The Russian's Defiant Wolf

Anna

Just under a week later, the town was completely decorated. Fairy lights of all colors seemed to twinkle from every tree surrounding our small but beautiful town.

I couldn’t hold in a scoff as I surveyed the town, which now looked like Santa’s grotto.

For a town that wished to stay inconspicuous, they sure weren’t being discreet.

The hair on the back of my neck started to rise, and the wind carried the scent of strawberries. Aunt Nina was lingering behind me, and probably had been for some time while I was lost in thought.

Another gust of wind blew, and the scent grew stronger. Aunt Nina had showered recently. For as long as I could remember, she’d used a strawberry-scented shampoo and conditioner.

“The town looks great, sweetie. You did a good job,” her familiar soft voice sounded from my left as she moved closer.

As much as I didn’t want to see or speak to her, I couldn’t deny that her scent and the warmth radiating from her were comforting. It had been a lonely month.

“The view is amazing from up here,” she continued when I didn’t speak. She wasn’t lying. I had hiked up the mountain and was standing on an exposed ledge.

The wind grew stronger, and I hugged my arms around my middle. I had come out prepared, wearing a winter coat, hat, and gloves, but the night was growing cold fast.

Werewolves’ body temperature ran hotter than humans’, but that didn’t mean we were immune to the chill.

The weather channel had predicted snow to fall in the coming week, and the Oborot pack were due to arrive at any moment.

All week I'd been questioning Casey about the pack, but she claimed to know as little as I did. She reminded me that Grandfather had been the one to invite them, and therefore all the information I wanted lay with him.

As curious as I was, I couldn’t bring myself to seek him out for answers.

“I just helped string some lights, Aunt Nina. It was all Casey’s doing. Lord knows what the town will look like for her mating ceremony.” I smiled at the thought.

Casey had been in a strict directorial mode all week. She’d had the whole town involved.

Everyone had been assigned to different jobs, from small things like putting up the never-ending stream of lights to decorating the twenty-foot-tall Christmas tree in the middle of town.

I’d seen the Grinch movie years ago when I was a child and couldn’t help but notice Casey had used it for her inspiration.

I still couldn’t believe how organized and bossy Casey had been during the week.

She’d even snapped at my grandfather once—by accident, of course—and under his raised brow, Casey had cowered and immediately rambled out a stream of apologies before fleeing.

“Yes, Casey isn’t one for doing things halfheartedly, I’ll admit. But it all does look amazing. I can’t wait for the Oborot pack to get here. It’ll be good for us to mix with other wolves.

“It’s been a long time since some of us have mixed.”

I scoffed and shook my head. “Well, I can’t imagine they’d have any trouble finding us. We’re about as subtle as Las Vegas right now.”

Aunt Nina sighed at my dry tone. “Anna, it’s not like we’re advertising what we are. It’s Christmas. Every town in the country will look like ours.

“If we are targeted by hunters, then we are double the strength with two packs here.” She paused. “Look at me.”

I turned, not being able to refuse. Her gaze locked onto mine when I did so. Aunt Nina was all I had left of my mother, and it tore at my heart, even after so long, how similar they looked.

Nina had my mother’s unruly dark hair that cascaded down her back in waves and her large blue eyes. Even her scent was like my mother’s.

The only difference between them was that my mother had always been warm and gentle to everyone she met. Aunt Nina was only truly warm and gentle to her mate and me.

I had been the focus of my aunt’s anger only once and never wanted to be again.

“You’ve had a tough life so far, and I know you’re cautious; you never let anyone in. Not completely anyway. You’re not living Anna, just existing. When was the last time you even shifted?

“You’re surrounded by pack here; you don’t need to be afraid—”

“I’m not afraid,” I said defensively. “Maybe if I’d have gotten some revenge for my parents’ death, then I wouldn’t be moping around—”

“You didn’t need to see what was done to those hunters.” Aunt Nina reached out to touch my shoulder, and I didn’t move away.

Mostly because if I did, then I’d tumble over the edge of the ledge and fall to my death. But also because I craved her touch. The tight grip was comforting and eased some of my anger.

“I wish you and Grandpa would stop treating me like a child. I’m twenty-six, for goodness’ sake. I needed it; I needed to see them punished. I was the one who found my parents, Aunt Nina.

“I heard the hunters come into my house. If they’d taught me more about my wolf instead of making me hide her as if she was something to be ashamed of, I could have helped.”

My breathing was labored; with every passing word, my voice had grown in volume.

Aunt Nina’s face softened before a loud cheer sounded from the town below us, ending the conversation. Aunt Nina hardened her features and gave me a measured stare.

“That will be the Oborot pack arriving. Take a run, Anna. Cool off and then come down to greet our guests.

“You’re the future pack leader, so your grandfather will want you there. I’ll cover for you.” She leaned forward and embraced me in a warm hug.

“I love you, Anna.” She released me as quickly as she hugged me, and with that took off at a run back down the mountain toward the town.

I took a deep breath, then let it out in a huff that sounded more animalistic than human. My wolf was close to the surface, impatient, and waiting to be let out.

I could feel her pacing at the mere thought of going for a run; it had been a while.

I rarely let her come forward. We seemed to have completely different personalities. My wolf was a free spirit; she loved the forest, loved to explore, and annoyingly enough, she wanted a mate.

I was quite happy to wait in that department, much to my wolf’s disgust.

The thought of releasing some of my pent-up energy had me giving into temptation, sort of. Deciding against fully shifting, I let my wolf come to the surface freely to enjoy a two-legged run.

The exercise would at least keep her calm for a little while.