Did Feast the Pack (Amazon) by Jerome Brooke
Did Feast the Pack is a collection of fantasy short stories.
Excerpt:
My horse had gone lame in the early morn, unable to bear me any further. I led him through the snow field, towards a copse of trees. As I walked through the deep snow, I heard a howl behind me. I turned to see a pack of wolves in the distance.
I drew my dagger and cut the saddle hitch. I pulled the saddle from the animal and removed the bridle as well.
"Go!" I yelled.
The animal trotted off. I looked back. The wolves were closer and moving faster than I could run. I drew my sword and waited. I soon saw a figure running with the pack, dressed in white furs and carrying a bow. At first, I hoped for an ally, but there was no sign of aid being given.
I had heard tales of women leading packs of wolves. Was this the woman in the tales? The white wolves were now very close. They circled about me, howling. One of the animals - larger than the rest - darted towards me. I stepped to the side and brought down my sword. The animal's head flew from its body.
The rest of the pack drew back, yelping in surprise. The person in furs stepped forward. She tossed back her white cloak of fur. She was a woman, with dark flowing hair. She was nude under her cloak, save for leggings and a belt with a dagger.
She raised her bow and notched an arrow. The wolves howled in unison. The woman hesitated. “Who are you, hunter?” she called.
“I am the son of the Queen,” I said. “My party was attacked yesterday, and I fled into the forest. Help me, and you will be rewarded.”
“What use do I have for gold?" She smiled. “Still, you are fair of face. I hunger for the touch of a man. Come now with me. You may hunt with us.”
“Will you help me to return to my city, Lady of the Wolves?”
“If you serve me well for a year and a day, son of the queen, you will have your freedom.”
The woman shouldered her bow and came toward me. She folded me into her arms and bit my neck gently, with a low growl. “Very well, Lady. We will go to your lair - let us run together.”
The woman led the wolves in a trot, a pace that I did not try to match. She halted from time to time so that I might catch up to her pack. We came to the mouth of a wide cave set into a steep hill. Nearby ran a swift stream. Outside was a lean-to made of hides. The woman built a fire while I watched, warming the shelter.
I stripped off my garments and dove into the water for a bath. I swiftly returned to the fire to warm myself and dry. The woman gazed at me with interest, drawing near and forcefully embracing me. She sank her teeth into my neck and dug her nails into my back with a menacing snarl. She dug her fingers into my upper arm, leaving a large bruise.
