Hunter gave Rourke an irritated look. Keeping a new lupus garou in line was a chore. He would have to tell him everything he could and couldn't do. Like remove a bandage only after a sufficient amount of time had passed to give the illusion the injury was still healing when around humans. Of course, the bandage scenario was sure to come up with Tessa again where Hunter's shoulder was concerned, but he would handle it with a lot more finesse.
Rourke looked a little sheepish and continued to eat in silence.
Ashton said, "We went to the cliff where you pushed the wolf off, but didn't see any sign of it."
"Tide had to have washed it out," Hunter said. "We'll take a look north of here and see what we can find."
"You're not thinking of exploring with Rourke this afternoon, are you?"
"Another storm's coming in," Rourke warned. "We've got to look around before that happens."
"When did you watch the weather report? I haven't heard a thing about it." Tessa finished her sandwich and sat back against the chair.
"At my place. Anyway, you can feel the air growing colder again and smell the wintry moisture in the air."
Hunter gave Rourke a warning look, but he wasn't paying any attention to him.
"I'd say we were going to get sleet and snow before nightfall."
"Now you're guessing?" Tessa began clearing away the dirty dishes. "I thought you got this from the weather report."
Hunter finished his lunch. "Why don't you show me what you found, Rourke? Ashton can stay with Tessa and change the door locks."
"I want to go, too." She shoved the plates in the dishwasher.
"Later, Tessa." Hunter left the table and grabbed Michael's field jacket. But when he couldn't put it on by himself, Rourke helped.
Tessa watched, her arms folded, her mouth a thin grim line. "You shouldn't be going out there."
"Come on, Tessa. You can help me with the doorknobs." Ashton grabbed a paper sack and headed for the front door.
"You got one for both the front door and back? He only seems to have a key to the back door."
"Just to be safe. And we bought security glass for the window in Michael's room. The guy won't be able to break it again. We can replace all of them with that glass if Hunter thinks it's a good idea, and you want to foot the bill."
Hunter figured once he got rid of the stalker menace, she wouldn't have any more trouble. He went outside with Rourke while Ashton occupied Tessa.
"What did you find?"
"Hell if I know. You're the expert lupus garou. I discovered dozens of wolves' scents, tons of wolves' prints, thousands of wolf fur fibers, and a smattering of wolves' urine in various places. So you tell me what it all means."
Hunter hadn't realized the smells would probably overload Rourke's new abilities. From birth, lupus garou filtered out the smells and sounds, but he guessed the sudden onslaught would confuse someone who had just been turned and at the same time, the enhanced abilities could be a distraction.
Hunter led Rourke down to the beach. "If you get injured, from now on, hide the fact you are, or keep the injury bandaged for longer than necessary. And don't show off your abilities to humans."
He thought that went without saying, but apparently not.
Rourke scowled. "I can't help it. I kept seeing fur everywhere. I forgot Ashton couldn't, and I didn't even realize how it might sound to him."
"You always have to remember what we are. When we're in a wolf pack, no problem. But around humans, watch yourself, always."
"I was just turned, remember? I haven't had much time to get used to this." Rourke looked up at the clouds. "I can't see it for the gray skies, but I can feel the moon's strong pull. I keep wanting to strip off my clothes and run naked through the woods. It's driving me crazy."
Hunter bent down to check out a piece of fur caught on driftwood. "Later tonight. You and I will take a run, and I'll show you what it's all about. That should break you of the urge for a while."
"What about your shoulder?"
"It won't be properly healed for a couple of more days, but the exercise will do it good, give it a stretch. Getting out of Tessa's sight for a couple of hours is the problem. I'll take a nap when we get back. We'll have supper, and then after she's gone to bed, we'll take a run."
Rourke motioned to the area. "So what do you make of all this?"
"I've counted six different gray wolves that have left their mark. The three I fought and three others who seem familiar, but I can't recall why."
"Great. Can we fight them all off?"
Two shots rang out from the front porch of the house.
"Tessa!" Hunter's heart pounded against his ribs as he bolted up the rocky path with Rourke hot on his heels.
Three more shots were fired and a wolf yelped twice before Hunter barreled through the living room, concerned Ashton might shoot them if they came around the side of the house.
Tessa was holding the rifle, getting ready to fire again, the weapon propped against her shoulder, when Hunter saw Ashton sprawled out on the front porch, his hand bloodied, his face pallid.
"Hell," Hunter said under his breath. If the damned wolf had turned Ashton... Hunter took the rifle from Tessa.
She was shaking so hard, he thought she might collapse, her own face flushed, but tears filled her eyes. She dropped to her knees and held Ashton's uninjured hand. "Ashton, can you hear me?"
Rourke took the rifle inside, and Hunter crouched beside Tessa. "He'll be all right."
She started to cry and her tears undid him. He wrapped his arms around her, her body still trembling.
"I... I think I hit the wolf twice. At least he yelped twice. But... oh, Hunter, he's got to be rabid."
"What are we going to do?" Rourke asked.
"Let's get Ashton inside."
"We have to take him to the clinic in town, or to the hospital in the city. He's got to be treated for rabies," Tessa insisted.
Hunter crouched to lift Ashton, but Rourke grabbed his arm and stopped him. "You can't reinjure that shoulder. I'll lift him."
"I'll help," Tessa said.
"You get the door, Tessa. I'll just use my good shoulder." Hunter hated playing the part of a damned invalid even if Rourke was right. He needed to heal so he could be prepared to fight again, as bold and rash as the lupus garous were getting.
Rourke lifted Ashton's torso, his gaze shooting up to meet Hunter's while Hunter carried Ashton's feet. Yeah, another ability. More strength. Rourke smiled. At least he seemed pleased with the change. Now Hunter had to deal with Ashton, damn it. What the hell was wrong with the lupus garou? Every time they changed a human who had family, it could cause problems. Although there was a slight chance the wolf hadn't turned Ashton.
"We've got to take him to the clinic at least." Tessa locked the front door after them.
"We've got the rabies vaccine and antibiotics with us." Hunter helped carry Ashton into Michael's room. "Rourke will give him a shot. If you'll get some soap and water for the bite, we'll take care of it."
Tessa hurried out of the room and down the hall.
Hunter rushed to wrap Ashton's hand in a towel to hide the bite from Tessa, although he was sure she had seen enough of the damage. When she returned, Hunter took the washcloth and water from her, then handed it to Rourke.
Ashton was scowling and alert. "Bloody damn wolf. Didn't even see him coming as I finished changing out the doorknob. Thank god he didn't get Tessa."
But most likely he was trying to. Hunter was sure they had frustrated the bastard because they had left the house the night before and were gone for so long, and now had another "guard" to keep Tessa safe.
"Come on." Hunter took hold of Tessa's hand. "You can't have slept well last night, and I'm feeling dog tired again. What about you?"