Wolf Medicine

By Ruty Aisling

An old Indian legend of shapeshifters haunts a young woman who is following reports of large wolves in the area. Isolated in a cabin deep in the New Hampshire woods, she finds romance with a young Abenaki man with deep green eyes and learns that wolves can also become men.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kephra Publications
• Release date: Jul 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465881823

Ruty Aisling

The Aislings live deep in the mountains of New Hampshire and have had a lifelong interest and involvement in the magical Arts. They enjoy writing both non-fiction and fiction. Their non-fiction is carefully researched and draws from their lifetime of diverse experience. Their fiction is based on actual myths, legends and magical practices with just a touch of high fantasy and romance.

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Wolf Medicine

By Ruty Aisling

Published by Kephra Publications at Smashwords

Layout by Kephra Publications

Artwork by Saniphoto, http://www.dreamstime.com/saniphoto_info

Copyright 2011 Ruty Aisling

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All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted to any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book.

This book is a work of fiction in a contemporary setting. Therefore names, characters, places, brands, media and or incidents portrayed within the work are solely based on the authors' imagination or are used fictitiously. As such any brands, trademarks or products are used fictitiously and without permission, authorization and/or endorsement by the trademark owners.

This book is dedicated to my grandfather who told me many wonderful tales.

CHAPTER ONE – Just past Kikas (Planting Moon)

She stood staring up at the wolf skin and head mounted over the beer coolers in the back of the small store. You couldn't miss it when you walked in. At first Jeanie thought it had to be a fake. The head was huge for a male, but the shooter claimed it was a female.

The hide was stretched out and mounted up the wall as it curved onto the ceiling. Toward the center, the head was mounted looking down and out. It had green glass eyes that looked almost alive.

Nice, isn't it? a tall man said behind her.

Jeanie was startled by the voice. She was so drawn into the wolf's presence, almost feeling it alive as her hand ran across the long muzzle, its light grey fur almost white in the fluorescent light.

Yes, she agreed. This was shot around here?

Yep! the man stated proudly. I shot her myself three years ago. The bitch was pregnant too. Taxidermist said had three or four pups. Can't remember now. Would of had them mounted too, but he had already disposed of the innards by the time I found out. Tried to get the mate, but he got away.

Was he as big? Jeanie asked.

Bigger, the man replied, a lot bigger . . . and black as night. Had the same green eyes though.

Jeanie considered the size. These were no dire wolves as some witnesses claimed to have seen, but they were an impressive size. These were much larger than the grey wolves who occasionally found their way down from the Canadian border. Dire wolves legs were much shorter and this wolf's pelt suggested very long legs.

She knew that wolves were hunted out of New Hampshire years ago and were just beginning to find their way back thanks to the new Federal laws and regulations protecting them. Unfortunately there were still loopholes that protected personal property first and let these animals be slaughtered by those too lazy or stupid to protect their livestock properly.

Jeanie learned that this wolf was killed on the spot where the storekeeper's sister's clothes were found. Dana's body was never recovered. Subsequent forensic analysis showed the only blood on the garments were not his sister's but a mix of human and wolf.

The wolf hairs and skin had been sent out to be tested, but the results always came back inconclusive. Human DNA always seemed to be contaminating the samples. Jeanie would be sampling the skin and hairs, but now was not the time. An area would need to be set up to ensure no outside contamination would foul the test results as it had in the past. The fur and skin would need to be cleaned and prepped before a decent sample was taken.

Next to the mounted hide and head was a framed newspaper article about the wolf. A picture of the shopkeeper with a big smile holding the dead wolf up to face the camera was in full color. The piece was written by Michelle Gavin of ITV News. Ms. Gavin seemed to be acquiring a bit of a reputation for finding odd pieces. Jeanie was recalling reading a piece about cougar killings a few towns west of here that Ms. Gavin had reported on.

Turning to the shopkeeper she said, I've rented the Peterson hunting cabin for the year and there's supposed to be a key here for me?

Oh yes, he replied. My dad said you'd be in this week. I've got it in the register drawer for you.

Great, she said, let me pick up a few things and I'll meet you at the register.

The storekeeper eyed the young woman with the soft brown curly hair. Knowing who she was he was curious if she was tough enough to hold out the entire winter on her own. She was of average height and weight, well tanned, wore jeans and a long sleeve button up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up displaying strong arms. She wore ankle height Timberlines and seemed to have a no-nonsense attitude. This woman was most definitely not a girly-girl, more like a tom-boy. Her dark brown almond eyes seemed deep and intense. But she was still a woman and the winters are hard up here. There probably would be trouble he was sure.

Jeanie picked out her supplies and last minute items at the store. The shopkeeper loaded the items into a couple of cardboard boxes and handed her the key to the cabin.

Would you like some help loading that in your vehicle? he asked.

Thanks, but I'll be fine, she replied.

Jeanie stumbled as she pushed the last heavy carton onto the back of her jeep. Her supplies and groceries went spilling to the ground. The man ran from the small store and helped her to her feet.

Thanks, she mumbled while brushing the dirt and dust from her jeans.

No problem, the shopkeeper said as he began gathering up her things. Happy to help.

Just clumsy as usual, Jeanie replied with a sigh.

She was always tripping or dropping something no matter how careful she was. Jeanie sometimes felt like her body didn't belong to her. It was always out of sync with her mind.

After her goods were loaded into the jeep, she thanked the man. He had a broad smile on his face and when she shook his hand he held it a little too long.

Call or come back anytime, he said. Name's Matt. Here's my number if you need anything – anytime. Please call.

He handed her a small paper that he had scribbled the store number on and his own personal cell phone number.

Thanks again, Jeanie said and climbed into the drivers seat.

The drive to the small cabin wasn't far, but