Wolf Gold

By Kathryn Celeste

Hope has been a captive for around a year. It's hard to keep track of time when you can't keep the sun. As far as she can tell there is no way to escape alive. With no other choice Hope risks everything to make her getaway but she doesn't make it uninjured.

Niall has given up on finding a mate. Living out of time he is positive the one person meant for him has long ago lived and died. As a pansexual wolf shifter the whole world should be his oyster but lately Niall has found it's harder to love. Under the massive strain of the pack without Alpha powers Niall is unsure of everything. Until he sees her.

Finding each other isn't enough. Niall's soul is fracturing and the hunters are still trying to recapture Hope and the precious 'research' she stole from them the night she escaped. Will Niall and Hope be able to find love? Or will the pressures of their lives forever keep them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathryn Celeste
• Release date: May 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648053651

Kathryn Celeste

Kathryn Celeste has been a programmer, a security specialist, a bookseller, a reviewer and a secretary. Through it all she has written. Pushed hard by a relentless muse to give life to a world unseen by others. She lives in Queensland Australia with her husband, three sons, dog, cat, ducks and chickens where she continues to write about the paranormal folks that poke around in her head. Kathryn loves to hear from readers and can be reached at @kathryn_celeste (twitter) and KathrynCelesteAuthor (facebook) as well as the links on her website. www. kathrynceleste. com A Glimpse into another world.

Book preview

Glossary of Terms

ALICORN Equine with wings and a horn. Can appear as either horse or human.

ALTER EARTH Copy of Earth shifted slightly out of phase.

BLUE Australian word for an argument or fight.

CENTAUR Human torso attached to the body of an equine. Can appear as either horse or human.

DRAGON Large serpentine creature with empathic abilities. Can appear human.

DWARVES Humanoids of short stature who can work metal with their bare hands.

DRYAD Humanoid tree spirit.

FAE Tall Humanoids with pointed ears and slanted eyes.

FAIRY Tiny flying humanoids with butterfly wings.

GARGOYLES Humanoids capable of turning into stone monsters.

GOLDEN Earths Tnoran guardian

GOLEM Humanoids formed of clay.

GRYPHON Body of a lion with the head and forelegs of an eagle. Can appear human.

GUARDIAN Protects a planet from Alien incursion before the planets have reached a point in their evolution where they are considered ‘old’ enough to deal with it on their own.

HARPY Humanoid with retractable wings.

HAVEN Compound designed by paranormals to ease the transition from Earth to Alter Earth.

HUNTERS Humans that spend their lives hunting down paranormals.

K’LAX A race of energy based lifeforms from another world.

MADISON Town that houses Haven.

MERMAID Human torso with fish tail.

NYMPH Humanoid water spirit.

PARANORMALS All sentient humanoid species that are not human.

PHOENIX Fire spirit capable of taking human form.

PIXIE Tiny flying humanoid with dragonfly wings.

PROTECTOR Those marked by a guardian to protect their physical body while they are protecting the planet.

SAYTER Legs of a goat and torso of a human.

SHAPESHIFTER Can change into a single animal form and a single human form as part of their birthright. Creatures that can shift due only to gifts from Golden are not included.

TNORAN Immortal humanoids from another world.

TOMBS An alien species that appears as a source of information.

UNICORN Equine with a horn. Can appear as either horse or human.

VAMPIRE Humanoids that require blood to survive but have abilities as a result.

Prelude.

Wrapped in a golden shimmer of power the lone woman stood still among the rush of creatures eager to escape the hunters. As each neared her position a flare of raw power reached out to caress them until they vanished. Wolves streamed from the trees. The inner circle moving slowly towards Golden, an island of calm in a sea of motion. And then the Gamma tripped over his own paws rolling to a stop at Golden’s feet. Then tension in the glade vanished as Golden tilted her head back and laughed. The musical sound brought joy to all that heard it. The Gamma sprawled on his back, mouth open in a toothy grin. The Alpha quickly shifted kneeling naked at the wolfs side.

I apologize Golden. It's the Gamma’s job to..

I know what his job is Finnobar, Golden said a gentle smile lighting up her beautiful face. It's to reduce pack tensions. Niall is doing a marvelous job.

Bending Golden stroked her hand through Niall’s fur smiling.

Thank you, Niall. I needed that. With a pulse of magic, the mottled brown wolf vanished beyond the shift, the scent of ozone all that remained. Looking up Golden smiled at the Alpha. Forgive him. I may not be pack, but to know your Gamma thinks of me as a family, cares enough to help me, to try to lighten my load. It means everything to me, you’ll never understand how much.

So saying Golden reached out with her power and sent the rest of the inner circle onward.

The scent of ozone burning his nose Niall opened his eyes to a whole new world. The sky seemed a little bluer. The clouds a little fluffier. His Alpha a little crankier. Groaning Niall rolled exposing his belly, a mad Alpha was never good, especially when he’d made an ass out of himself.

Get up son, Finnobar growled running his hands over his arms briskly. I’m not mad. My fur is ruffled by whatever the hell just happened.

Jumping to his feet Niall shifted before bounced around his father. I loved it, it was great. Like a fizzy thermal pond except without the nasty smell. Nose crinkling Niall thought of the stench some of those ponds released. There wasn’t a worse scent in Niall’s experience than the scent of rotten eggs. I like this way more.

We’re going to head for the pack lands son. Do you remember where they are?

Sure. I might be a Gamma but I’m not an idiot father. Niall said flopping onto the grass.

If you were an idiot you wouldn’t be part of my inner circle, Finnobar said smiling as he knelt to ruffle Niall’s hair. Some of the pack haven’t made it yet. I don’t want to leave behind the lost. Will you wait and direct them to the pack lands if they make it?

Standing Niall met his Alpha’s eyes. Are you sure you won’t need me? Tensions will be high with the packs merging, I mean the thought of everyone jostling for the best spot to live is making my brain bleed.

Avik will cope. Finnobar gestured towards the Omega. I’ll help, we can balance the pack without you. Sure it's easier with you there but we will be fine son.

Niall ducked as his father reached towards his head. What was with the man and messing up his hair? Dad.

There’s been so much tension in the pack the last couple of years with the hunters coming after us, I haven’t been able to give you a break. You’ve been absorbing and defusing it nonstop. Using a Gamma’s abilities continuously like this will burn them out. I don’t want to burn you out Niall. You deserve a break son and I’m going to insist you have one.

Fine. Niall rolled his eyes. I’ll sit on my butt and watch the fancy paranormals go by for a couple of days until the shift closes. I’ll even point wolves towards pack lands rather than sending them over to the dragons for a snack.

Soak up some sun and spend a few days doing nothing. Finnobar turned and watched the wolves flow off to the east. You know where to find us when it's time. Turning Finnobar shifted, shook his midnight fur and, with a howl headed after the pack.

Niall flopped back on the grass and blew the hair off his forehead with a puff. Relaxing, he let the planet soothe him. The burdens of the past months sloughing away as the pack moved out of range taking tension and anxiety with it. Only the soothing, and necessary, feedback from the pack bond remained.

Finally. Alone. It was rare for a Gamma to ever be alone, forget being out of range of the packs emotions.

A shadow fell over his body, blocking the warm sun. Niall cracked an eye open and saw a dark silhouette above him. A dragon, no a group of dragons. Huffing Niall rolled to his side. The dragon whose shadow he was in wasn’t paying him any attention and getting stepped on seemed a crappy way to go. The deep rumble of the dragon’s conversation touched the edge of his mind but determined to relax Niall ignored it. Dragons in general thought themselves above shapeshifters he wouldn’t make any new friends here. With a sudden gust of air, most of the dragons took to the sky. The flock of dragons was prettier the further away they got, sparkling now like gems in the sky.

I wonder what you call a flock of dragons. He mused quietly.

A Weir. Came a quiet voice from behind him. Whirling Niall spotted a pixie hovering behind him. Pack left ya?

Someone has to point stragglers to pack lands, Niall said with a shrug.

Sure. It’s the same reason loads of folks are still here. The pixie said gesturing at the others gathered around the meadow. Pretty sure it don’t have ta be inner circle though.

Niall shrugged. If his father thought it best for him to be here directing stragglers who was he to argue with the Alpha. Not that he didn’t agree with the pixie. As a member of the inner circle he should be with the pack as they settled into their new homes. As the Gamma even more so. What if there was a fight with one of the other packs because he wasn’t there? Niall heaved a sigh, there was nothing he could do. If he took off after the pack stragglers could get lost.

My names Niall. He said rolling to his side as the pixie flew low to the ground.

Gamma of the Hill pack, me mom taught me all kinds of stuff about the local pack. She’s taken my brothers and sisters to find a new place. The pixie said his wings shading with blue. Dane. He said gesturing to himself. Me pa made me wait too. I reckon I’m about as thrilled as you are.

Rips and scuffs in Dane’s clothing became apparent as the pixie moved closer, clear signs that his time at the rift hadn’t been easy.

Looks like he should have left you with company.

Nah. I saw them fairies off, Dane said with a smile. Jus gets lonesome. Pixies ain't meant to be alone.

Wolves either, especially a Gamma, Niall admitted with a sigh. How am I meant to defuse pack stresses if I’m not with the pack? His wolf brushed against him offering comfort. A sudden influx of paranormals by the shift drew Niall's attention.

I didn’t even know that many could come through the shift at once. Niall murmured feeling the ruffle of fur under his skin as his wolf bristled. His wolf stiffened within him, adrenaline shooting through Niall’s body as a low growl left his lips. The entire planet shook not stopping until Golden fell through the shift to land on the soft grass, an arrow protruding from her chest. Above her, the shift closed with a quiet pop.

The magical beings surrounded the youthful-looking Guardian who had saved them all, their fear for her appearance. If this woman died their magical haven would become unstable destroying them all. A drop of golden blood seeped past the arrow. It became a trickle, causing flowers to bloom where it dropped beside her. The sight of that flow of golden power galvanized the paranormals to action. Lowering his onyx horn the unicorn began healing Golden in the way of his people. Raising his head in shock he looked at the still bleeding wound.

It did not work, Rourke muttered in disbelief, shifting to human form.

I tried to heal her. It did not work.

Is she dying? asked a fairy, a pucker of worry forming between her perfect brows.

Rourke checked, No. Her life force is stable and the tiny amount of bleeding isn't a problem. The arrow has come to rest next to her heart. I don't think she can heal with or without help while it's there.

Well, you can't take it out, snapped the fairy. If she dies, so do we. I say if she's not in danger of death we build her a shelter, make her as comfortable as possible and leave her here.

An alicorn moved gracefully through the crowd, his wings tucked tightly to his side the only visible difference separating him from the unicorns. Lowering himself carefully beside the guardian, Ahearn gently extending a silver wing to warm her.

How much do you expect this stranger to our world to give? Already the price to her is far too high. One day her people will seek her out, what think you they will do if they find her like this? Ahearn blasted along the communal mental path.

Dane hovered near the wound.

You can see the arrow quiver as her heart beats, Dane whispered in horror. How will we get it out without killing her?

Does it hurt her? asked the autumn colored dryad.

David moved forward lowering his head to the prone woman. His breath knocking the small pixie back a foot as a crystal tear ran down his cheek solidifying before it hit the ground.

Aye, David choked out. It pains her greatly. I have taken as much of her pain as I can. Golden’s pain shot through David's mind both physical and mental. Tearing his walls down until he felt shredded by not only Golden’s pain but the smaller pains of the other paranormals around him. Tenfold the pain, the cost of using his empathy.

In the shade of the nearby trees a vampire watched. The blood called to Bram. Its power obvious from even this distance, more than that though, Golden called to him. The care that she had taken to know his species. To discover they were not evil as humans had long assumed, they meant no one harm. It had touched him in a way that was not exactly comfortable. He had to help. Leaving the shade would weaken the only powers he possessed that might be of use though.

I can control her bleeding if I can get some shade, Bram called, resigned to facing the mistrust of the other magical creatures to aid the Guardian. Without another word, the autumn dryad dipped an acorn in the blood of the Guardian, thrusting it into the earth nearby.

No, Alona! yelled Rourke, She told us not to make our homes too close to the edge of the shift. Golden said it would disrupt our magic.

Too late, said Alona, smiling as her color changed from autumn to spring. A proud oak growing from her acorn into maturity bathing the area in a cool, solid shade.

Shade guaranteed with my life vampire, she called, Now come, prove her faith in your people.

David extended his massive wing to provide a shaded path to the tree's shelter for the vampire. The approach of the vampire stole David's breath. The pain the vampire felt was immense, only shadowed by Golden’s.

Bram arrived at a run, heart pounding he hoped he could help Golden. Extending his hands he laid them one above one below the arrow. Everyone watched as the trickle stopped.

Someone will need to remove that, he said, nodding at the arrow.

Rourke took a deep breath reaching for the shaft.

Wait, Bram said, flicking his head to toss his dark hair back. Can you heal like this? Because I can tell you from experience that arrow's going to leave a hole the size of your fist when you pull it out. We could push it through but if it's resting against her heart you should know that while I can control the small bleeds if you rip a hole in her aorta she will die.

Rourke paled, No, I can't even see what I'm doing in this form. He cringed at the thought of what his carelessness might have done.

Niall stepped forward, his hair showing the mottled color of his pelt, his eyes dark amber. I have the strength needed unicorn. Take your natural form, let your wisdom guide my hand as you heal her, he growled wrapping a large but gentle hand over the arrows quivering shaft. Rourke shimmered briefly before lowering his dark horn to the wound once more as he sent his consciousness pulsing forward to study the wound. A moment passed, then another before in the deep silence of the communal pathway Rourke whispered, It's a barbed arrow. If we pull it the size of the scratch in her heart will enlarge to a definite hole. It will take some time to repair such damage, it's possible she will bleed out before I'm done even with the vampire slowing the flow. If we try to push it through it's going to take out half her heart though. I know I can't heal that in time.

Out it is then, said Niall, heart pounding against his ribs. If they were wrong Golden would die, and all of them with her. With one decisive tug, he pulled the arrow free.

Blood sprayed out spurting as high as the dragon's wing, the rich metallic fluid marking everyone nearby. The young pixie dove headfirst into the wound, retreating a moment later. Stepping lightly across her breast the pixie coughed and spluttered, clearly missing one segment of his prismatic dragonfly wings.

What's gotten into you lad? growled Niall, all their effort to save Golden could be pointless if the pixie kept doing idiotic things like that, Dane had seemed like such a normal pixie. Diving headfirst into an open chest wound wasn’t normal though. Watching the wound carefully Niall smiling as the blood slowed then stopped.

They grow back. She was bleeding so much, I did not think he could help, Dane said, gesturing at the vampire who grimaced. Plus the ’corn already said it would take him time to heal it. Me mum could have done it more neatly, but she's taken me brothers and sisters off to find a spot for the family.

That was not you? Niall asked the vampire, as shock rolled through his body. There was no way Golden should have survived without the vampire controlling the bleeding. What on earth had they gotten him over here for if he wasn’t going to stop Golden bleeding out?

No, I was trying to keep her heart steadied so the shock would not kill her. I figured the ’corn would have her healed before she could bleed out, mumbled Bram his face graying from the strain.

What did you do little one? Niall asked Dane.

He used his wing and much of his power to make a patch for the hole in her heart. The wing is waterproof, so blood couldn’t seep out. Thanks to him and the vampire I should have her all fixed up in a minute. Rourke muttered mentally.

Niall watched as the unicorn worked to heal Golden keeping his hands on her shoulder to keep her still. Blood dripped down his face onto his neck and chest. Raising a hand to wipe the blood from his eyes Niall felt his world begin to spin as a viselike pain seized his head. Falling back on his heels Niall clutched his head. Pain shot through his mind stealing his consciousness as Niall fell to the ground.

Niall woke to emptiness where his pack bonds should be. A great gouging wound on his wolf spirit slowly draining his lifeblood as surely as if someone had cut his throat.

A wolf howled, its soulful cry echoing the pain in Niall's heart. A sob broke the howl and Niall realized it was him. The pain of being alone broke through him. Wave after wave of agony filling the gaps once filled with his pack, his family.

Only Alpha’s and Omega’s could survive without a pack. A Gamma had no way of self-supplying the mental feedback needed to survive as a lone wolf.

Calm. The pain fell away replaced by a sense of connection as a bond clicked into place.

Sorry. I had no idea you needed mental feedback to keep you balanced. Don’t worry I’ve got you.

Opening his eyes Niall saw Golden; her hand buried in his fur. The bond between them blazing and strong. Different from pack bonds but feeding him the essential flow of power needed for survival. A whimper rolled from his throat, hoarse and painful after his earlier outburst. The pack was gone. No Omega to ease his pain. No Beta’s to protect him. Worse, no Alpha or Luna to guide him.

The family ties were gone along with the pack bonds. His parents and siblings were dead. He really was a lone wolf. He had nothing, no one. Just a future of pain and insanity to look forward to.

You have me, Golden said her voice causing his fur to settle. Just like an Omega. Calm washed over his body leaving him limp and panting in the grass.

You’re going to be okay Niall. You aren’t as alone as you think. You’re mine now. I need you.

Niall felt strength flow through his wolf. His mind found and locked onto other connections flowing from Golden and for the first time since waking Niall felt not alone.

What happened to my pack? My family?

Golden flicked her eyes away from him and the scent of her unease brushed past his nose. A sour-milk note amidst the rich earth and forest scent Niall knew was Golden's own.

When one of my people guards a planet we choose protectors from the local inhabitants to look after our bodies. We spend so much time searching the skies for threats outside ourselves it is the only way we can remain safe. I didn’t need to for this world. The greatest threat here isn’t to me, no one hunts me here, at least not yet. The greatest threat is to the paranormal beings of this world, by humans without gifts, out of fear or jealousy. If I had chosen protectors I would have marked them with my blood. A single drop is enough. You were splashed with considerably more, it marks you as mine as surely as if we were pack Niall. And I couldn’t be happier.

The acrid scent of deceit burned Niall’s nose, Something Golden said was untrue. Did she not want him as her protector? What had he done wrong? He always thought Golden liked him, was it because he needed a link? Was he too needy? Niall’s decent into depression halted as Golden ruffled his hair before swirling her hands in front of his nose. A small reflective surface formed so Niall could see the strands of bright glittering gold fur mixed in with the mottled brown coat he recognized. Tilting his head Niall looked down at his chest and legs only to see more of the golden fur trailing down, not only on his front limbs but down his chest onto his belly. Attempting to follow the sprinkles of gold Niall somersaulted to land in a tangle of limbs at Golden's feet.

The tinkle of Golden’s laughter caused Niall’s ears to perk up and happiness to swell in his chest. Seems he was still able to perform his duty as Gamma. Arching his neck Niall strutting his stuff for his amused audience. His paw landed on something soft and warm, seeing a hand under his paw Niall jolted back hoping he hadn’t hurt the owner. Looking around he saw carefully constructed shelters covering a large group of paranormals. Sunlight splashing through on the species that needed it to survive. Clearly, they had been here awhile. Everyone he could see bore the mark of Golden’s blood. Shifting Niall turned to Golden.

How many of us are there? He asked. There were so many bodies.

Many, Golden answered. Although so far none I’ve awoken have been mad. I’m hoping no one will be too upset.

I’m not upset about being your protector Golden. I’m honored that you would even think of keeping me on in such an important role. I’ll do my best not to embarrass or disappoint you. I’m upset about losing my pack, my family. But you’ve promised I’ll have a new family to replace them. I can learn to manage.

Given a choice, I couldn’t have found a protector filled with more joy than you Niall. You’ll lighten my heart of the burdens I must bear.

But what did happened to my pack, my family? Niall asked. A trickle of fear working its way through his body. There were many reasons he might lose his connection to the pack but only one reason he could think of that he’d lose the family bonds. A reason so terrible he didn’t even want to think about it.

Heaving a breath Golden looked down at her toes. It’s been a long time since you saved my life and I marked you as a protector. Your pack, your family, they lived long and happy lives. They had pups who grew and had pups of their own. But the pack you remember has long grown old and passed.

Niall felt his heart drop. His whole family—gone. Fur sprouted from his skin as his wolf tried to take control, to outrun the pain within. Taking a deep breath Niall shook off his grief feeling the air move through his fur. Forcing the fur to recede Niall knew that if he ran now he’d never stop running, the new pack Golden promised him wouldn’t be there to help him. If he ran he’d be a lone wolf, a lone Gamma, he never wanted to go through that pain again. Sitting down he leaned against Golden’s side. Even knowing I’d lose my family I’d have agreed to be your protector. If you needed me, if you wanted me. I mean you’ve done so much for us. Given up so much. It's the least I could do. You saved us. All of us.

Not all, Golden said frowning. Come we’ve got others to awaken.

Standing before her newfound protectors Golden lifted her head to address them. "I have a request, a journey I must ask you to undertake in my place. The untimely interference of hunters caused us to leave behind some who should reside with us. Eight hundred years have passed in the world beyond the shift. The descendants of those we left behind have no idea of what they are, or what they are capable of. Many live in human form, although I sense some in their base animal forms. The gifts that are their birthright alienates them. You must find them, explain what they are. This will not be easy. All of you are creatures of myth and legend. The truth believed by only the most stubborn of hunters, the most quixotic believers. The hunters still stalk your kind, without your natural defenses those that remain are helpless, targets slaughtered at the hunters’ convenience.

You must not be seen in your natural forms or committing any public act of magic. I know what I ask of you is hard, nigh impossible in fact. I will not think less of any that choose not to go. Dropping her head, her lashes fluttered down. I ask now, who will embark on this journey?"

Chapter One

Hope became aware of the smell first. A sterile astringent smell that brought hospitals to mind but wasn’t. It was a familiar smell, as horrible as that thought was. Trying to open her