Feral Dawn Read online

  The bed in which Ivan lay seemed the only furnishing that had seen any use.

  His savior, the giant gray wolf, lay in the far corner of the small hut, eyes alert and watching Ivan intently.

  Still weak but able to move, Ivan sat up and offered a smile. “You gave me your bed.”

  The wolf also sat up, but didn’t approach. He nodded as a human would, the gesture somewhat incongruous on the hulking wolf’s body.

  “Thank you. I slept well, as I hope you did.”

  Another nod.

  “Good.”

  Silence filled the space between them as they gazed at one another. Not uncomfortable, not even wary, just…there. Ivan was supposed to be dead, yet here he sat, alive and whole, thanks to this mysterious wolf.

  The wolf seemed at ease only in this form. By the looks of his home, he lived exclusively as the animal. Nothing above waist height had been touched in a long time. Possibly years. Dust gathered on surfaces. Had this werewolf gone feral? It wasn’t unheard of for loners of the species to abandon their human forms forever and disappear into the forest, never to be seen again. Had Ivan been saved by a feral wolf?

  Why did he bother to save Ivan at all?

  Ivan couldn’t ask, because a wolf couldn’t tell stories. And what did it matter? He lived, and the wolf had brought him to his home, given him his bed, and even fetched dinner. A miracle Ivan would spend his life trying to repay.

  Helpless to do anything, Ivan sank back onto the pallet, his energy already depleted. He’d need more than one deer to recover from the forced starvation, but he didn’t want to ask for more favors.

  Staring fondly at the handsome wolf, Ivan wished he’d come closer so he could run a hand through the thick mane of silver fur. He imagined it would be soft.

  The wolf returned his gaze, though what he kept hidden behind those lovely eyes, Ivan couldn’t fathom. Then he stood on all fours, stretched, and trotted out of the little bedroom without a backward glance. Ivan longed to follow, but he could barely keep his eyes open.

  He drifted into sleep with thoughts of his sleek gray wolf racing free through the forest.

  3

  Hugo

  The rabbit put up a good chase but stood no chance against Hugo. Once he’d eaten his meal, Hugo sought another deer for the vampire.

  For Ivan, with the gentle voice and kind eyes.

  The first deer had helped, but Ivan still suffered. Weak and injured as he was, Hugo had no idea how long significant recovery would take. Or what he could do to help beyond providing more blood.

  Determined to be smarter this time, he rounded in on a massive buck and herded the creature toward his home. The less distance he’d have to drag the deer, the better.

  He went for the kill within meters of his front door.

  The buck didn’t go down easy. Hugo had him by the throat, snarling as his fangs found purchase, claws digging into the animal’s flanks for a solid hold.

  It screamed, angry and fighting for all it was worth, still somehow running while Hugo thrashed wildly at his neck. This would be easier with a pack, but Hugo only had himself.

  He let the deer go, regained his footing, and prepared to launch another attack. It took precious moments to catch up, a well-timed leap, and another chance at breaking the animal’s spine.

  This time, Hugo didn’t miss.

  The deer went down with a satisfying snap of bones.

  A clean kill on his second try, albeit farther than he’d planned from home. He sat and licked his jaws and snout clean while catching his breath.

  Footsteps shuffled in his direction. He tensed and glanced uphill.

  Ivan!

  The vampire stumbled toward him. “Are you all right?”

  He must have heard the deer’s death throws. But he shouldn’t be outside. He could barely walk. Hugo ran to his side, barking his disapproval.

  “I was worried.” Ivan scanned the scene. “But I see now. You’ve got a deer.”

  Another bark as Hugo leaned lightly against Ivan’s thigh. Ivan laid a heavy hand on Hugo’s strong shoulders for support. Hugo, thankful for his large size, guided them back to the buck.

  “Is this one for me also?”

  Hugo lifted his chin to indicate yes.

  “You’re too generous.” Ivan collapsed to his knees next to the fallen buck, his hand never leaving Hugo’s shoulders. “Thank you.”

  Close now, their faces inches apart, Hugo admired the handsome vampire. Dark, perfectly arched brows over wide eyes and prominent cheekbones. Thin lips that hid deadly fangs. And the deep greens and rich browns that mixed beautifully in his eyes. On a whim, he gave Ivan’s cheek a swipe with his tongue.

  Ivan’s broad grin revealed gleaming white teeth. He was even more handsome when he smiled. He curled his fingers in Hugo’s fur, and Hugo fought the urge to show his belly for more petting. Things were happening too fast, and Ivan needed to eat. Hugo nodded to the buck and backed away.

  “So I should drink now, you say? You won’t be joining me?”

  Hugo shook his head and watched from a few feet away.

  “Thank you again, sweet wolf,” Ivan said before leaning over the buck and sinking his fangs neatly into a part of the neck that had not been damaged in the struggle.

  He drank in long, deep swallows for several minutes. Toward the end, pulling the last bit of blood from the vein seemed to take more effort. After taking his fill, he fell onto his side and rested on the leaves as Hugo padded over to check on him.

  “I’m all right. No need to be worried.” Ivan licked his lips and ran his tongue over his fangs before smiling. “I’ll feel much better in a moment, thanks to you.”

  Hugo whined.

  Ivan was still weak. Frail. The vampire would be vulnerable without him, and who was to say there weren’t still others trying to kill him? Hugo had so many questions, but to ask them he’d have to make a sacrifice. He’d have to shift and stay human long enough for a conversation.

  The idea of it made his throat constrict. A part of him wanted to run away. Again.

  He fought it.

  Ivan did appear to be feeling better. The vampire slowly pushed to his feet and brushed the leaves and soil from his dirty clothes.

  Now or never. Before he could second guess it, Hugo shifted. All this back and forth between his two forms would tire him out, but it couldn’t be helped. He let go of the wolf and warily became the human.

  They stood face to face only a few feet apart. In this form, Hugo wasn’t so big. Only slightly taller and wider than his guest.

  Ivan had watched the whole thing with a smile on his face. “Hello there.”

  After a long pause during which the vampire waited patiently, and with a little cough to clear his throat, Hugo tested his long-abandoned voice.

  “Hello.” His voice surprised him by working perfectly well. Even so, to speak felt intimidating.

  “I’m very pleased to meet you. I’d be burnt to a crisp if you hadn’t saved me.” Ivan inclined his head, his kind eyes locked with Hugo’s, not taking advantage of his nakedness.

  Hugo didn’t know how to reply to that. He hadn’t been good at conversation when he’d lived amongst a pack, and the lack of it hadn’t improved matters.

  Ivan seemed to understand and didn’t demand a quick response.

  What Hugo needed was to move the deer farther from home, get the vampire back to bed, and bring him the things he would need to wash. Too much to say.

  “I would love to know your name,” Ivan said softly.

  He could probably handle that much. “Hugo.”

  “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hugo. Shall I wait for you at your home?”

  Hugo wondered if this vampire could read his thoughts. A little space was exactly what he needed. He nodded, and Ivan left, making his way carefully back up the hill and safely inside.

  Hugo took a deep, slow breath and set to work dragging the deer out into the forest. He didn’t want scavengers so close to h
is home. Taking his time, and walking farther than necessary to settle his mind, Hugo circled back to his den. When he returned, he felt almost calm.

  Ivan sat upon the pallet, leaning against the wall, legs crossed at the ankle. “I must thank you again. For saving me, and for feeding me. I do not wish to be a burden.”

  “You aren’t,” Hugo said and went to the dusty wooden chest that held his clothes. What would clothes feel like again after so long? He chose two pairs of trousers and two simple shirts. One set for Ivan, and one for himself.

  Ivan averted his eyes while Hugo dressed. “Please don’t feel like you have to do that on my account.”

  “It’s all right.” Hugo laid the second set next to Ivan. He stared at Ivan’s neatly crossed ankles instead of his eyes. “Give me a moment… I’ll bring what you need to wash.”

  “Thank you.”

  Hugo nodded and turned to the cabinets to search for a pail he remembered using for this purpose. It seemed ages ago. Holding the old wooden contraption in his grasp, squeezing his fingers around the handle, Hugo admired his hands. Strange to see skin instead of fur, but not bad. Only different.

  IVAN

  Hugo had brought him a fresh bucket of water, and he’d pulled soap and towels from storage so Ivan could rid himself of the grime of captivity. Alone now, Ivan gratefully discarded his dirty clothes, looking forward to the new set.

  Ivan set to work, washing off layers of filth and dried blood from his body. With each layer gone, he felt lighter. Happier. He didn’t know how he would manage it, but somehow he would repay Hugo for his kindness.

  Already he’d begun to hope Hugo would want him to stay around. Perhaps the wolf was lonely and would appreciate a companion. Ivan would make himself useful. He could hunt too, once he’d regained his strength. He’d clean, fetch things from the human world that Hugo had obviously abandoned. Anything to help.

  When he was clean and dry, Ivan dressed in the borrowed clothes. They were slightly too big for him. Being in Hugo’s things felt intimate. Warmth settled in his belly as he tidied up the washing supplies. He discarded the remaining water outside and put everything back. Then he waited.

  Hugo hadn’t said where he was going, but it couldn’t be far if he kept to his human form. Ivan sensed he’d gone only to provide him the privacy to bathe. He could call out, let Hugo know he was finished, but decided not to. Hugo would return when he was ready.

  Tempting as it was to investigate the dwelling, Ivan resisted. He wouldn’t be rude. Waiting patiently proved difficult when he was eager to be with Hugo, so Ivan let his thoughts drift to Ivy. She was forever safe from Goddard’s clutches. At least Ivan had made sure of that.

  They’d always been close, he and his sister. She’d be mourning his death now. Poor Ivy.

  If Goddard hadn’t set his sights on her, Ivan would still be under his thrall. Maybe it was better this way, with Goddard dead, Ivy free, and Ivan…with Hugo?

  4

  Ivan

  In the early hours of morning, Hugo finally returned. Relief swelled in Ivan’s chest at the sight of him, still human, still shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.

  Still incredibly handsome.

  Hugo scanned the room. His eyes settled on Ivan with a soft smile.

  Ivan stood to greet him. “I missed you. I’m afraid I’ve made you feel unwelcome in your own home.”

  Hugo stepped forward. “You haven’t.”

  “Good.”

  Clasping his hands together, Hugo asked, “Are you feeling better?”

  Ivan nodded. “Yes, much. It’s good to be clean. Thank you for the clothes.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of tidying up a bit while you were gone.” Ivan had wiped the den’s surfaces free of the dust. He’d swept the floors, shaken out and folded the blankets. Little things.

  “It’s nice. I’m sorry to have left it so neglected. I suppose I didn’t notice.”

  “No, you wouldn’t have.” Ivan kept his tone light, his expression friendly. “Hugo, how long have you been living as a wolf?”

  “Seven years. I think.” Hugo shrugged.

  “Alone all this time?”

  “Longer actually. It’s been ten since I left home.”

  “Why?”

  Met with silence and Hugo’s forlorn expression, Ivan wished he hadn’t asked. “I’m sorry. That was nosy of me. Never mind.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you,” Hugo explained slowly. “Only that I’m not used to talking…anymore.”

  “That’s all right.” Ivan took a step toward him. “We can take our time.”

  Hugo surprised him by reaching out to grasp his hand. Ivan went slack in his grip as Hugo lifted and turned it gently to inspect his wrist. The gashes had closed and were healing well, thanks to the fresh meals. Only pink, raised scars remained. Hugo’s warm fingertips on the sensitive skin sent goosebumps along his arm and across his shoulders.

  “All better,” Ivan said, lost in Hugo’s intense gaze.

  “What happened?” Hugo asked.

  Ivan took a breath. Of course Hugo would want to know how he’d ended up there. Telling the story would be painful. “May we sit?”

  Hugo released his hand, and Ivan immediately missed its warmth.

  “Of course.” Hugo retrieved the one chair and offered it to Ivan while he sat on the pallet.

  Ivan took the seat and sighed. “I was being punished for a crime I had no choice but to commit. I killed another vampire—the one who made me. My sentence was one hundred days of starvation followed by exposure. Death. But you know what happened then. The cuts on my wrists were to make sure I lost what little strength I had left.”

  “Will they come back for you?”

  Odd that Hugo’s question was for his welfare and not about the murder itself. “No. There would be nothing to come back to. I’d be dust if it weren’t for you.”

  Hugo nodded as if that answer alone satisfied him.

  Ivan decided to tell the rest of it anyway. “I had to kill him. Goddard was going to turn my sister, and if he’d done that, he’d have complete control over her. He wanted her for a bride, but she didn’t love him. I couldn’t let him have her like he already had me. You understand?”

  “You have a sister?”

  “Had.” Ivan frowned. “It’s safer for her if she thinks I’m dead. And it’s safer for me if the vampire conclave thinks so too. She is lost to me.”

  Hugo stared up at him, his big brown eyes full of sadness. “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.” Ivan left the chair to join Hugo on the pallet. Sitting close like this, he could feel the heat from Hugo’s body. He’d like to lean against him but wasn’t sure if it would be welcomed. In this, Hugo was hard to read.

  “I was banished from my pack when I turned eighteen,” Hugo said quietly. “The alpha never liked me. I should have seen it coming, but it was a surprise.”

  Ivan didn’t know much about wolf packs, but it struck him as unjust that one could be banished simply because the alpha didn’t like you. Curious as to what happened but unwilling to risk being rude, he took a different line of questioning. “Why stay alone? Why not find another pack?”

  Hugo’s jaw clenched before he answered. “Another pack would have the same complaint.” He turned to face Ivan, expression both grave and vulnerable. “I’m an abomination.”

  Ivan tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

  “My mother is a werewolf, and I don’t have a father because she had an accident with a wild wolf. It happened as she traveled between the lands of rival packs to see the man who would become my stepfather. She went into an early heat and couldn’t fight off the wolf who found her.”

  “You mean an actual wolf?”

  Hugo nodded, his eyes cast low.

  “So you are three quarters wolf and one quarter human, unlike other werewolves who are an even mix?”

  Hugo hung his head. “Yes.” r />
  “I don’t understand. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Everything.” Hugo let out a sigh. “In wolf form, I am too big. Too dominant. The alpha could never tolerate it. As soon as I was old enough, he chased me off. Any other alpha would do the same.”

  Ivan wasn’t certain about that last bit. “But your family? Your mom and stepfather?”

  Hugo shrugged. “He passed when I was young, but I have sisters. Maybe you understand. They’re better off without me.”

  Ivan did not understand. In his situation, Ivy’s life was at stake. Hugo’s family must wonder what happened. What lies had the alpha told them? “But it’s unfair! You did nothing wrong. Surely your family misses you. You should check on them.”

  “It is the way it is,” Hugo said, resigned. “I’m fine here.”

  “Aren’t you lonely?”

  Hugo’s face shifted from sadness to hope as a little smile appeared on his lips. “Not at the moment.”

  Ivan smiled back. He took a chance and leaned sideways, bumping their shoulders. “Me neither.”

  “Have you been? Lonely?”

  “Yes, dreadfully,” Ivan said. “My confinement remained solitary while they starved me long enough to be sure the sun would finish me off. It’s very nice to look into your eyes and find kindness.”

  Hugo blushed and met Ivan’s steady gaze. Acorn brown eyes glimmered in the low light. All Ivan would have to do is lean in a little to bridge the distance, and they’d be kissing. Warmth spread between them in the small space. Ivan lingered, afraid to press.

  Hugo glanced away, and the moment passed.

  “Are you tired?” Hugo asked. “You must be. The sun will be up soon.”

  “I am, but I’ve kicked you out of your bed long enough. I’ll take the floor.”

  Hugo stopped him with a hand on his forearm. “I don’t care about the bed. You have it. Please.”

  The heat from Hugo’s palm seeped through Ivan’s shirt and warmed his skin. Before he could stop himself, Ivan blurted, “There’s room for both of us. Stay with me?”