Shelli Rosewarne

Hi all,

Hope you’re all having a great week. It seems to have sped by I must admit, I can’t believe it’s halfway through January already! I’m getting back to my Thursday Tall Tales, and since I’m writing about my wolves at the moment, this is part one of a short story going way back to their history (if you’ve read Scarlett Legacy, you may have got a quick glimpse of this). Anyway, hope you enjoy 🙂

Scarletta’s hands shook as she adjusted the heavy wood-axe strapped across her back. It was a poor weapon against what she faced, but better than being completely unarmed. Her head held high, she walked with supreme confidence as she entered the clearing. Hopefully that might hide the fact that her heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest and her knees were knocking beneath the long cloak.

Their leader was instantly recognisable, standing almost a full head above the others and exuding an aura of complete confidence. She had the uncomfortable feeling that his wasn’t faked. Thick dark hair hung in shaggy locks almost to his shoulders, framing a frighteningly masculine face and eyes that burned an odd amber colour. Abruptly they fixed on her, pinning her to the spot as her breath caught in her throat and it was all she could do not to stumble. It was as though he was seeing straight inside her, that in that instant he knew everything about her and it was obvious she had no chance.

Drawing in a ragged breath, Scarletta forced her feet to keep moving. The others were starting to stand up now, the clearing filling with a low muttering dispersed with terrifying growls, but she didn’t dare stop. If she did she was afraid that she would run screaming in the opposite direction. Her feet carried her to the spot right in front of him and he rose slowly, fluidly to his feet, towering over her now as she gulped. A lazy smile crossed his face, though instead of warming his expression if anything it made him look more dangerous. To her surprise her stomach fluttered with something that had nothing to do with fear. Stupid girl, what the hell was she thinking? She was here for one reason only, and she was resigned to the fact that she probably wouldn’t make it back in one piece.

“Is there something I can help you with, little one?” the lazy drawl sent a shiver down her spine and for a moment she struggled to answer. “Perhaps you are lost?” there was a spark of amusement in his tone and anger gave her the backbone she needed.

“No, I am not lost! You, and your pack here,” she gestured around her, “took an old woman from a cottage on the outskirts of the village. I’m here to get her back.”

For a moment surprise flashed across his face, then it was carefully back to the mask. “And what is she to you?” he asked quietly, dangerously.

She debated lying, but he would probably know anyway, “My grandmother.”

He shrugged, and her hackles rose at the cavalier gesture. “If she was taken, she is ours now. What makes you think she is even still alive?”

“It’s not the full moon until tomorrow. I know that’s when you normally kill them.”

Now he did look surprised, “Not many people know that about us.”

He paused as though expecting her to explain how she did. Scarletta simply stood there silently. It was none of his business and besides, she didn’t want too think too closely on where her information had come from. When she didn’t reply, he added.

“No matter then. Besides, it is not always the case. Sometimes they can get… carried away.”

Her stomach dropped, he was playing with her, she had to believe that. Her voice was tight as she asked. “Is she still alive or not?”

There was a long pause and just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer he nodded. “For now.”

Part Two will be up next week. Take care x