Ravished by Wolves by Nicole Ash

nodded.
    “I remember. You used to hunt to feed your family.”
    “That was before we encountered that damned wolf. That day… the wolf lead us deep into the woods. We shot at it, both of us, but there was no stopping it. It attacked me. The next thing I knew, I was covered in my own blood, laying on the ground beside Michael. I should have been dead. We both should have been, as much blood as we lost. And… I knew.”
    “Knew…? Knew what?”
    Fador paused, looking away out to sea, seemingly looking back across time and space to that night, so long ago.
    “I knew I would live as long as the wolves survived. I knew that I’d been cursed to guard the same animals I used to hunt for sport. And I knew I would never be able to live among humans again. We were cast out of our own village when they saw us, covered in blood like we were, still able to walk. We’ve been alone ever since, Michael and I….”
    “How are you so sure it was a curse? It brought you to me….”
    He turned sharply at that. Shock was written across his face and Amber wondered what in the world had made her say something so stupid. Of course he wouldn’t see that as a reason for all the suffering he’s been through.
    “I… I’m just saying… well, what if the wolf did what he did because he knew you two were the best men for the job? My grandmother always said, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Maybe you two were chosen and blessed, not cursed. Eternal life and health sounds pretty good to me. Lots of people would give anything for that.”
    Michael stirred in her lap again and when she looked down she meet his clear blue gaze. I would never have met them if they hadn’t met that white wolf first. They would have died a long time ago. If I hadn’t been abducted by accident…. The thought that she would never have even known of their existence seemed more like the curse to her.
    “I think…” Fador’s voice broke and trailed off, but he was staring intently at her when she looked up to him.
    “I think you may just be right. In all this time… we’ve never met anyone like you. You’re different in so many ways Amber.” He glimpsed down at Michael a moment before continuing. “You’re the mother of Michael’s baby.”
    “What? How— how could you possibly know that?”
    A smile touched his lips.
    “I am a wolf, my dear. We both smelled the change in you as soon as it happened. You’re the only woman who has ever become pregnant by either of us.”
    Pregnant! It was a shock, but thinking back she realized it shouldn’t have been. She’d dismissed her nausea as hunger and nerves. A baby. I’m actually going to have a baby.
    “So, what happens now?”
    “I guess that’s up to you. We’ll understand if you want to go home. I… we were just hoping you might stay with us.”
    You can never truly go home. Amber looked down at Michael and could tell the look in his eye was askance. Fador, when she returned his gaze, looked scared, but hopeful. Scared I’ll say no? Try as she might, when she looked to her heart, she found no desire to be anywhere except with the two of them. I’m where I belong. They are my home now .
    “I hear they’re still shooting wolves over in Colorado.”
    Amber buried her face in Michael’s hair and felt Fador wrap his strong arms around her to hold her tight.
    “You’re sure?”
    She smiled into his face, lifting hers for a kiss that set Michael to growling jealously. She laughed.
    “I’m sure that if either of you wants to get some practice in for the next baby, you’d better meet me down below in five or less.” She laughed out loud as both men scrambled to their feet and tried to beat each other down to the cabin.
     
     
    The End
     
     

The Devil’s Muse
     
    By
     
    Nicole Ash
     
     
    © copyright by Nicole Ash, 2013
     
     
     
     
    This is a work of fiction. Previously published under the title Dark Carnival, this story has been lengthened and revised. All characters,