First, some info: The February newsletter will go out
Tuesday morning (U.S. time), and will include a Guild Hunter short story. I’ll
post up a note once it’s been sent, so please check here first if you haven’t
received your copy.
If you aren’t yet a subscriber, you can join up using
the form on the top right of the blog or on the front page of the website. Once
you subscribe, you’ll automatically receive a welcome newsletter.
~
I did a TV interview last week (more details to come
once the piece has been scheduled), and was asked if I could do some writing
for a few shots. I started doodling randomly – and this fun little story is
what emerged.
Note for
aspiring writers: I did do some editing on this
vignette to smooth out the original rough draft, fix typos etc. Editing is
crucial, no matter how short or long the piece.
I hope you enjoy this foray into the Psy-Changeling world!
Stalking Hawke
Nalini Singh
Hawke walked down the corridor, well aware he was
being followed by stealthy little wolf paws—or paws that were trying to be stealthy in any case.
Inside him, the wild predator who was his other half opened its mouth in a
wolfish grin.
Halting at the open doorway to Riley’s office, he poked
his head inside. “Did you get the report?”
A nod from his senior lieutenant. “You want to talk
about it now?”
“No. Let’s do it tonight—you still up for that?”
“Absolutely.” Riley saluted him with his coffee mug. “Mercy
is calling it Testosterone Night by the way.”
“She’s just jealous because girls aren’t invited.”
Grinning, he continued down the corridor, accompanied by the clicking of tiny
claws on the stone of the den floor. They hesitated when he turned toward his
own office and he could almost feel the keen disappointment that colored the
air.
Popping in quickly, he grabbed his sleek black sat phone and walked out
again, careful to keep his back to the tracker on his trail.The little paws scampered to keep up with him,
stopping only when he ran into Riaz.
The dark-haired lieutenant raised an
eyebrow. “You realize you have a tail?”
“He’s not bad. Just needs a bit more seasoning.”
Riaz’s eyes, a dark gold, filled with affectionate
laughter. “Along with a few feet of growth.”
Lips tugging up at the corners, Hawke said, “Pretend you don’t see him.”
“See who?”
As they talked Pack business, Hawke was very aware of
sharp little wolf ears listening in. Once he and Riaz were done, he carried on
down the corridor and to one of the exits into the White Zone, the safe play area
directly outside the den. Heading to the trees, he stashed his phone in his
jeans, stripped, and shifted into his wolf form.
The paws behind him ran to follow as he shook his body
to settle his new skin, the silver-gold of his fur rippling, then loped deeper
into the forest. Aware the little tracker wouldn’t be able to keep up with even
a fraction of his adult speed, he kept his pace at one the other wolf could maintain.
Stopping at the edge of the waterfall nearest the den,
he looked down at the froth of water, and after a moment, the owner of the stealthy
paws padded up to stand beside him. The pup hadn’t yet gained his adult color,
was still a soft brown as he leaned his body against Hawke’s, his small heart
beating faster than an adult’s.
Hawke growled a greeting before returning his gaze to
the water.
When he turned away from the crashing fall after
several minutes, the pup fell in with him as they ran the short distance back to
the den. Shifting to human form, Hawke pulled on his jeans and watched the pup
change in a show of light and color. A little boy stood in front of him seconds
later.
“Did you see me?” Ben asked, pure delight in eyes that
were still wolf-amber. “I stalkeded you!”
“You did very well.” Hawke crouched down in front of
the boy. “You’re an excellent tracker.” He wasn’t lying—for his age, Ben was
very, very good. In point of fact, he was better than many older children.
“Have you been practicing?”
“Yes! I stalkeded Mama and Papa and even Uncle Judd!”
Hawke ruffled the boy’s hair. “That’s what I used to
do when I was younger. I’d follow my father all around the den.” His father had
allowed him to believe he was getting away with it, as Hawke had just done with
Ben—he wouldn’t be much of an alpha if he didn’t help raise the boy’s
confidence in his own skills. “But you know you can’t try to stalk people out
of the safe areas?”
Ben nodded again. “And when they’re kissing. That’s
boring.”
Hawke bit back a laugh. “Yeah, kissing is pretty
boring,” he agreed solemnly. “Go on back inside now. I have to head out of the
White Zone.”
“Okay. ’Bye!” Waving vigorously, Ben ran toward the
doorway to the den, shifting halfway through into his pup form. Hawke’s smile
grew deeper. No doubt, someone else would soon find themselves “stalkeded”.
Copyright ©
2013 by Nalini Singh
