back. Her orgasm was building, but she wasn’t getting enough. With a sudden rush, MacAlister grabbed her hips and rolled her over leaving him on top. Tilting her hips, he slammed deep into her and she came, crying out. Two more thrusts with her milking his cock and he came as well, grunting his satisifaction. Somehow he managed collapse to the side and not crush her.

“Now I’m relaxed.” She snuggled close to him.

Good, now’s the time to talk. Lobo came into the room and sat, staring at them.

“Shit.” MacAlister scrambled to find a blanket to cover up with.

Bella threw a pillow at him. “Cover up with that if it bothers you.”

“How about I just leave you two? He wants to talk about your past and I’m not sure you want me to hear any of it.” The minute the words left his mouth, he paled.

*

Fuck. He should have kept his mouth shut. It wasn’t the wolf’s unblinking stare that worried B.J. It was the killer growl Bella gave right before she tackled him. He grunted as her fist slammed into his ribs. Her anger was putting a lot of strength behind her punches.

“Ow…Bella…quit it,” he crowed as she missed his face by inches.

“Quit it? You bastard, you sat there and dared to act as if I were crazy when you could hear every word Lobo said to me. I should have figured it out with you snorting and coughing all the time. I could kill you right now.” Her eyes flashed with evil intent.

Lobo pushed her off him. Bella, stop it, the wolf ordered.

She subsided, but her anger still burned in her narrowed gaze and clenched fists.

“Thanks, Lobo. I didn’t want to hurt her.” He tucked a blanket around his hips.

The wolf pinned him with yellow eyes. I stopped her so she wouldn’t hurt you. That was a rotten trick you pulled, MacAlister. Do you have any more secrets? 

He should’ve known the wolf would take her side. He wasn’t a member of the ‘pack’, even if he did just fuck the leader. “No more secrets. I’m sorry. I’ve never told anyone about reading thoughts. It’s inconvenient and scary. Most of the time, I can block it, but I couldn’t do that with Lobo’s thoughts.”

“I won’t have to translate then. So tell me why my aunt is out there, trying to kill me? Especially after you told me I didn’t have any family.” Bella sat cross-legged in front of them, clutching a pillow that covered up her more interesting parts.

Lobo snapped at him to get his attention. I wasn’t sure she was even alive. Your mother died shortly after her last litter. That was five years ago and the triplets were reported dead as well. 

“Litter?” He was trying to fit his mind around the whole idea of Lupus Maxiumus. 

“The females tend to have multiple births, just like their canine cousins. She gives up all her children at birth.” A light blossomed in Bella’s eyes. “Wait a minute. Five years ago. That means…” Her voice trailed off as Lobo nodded.

Zev is your brother. 

She jumped to her feet and started to pace. B.J. was left with the cock raising view of her tight ass and all that creamy skin. Her auburn hair flowed to show glimpses of the golden collar she wore.

“Who in the universe did I piss off? Yesterday, I didn’t have any blood family. Now I’ve got a psychotic aunt and a feral younger brother. What the hell do I do now?” 

She turned to look at them, crossing her arms over her chest. 

Your aunt killed your mother. Lilith killed all your brothers and sisters. You and Zev are the only two left. I’m not completely sure what she wanted him for. Lobo stared out the window, a distant look in his eyes.

“Maybe you should sit down. All that moving can’t be good for your wounds.” B.J. gestured to the bandages on her arm and leg.

Quirking an eyebrow at him, she said, “I’m not happy with you right now, so I’d suggest you sit there and be quiet.”

He threw his hands up in surrender and leaned back against the couch. He’d listen and keep his mouth shut. He wanted to know everything because he had the strangest feeling he’d met his destiny in the prickly lonely woman standing in front of him.

“Why would Auntie Lilith kill my mother? Besides the obvious reason of her being insane,” Bella asked.

Once in every generation or so, there is a Lupus Maxiumus born who is different from the others. This Lupus doesn’t experience the change like the rest. He can switch forms at will from birth until death. He has other powers as well. 

“What kind of powers?” B.J. was intrigued, so he forgot his order to stay quiet.

“No one knows for sure,” Bella said. “If they did know, the others would be searching for the child as well.” She went to stand next to the wolf. “Is Zev that child?”

He might be. It isn’t clear yet, but I think Lilith was searching for the right one. He would give her great power and the ability to unite the pack. Lobo glanced up at her.

“Unite the pack? Wait a minute, you’re wolves. You should be a huge pack anyway. That’s how wolves work.” B.J. was trying to remember what he knew about wolves.

“That is the priority of our lesser cousins, but we tend to be solitary creatures. People wouldn’t pay any attention to a trio of wolves, but when a large pack gets together, they become uncomfortable, especially wolves that seem to be far more intelligent than your average dog.” Bella stroked the wolf’s head.

Nodding, he realized that made sense. “So Zev could be the mythological leader, come to bring the wolves out of their lonely solitary existence to unite as one in the face of human encroachment.”

“You’ve been watching too many nature shows. Humans have nothing to fear from us. There aren’t enough of the Lupus Maxiumus who keep their human form.” Bella rolled her eyes at him.

We can change back to our other form if we chose. It’s painful and permanent. As an adult, once we change, we must stay that way. Lobo looked at both of them.

“What would happen if more of you went over to the human side?” B.J. had to ask.
The wolf seemed to shrug. I’ve never thought about it. 

A cry broke through their conversation. A blur streaked into the living room and attached itself to Bella’s leg. Reaching for his t-shirt, B.J. handed it to her. She slid it on quickly, then knelt to take Zev in her arms. She laid down on the nest of blankets and pillows B.J. had made for them.

“What’s wrong, Zev love?” She tucked the young child’s head under her chin.

Gone. Couldn’t find. Scared. Zev’s thoughts were disjointed, but B.J. understood them. The boy whimpered and pushed closer to Bella.

“Hush, love. I didn’t leave you. I won’t leave you ever. How about we snuggle here and keep each other warm?” She gestured for Lobo and B.J. to join her.

*

Bella smiled as MacAlister curled around her and wrapped both her and Zev in his arms. His body heat began to warm them. Lobo laid down on the other side of the child to keep the small back warm.

“There now, love. We’re all together and none of us are leaving you. You’re part of our family.” 

Resting her head against MacAlister’s shoulder, she smiled back at him. “We’re here for another two weeks. I’m sure we can find another chance for a repeat performance,” she whispered.

He kissed her gently and nodded. “I think I can arrange it and we’ve got all the time in the world.”

She settled down, strangely at peace for the first time in her life. The feeling of being right where she was meant to be began to sink into her soul. Maybe she could get used to spending time with B.J. MacAlister and building a strong family bond with her brother.

Sleep now, Bella. I don’t think the nightmares will visit you tonight. Lobo’s familiar voice washed over her and lulled her to sleep, mixing with MacAlister’s breathing and the freshly bathed scent of Zev.

The End... For Now...