Father of the Wolf (The Eagle Clan Book 1) by L. Shannon

Author:L. Shannon [Shannon, L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

A choice of perception

A chance of redemption

Instantly, the weight was thrown from her as Athair shoved the wolf away and lifted her tenderly in his arms. “The wolf is Rath. Can we trust Steve?”

“Completely.” She clung to him and tried to get her breath.

“Rath, return to yourself.” He gave the order when he saw Rath cornering Steve against the wall next to the door. Steve was so terrified by the stalking wolf that he didn’t realize the door and its dubious safety was no more than a single step to his right.

Hope pulled herself from Athair’s arms and watched Rath’s form waver and grow into that of a man. A man easily described by the word dangerous. He trembled with barely suppressed rage. He had been a nearly black wolf. Now he was a man with dark hair and dark olive skin, dressed in black leather pants and a jacket. She wanted to ask Athair why Rath had clothes on after a change, but he didn’t. She’d ask him later. For now, it was more important to get everyone calmed down and inside the house.

Athair took control of the situation by placing himself between Rath and Steve, who still cringed next to the wall in shocked silence. She felt Athair sending out calming, soothing waves as he spoke aloud. “Rath, I am very glad to see you are well.”

Quickly recovering from his speechlessness, Steve mumbled something that earned him threatening growls from both Rath and Athair. That was enough to send him scurrying into the house. Hope stepped inside to ensure he was unhurt. Then she returned to the doorway.

Athair had moved close to Rath and held him by his muscular forearms. She suspected they were communicating silently, but she couldn’t tell what about. She wondered if Rath was alone. “Athair, has Dàn come also?”

“Yes, Dàn is behind the house. He will join us directly.”

“Would you like me to do something? Prepare some drinks, perhaps?” Hope asked. She was uncomfortable, but she wanted to help Athair, even if only by escaping to get refreshments. Anything to ease the tension in the air.

“Please, Hope. Coffee would be good. Will you take it to the back porch?”

She agreed and left them. After a slight, tense giggle, she thought, at least they hadn’t greeted each other by smelling butts.

Athair restrained a smile at Hope’s thought, and then focused his attention on Rath, who was still only barely in control of himself. Quietly, calmly, he asked, “What happened?”

Something had gone terribly wrong. Rath was usually very controlled and never acted violently, like he had reacted to Hope and Steve. “Please calm yourself and tell me of the last three days.”

Rath took several deep breaths, as if gathering his thoughts. “The drobh attacked us as we made our escape through the forest.” Drobh was a derogatory term for clan members that meant a vicious, uncivilized pack of animals. “They did not take us back to Lakeside. They attempted to force us to help them find you.

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