Mating Hunt by Bonnie Vanak Page B

of light over the girl. Her pink dress was stained and torn. A small patch of dried blood was on the collar.
    Breath fled her. Who could do this to a child? Memories rushed back; the awful, pinching hunger, the fear, hopelessness and despair, and the terrible aloneness, thinking no one would ever rescue her.
    The girl crawled away from her, into the corner.
    Heart pounding hard, Arianna whipped her gaze around and saw Kyle’s tight expression. Silence fell in the cabin. The other children were hiding.
    Arianna spoke in a gentle whisper. “It’s all right. We’re like you and here to help you. We’re not with the bad men who hurt you. We’re here to take you home to your parents. They miss you very much.”
    A small rustling in the corner, like mice.
    “Tend to the little one,” he whispered. “I’ll get some light in here, try to reassure them into coming out.”
    He lit a small oil lamp on a shelf. A soft yellow glow illuminated the cabin, detailing the decrepit conditions. Arianna crouched down before the little girl, making soothing noises. No response. Insight hit her. She shifted into wolf and whined.
    Still, Daisy did not respond.
    But the other children did.
    From behind a rotting chair in a corner, a boy and girl crept out. Kyle crouched down, shone the light away from their eyes.
    “Hey there. We’re not going to hurt you. We’re here to help.” Her guardian spoke in the same deep, soothing tones he’d used to lure her out of the hollowed log where Arianna had hidden years ago. Gone was the feral beast intent on mating with her, replaced by the caring, compassionate Lupine who knew how to tame wild, frightened creatures to his strong hand.
    At the sight of her siblings, the younger girl scampered over to them. The boy clutched her hand, his expression fierce. A young, proud Lupine. His name was Jessie, his older sister was Amanda.
    Arianna vowed never to forget their names.
    He was nearly twelve; the older sister looked about eight. Both wore loose, frayed clothing much too light for these colder elevations. Jessie looked mistrustful, but Amanda seemed traumatized, her vacuous eyes looking past Kyle at the door, as if she feared someone else would soon enter the cabin.
    Arianna shifted back, clothed herself and stood.
    “What are your names?” Kyle asked.
    No response.
    A lump clogged Arianna’s throat. “They won’t give them to you because their names are all they have left as a defense. Once you give out your name, you give your captor power over you.”
    Jessie’s swung over to her. He clutched the girl’s hand in a protective manner. Arianna’s heart gave a vicious twist. She studied the children, forcing back memories she’d tried long to suppress.
    “You have to shift into your wolf. It will reassure them you’re just like me,” she told Kyle.
    When he did, suspicion vanished from Jessie’s face and Amanda relaxed. Even Daisy finally lost her vacant look.
    “You’re one of us,” Jessie said.
    “Yes, we both are.” Arianna gave him a reassuring smile.
    “Then you’re not going to beat us?” Amanda girl whispered.
    The gray timber wolf swung its massive head toward Arianna, his beautiful green eyes filled with rage. Just as quickly, Kyle shifted back and clothed himself. Hands fisted, he stalked outside.
    Her guardian needed to release his fury, and he didn’t want to scare the children.
    She crouched down at their level. “You’re Jessie,” she told the boy. “I found your scent and the trail you left for us to follow. Good job. You’re very smart.”
    He gave a small smile. “I knew someone would find it, hoped someone would find it soon. Daisy’s only four, and she hasn’t eaten much since they took us.”
    Daisy hugged herself, rocking back and forth. Self-soothing behavior. Arianna knew it well.
    She picked up the girl, holding her close as Daisy’s siblings sat on the bed.
    “We heard one of you cry out as we hiked up the mountain. Are you injured?” she asked