Prologue
Amanda Willock watched the various trees as her father drove to their new home. Washington didn't look too bad, Amanda decided with a sigh. At least the scenery was pretty.
"You'll be fine," Karen said, looking back at her daughter. "This is our last move for the next five years. Your father and I want to stay here for your graduation from high school and college."
"I know, Mom," Amanda said, smiling. "I'm just sulking, I guess."
"Not to worry," Adam said as he adjusted the mirror to look at his daughter. "All these new boys to disappoint and new friends to make."
"Well," Amanda smiled. "You and mom did teach me how and when to defend myself."
"Yep," Adam smiled at his daughter as he hand went to rest on Karen's thigh. "The only time your Aunt Rebecca sided with your mom."
Karen scowled at the admission, though she knew Adam was glad they had taught Amanda to defend herself.
"She's supposed to come," Adam continued. "Some time this summer. She said she needed to talk with you about a few things."
"More of your family history?" Karen sighed and Amanda relaxed back into her seat as her parents spoke.
Going back into her reveries, Amanda thought of all the things she knew of Washington. Though, she admitted to herself, it wasn't much. Twilight, of course, would not be a good place to start an archeological reference point.
Surprisingly, a shift in speed before reaching town brought Amanda out of her thoughts and she watched as her father took a right as the G.P.S. informed him it was time.
Nearly hidden by the trees, a single lane road led to a large cottage. Late afternoon sunlight gleamed and shone against the windows of the cottage and the woods behind it seemed closer because of that image.
"It's beautiful," Amanda said as she leaned forward between the seats to get a better look.
"I could only get it as a rental," Adam smiled at his daughter. "I saw it in the book and knew you would love it. The realtor actually had to make a few calls to find the owner before I could even get that much out of him."
"I wouldn't sell it either," Amanda exclaimed as her father pulled up in front of the porch. "Does everything work?"
"It works," Karen chuckled. "However, no internet or cable television."
"Seriously," Amanda paused in the act of getting out of the car for a closer look.
"Seriously," Karen nodded. "And, have you seen any electric lines out here?"
"You bought a cabin?" Amanda gasped, looking accusingly towards her father.
"It has a thermal generator," Adam smiled. "All the electrical stuff is below ground so it doesn't impact the surrounding area."
"Awesome!" Amanda enthused. "This is totally awesome!"
Karen looked at her daughter a long time before looking back to her husband. Adam merely shrugged and sent her a smile.
Chapter 1
Amanda walked through the forest in wonder. Though it might be more aptly named a 'wooded area,' the way the dappled sunshine filtered down to the forest floor made it seem magical. Going west at the burned stump instead of east this time, Amanda was taking in the sights until she came across a small glade.
As the sun broke through the forest canopy it glittered like diamonds on the small pond. Amanda's breath caught at the beauty of it as a wold sat warming itself on a large stone.
Amanda was about to jerk back when strong hands grabbed her.
"Don't scream," the deep, baritone urged calmly, only a hint of annoyance in his voice as her teeth bit down. "And don't run.
"You have seen all the lilacs, fennel, marsh marigold, and other plants," the voice in her ear continued. "Yet you wear rose oil into the woods. Did you think she wouldn't notice?"
As her heart stopped hammering under his calm tone, Amanda nodded before she realized she was still biting down on his hand.
"Sorry," Amanda said softly. "If she knows I'm here, why doesn't she attack?"
"Wolves don't normally attack people," he replied. "A rabid wolf, or a wolf that is injured or starving may snap and try to defend itself. But, they will normally leave humans alone. Unless the human is stupid enough to go near their den. The entire pack will fight to save the cubs.
"If you can stay calm," he continued. "You may sit here and wait for me. If not, back up slowly and go back home."
Not wanting to show her fear, Amanda nodded and sat slowly. She nearly gave herself away and only force of will stopped her gasp as the large man walked forward.
Amanda watched as the man pulled a large, furry hunk of meat from his pack and placed it before the wolf. As he placed the meat, a low growl emanated from behind the wolf and another grey wolf limped out of the shade. Another, larger piece of meat was brought out and placed before this wolf.
As the second wolf fed, the man knelt and brought out a pottery jar and a washcloth in a plastic bag. Washing the dirt amidst low growls as the wolf ate, the man quickly cleaned the dirt from the area. Taking the pottery jar, he removed the leather top and rubbed the contents onto the paw. Inspecting the wound, he wrapped it in a small, tight bandage.
Finished, he gathered up his things before taking a large wooden platter from his backpack. Dumping a bag of cubed meat onto the platter, he placed it in front of the tree and Amanda watched as a small wolf nose began to appear from the shadows beneath the tree.
Rather than spending time with the cubs, the man backed away under the watchful gaze of the parents before he turned to the girl.
Amanda gasped as she finally saw his face. Though he was tall and, apparently, fit, he didn't look any older than she.
"You're just a boy," Amanda said as he took her hand and helped her to her feet. "How did you know what to do with the wolves?"
"You're just a girl," the boy said, amused. "Don't come here any more. Who gave you permission to come into the woods in the first place?"
"My house is on the other side of the woods," Amanda said, annoyed. "I have as much right . . ."
"Not here you don't," the boy countered. "Your property line ends well before the woods. Go home."
"I go where I want, asshole," Amanda began. "If you think . . ."
Amanda gasped as she found herself slung up in the air.
Once he had her in the fireman's carry, the boy took off at a quick trot. Though Amanda tried to stop him, tried to get some semblance of balance and get free, the boy's strength kept her tightly in place. Though she fought for nearly twenty minutes, the boy's steps never faltered and his grip, though firm, never became painful.
Realizing she would never get free until he decided to let her free, Amanda quit struggling. Once she stopped fighting, the boy began to run faster. As she watched, Amanda saw that he took a different route and saw that his path had fewer obstacles.
Though it had taken her nearly three hours to get to the glade, the boy broke from the woods in under an hour. As he ran for the house, Amanda blushed as she saw her parents coming outside and running for her.
The boy saw them as well and slowed to a trot before he began to walk. Amanda was surprised that, though he was sweating from the exertion, his breathing was steady.
"Are you all right?" Karen asked as she reached them, eyeing the boy. "Were you hurt?"
"She's not hurt," the boy said evenly. "She has no business in the woods. Keep her home."
