UNKNOWN TOUCH – Werewolf Series Book 1
Gina Marie Long
Excerpt #1
Everyone remained absolutely still as Daniel made his way to the front porch. My heart was pounding from the anxiety. No one really knew what was going to happen next. We were on high alert, completely in tune with our surroundings. I watched as Daniel walked up the rickety old steps. The cabin was falling apart from years of neglect. It was amazing that anyone would attempt to live in it. Then again, we were not dealing with a human, but a werewolf.
I quickly sent a mental message to Zac and Tessa, Do you have him clearly in your line of sight?
They answered in unison, Yes.
Daniel was now standing on the front porch. He pounded on the door twice and shouted, "Hey, Stephen! It's Daniel. I know you're in there. We need to talk."
There was the distinct sound of a snarl coming from within the cabin. A few moments passed. Daniel stood patiently waiting, taking two steps backward. I would assume we had caught Stephen off guard, possibly sleeping, or maybe he needed to get dressed before coming outside. That snarl was definitely meant as a warning.
And then the door flung open. Stephen. He made his grand entrance, stepping onto the porch. The images that Daniel and Isaac had given to me during my failed effort to enter Stephen's mind were very accurate. I was now able to gaze at him in the flesh. He was a superior being. And he knew it. His arrogance to that fact dripped off him so heavily it was sickening. Even so, he was handsome, in an Old World sort of way. I memorized his features, his physical traits, any interesting idiosyncrasies he displayed. At this point, he was still too distant from me. Like a stranger. No contact. I kept focusing.
"What do you want?" Stephen glared at Daniel. "You are in my territory."
Daniel took a deep breath, and calmly stated, "I am not here to fight with you, Stephen. I know you are looking for any excuse to let loose on me. I am here to talk and ask you some questions. I hope you will give me honest answers."
"I'll see what I can do," he sarcastically replied.
Daniel and Stephen remained on the small porch. Stephen had closed the front door and was leaning up against it. Daniel positioned himself a few feet away, near one of the porch's rotting posts.
"I'll get straight to the point," Daniel began, "I heard the news about the livestock being mutilated and the hunter that was killed. Did you do it?"
Stephen shook his head from side to side and laughed in mockery. I suspected he was playing a game of cat and mouse with Daniel. He replied, "No, it wasn't me. Although I'm sure you sniffed out my scent in the general area."
Daniel knew this was going to be like pulling teeth, trying to get information out of Stephen. "If it wasn't you that committed these acts of violence, then who was it?"
"That is the big question of the day, isn't it? Well, I'm not at liberty to say at this time. He would rather like to keep his identity private."…
…
Stephen moved away from the door he had his back up against, walked past Daniel and down off the porch and scanned over his property. He used his heightened senses of sight, sound and smell. Even the sixth sense of perception was being used to check for intruders. His body tensed, ready to defend himself if needed. He felt a trap had been set for him.
"Who is out there?" Stephen swung around, glaring at Daniel.
Daniel tried his best to remain calm, and answered, "I have brought several people with me. They want to help you if you will allow it."
"Humans. I knew I could smell them. You are dealing with those humans known as The Liaison, aren't you?" Stephen's temper was rising.
"Yes, I know you're aware of them from previous trips they've made down here. All for the purpose of getting your emotions under control. We want to understand what is happening to you and offer our help," Daniel had now moved off the porch and stood a few feet from Stephen.
Mentally, I asked Zac and Tessa, Do you still have a clear shot of Stephen?
Zac replied, Yes.
Tessa replied, No. My heart sank when I heard that.
Quickly, I relayed this information psychically to Daniel, Zac has a clear shot. Tessa doesn't.
Daniel responded, Do not kill him. Shoot for the shoulder only if he is clearly attacking.
I mentally pushed this information into Zac and Tessa's minds. Dominic was reading my mind as this went on, so he was aware of the situation. Throughout the whole confrontation between Daniel and Stephen, I continually tried to access Stephen's mind, but no success. Dom was getting absolutely no where, either. I was picking up the emotions better than ever, but could not break through the mental barrier. I felt like I needed the physical contact with him or at least be a few feet from him. Just something about Stephen or his mind was not letting me in. He had been blocking Daniel for quite some time, and perhaps the constant withdrawal from psychic connections, and his awareness of that, interfered with my ability to gain access.
Suddenly, Stephen seemed to notice that someone was trying to read his mind. He pressed at his temples with his fingers. It was not Daniel. He looked out into the woods, in my direction. He was putting two and two together rapidly. Daniel stepped closer for fear Stephen might come after me.
"There's a female…she tried this before with your help. I saw a flash of it and thought I was imagining things. I don't appreciate someone, a stranger especially, trying to mess with my mind. Who do you think you are to try to control me? I have my freedom and I will live the way I choose to. I won't play by your rules anymore, Daniel. Leave." Stephen declared with fury rising up from deep within him.
At that moment, he transformed into a werewolf. As did Daniel. It was a sight to behold. The two were in a stand-off. Zac wasn't sure if he should shoot or not. Eli, Dom and I actually rose up from our crouched positions behind the bushes. It didn't matter anymore if Stephen saw us. He knew we were there.
The two powerful wolves circled each other, snarling and growling, back and forth. Neither taking their eyes off one another. Their lips were curled back, displaying long, sharp, deadly teeth meant to kill prey. And both were predators at this moment. Saliva dripped from their open mouths. Daniel looked so much more beastly, more lethal, during this transformation than I recalled from the first time I ever saw him turn. He seemed friendly at that time, but not now.
From what I understood, Daniel had only come here to question Stephen. He would not be the first to attack. He did not mean to be the aggressor in this duel, but had to transform to meet Stephen equally on the playing field. All at once, Stephen dove at Daniel's throat, and in that split second a shot was fired. It was Zac. He hit Stephen squarely in the right shoulder, as Daniel requested. Stephen hit the ground with a yelp of pain, and he retreated immediately, limping off, trailing blood. He knew he would not win this fight today...