Psyche Shield

Psyche Shield

Psyche Moon Three

Chrissie Buhr

Psyche Shield

by Chrissie Buhr

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Treasure Valley Writing Services

ISBN: 9781311949615

Psyche Shield is a work of fiction and a construct of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, businesses, organizations, locales, or events is coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased solely for your use, then please return to an online retailer and purchase your own copy. No part of this ebook may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Thank you for respecting my creative efforts!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

About Chrissie Buhr

Preview Psyche Chorus

It must be a hard winter when one wolf devours another.

~ As quoted in Henry G. Bohn, A polyglot of foreign proverbs, (1857) ~

Chapter 1

The hunter walked in near silence. His rifle rested on one arm, ready at a moment’s notice. The crisp dawn air carried the chirping of birds and chatter of squirrels. Alert, his eyes darted amongst the trees, looking for his prey.

Something moved in the brush ahead and he raised his rifle closer to his shoulder, the barrel still trained at the sky. Again he heard movement, but he couldn’t tell what animal stirred. Stepping closer, he spotted a patch of grey. He hunted deer, so he settled his rifle into its resting place again. Still he advanced, curious.

A small grey wolf with light brown on her chest and belly lay curled in the brush, peeking warily at him from twenty yards away. Don’t worry, cousin. I don’t hunt wolves, he told the animal, softening his voice and posture to illustrate his claim.

The wolf relaxed and rested her head on the ground. She continued to watch the hunter warily, but her apprehension eased perceptibly.

The hunter, noticing the change in demeanor, stepped a few yards closer and crouched close to the ground. You’re injured. From his new vantage point, he could see dried blood across the wolf’s chest and one back leg twisted unnaturally. You’re no ordinary wolf, are you? Did you know it’s wolf hunting season? The wolf’s eyes narrowed slightly, an expression so subtle many would have missed it. The hunter saw her comprehension. He stood, placed his rifle against a tree and walked deliberately out of its reach. That’s what I thought. I don’t think anyone’s around. You’re better at that than I am. Why don’t you tell me what happened? I can probably help.

The injured wolf looked closely at him for a few long moments with her deep blue eyes. Suddenly, with a rapid shimmer, she transformed. A young woman, thin with dark hair, lay naked in the brush. She panted in pain, her left leg bending in one too many places. He could see bones protruding from her calf, an agonizing wound. Blood covered her chest and dripped down her arm from a laceration across her right shoulder blade.

You’re not Wolf, she said fearfully, looking up vulnerably from the ground. She’d known the hunter was Human before shifting into her human form. She’d taken an enormous risk transforming in front of him, jeopardizing her own safety as well as that of other Wolves. But somehow the hunter knew what she was, and all her instincts said he meant her no harm.

The hunter showed no surprise towards the naked woman and smiled reassuringly. Nope. But it runs in the family. Are you local? He stood and removed his bright vest and long jacket, donning the vest once again.

She watched him carefully but did not wince at his movements. Agony carried through her voice as she responded to his question. No. I’m from Montana. I was driving through and my car went off the road.

My grandma’s one of the local pack. Let’s get you somewhere safe, and I’ll call her. He threw the coat around the Wolf, steadying her so she could put it on without hurting herself further. Even so, she cringed with every movement. I can’t take you home. My wife doesn’t know about Wolves. But we’ll figure it out. My name’s Leroy.

I’m Sierra. I’m glad you found me. She looked out of place with a light coat draped around her and bare legs sticking out, one of them broken. She looked less conspicuous than without it.

Me too. Lots of people around here have wolf tags, and most haven’t filled them yet. You came close to being a trophy on someone’s wall. Leroy told her grimly. If killed in wolf form, she would remain in wolf form. Whenever he saw a wolf pelt, he wondered sickeningly if he looked upon the flaunted corpse of a relative or friend.

I didn’t have much choice, she replied with thin lips. My car was down a ravine, and I couldn’t see the road. I didn’t think anyone would find me. I couldn’t walk on one leg, but I made it this far on three.

Leroy nodded at her leg. That looks bad.

She bit her lip. It hurts.

I’ve never set a broken bone before. I can try if you want, or we can get you out of here and call for help.

She thought for a moment before deciding. Let’s get out of here.

He nodded and retrieved his gun, hanging it off his back. She flinched as he picked it up before remembering he wouldn’t hurt her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she draped hers over his shoulder, gripping his vest tightly. Ready? She nodded and closed her eyes. Together they heaved her up onto one good foot. She whined slightly but didn’t call out. Leroy admired her fortitude.

How far is your vehicle? she asked, pale and trembling but standing solid on her one good leg. They walked along the trail slowly, looking like a strange adaptation of a three-legged race.

About a mile. It’s an easy trail most of the way, he apologized.

I can make it. She gritted her teeth. Thank you for not shooting me.

I’d never shoot a wolf, not even an ordinary one. Keep your nose up, he suggested. It’s deer season, and hunters are out. I’ll never hear the end of it if people find out I found a naked woman in the woods. He chuckled lightly.

Her lips twitched in a near smile despite the amount of pain she endured as they stumbled along. It would make a great story. You’d be a hero. She had a sense of humor. But I’d rather not explain to the police why I’m naked.

I’d rather not explain any of this to my wife. She’s got more teeth than some Wolves I know. Leroy agreed.

The conversation distracted her from the pain, and he knew it. Why haven’t you told your wife about us?

Others had asked him the same question, and Leroy gave his usual simple answer. I love my family, but it’s not the life I want.

Pack life isn’t for everyone. Sierra could understand that.

For some reason Leroy decided to elaborate with this woman. My grandma who’s Wolf is really my Great-Great-Great Grandma. My Grandma Sara was her Great Granddaughter. Grandma Sara used to tell me stories about Wolves. She lived in Pack as a child, and her dad moved her away from all of that when she was young. But when she grew up, she wanted it back. She never became Wolf, but she was Pack. She loved it, and I loved the stories she told me. But it’s a crazy world, and all that craziness belongs in stories not real life. Not in my life, anyway. I never had kids, so there’s no one to pass it on to. There’s no reason to drag my wife into it.

I can’t imagine not being Wolf, she said through gritted teeth as her foot hit against a root.

I can’t imagine being anything but a silversmith, Leroy replied.

She tried to laugh, but it hurt too much. Silversmith. That’s funny.

Yeah, he replied, enjoying the irony. I’m glad that myth isn’t true. Grandma would never visit.

What’s your grandma like? Sierra didn’t know anyone from the local pack. Meeting a strange Wolf in such a vulnerable state unsettled her.

She’s a fine woman. The best. As soon as we get somewhere with cell service, I’ll call her.

Sierra’s eyes darted off to their left, and she tensed. Wait. Leroy froze and searched with his limited vision. I smell a wolf.

A Wolf like you? Leroy’s hopes lifted. Even if he didn’t know the Wolf, they could use some help.

I can’t tell yet, but he must be. He doesn’t smell like a grey wolf. Only grey wolves lived in these mountains. They searched for the Wolf among the trees, and Sierra spotted him first. There. That’s an Ethiopian Wolf. Leroy couldn’t make out what her sharper eyes saw, but few Ethiopian Wolves existed in the world, and only one lived in the area.

It must be Kato. Don’t worry. He’s friendly. He assured the nervous woman as a reddish wolf with white markings leapt at top speed towards them. The lanky Wolf skidded to a stop in front of them and shifted into his human form. An ancient black man with long tangled grey hair and beard appeared, fully naked. Sierra gasped as she looked upon the legend.

Leroy greeted the Wolf warmly. Hello, Uncle. This is Sierra.

Greetings, Nephew. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sierra. I am relieved you found your way safely into my nephew’s care. Kato searched the young Wolf’s face with unconcealed interest, his nearly black eyes revealing his great age.

It’s nice to meet you, Sierra replied automatically, unsettled by the old Wolf’s attention.

We must hurry. Hunters are near. Kato took the Wolf gently in his arms and carried her as carefully as possible while rushing through the woods. Leroy trotted beside them, his Human legs struggling to keep up. A shot rang out, echoing through the hills, and he thanked the stars that Kato had appeared. They reached the pickup much sooner than anticipated and miraculously without drawing any attention. Leroy opened the truck door and Kato placed the young Wolf tenderly inside, her face white with pain.

Thank you, Elder. Aren’t you coming with us? she asked the legend as he shifted back into a red leggy wolf.

Leroy answered for the one without vocal cords. Kato won’t ride in cars. Thank you, Uncle. I’ll get her safely to your packmates. Be safe out there.

Kato blinked and lowered his head affectionately before turning and bounding into the trees. Leroy trotted briskly around the truck, grabbing a cooler from the back before climbing behind the wheel. He placed the cooler between himself and the Wolf and pulled a throw blanket from behind the seat. They tucked her bare legs out of sight before he retrieved a set of keys from beneath the seat. Sierra sat stunned from the encounter and gazed into the forest where the Ethiopian Wolf disappeared. Absently she buttoned the coat higher around her neck so no one could see she wore nothing under it.

There’s food and water in here, he nodded at the cooler. Help yourself.

She opened the cooler and pulled out two sandwiches, offering one to Leroy. He waved it off. You eat it all.

Thank you. She breathed an enormous sigh of relief and ate ravenously. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of that mess, she said between bites.

You’re welcome. I’m glad I found you and not some other hunter. With the injured Wolf safely in the truck, he began to relax. If he managed to deliver her to his grandmother’s pack without one of the local gossips spotting him, he’d call it a miracle.

That was Kato, Sierra said out of nowhere.

Yep. You’ve heard of him? Leroy asked curiously as he maneuvered the truck gently along the rough forest service road.

Everyone’s heard of Kato. He’s your uncle?

Leroy nodded, surprised to hear about his uncle’s fame. His brother and my Grandma were mates. Kato comes to see me sometimes when I’m out alone. What do you mean everyone’s heard of Kato?

Sierra gaped at Leroy with a stunned expression. Kato’s a legend among Wolves.

Huh. I didn’t know. Before long they reached the paved road. There’s a cell phone in the glove compartment. Would you pull it out? She did as he asked and set it in his hands. I’ll bet you’re tired. It’s an easy drive now. Why don’t you sleep? I’ll call for help as soon as we have cell service.

Once able to relax, exhaustion set in. She nodded and leaned her head against the window, asleep in moments. Her forehead glistened with sweat and she trembled slightly with spent adrenaline and pain. Still, she slept deeply and Leroy breathed a sigh of relief.

They reached a stretch where cell reception came through sometimes, and he pulled off onto the gravel. Sierra woke with a start and looked around. Where are we?

Near Idaho City. I can call from here. Thankful for a little reception, he placed a call. Sierra heard both sides of the conversation, as Leroy knew she could.

Hello, Leroy. How are you? The woman on the phone sounded distracted but pleased to hear from him. Her voice crackled with the poor reception.

Hi, Grandma. I’m just fine, but someone needs your help. She’s from another pack, and she’s injured.

He had his grandmother’s full attention with the news. Thank the Gods you found her. Billie and Amy are already headed your way. Where are you? He described the location and heard her relay it to someone else. He only had to wait a moment before she responded. Stay where you are. They’ll be with you soon. How is she?

Leroy appraised the pale woman beside him. Lucky. Her leg is badly broken, and she’s exhausted and hungry.

I’m very glad my grandson found you, my dear. She spoke to Sierra, knowing the Wolf could hear everything she said. I’m Kathryn. Our Beta and Medic will be there in a few minutes. They’ll take good care of you.

Thank you, Ma’am, Sierra replied politely. How did you know I was in trouble?

Kato contacted us this morning. Billie and Amy left immediately.

Sierra couldn’t piece together how that was possible, but she didn’t know this area or these Wolves. Your grandson is a good man. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of this. I didn’t think I was going to make it out of this one.

He’s a very good man. And you are very welcome, Kathryn replied warmly.

That might be Billie. Leroy and Sierra saw a black Jeep slow as it approached. Yep. They’re here. I’ll talk to you later, Grandma.

I’ll come visit you soon, dearling. Kathryn said goodbye.

Sierra strained her eyes for her first sight of the approaching Wolves. The Jeep stopped and two women exited. A tall, beautiful redhead jumped over the side theatrically while a shorter brown-haired woman opened the door. Both appeared around thirty years old, but Wolves aged slowly and Sierra couldn’t guess their real ages. The shorter woman snatched a bag from behind the seat and made a beeline for the truck.

Sierra impulsively focused on Billie, dominance and strength displayed in every movement. Even without Kathryn’s comment, Sierra would have guessed the redhead was the Boise Beta. She’d heard gossip about the Wolf, most of which focused on her age and fighting ability. Young and powerful, she’d earned a reputation in neighboring packs quickly. Deep bruises marked the entire left side of the Beta’s face, the yellowing borders indicating a recent fight.

The injured Wolf felt very vulnerable in another pack’s territory and shrank into the seat as they approached. The Medic opened the door and smiled brightly. Sierra, unable to pull her attention away from the Beta, barely noticed the shorter woman until she spoke. Hi. I’m Amy. Pack Medic.

I’m Sierra.

I’m Billie, Beta of the Boise Pack. Hi, Leroy. The redheaded Wolf introduced herself politely and appraised her curiously from several steps behind Amy. Sierra shrank even more after meeting Billie’s dominant gaze. Relax, Sierra. We’re not going to hurt you. We’re here to help.

Yep. I’m going to patch you up. Don’t worry about a thing. Amy’s quick hands and acute senses checked the woman over. I need to set your leg. It’s already starting to heal wrong and I don’t want to wait. Ever had a broken leg before?

Sierra shook her head. Not like this.

I have to re-break it a little, so it’s going to hurt a lot. I need you to trust us. Leroy, would you let Billie take your spot? Billie waited for Leroy to move out of the injured Wolf’s reach before taking his place. Sierra cowered, wishing her Human friend still sat beside her instead of this daunting Wolf.

Billie spoke firmly from beside her. "Sierra, look at me. You don’t know me, and you don’t know Amy. But you can trust us. You need to trust us. I’m going to hold you down so you don’t accidentally hurt yourself or anyone else. Understand? Sierra met her green eyes, still afraid. Leroy circled his truck to stand beside Amy. Billie broke contact with Sierra’s eyes briefly to look at the Human. Leroy, step back at least ten feet and stay back until Amy’s done."

Leroy looked at the woman he’d pulled out of the woods with blatant concern and obeyed. Is she going to be okay?

The Beta nodded and held Sierra’s gaze, replying firmly to both of them. Your friend is going to be fine. Billie guided the woman onto her back so that Amy held the injured leg at the open door. Amy nodded and Billie held the trembling Sierra by her shoulders. Without warning, Amy popped the leg expertly, the bone re-breaking and lining up properly once again. Sierra howled in pain, her eyes wild. She fought Billie, panicking, but the Beta held her easily. The Medic supported the vulnerable leg as her patient tried to fight her way out.

Sierra, calm down. Amy tried to reassure her patient, with no success. The Wolf could cause permanent damage to her leg if she worsened the already serious injury. Billie! Amy warned.

Stop! Billie growled loudly, causing Leroy to jump. The injured Wolf froze under her commanding tone, allowing Amy to slip a splint over the broken leg. Tears began to roll silently down Sierra’s cheek, and she shut her eyes against the terrifying Beta.

Done! Amy announced and stepped backwards to join Leroy.

I’m going to let you go now, Billie told the traumatized woman, her tone firm but without the former aggression. Sierra nodded and opened her eyes slowly. The Beta released her with slow movements and scooted back several inches. Her arms freed, Sierra lay still for a few moments before sitting up gently. She couldn’t look at Billie yet and eyed Leroy and the Medic warily. They waited for her reaction, ready for anything. Sierra took a deep breath, filling her lungs with mountain air. The sturdy splint covered her leg, and it throbbed but it would begin to heal properly. She took another deep breath and leaned her head on the back of the seat.

That hurt, she said, her voice hitching. Leroy took a step forward hesitantly and looked pleadingly at Billie. She nodded, telling him he could safely approach. Hurrying forward, he took the Wolf’s hand in his, and she squeezed it gratefully. I wouldn’t have hurt you, she promised him.

I know, he replied, smiling. After seeing her reaction, he knew better and appreciated Billie’s caution. Her certainty touched him. I’m glad it’s over, though.

Billie silently stepped out of the truck and circled around the hood. Standing beside Amy, she looked relieved and more relaxed. She explained herself to the man and his charge. An injured Wolf without her packmates in a stranger’s territory is dangerous. I didn’t know if she’d obey me or completely panic. I wasn’t taking any chances. Kathryn would skin me alive if I let anything happen to you.

Amy looked quizzically at Billie. Why would Kathryn care? I mean, of course she’d care if someone got hurt. You know what I mean.

The corner of her mouth quirked in amusement at her friend’s phrasing. Leroy’s her descendent.

The Medic nearly burst with excitement. Oh! Nice to meet ya, Leroy. No wonder you weren’t freaked out by all of this.

You too, he replied politely, his attention still on Sierra.

But you’re not Richard’s grandson, so you must be from her first mate. Leroy nodded. You are one lucky girl, Sierra!

Her breathing began to normalize, but her voice still quaked. Unbelievably lucky. When I saw his rifle, and he spotted me in the bushes, I thought I was dead. Instead he saved me.

Not many Humans around here know about us, Amy replied gravely and repeated. You’re very lucky. Are you ready for food?

Oh, yes. Amy trotted to the Jeep to retrieve a large meal and a bundle of clothes. With Amy’s help, Sierra changed into a wraparound skirt and T-shirt, handing Leroy his coat. She dug into the food as if she hadn’t already eaten two sandwiches.

Sierra didn’t look like a scared rabbit anymore, so Billie turned to Leroy. No longer concerned about the strange Wolf attacking Amy and Leroy, she relaxed her guard. Thank you so much. You saved her life. I didn’t know until recently that you’re Kathryn’s descendent.

I keep in touch with my family, but I stay out of Wolf business, Leroy replied. Still, I’m glad I found her instead of another hunter. How did you know to come? Grandma said Kato contacted you.

Do you remember the woman I brought into your shop? That’s Sadie, my mate. She and Kato can communicate mentally. He woke her up, she told me, and we came. I didn’t think we’d find her this easily.

But he only found us an hour before you got here. You had to have known before, Leroy protested.

Kato knows things, Amy helped. He probably went looking for you after he talked to Sadie.

He shrugged nonchalantly. Grandpa Isingoma was like that, according to Grandma’s stories. I’ll keep my simple life.

Isingoma was your grandfather? Sierra said through bites, listening intently as she ate. Kato is your uncle, and Kathryn is your grandmother. That makes Kathryn Isingoma’s former mate? Wow. He nodded uncomfortably, not understanding the fuss.

Billie didn’t want to remain exposed on the open road and interrupted. Let’s get Sierra back to Boise. Leroy, we owe you one. Is there anything I can do for you?

He shook his head and pointed at the Wolf in his front seat. Take care of her. That’s enough.

Billie smiled genuinely and promised. Of course. And I’ll bring you something for your freezer next time I go hunting.

Sierra thanked Leroy graciously, promising to visit him again if she could. She accepted Billie’s help walking to the Jeep and stretched out in the back seat. With Billie at the wheel, they headed towards Boise.

We have her. She’s okay, and we’re headed home. Billie mentally updated her mate.

Good! I’ll tell Kathryn and Kato.

See you soon, love.

Your mate is a Sensitive? Sierra sensed the mental exchange, and remembered Billie’s earlier explanation. She jumped to the most logical assumption.

Not exactly, Billie replied hesitantly.

Amy turned in her seat and started speaking animatedly, her hands flying as she explained. Sadie’s a Mage, but don’t freak out. She’s not like the Mages we’ve all dealt with before. She’s awesome!

Sierra freaked out. What? You’re taking me to a Mage?

Billie glared red-hot daggers at Amy. We’re not taking you to a Mage. We’re taking you to Boise to recuperate. Sadie is my mate, and she won’t do anything to you. Sierra looked out the window and started planning her escape. Billie continued, sensing the injured Wolf’s impulse to flee. Look, I know how this sounds. None of us are collared. Sadie’s not like that.

Sierra couldn’t smell a lie from either Wolf in the front seat, which calmed her only a little. As soon as possible, she’d contact her Alpha and get away from this insane pack and their Mage. Until then she’d discover everything she could and keep as much distance from the Mage as possible. How did you end up with a Mage as a mate?

* * *

I followed Billie’s return to the Treasure Valley with Amy and the strange Wolf. Deliberately I refrained from contacting her through mindspeech. Our unique bond allowed me to sense her location and mood as well as some of her thoughts without reaching out to her mentally. Mindspeech intensified that connection and allowed us to share thoughts directly, communicating as readily as if speaking aloud.

Her endless presence in my mind infused me with her unwavering strength and determination. She approached every conflict head on, searching for solutions to the difficulties my presence caused in the pack. No matter how bad it got, she stayed on her feet and held me close to her side. She kept me steady through all of the upheaval and chaos of the recent weeks.

For longer than anyone could remember, Mages and Wolves had distrusted and hated each other. The night I discovered I was a Mage, they explained the history between the races. Mages collared Wolves, twisting their minds with our mental powers and enslaving them to fulfill our own agenda. To defend themselves, Wolves killed any Mage in their territory rather than lose another loved one to a fate worse than death.

I’d saved Billie’s life that night, so the Alpha spared mine. Jason promised to let me live in Pack territory unmolested by Wolves so long as I followed his rules and didn’t threaten the pack. Wolves instinctively perceived all of my abilities as a threat, and many of my packmates still distrusted me because of my Mage ancestry. However, a growing number of them accepted my place in their lives and as Billie’s mate. I’d given them reason to trust me, and a few did.

A couple weeks earlier, a group of ambitious Mages arrived with a plan to collar every Wolf around me. Using my powers, I stopped them and protected the pack. In order to succeed, the Mages needed to believe I had the same agenda, so I joined them. Unfortunately I played the game a little too well with the Mages and convinced my packmates as well. Jason ordered my death, so Billie and I ran. We stopped the Mages in time to face a hunting party determined to kill us. Miraculously we convinced Jason I posed no threat to the pack, and he allowed us to come home. We’d only returned the night before, exhausted from the ordeal but thrilled to be back.

We didn’t even get a good night’s sleep before the next crisis began. I’d woken before dawn to Kato’s urgent voice in my mind. Among all the Wolves, I could only speak mind to mind with Billie and Kato. Though Kato and I communicated easily, we didn’t share the same deep connection that I shared with Billie. The Elder Wolf had sounded anxious and hurried while explaining the foreign Wolf’s peril. He ran as fast as he could through the forest, surprisingly close by. Somehow he’d traveled all the way home from the Sawtooths in only a couple days. He asked me to send a rescue party immediately.

When Billie approached the foreign Wolf, I’d sensed her concern for Amy and Leroy’s safety. If the threat had come from an aggressive intruder, she’d simply have knocked the trespasser into the next county without batting an eye. Instead she’d faced a scared and injured Wolf, someone in need of help. Her initial defensive attitude ebbed quickly, as did her concern for the injured Wolf’s welfare. Her unease shifted to my safety. Since Wolves could sense our mindspeech, I decided to postpone asking for details.

Billie entered the city, driving towards our home with the Medic and the strange Wolf. Agitated and tense, she finally contacted me. I could hear the angst in her mental voice as she confirmed my suspicions. We’re almost home. She knows you’re a Mage.

Amy. I moaned, sensing her annoyance at the talkative Medic. Something else about her mood eluded me, but if an outsider knew about me we had bigger concerns. My hopes of avoiding an issue with other Wolves disappeared. You’re bringing her here? Is that a good idea?

We can’t hide from this or pretend you’re not here. Bringing her home is our best option. Amy will stay with us until she’s sure Sierra’s leg is healing properly. It’s badly broken. Her attention strayed to her physical surroundings. Our mindspeech is making her nervous. I’ll see you in a few minutes.

"They’re bringing her here. Amy told her I’m