~*~{\o/}~*~
I finally got chapter 4 finished for y'all. I'm sorry for any mistakes you will come across. I haven't been able to find an editor that will stick around. I'll fix that problem if and when I can but until then enjoy the chapter. The next will soon follow.
~*~{\o/}~*~
The early morning breeze softly sifted through Tina's dense auburn fur as she and Talon hungrily enjoyed the deer they had taken down. As soon as their meal was complete Tina stretched lazily as she watched Talon clean his muzzle. She went to him then, smiling inwardly, a lover's smile. Playfully, she lightly nipped his hindquarters then took off at a run knowing Talon would fallow. If she remembered right, there was a stream nearby where they could clean the last of the blood from their fur.
Talon quickly caught up to Tina and kept pace beside her as they made there way to the stream. Once there Tina sat at the edge and watched as Talon jumped onto a bolder that formed a ledge over the slow moving stream. Then she laughed, which came out in a snort, as Talon jumped into the deepest part with a splash.
By the time she mounted the bolder herself he had already surfaced. His head bobbed as he paddled around and his eyes shined with laughter as he gazed up at her with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. Tina stepped up to the edge of the bolder then launched herself into open air then fell with a splash into the warm stream. Before she surfaced she swam under him rubbing up against his stomach and chest with her back. Laughing eyes met heated ones after her head broke to the surface.
After half an hour of playing and enjoying the water they emerged from the slow flowing current of the stream then shook the excess water from there fur. Soon they were both were dry and raced each other back to her cabin. Tina made it to the cabin first and knew Talon had let her win.
Once they were inside doubt began to creep over her. Things between her and Talon moving so fast. Tina realized that she really didn't know that much about him. The only thing she really knew was how good he was in bed and that was pretty much it. She didn't know if he had a family, what kind of job he had or if he even had a one. Come to think of it Talon didn't really know her either and they were mated.....for life.
Even though she didn't know anything about him she could feel her heart trying to reach out to him even now. She didn't want to be hurt again. Somehow her heart knew he wouldn't hurt her but it was her mind kept telling her heart different. Before anything could emotionally happen between her and Talon, Tina had to stop the war within herself. To do that she need to think and doing that when he was near was next to impossible.
Suddenly she remembered Dusty and could have kicked herself. Now she had an real excuse to get some time to herself.
"Talon, I have to go to the Walker ranch and check on Dusty." Without giving father explanation she took off toward the door, only stopping long enough to reach under the end table by the arm of the couch. She grabbed her bag of medical supplies from underneath it then grabbed her truck keys from the hook on the wall by the door on her way out.
She was out the door before he could reply but as soon as she opened the truck door he was there. She hadn't even heard him approaching her.
His voice came out as a deep growl that rumbled through his chest, "Who's Dusty?"
Tina turned and narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Talon. Had she just felt and heard his jealousy? Oh my God, she thought, he really does love me. She smiled and fought the laughter that was bubbling up inside of her. Talon didn't realize Dusty wasn't a man.
Tina could no longer contain her laughter. At first it was silent, only her shoulders shook as she pressed her lips tightly together. When Talon gave a frustrated growl her laughter burst fort and drifted on the breeze.
Talon just crossed his arms over his chest an watched Tina as tears of laughter filled her eyes. "What," he gave a slight pause, "is so damn funny?"
Tina shook her head and waved her hand around in a wordless jester asking for a moment to catch her breath. When she did she spoke with laughter in her tone. "Talon," She paused for a few seconds holding off more laughter which wasn't easy since Talon had narrowed his eyes at her, "Dusty is," she softly snickered then finished in a rush, "Dusty is a horse that I'm taking care of Talon."
Talon could see why she was laughing now and it didn't even bother him that her laughter was at his expense. He was embarrassed but he was also relieved at the same time.
Ignoring his embarrassment, he stepped closer to Tina. He still had to convince her to stay with him at her cabin. Taking a breath he gathered his thoughts.
He knew the second she realized he was turning serious because the light of laughter left her eyes.
"You can't go alone Tina, it's too dangerous. Do you remember the cut on my side?" He asked as he reached out an tenderly cupped her cheek.
Tina stiffened slightly. "Yeah." She said as looked at him curiously wondering where this was leading.
"Well, that's why I can't let you go alone." When Tina tried to turn away from his gaze Talon brought up his other hand, cupping her face he turned her head, forcing her to meet his gaze once again. "I've been tracking a killer for the past few months now. I caught up to him and he's the one who injured me. He's still in the area and I don't want to leave you alone because if he gets close enough to you and smells my scent on you he could use you to get to me." Sincerity laced his voice and shined from his eyes.
Tina shivered as his thumbs tenderly stroked her cheeks. She sighed. "I can take care of myself Talon."
"I know you could under normal circumstances, baby. I don't doubt that, but this is different. The killer is a rouge werewolf and he's very dangerous." He bent forward and lightly rubbed his lips against hers. "I can't let you go by yourself. It's too dangerous." He whispered against her lips before he pressed them against hers in a brief kiss. Once he pulled back he gazed deeply into her gray eyes.
Tina could feel his worry through there link and could see it shining through his eyes. Even though she knew he was telling her the truth she still needed to put some space between them. It wasn't Talon but herself, she had some emotions she had to work through and she couldn't do that with Talon around her. Her past kept shadowing her present feelings and that wasn't fare to Talon or her.
In her heart Tina knew that Talon would never hurt her but the past kept telling her brain that he would. She had to make peace with her past so she could move onto her future and give Talon a fair chance.
