Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart (Fated To The Wolf #7)

5. Sadie

5

Sadie

S adie went to the Iron Claw Bear Shifter Clan meeting. She thought about skipping it and asking Dakota if he wanted to hang out, but she didn’t want to seem too forward. They had just seen each other the night before. Plus, he might have gone to the wolf shifter pack meeting. Talia told her earlier that Zac had called for one.

Now that she thought about it, Sadie realized that this wasn’t on schedule with their monthly clan meetings, either. Something must be going on in the area. Dread filled her heart because meetings like this never bode well.

Matthias Gentry, the alpha of the bear clan was a very tall man, at least six foot five. He was broad-shouldered and was very muscular. Everyone adored Matthias because he was the epitome of a teddy bear – most of the time. However, when it came to protecting his people, he was not one to be reckoned with. He would destroy any enemy.

The meeting started like usual, with Matthias announcing the couples who went through the mating ceremony and new cubs born into the clan.

Once they were congratulated, his face got serious. The shifters knew that look and quieted down immediately. “I’m afraid I have some serious information to share with you all. There are hunters who have been roaming around New Mexico and are heading toward Angel’s Creek. According to what I understand, they killed a lot of shifters in Wyoming and Colorado before they made their way here. They are extremely dangerous, and they don’t seem to care if they kill a few mundane humans in their determination to ‘purge the world of the abomination,’ as they see it.”

Sadie’s heart jumped and she could see the worry and fear on everyone’s faces. Hunters hated shifters simply because they were different. Of course, perceived differences caused most of the hatred in the world.

Matthias continued. “There is some evidence that the hunters are using technology to track shifters. According to reports we’ve received from other shifter clans, they are putting cameras in trees and are using drones. Make sure that when you do shift, you not only pay attention to your surroundings but that you also look up in trees and notice what is above you.”

One woman raised their hand. “Have they actually been spotted in our area?”

“Not yet,” Matthias assured her. “We’re working with the wolf shifter pack and the dragon shifter clan to set up patrols. However, their swath of destruction indicates that they are close. Don’t shift alone and please be alert.”

No one had any other questions, so Matthias ended the meeting.

Sadie was about to go home when Talia texted her. I know this is late notice, but do you want to have dinner with us?

I’d love to.

Sebastian, Talia, and Sadie talked about the hunters and the idea that some people hate for the sake of hating.

“I have all of my guys that I can spare right now patrolling the area. Right now, it’s your brother, Anthony, and Julian. The rest are on different assignments,” Sebastian said.

Sebastian owned a security agency that did everything from cyber security, providing bodyguards, to doing other types of government work, such as extracting Americans and others from hostile territories.

Sadie sighed. “I sure hope that you find them and send them to wherever they need to go. I don’t suppose there is a human version of Charred Cove Island that they can be sent to?”

Charred Cove Island was an uncharted island north of Alaska that made Siberia seem like a paradise. Shifters who have committed unthinkable acts were sent to the island for punishment, usually for life. They were forced to do eight hours of hard labor each day. Food was flown in regularly. The only way on or off the island was by helicopter. The ice surrounding the island made it impossible for boats to get near the place. It was a hundred miles of ice and icy water away from any land mass.

“If I was a terrible man, I would suggest that we send the hunters to the island. The hunters and shifters would either kill each other or they would quickly learn to get along.”

Talia shook her head. “I don’t think that hunters would stand a chance. They would be slaughtered as soon as they were dropped off.”

Sebastian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “There are those who would say that was a good thing. This particular group has killed almost a hundred people in the last year and a half, and the sources that Zac had says that some of those people weren’t shifters. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword,” Sadie quoted. “There’s no way they will be able to hide in the shadows forever. Whether they are caught here or somewhere else, they will be caught. People like that won’t surrender, either. They’ll fight to the death.”

“Truth. Preach it, Sister.” Talia nodded at Sadie. “Let’s just hope that they’re caught before they get here. Meanwhile, we’ll just play it safe and stick together when we shift.”

Sebastian left right after dinner to attend a meeting at the Griffin clubhouse. The Griffins were a motorcycle club. Sebastian and his brother, Rory, were co-leaders of the club.

Talia picked up the baby and fed her while she and Sadie talked about Dakota.

“We’ve hung out at my place twice. He kissed me and it was powerful enough to knock my socks off. I’m pretty sure that if he would have stayed, we would have had sex. I’ve never felt anything like the sensations he creates in me.”

“I’m worried about you. It’s not the age difference. I’m not concerned about that, but there is the fact that you have different dreams. If you fall in love with him, I’m terrified that he’s going to break your heart.”

“I know. He can’t help the wanderlust that’s in his heart and I could never leave Angel’s Creek for more than a vacation. My parents and now my brother drive me insane, but I do love them. My clan is here and so are my friends. I have a job that I love and I worked hard to get. A girl can’t be a media coordinator when globetrotting.”

“What are you going to do?”

Sadie shrugged. “What can I do? I can’t stay away from him, and it’s not just because he asked me to be his research assistant. It’s that I’m drawn to him.”

“Maybe you’ll hang out with him and get him out of your system, as they say – whoever they are. Eventually, you’ll find your fated mate.”

“I know you believe in that whole fated mate thing, but I’m not so sure about it. I don’t know that I can accept the idea of fate deciding my future. I like the idea of free will. If people are fated for one thing or another, then does that mean some people are fated to become serial killers and some are born to be their victims? Were Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims born for the sole purpose of being killed by him?”

Talia sighed. “I don’t have the answer for that. Maybe it’s a combination of fate and free will. There are certain paths put in front of us and we can choose, like Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken. Jeffrey didn’t have to choose to be a serial killer, he did. It was unfortunate that his victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Sadie shook her head. “I don’t know that I believe in coincidences, either. Was it fate that made them go to that particular place at that particular bar and engage in conversation with Jeffrey, leading to their demise? What if it had been a different cop the night that one of his victims escaped and the cop had actually helped the victim?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have the answers for you. What I do know is that I felt something for Sebastian since I was very young and those feelings never changed. When I came back to Angel’s Creek as an adult, I caught his scent and he detected mine. It’s just like purebred wolves. They know their mate by their scent. Sebastian and I were meant to be together. Rory and Savvy said the same thing.”

“Dakota has a scent that stays with me. What if he is my fated mate, as you say, but he doesn’t stay in Angel’s Creek and I won’t leave? Am I destined to be alone forever?”

“I think that if he is your fated mate, then those three old women, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who gather the yarn, put the yarn into the tapestry of life, and cut the yarn, will make it work out for you.” Talia giggled at the reference to the immortals from Greek mythology.

“No, thanks. I prefer to run my own life if it’s all the same to you. I would like to think that if he, by some tiny chance, does fall in love with me and decide to stick around, it will be because of his own free will.”

The two women discussed love and destiny for a short while longer and then Sadie hugged her friend and went home.

Sadie was able to sleep in the next morning. Feeling relaxed, she took her computer to her deck and started researching wolves. She called him later that afternoon. “I have some preliminary information, which you probably already knew. Do you want to come over and talk about it?”

“Sure. I’ll be over in about half an hour.”

Exactly half an hour later, her doorbell rang. Her heart racing a million miles an hour, she opened the door and greeted him. The tall well-built man took her breath away.

“Please come in. Grab some coffee or tea and come back to the back deck with me. My family’s motto is that if you’ve been to the house more than twice, you are no longer a guest – you’re family, so you get what you want.”

“Is that because you all don’t want to wait on the guests and want them to take care of themselves or because if a person comes more than twice you trust them and like them?”

“Maybe a little of both. If we don’t like you, chances are there won’t be a second visit.”

“Fair enough.” Dakota opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of tea and they walked out back.

“Like I said, I’m guessing you already know all of this information, but I thought I would share, anyway. Wolves use a combination of vocalizations, body language, and scent markings to communicate. I learned that the sound of a wolf’s howl can travel up to ten miles if everything is just right.”

Dakota smiled and nodded. Even though she was pretty sure she wasn’t telling him anything new, she excitedly continued. “They use different pitches in their vocalizations as well as different durations to communicate. If a wolf makes a short, high-pitched whine, they are either submitting to or greeting another wolf. On the other hand, a low growl either shows dominance or aggression.”

“Please continue.”

Sadie found it extremely interesting. Honestly, she didn’t know whether it was so interesting because it was a way to connect to Dakota or because of her love for animals. She decided that it was probably a bit of both. Almost feeling foolish because she was sure Dakota already knew every bit of information she was sharing, she continued.

“Body language is important to wolves. If a wolf’s tail is high and it is being wagged stiffly, that means aggression or dominance. A relaxed, wagging tail is a sign of friendliness.”

They continued talking about wolves and how they communicate. Dakota made a note that he wanted to photograph each type of communication for that particular chapter, although he assured Sadie that he would be taking pictures of a snarling wolf with a telescope lens far away from the beast.

“I might be brave and often the animals get used to me. However, I do not have a death wish and I have a healthy respect for the animals.”

“That’s a good thing, although you’d still be handsome with half a face.” Sadie grinned as he made a face.

“I’m getting hungry. How about pizza?”

Sadie nodded. “Sounds perfect. I have them on speed dial.”

As they waited, Dakota looked at her appraisingly. “You are very beautiful and sweet. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“I had one a long time ago. I dated him in high school, but we split up when we graduated. We both wanted something different out of life so we went our separate ways. I’ve dated a few times over the years, but there wasn’t anyone serious in my life. Since I got back to Angel’s Creek, I haven’t dated anyone. Everyone here is so familiar, I guess. What about you?”

Dakota laughed. “I never stayed in one place long enough to date anyone seriously. I think my longest relationship was three months, and that was just because I was in one place doing research and she was comfortable. There weren’t any sparks, but it was comfortable.”

The pizza arrived and they ate and watched a movie. They sat together on the couch and cuddled. It felt amazing to be pressed up against him.

When it ended, he looked at her and smiled. “I guess I need to head back. It’s getting late.”

Sadie came so close to asking him to stay, but the words just wouldn’t come out of her mouth. She wrapped her arms around him and his lips found hers. The kiss was electric and she felt a wet heat between her legs. She could feel his arousal pressed against her belly.

“I should go. Make sure and lock your door.”

Dakota rushed out before Sadie could ask him to stay. As she shut the door behind him, she sighed heavily. She wanted him like she had never wanted anything before. It was a need that came from deep inside of her.