Free Runt of the Litter by Sam Crescent Page B

in a cage, and
it could also explain your adverse reaction to Tori. Your wolf senses his ma—a
fellow wolf—locked in a cage, and can’t get out. We crack open the door,
release her wolf, and it could work to bring her to her transition.”
    “It’s going to be painful, Paul. It could hurt her or
kill her.”
    Uncle Paul’s heart had started to race. “It’s why I
also installed this.”
    He moved to the far wall. She recognized the machine
that was used on medical programs to shock a person back to life.
    “I’ve prepared for the worst, but it’s up to you,
Tori. Are you prepared to accept the risks and try this?”
    Tori looked at the machine then at the ceiling with
the chains before landing on Jack. The torment in his eyes was easy for her to
see.
    “Yes, I’m ready to try anything.”
    ****
    “How is everything going?” Marshall asked.
    “The ranch is great. A lot of open spaces, but her
fucking uncle is crazy. A possible genius but completely
crazy.” Jack paced up and down around the back of the yard. The very
idea of what Tori had to go through terrified him.
    “Do you think it’ll work?”
    “I don’t know. We’re not going to try it straight
away. The idea is to make sure she’s strong enough to handle us opening that
door in her mind.”
    “What about you? What are your thoughts?”
    “Everything he has said makes sense to me. My wolf is
behaving crazy as if he wants to come out and save Tori. I thought it could be
because of the danger of her transition, but it could also be because he senses
her trapped.” Jack looked up toward the house. Her window was open a little,
and he moved away. Her senses were coming alive slowly, and he didn’t want her
to know what was troubling him. “How’s the pack?”
    “Both of our dads are looking for a way to help.
They’ve not found anything out yet. I wish there was something I could do to
help.”
    “Look for me, Marshall. Do anything you can.”
    “I’m helping. I really am. I wish I was there with
you.”
    Jack looked up as the back door opened. Tori was there,
dressed in a pair of shorts and a tight shirt. She looked vulnerable to him.
Everyone was worried that he wanted sex with her, but right now all he thought
about was getting her ready for the transition. Sex hadn’t entered his mind. He
had thought about kissing her but not sex.
    “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you as soon as I know
what’s going on,” Jack said.
    “Take care, and the pack is
behind you.”
    Closing his phone, he smiled up at her. “That was
Marshall.”
    “I know. You said you were calling him before you went
outside.” She walked down the steps and moved toward him.
    “You’re getting started already?” he asked.
    “Yes. I figured there’s no reason to wait around. Each
day is a day closer. Uncle Paul’s getting dinner ready.”
    “Can he cook?” he asked.
    “Yes, he can cook. You’ll be surprised. He could have
been a chef.”
    “I’ll soon find out.”
    Paul had given him a set of keys. “Let’s go and check
out the torture chamber.” Jack didn’t like this, not one bit. There wasn’t anything
he could do until he had another plan.
    Opening the barn, he locked the doors so they would
have privacy. Flicking on the light, he stared around the large space. “I have
to say he did wonders with the place.”
    “I agree. This entire place was filled with hay when I
left at the beginning of summer.”
    The scent of the hay was still in the air.
    “What do you think we should do?” she asked.
    “I think we should start by covering up those pretty
eyes of yours and testing your reflexes.”
    “How’s that going to help?”
    “Marshall and I were able to detect each other with
our senses. I want to know where you’re at. Only, I’ve got nothing to cover
your eyes with.” Clicking his tongue, he stared around at the room before
looking at his shirt. “You like me naked anyway.” He pulled his shirt off.
    “You’re egotistical. I really