Free Grif (Tales of the Were - Redstone Clan) by Bianca D'Arc Page B

out of the small building, puzzled but willing to see where her actions might lead. He knew he’d bought her some time from the Alpha of the wolf Pack, so she’d probably have the time tonight to complete whatever odd ritual her shaman grandfather had committed her to do. But he knew he had to be there, watching over her. If she got into any kind of trouble, he would be there to drag her out of it.
    Maybe he was her Spirit Guide, in an odd sort of way, he considered. He was watching over her in his fur. She was a small human woman, way out here alone, and attempting a purification ceremony that could be dangerous to large, healthy men. She needed someone to watch over her.
    And he’d appointed himself her guardian. He’d come back tonight and sit with her, making sure she took care with her health. But he had some things to do first back at the cabin, namely getting Belinda to agree not to go anywhere tonight. She was roaming alone more and more and he didn’t like it. She was too little and there were predators out there who didn’t care if she was were or just a regular little cat. He didn’t want to lose her too. So he’d tie her down if he had to, or at worst, he’d see if the local wolf Pack would let her run with them tonight.
    The moon was full tonight, so they’d all be running. Maybe there were some werewolf cubs who wouldn’t mind a werecat in their midst too much. She’d enjoy the challenge and she could always sprint up a tree if they got too rough with her.
    That thought in mind, Grif left Lindsey and headed at some speed for the cabin. He had a lot to do before sunset, when he would return to watch over the little human woman who meant far too much to him.
     
    At sunset, Lindsey entered the small sweat lodge she’d managed to construct. She was dressed ceremonially, in beaded buckskin that she’d made herself. The outfit had layers so that as the heat started to build in the small building, she could take off the shirt and long, split skirt that kept her warm and still be somewhat covered in a soft leather bikini-type outfit. It wasn’t very traditional, but it was functional and her grandfather said it didn’t so much matter what style she wore, so much as that it was hand made, by her own hand, of natural materials.
    So she’d arrived at this rather unorthodox, but highly functional attire. Besides, no one would see her. Only the Great Spirit and It didn’t care what you wore, or so her grandfather had told her. It only cared what was in your heart.
    She shouldn’t have been surprised, she thought later, when she entered the dim building to find the mountain lion already there, waiting for her. He sat stoically, across the ring that would hold the fire, staring at her in that very solemn way he had about him. His eyes were a gorgeous, bright golden light that tracked her movements. She’d never realized how a cougar’s eyes glowed before, and it was almost mesmerizing.
    “Good evening, my friend. Have you come to keep me company on my vision quest?” She sat across the fire pit and started working to get the blaze going. It was easy enough, since she’d preset everything earlier in the day. All she needed to do was light it up and wait until it caught, heating everything in the small building.
    The cat didn’t shy away from the fire. He just sat there, silently, watching all. The thought crossed her mind again that this cat was unlike any cat she’d ever seen, but that only confirmed in her mind that he was sent to be her Spirit Guide. He was a mystical cat, that was for sure, but she felt no threat from him. He was there to protect her, as he’d already proved, and she felt safe in his presence.
    She began the ceremony, as her grandfather had taught her. It wasn’t anything like the ceremonies she had witnessed as a child when she’d visited her grandfather and attended tribal gatherings. No, this was completely unique. A shaman’s secret, passed down in her grandfather’s