Wolf's Shadow

The Wolf Series Book Two

By Cynthia Cantrell

Flame's legacy lives on...

Flame has her forest and her wolves. Now, she and Shay have children, too. Jade is Flame's daughter, in all ways. She carries gifts that even her mother can't believe.

Joe and Mercedes Wolf also have children. One of them is called 'Wolf'. He carries all the gifts of his Great-Grandfather, just as he should. He can speak to and through the wolves. He's able to see through their eyes. His trusted wolf, Shadow, is more than a friend to him; it's Wolf's link to 'his Jade.' Jade is his first shadow, and this is a life-long commitment.

Together they bring love, laughter, and psychic phenomena of amazing depth to the forest Wolf, just as Grandfather meant for them to do. His spirit still lives in this forest, in the people, and wolves that pass through it.

About the Author

Cynthia Cantrell

Cynthia Cantrell lives in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. She has a special affinity for animals and includes them in all of her novels. Cynthia has lived in many places, growing up in a military family. She graduated high school on Guam, USA in the late 70's, spent many years near the beaches of South Carolina, and will be visiting many of these childhood stomping grounds in future books.

Excerpt

Wolf reaches the roof's door, and barrels through it just as the man pulls the trigger, shooting Jason in the chest. Wolf doesn't even think, he screams, rushing the larger, tattooed man. Wolf has just a moment to recognize the man as he turns, pointing the gun at Wolf, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"Ahh... you keep me from having to come to you! Good. One less stop on my way out of town, no? Your friend here... he had big words for such a little man. Not so much can he say now!" This man's accent is very thick.

Wolf doesn't even look at the gun that's now pointed at him as he sees Jason lying on the rooftop. He rushes to his friend's side, tears blinding him. He pulls his best friend into his arms, feeling the life flowing out of him.

Jason opens his eyes, looks at Wolf, and says in a barely audible whisper, "I knew you'd come. I'm sorry. I messed up." And he closes his eyes.

Wolf lays him gently back down.

Wolf turns his gaze on the smiling face of this cruel man. He stands, his back to the edge of the roof, his long black braid blowing in the strong wind. "You will pay for this, and for the death of the others. They were family. I swear you will pay."

Wolf's yellow-gold eyes have gone to a deep shade of orange, much like his namesake. A very angry wolf.

This man has the nerve to laugh in Wolf's face. "You will die first, just like your friend, and just like your brother."

Wolf's eyes grow huge, hearing of his brother. "Where's Jesse? What have you done with my brother?!"

Wolf begins stepping closer to the man, no longer caring about the gun. His brother is his only concern now.

Suddenly, Wolf smiles, he can feel Jesse. "Oh, but you're wrong about my brother. He's not dead. You have no idea about us, do you? My name is Wolf."

It's Wolf's turn to laugh. This takes the man totally by surprise, causing him to back up a step.

In his own country there are many stories of the wolves and he has always been afraid of these animals. He grew up being told these stories. His own Papa told him the wolves would eat him if he didn't behave. His face pales to a sickly shade of paste.

Wolf smiles ever larger, looking almost as if he's baring his teeth.

Looking into Wolf's eyes the man screams, "NO! You die now!" and he pulls the trigger.

The blast hits Wolf squarely in the chest, throwing him backward, over the small ledge of the rooftop. There are six stories of building between him and the sidewalk.