Page 10 of Wild Wolf

“They are capable vucari. What other reason would he need?”

“His sons?”

“Daughters, and possibly his wife, although I do not know if she would come.”

“They have female vucari?” The astonishment in her voice startled me.

I gestured to the female wolf. “You have a female wawkalak. Why wouldn’t there be female vucari?”

“The women of the pack are held strongly by the moon, but as long as they can shift with the full moon, they are safe to be around. We allow them to shift with the moon, for they are precious and rare. Could it be your vucari are much like our wawkalak?”

“You would have to talk to him about it. My mother didn’t teach me about the women much. She was more like you, a ved’ma rather than a vucari or other type. Americans tend to call our kind werewolves,” I admitted. “But I have gone many years without shifting at all. But I have my mother to thank for her teachings in that.”

“Who is this vucari? That you would introduce us to?”

“His name is Charles Desmond.”

“And you would contact him for us?”

“I would need to get to a phone, but yes. I would contact him for you. I make no promises his culture and yours will mesh well. I am far more tolerant compared to others. He takes care with his wolf, and he shifts with the full moons to protect those around him, for he is old.”

“He is old? How old?”

“Old enough. You would have to ask him.” I considered her wolves. “Will your friends keep haunting the woods around my cabin? While I’ve nothing against others like me, they scare Petra.”

“They will keep a polite distance to respect your animal. Initially, we believed her to be the vucari, but we learned the truth. Do all American wolves have such ethereal coats?”

Ethereal was one way to put it. “Not that I’m aware of, but I don’t know for sure. I keep to myself and know only a few.”

“You seem to enjoy your solitude.”

I shrugged. “It’s what I’m used to.”

“Would you like to meet the pack properly?”

I expected my wolf to be intrigued by her offer, but all I could sense from him was wariness and concern. “I’d prefer to call my contacts in America first. Perhaps tomorrow we could meet in the city?”

“Yes, of course. I will meet you with a wawkalak in human form. Will that be acceptable?”

I hoped I would not regret my decision to cooperate with the ved’ma, but what else could I do? They might mean well—or not. With enough care, I could contact Dante and concoct an escape plan if necessary.

Considering how my life often went, I expected to require one sooner than later.

“That is acceptable.”

“Then I will see you tomorrow, and I will tell you where our wawkalak and bodark shop so you might be able to enjoy more plentiful fare.”

Not sure what to say, I nodded. She gave a nod of her own, waited for her wolves to jump back into her vehicle, and left without another word.

Chapter Four

The ved’ma kept her promise, and while the pack of wolves hunted in the woods surrounding my cabin, they did not venture into the yard. The next morning, Petra refused to leave the front area, although she did run and stretch as I expected of her. She came at my call, and worried the wawkalak might break their word regarding my wolf if I left her at home, I loaded her into the truck for the trip to Blagoveshchensk. She tolerated it with grace, taking over the floorboard while chewing on her bone.

I would need to get her new bones again soon, and I would have to stop at the butcher to pick up lunch for her. I’d have to figure out what I would eat, too—or hope I finished my business in town without delay. I longed for the sawmill to reopen so I could return to the routine of going to work, studying, and building a home for myself.

I expected I would need to abandon my cabin in the woods sooner than later.

As promised, the ved’ma met me at the butcher she’d chosen, and she’d brought a young man with her. His face lied, for the wawkalak carried himself much like Charles Desmond did, implying he only appeared to be young.