THREE

They were crazy, the lot of them. And he was leaving. Snatching his Stetson from the coffee table, Mike secured it on his head and made for the door.

"Where are you going?" Annie grabbed his arm and spun him around.

The force of her strength shocked him. Damn, he needed to stop looking at her like a small woman and start looking at her like a powerful werewolf if he had any intention of making it out of here.

She said they were on her pack master's ranch. How many more werewolves were around him aside from the giant outside?

He grabbed her hands and extracted them from his person, trying ignore how gentle and soft they felt against his calloused skin.

Fuck. This wasn't what he needed right now. "Listen, no offence or anything, but you're as crazy as that guy who attacked me if that's what you think. You and this entire pack. I'm leaving, and you're not going to stop me."

Her eyes brightened like a neon blue sign. She bared her teeth at him.

Maybe he shouldn't have said that.

"I'm not crazy and it's not a stupid story."

"I never said—"

"That's what over half the werewolf population believes, you know that? It's not just a story to them. It's the story of our existence. How we came into the world."

"That's fine." He said, interrupting her rant. "But that doesn't mean I believe it. I'm not a werewolf."

"You don't need to be!"

A knock sounded on the wooden door behind them, Brock's voice came through. "Princess? You alright?"

"Fine." She called, glaring at Mike. "Just arguing. I'll call you when I need you."

He raised a brow at the nickname, remembering before he passed out how that kid with the blood red, spiked hair called her that.

"That some kind of joke? Everyone here thinks you're a princess so you have to get what you want?"

"Screw you. You have no idea what's going on here." She stopped, her cheeks colouring. "And that's not the point."

"Then what is the point?"

"You're insensitivity to an entire culture."

"Well, when that culture decides to kidnap me I draw the line on where I hand over my respect."

Anne fisted her hands in her hair, made a half screaming sound.

Then, in an impressive show of self control, she released her hair, collected herself and breathed easy. "You still don't get it. If you are who I think you are then your life is in danger. You should be thanking me. He's been hunting you for a millennia."

Mike stopped himself from saying anything else. The memory of Hadrian's crazed monologue returning like a punch in the guts.

His talk of always being the same. A thousand years. Then Mike's visions. The sight of himself, wearing strange clothes.

In one vision he'd stood in front of a beautiful woman. The next was of him dying ...

"I've had visions, but—"

She cut in. "What did you say? Visions?"

There was no way this was possible. He shook his head. "There's been a mistake. I want to talk to your pack master."

"Don't backtrack. You said you were having visions."

He crossed his arms. He owed her no explanation about what went on in his head. "So what?"

"I heard you muttering to yourself about dying back at the bar." Her eyes grew round. "I bet they were memories."

Likely they were. He usually did see memories when he had his visions. But were they his, or Hadrian's?

Mike's lips thinned. "I still want to see your pack master."

She nodded, crossing her arms. "Fine. We can talk to him later since he's probably sleeping now."

"Like I care." Mike slammed the door open, and walked out.

His eyes were immediately drawn to Brock, who stood leaning against the wall, knee bent so his bare foot was flat against the brick. He stared off into the purple and pink East, as though waiting for the sun until making contact with Mike.

The man smiled. Mike couldn't tell if it was meant to be pleasant or threatening.

Worn jeans and a loose orange, plaid button shirt didn't hide the guy's 'roid muscles.

If Annie was so strong with her small size, this guy must be a tank.

Annie stormed out with him. "You don't understand. I already woke him up and he was mad enough at me then. If you demand to see him after he just got back into bed he'll come after me."

Mike looked at her and saw the genuine panic in her eyes.

Every pack had different laws when it came to their own specific group. Did he stumble into one of the more violent ones? "He wouldn't hurt you, would he?"

Her face became pained. "No, but I've already made him mad today and I'd like to not do that again."

"So then tell him you couldn't keep me away. Where is your pack master?" He asked Brock because he would get no answer from Annie.

With a thick finger he pointed straight ahead. "In the main house."

Mike turned, and, sure enough, there it was. Hardly a little cabin like the one Mike had just exited, but a stylish two story house made from logs with hanging lanterns still glowing on the wraparound porch. Embarrassment suffocated him.

Great work, officer. He thought. "Right, well, there're some lights on, so I guess I won't be waking him."

"No, wait, please." Annie ran ahead of him, but he refused to stop so she was forced to walk backward just to face him.

Brock trailed behind, seemingly unconcerned.

He couldn't help but sympathize with her paranoia. Wolves were known to go so far as to treat their pack master's like Kings in some instances.

There was a great amount of respect for the werewolf who could lead a pack towards peace and happiness without letting the general population know of them.

Being rich enough to own a lot of land for privacy was one of the main causes for such peace.

He wished his actions wouldn't cause her such discomfort. But he couldn't sit around and wait. "Calm down. I'm not going to start any trouble. I'll be polite, ask a few questions and then be on my way."

"Might be for the best." Brock said.

Mike looked behind him as the man shrugged his gigantic shoulders. "It will show that both sides mean no harm."

Mike smiled and faced Annie. "See? Even your friend here agrees with me."

"Yeah, but—"

"I'll be in and out." He assured her. He trot up the stairs to the expensive cabin and knocked on the door.

An unhappy voice inside yelled for him to enter.

Mike shrugged and opened the door. The pack master likely thought the knocker was one of his own.

"Oh God, oh God," Annie chanted as she entered the mudroom behind him. Brock remained outside.

Mike was about to walk right passed everything until Annie grabbed him. "Take your shoes off!"

"For the love of—" He rolled his eyes and kicked them off. He tossed them on the rack before entering the main area of the house.

"Do me a favour," Mike muttered, though Brock could still hear with those wolfy ears of his. He should've asked this when they were still alone. "Don't tell anyone what I said back there. About my visions."

"Whatever."

"Annie."

"Fine." She snapped.

The mudroom led into the sitting room where two older men and one younger, the man with the crescent moon birthmark on his cheek, stood around a coffee table having an animated discussion.

Had they heard his request to Annie? He tried dipping into their thoughts, but he couldn't see properly. Could hear only fuzz. Like a radio that couldn't find a station. Not one human in the group.

The older man who looked like an aged version of the guy with the birthmark turned. His blue eyes betrayed no surprise at seeing the stranger in his home, but they did travel up and down his body.

Mike was being sized up for strength.

"Awake I see."

The other two men turned, surprise on their faces at seeing him. And Mike decided they hadn't heard his request to Annie.

Mike stepped forward and offered his hand. "I guess you're in charge here."

He took Mike's hand and gave it a single, firm shake. Mike fought not to cringe against the sharpness shooting through his hand as the bones inside scraped together.

Yeah, this guy wanted him to know who was in charge alright.

"My name is Gordon Stone, this is my son Westley," He pointed his hand towards the younger man with the birthmark.

Westley barely made eye contact and sent him a limp wave. "Sorry about kidnapping you."

Mike didn't reply.

"I believe you've already met Antoinette Hart."

Mike turned to stare at her. Her full name was Antoinette? Made sense he supposed. Princess name for a princess.

"And this is Bill Mowbray." Gordon said, nodding to the oldest member of the group, the man wearing a night robe. "He's kind of our expert on the origin legend."

"Mike Carter." Mike said, not willing to offer anymore information about himself just yet.

Annie didn't reveal his visions. "Gordon, I'm so sorry, but he insisted on seeing you." She said instead.

Gordon held up his hand for silence, then pointed to the glass coffee table.

Mike looked and saw it. He thought it was one of those candles in an oval stone cup when he first got in the room. Now that he actually looked he saw it for what it really was.

The moon stone. Glowing softly in the early dawn.

The man wearing the housecoat picked it up. He held it lightly, as though afraid to get his fingerprints on it. "Started doing that shortly after I left."

"What's it doing?" Mike asked.

He shrugged. "If it really is the moon stone, then it's calling for its creator."

Mike couldn't believe anyone was entertaining this idea. "Its creator? Luna?"

"Correct."

Annie peeked over his shoulder to look, then she looked at Gordon. "Does this mean you believe it?"

Gordon rolled his eyes impatiently and didn't answer.

"If it's calling her then why doesn't she answer?" Mike asked. "If I really am the reincarnation of the first werewolf then she would come to me."

Gordon half crossed his arms while scratching his chin. "What do you think Bill?"

The old man shifted his robe and sat down in one of the leather chairs. "Well, the story goes that Luna gave the stone to her lover so she could find him every full moon. But it was stolen from him when he was cursed.

"One reason she does not appear now would be that the moon isn't full yet. Another is that you are not the reincarnation of our father wolf."

Mike sighed, relief washing through him. "Then it's not me."

"Grandpa you believe in this more than anyone, why wouldn't you think it's him?" Annie faced him, her eyes demanding.

This man was her grandfather? Made sense, he supposed. If Bill Mowbray was an expert then Annie would have grown up hearing about this legend. Believing in it more than anyone.

Which put him in trouble if the wolves wanted to keep him here.

"Why are you so eager to think that it's me?" Mike couldn't keep the snarl from his voice.

She glanced his way, pursed her lips as though wishing to speak, then returned her eyes to her grandfather.

Mike made a mental note to not push her in a room full of people. She probably wanted to yell out to everyone about his visions.

The old man sighed and gave his explanation. "Most people accept the story that the warlock eventually found and killed his enemy out of spite and that the cursed lover was reincarnated.

"To make sure that he could never come back to claim Luna, Hadrian searched out anyone who looked like the man he'd cursed, and then killed them."

The old man shook his head, eyes lighting up with the passion of the story. Mike couldn't help his rising curiosity.

"Another version claims the spell that turned him into a werewolf went wrong. That along with changing into a wild animal every full moon, he also gained immortality. The warlock, unaware of this, thought that he eventually died of old age, and went on to kill anyone who looked like his enemy over and over again. I firmly believe in this version, and am just as firm in my belief that if you were the father of all werewolves, you would know it."

Hearing there was a mad man out there who wanted him dead because he looked like someone wasn't much better than if Hadrian wanted him dead because he actually was the man he was looking for.

Which story was true? He held back a groan. Christ. He was starting to believe them.

"Do you know the man who attacked you?" Bill asked. "This could easily be a mistake, on his part as well as ours."

"How do you mean?"

Bill held out the softly glowing stone so that the crescent moon was visible. "Just because your attacker had this doesn't make him the warlock from the legend. He could've stolen it, inherited it, be insane enough to think he's the warlock when he's not."

Mike nodded, following his thoughts. "Alright, I get it, I get it. He said his name was Hadrian, I can't remember his last name." And it irked him to no end that he couldn't. He sent Annie a small glare, entirely blaming her.

Bill's already pale face went whiter. "Vaughan?"

Like a light clicking on Mike realized that was the name. "You know it. You ... oh. Shit."

The light clicked off. If the name was familiar then it meant that Hadrian was either who he said he was, or just knew his werewolf mythology better than the average wolf.

Bill stared down at the still glowing stone in his hands. "And, Annie already told us about the shadow soldiers."

Mike couldn't believe the turn around of these people.

Westley pointed at Mike but kept his eyes on Bill. "You're not saying that now you do think—"

"I'm not saying anything. Mr. Carter, I think for your own safety you had best stay here."

Mike clapped his hands together. "As much I would like to, I have to decline on your offer."

"Gordon?" Bill gave his pack master a look that implored him to interfere.

Gordon grit his teeth. "My hands are tide. As much as I would like to send you on your way, the chances of you being the first werewolf are too great. Even if you're not, should you be killed because we turned you out the consequences would be ours to face. I'm not having that."

This couldn't be happening. He had to make them see reason. "Listen, I don't believe for a second that I am what you think I am. But the fact is someone is out to kill me. By being here I'm putting your whole pack in danger."

"You're doing no such thing." Gordon said.

Annie touched his arm. "It's just us here. Everyone else is at their own homes. But we're strong and fast enough to keep you safe."

Keep him safe. Like he was a child who needed a babysitter.

Heavy hands landed on his shoulders. He looked up and there stood Brock. The man was much more covert than Mike initially gave him credit for.

"I have a family. How will you explain my disappearance?"

His family didn't know he was in the area, nor would they care since, as a psychic, he freaked them out enough for them to kick him out. But the wolves didn't need to know that.

"We won't tell them anything, son. You wouldn't want us to endanger your family by involving them, would you?"

Mike clenched his jaw. He hadn't seen that response coming. "Of course not."

Gordon shoved his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans. "Then that's all there is to it. You're a grown man. I'll wager you'll be home before they notice you're missing."

"This is not over." He hissed.

He shrugged. "For now, it is." Gordon nodded over his head to the giant holding him. "Take him back to the guest cabin and make sure he stays comfortable."

Brock grunted his agreement and all but pulled Mike out of the room.

He'd forgotten how stubborn werewolves in packs were. Talking with one or two was one thing, but with so many, and all willing to take orders from the leader, it was impossible.

He should have just stayed home.

Anne watched him being led out, Brock's firm grip ensuring that he didn't go where no one wanted him to go.

She stared hard at Gordon. "I told him we weren't holding him against his will." It was the only reason why she didn't forcefully stop him when he walked out to talk to Gordon.

Gordon leisurely walked to a cherry cabinet, opened the glass doors, and pulled out a bottle and a glass.

He poured himself a drink despite the fact that it was dawn. "I'm doing what I have to do to ensure the safety of this pack while upholding our laws. Thank God this didn't happen on a Moon Night"

Moon Night being the werewolf holiday every three or four full moons. More of a family gathering than a holiday, but it still would've caused problems.

And as they'd theirs a month ago there was no danger to the majority of the pack. Only the people who actually lived on the ranch.

Whether Gordon meant to hold him hostage or not, he needed to know just who Mike Carter really was. "Gordon, he told me he's a cop."

Gordon's head flew up. "What."

"It's okay, mostly. He's from Griffon City."

Gordon visibly relaxed. "If he was a regular officer he could make things difficult for us, least this way we only have to avoid the city."

Bill scratched his chin. "Little far away from home, isn't he?"

"That's not the point. He's going to have people looking for him." Anne said.

Westley sat down on the sofa and rubbed his face. "Unless it's expected that he'd be away for so long." He shrugged. "He could be on vacation."

Gordon eyed her expectantly. "As you brought him here ..."

"He's my responsibility, I know." She had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes.

Gordon nodded, ignoring her impatient tone. "And until I decide that he is capable of leaving here without endangering himself or anyone else, he stays. Hopefully this will only last a day or so." He took a gulp from his glass. "God knows I don't want that family he says he has calling the police."

Anne nodded, grateful that he wasn't yelling this time.

Bill stepped forward. "Gordon, isn't there someone else who could watch him? I don't want Annie guarding a grown man by herself."

"She's a werewolf. He's a human. I'm sure she can handle it."

"He's human as far as we know." Bill muttered. "I don't like it."

Gordon turned to Westley. "You'll be master someday, what do you think?"

Westley took one look at her and smiled. "She'll be fine."

Though she dreaded facing Mike again, she was glad Westley knew well enough to get some time away from her. Between spending time with Westley and making unwanted wedding plans, guarding Mike was nothing.

The three men in the room stared at her, waiting for her to make her next move.

With a start she realized that they waited for her to leave.

Laughing, she backed out of the room. "Oh, uh, okay then, I'll just go and make sure Mike's getting settled. Right."

She ran out Gordon's house, across the yard, and back to the cabin. Brock wasn't outside the door, which meant he went inside with Mike.

Her hands shook on the doorknob. The silence chilled her but she forced herself to open the creaking door.

Mike and Brock sat across from each other, Mike on the couch and Brock on the chair. Both pairs of arms were crossed and both glared at each other.

Either they didn't notice when she entered or they ignored her. "Hey."

Their heads shot up to her at the same time. Brock smiled and stood. Mike glared and didn't move.

His steel blue eyes were cold on her. She was aware of everything around her and on her. From the clothes she wore to the perfume she chose to wear that night.

He might be pissed but he was still cute as Hell.

Too bad if he's the first wolf it means he's taken. Anne shook the thought from her head and sat down in the spot Brock vacated.

"You are to watch him?" Brock asked.

Mike glared hot pokers at her, melting away her lusty thoughts.

She cleared her throat and forced a smile. "Uh, yeah. Yes. I am going to be taking care of Mr. Carter during his stay."

"Captivity." Mike muttered, tapping a finger impatiently on his arm.

She ignored him.

"Alright, but I'll ask Gordon if I can watch him too."

Despite his size and a voice worthy or Andre the Giant, Anne occasionally forgot how innocent he really was. Always willing to please. To protect.

"Thanks Brock. I'll call you when I need you."

Brock hesitated. He tilted his head a fraction to see Mike behind him. Still sitting. Still angry but harmless as he grumbled to himself with his arms crossed over his chest.

Touched, Anne reached her hand out and clasped Brock's wrist. Her fingers didn't even reach halfway around since it was as thick as her upper arm. "I promise. You're the first I'll call if I need anything."

A tiny flicker in Brock's lips told her he was smiling. Hearing that she trusted him must have brought his spirits up. He'd probably be glowing for a few days.

Brock moved his hulking mass around her and ducked under the door frame.

He left the cabin and she was alone with him, breathing in his anger. She felt it coming off him in waves, and she wasn't even good at sensing emotions.

She took a deep breath and stuck her hand out. "So, I think fresh starts are always a great idea, and since we haven't officially met, I'm Anne Hart."

"Not Antoinette?"

She pursed her lips but didn't take back her hand. "No."

"Not Annie either?"

"No."

Without taking his eyes from her face, he took her hand and shook. "Shame. I think it suits you, that name." He crossed his arms again. "Officer Mike Carter. I suppose I should thank you for not saying anything."

"Look, I'm really sorry about this—"

"As you should be." He hissed. "I will have people looking for me."

She was quick to agree. "Your family, right. If it comes down to it I'm sure Gordon'll let you call them to let them know what's going on."

"How generous of him."

Anne sighed. She wasn't going to be able to talk nicely with him in this mood. "Let me show you to your room."

She was shocked when he got up and followed her to the one other door in the cabin without complaint.

Thankfully the tiny cabin had been cleaned when it was used for the Stevens' during Moon Night, so the room was bare of spider webs and the smell of damp sheets. Though there was a tiny layer of dust, and the queen bed took up most of the space. It was usable.

She walked around the bed and ran her finger over the layer of dust on the wooden bed frame.

She'd have to get this cleaned.

"Bathroom's kind of tiny but I think it'll work for you." She said, pointing across the small room to the adjoining bathroom. "Not that I think you're going to be here that long enough to get used to it or anything, we don't think this is going to last long."

Standing in such a tiny room, Mike's large frame dwarfed everything around him. There was barely enough room for him to walk beside the bed. He nodded towards the bare nightstand beside it. "No phone."

Great. One more thing to make him feel isolated. "Ah, most people have cell phones, so there isn't a need to have a phone plugged into any of the cabins."

"Except for the main cabin, I'll bet." Mike said.

She smiled and nodded. "Of course."

He turned his head up and sent her a lecherous grin. "If you wanted to get me in bed you only had to ask, Princess."

Anne tensed, shocked with his words and hating the nickname he used. "What?"

"Cramped space, the door shut, all alone. Just you, me, and the bed. I'll admit the first time I pictured us rolling around on one we were still at the stage where we had yet to learn each other's names."

Body stiff, Anne turned her head and saw that, yes, she had shut the door when they entered the room. Why'd she do that?

She looked back at him. He leaned across the bed, his hands fisted on the quilt and a promising glint in his eyes. The bed was big enough for the both of them and then some.

She groaned. Oh God. She felt something like this when she saw him in that bar, but not nearly this strong. He leaned over in a way that screamed at her to do the same and kiss him.

She wanted nothing more than to have a go with him. To feel his hands and mouth on her body. For him to be rough with her.

It had been so long. God knew Westley would never touch her, bless him. But if she and Mike were to be found out ...

One kiss, she thought, just to see what he's like.

She leaned across the bed, sticking her knee up on the mattress for the extra balance and shivering with pleasure when he moved to meet her halfway.

Pounding feet banged through the house before the door slammed open.

Anne and Mike jumped away from the bed like teenagers caught by the parents.

Brock panted like he ran all the way across the ranch. Anne's lust replaced itself with panic. "Miss, I am sorry, but a man named Hadrian is at the gates and he is asking to see you and the guest."

To Be Continued…

A.N: Thanks for the review chng234 :) And thanks for faving Cory D Hart. Hope you both like how the story is moving along. And sorry for how late this chapter was posted. I meant to get it out before noon but I woke up late and had a massive allergy attack.