Male and female voices in the distance, low but audible to him, with his highly enhanced keen hearing while in wolf form.
And that wasn’t all. He knew who was talking. He slowed his pace and inhaled and smelled, from the same direction, those humans with scents he had first sensed that day but not as intense as he could inhale now, as a wolf.
The smells included those of the two people named Fritts. And more. Another human scent emanated from that same area.
But they weren’t the only ones.
A different scent, but no sound, came from near them, as well. An aroma that was entirely familiar—now—to the wolf who was Ryan.
The scent belonging to Maya.
None of the humans should be here, not with wolves of any origin around, here in the woods in near darkness—except for that brilliant moon.
Most especially not Maya.
Was she not aware of the potential danger from the wolves she also revered and wanted to protect? She had sounded so wise, so knowledgeable before, when she had spoken to an audience and talked with individuals. But did she ignore her own wisdom when wolves were around?
And if they were shifters, without having access to his special Alpha Force elixir they would not have human cognition. They could be just as dangerous as wild wolves to mere people.
And what about those other people? Would they present a danger to the wolves—and, perhaps, to Maya, too? Or were they themselves in danger?
He turned to move more purposefully in the direction from which he scented Maya.
If Maya wasn’t cautious, he would have to be so on her behalf.
He wanted to protect them all, the wolves and the woman, and perhaps the other people, as well. If the wolves harmed them, then other humans might hurt those wolves.
But there was only one of him. And if he had to choose who to protect, he knew which it had to be.
* * *
Maya had arrived at the edge of the woods, and now debated what to do.
She had known from the moment she had heard the distant howls and barks, while still inside the hotel, the direction in which she had to go, and she had hurriedly driven that way. When she parked her car and got onto the sidewalk at the park where she had given her presentation, she’d stopped to listen even more.
The sounds now came from somewhere to her right, in the woods beyond the park. She had hurried in that direction.
At the time, she had felt somewhat surprised to find herself alone here. Surely other people heard the sounds and could figure out where they came from. And some of the people who’d attended her talk had seemed fascinated, too, by the reappearance of wolves in this area.
Plus some had claimed to be part of the media. Were they interested in wolves or not?
Was she the only one who hoped to actually see them? Or was everyone afraid?
Well, no matter. Although...well, she wouldn’t have minded some company.
Too bad she hadn’t reached Ryan. She couldn’t help assuming he was already outside, also trying to get a glimpse of the wolves. If so, they could have joined up, banded together, safety in numbers. And being with him in the middle of the night would be practical, nothing to do with the fact she found the man attractive.
No matter. For now, all she really hoped for was to see those wolves herself.
The air was cool, and the intermittent sound of the soft wind, plus occasional cars in the distance, were the only sounds she heard at this moment as she stood there.
Still at the edge of the park, she looked beyond the streetlights behind her into the near darkness of what lay ahead. The only light came from above, the brilliance of the full moon.
She carried a special flashlight that she could make as bright or dim as she wanted, as well as a state-of-the-art small camera that took still photos and videos. Mostly what she wanted was to observe and film the wolves from a distance, without them getting too interested in her.
Another howl sounded, followed by some yips and a couple of additional howls. How many wolves were out there?
She would have to be very cautious. Those wolves would sense her before she could get close. And there was no way she could communicate to them that she loved wildlife, only wanted to see and photograph them.
This was probably a bad idea—but it might be her best opportunity to see them.
Here, at the end of the park, the grass gave way to low foliage at first that soon rose to become mountainous woodlands, with trees relatively close together and dry underbrush below. The area was fairly dark, since the treetops erased the light from the moon above.
Maya gave herself one more chance to stop, to back off. But only for a minute. Then, she pulled her flashlight out of her purse, set it for its dimmest setting and started out.
And heard another wolf howl.
She smiled and carefully started forward. She heard her own footsteps on the dried underbrush but not much more. Was she still heading in the right direction?
At least she went in a straight line, so she would be able to find her way back. Even run back, if she had to...
She reached a clearing. Was that a human voice she heard somewhere ahead, off to the side?
Maybe she should go back...
But that was when she heard the crackling sound of dried growth being stomped on by feet—canine feet?
Was she really going to get to see a wolf? Yes!
And in fact, there one was. She upped the intensity of her flashlight as she aimed her camera at it, just as another wolf joined it.
They were both running toward her. Still filming, she looked around. Fortunately, she stood beside a nice, wide tree trunk. Maybe she should get behind it—
But the wolf at the front growled, ran even faster toward her.
Was it going to attack?
“I just wanted to see you,” she cried aloud, knowing how ridiculous that was. As if the creature could understand she was on its side, doing her job, learning about it. Quickly, she moved so the tree was between the wolf and her. But where was the other one?
She heard some barks then that sounded angry. Feral growls, just as another wolf emerged from the woods and attacked the wolf that approached her. The third wolf, behind that one, leaped into the fray, as well.
“No. Please. Don’t hurt each other,” Maya cried out, but she wasn’t stupid. Not entirely, she thought. She used the opportunity to light her flashlight beam to the fullest and run back through the woods in the direction from which she’d come.
She glanced back once, though. The fight had wound down, at least somewhat. One wolf—the attacker?—was facing the other two, crouched as if ready to leap onto them again and growling deeply.
The others stood warily but did not appear as if they were ready to attack again.
Which made Maya smile, at least a little, as she turned again and hurried toward the edge of the park.
Yes, she’d been foolish. But she’d seen wolves. Three wolves. And she’d gotten videos of them.
She wasn’t hurt, and the canines appeared to be okay, too.
This was definitely a memorable night.
* * *
He remained in a crouch, growling and teaching the others he faced who was alpha, at least for now.
Their scents were strong, and not entirely wolfen.
Then they,