One Shade of Silver Wolf

End of August howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

I've started what I hope will turn out to be a new series of flash scenes. We'll see, given my *who knows what obstacles are next?* life.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Because I'm pressed for time, I'm not even going to do a read over as I usually do, so please excuse any glaring mistakes.

~~~~~~

One Shade of Silver Wolf

She'd known he could never love her. Not as she desired. Truth: she'd been seduced by his scholarly knowledge, by his extraordinary super intellect. Yeah, Einstein meets Carl Sagan, mix brains and stir. Then stand back in pure awe. That was Professor Edward Kingston.

During their two-year relationship, he'd treated her more than decently, and loved her in what he considered to be the proper manner. But at a deep emotional level the about-to-be chancellor, Professor Kingston, was bankrupt — as bankrupt as The Donald Trump had been four times in his entrepreneurial, meteoric rise to reality-show stardom.

Oh, she'd told herself Professor Ed would come to love her with a passion unparalleled. What a big fat lie.

The infamous rose-colored glasses, her fierce passion to learn... but yeah, her ego weakness for greater knowledge — the opportunity to live in a high-intellect realm, and constantly utilize her mind, to keep learning — she'd let herself be seriously led astray.  As far as the deepest longings of her heart.

She let a sigh escape, one that blew strands of her coppery, always fly-away hair. As she moved down the hallway toward the stairs that led to Edward's tome-filled office, her gut churned, as if creepy crawlies hatched out.

Damn. She didn't want to do this. But there was a thing about being true to yourself. And it was time. Likely past time to say goodbye in a grownup, responsible manner.

To her best knowledge, Edward had even remained faithful, a mountain-tall plus for his overall stalwart character, given it was rarity in this ivory-tower campus culture. After all, affairs were de rigeur, and a way to climb the ambition-ladder for some.

She'd remained faithful as well, never stepping out on him. Not once. Oh, she'd flirted with the bevy of hunk temptations on campus. Those who put the one-night moves on her, and those with cheesy lines spoken in the throes of hyper-hormone activity.

Intentionally, she trotted up the stairway to keep herself moving. Not allowing herself to think, to entertain any thought about changing her mind, she lightly rapped on the heavy, late 1800's door. 

"Kailla, come in. You're not disturbing me." Edward's deep resonant voice somehow soothed her. At the same time, anxiety tumbled willy-nilly through her middle.

"Edward," Kailla closed the door behind her, a whisper of sound over the thick expensive carpet. "I'm on my way. All packed up."

He rose from his leather desk chair, a tall distinguished man with cognac-brown eyes — deep-set eyes that held a universe of scholarly knowledge. Edward's passion for research and learning had proven to be endless, and dominated their life together. .

As she'd come to understand after days of soul-searching, he was married to the exploration, to the mission of being educated, and educating others. Kailla respected his passion. It simply wasn't her all-consuming passion.

Edward approached her, a gentle caring smile on his nobly constructed face. "Have a good time on your vacation, darling." He lifted her hands, enfolding them within his.

"Edward..." Kailla drew in what felt like a whirlwind of breath. "I'm saying goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Puzzlement colored his eyes.

"This isn't easy." Kailla raked her hand through her disobedient hair. "I'm leaving. I won't be coming back."

Shock hit his features. He turned and perched on the edge of his desk, his posture like a puppet held up with wires.

"I've given this a lot of thought..." Kailla swallowed back the lump about to choke her. "With you about to become chancellor... well, being with me won't help you. You know that," she emphasized when he was about to object.

"Face it, Edward. I'm a liability to all you hold dear." Kailla ignored the dizziness threatening to drop her to the floor, and softly continued, "I'm the leopardess who can't change her spots enough to fit in that rarified, ivory tower realm."

"It's what I love about you most, Kailla."

Unable to stand the appeal in his eyes to stay... to come back to him in two-weeks time, Kailla turned away.

"You can't be entirely tamed," he added after a pregnant pause. "If you change your mind," he began, ever the gentleman.

"You know, Beverly has been in love with you since she began teaching here. She'd be perfect as a chancellor's wife. You can't have missed how she dotes on you, especially when I'm not around."

"No." Raw pain owned his voice. "I haven't missed her overtures. Be well, Kailla."

"Be well, Edward." She jerked open the door, and stepped outside. Tears welled up, and she clung to the stair railing as the salty wetness slid down her cheeks.

****

Thundercloud, silver wolf shifter, and second clan brother in his familial pack, loped toward the highway. His nose led the way.

Out for a long, muscle-stretching run through the fields and forests of Talbot's Peak territory, he'd suddenly scented a delicious female fragrance. One that salivated his jowls, and caused his loins to ignite with savage need.

So what if she was human. Mostly human, anyway. Like as not, she didn't know her full genetic heritage.

Thundercloud's primal instincts ruled as he sprinted alongside the highway, searching for the vehicle he knew she drove. Somehow he had to find the woman, follow her. Claim her.

****

Weary from traveling, and ready to lose herself to a long nap once she reached the Talbot's Peak Inn, Kailla concentrated on the few miles left before she reached her destination.

Checking her side mirror, she glanced longer this time. Her adrenaline jumped and kept pumping. Was that a wolf, a real live wolf racing toward her?

Slowing so she wouldn't wreck, Kailla pulled off to the side, yet kept her minivan slowly moving. Transfixed, she watched the humongous wolf charge straight at her. The late summer sun caused his coat to appear silvery, as if each dark hair had been tipped with a drop of silver.

~~~~~~


Wishing you love and passion on the wild side ~ 

Savanna 

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance