by Carmen Fox
Instead of giving a departing roar, the engine belched and stopped. The truck door slammed.
Hell. What now?
Out on the porch, Drake shuffled toward the door, no louder than the rustle of leaves. In most aspects, I was a blight on my species, but my hearing was as acute as any wolf’s. A scraping sound. A curse. Then silence.
Was he gone? I wasn’t capable of going another round with him. There was a reason I preferred human company.
I snuck back to the door to peek through the spyhole.
Two raps on the door.
I bounded back. Dammit. Was his plan to give me a heart attack?
I opened the door and batted my eyes. “Yes?”
“We should establish ground rules.” He’d crossed his arms but so far kept his dominance holstered.
“For what?”
“Working together.”
“Jonah was clear on how this worked.” I enunciated, hoping my accent didn’t stand out, as it tended to when I got agitated. “I tell you what I need, and you provide.”
His jaw tensed.
I rested my arm against the doorframe and assumed a more relaxed stance. “Fine. Neither of us is happy with the situation, but this is what Jonah wants. Still, I see no reason why we can’t work together as equals. Final offer.”
“Works for me.” He half turned away and took a single step.
“Hallelujah.” My fingers clamped tightly around the wooden frame.
Maybe Drake wasn’t the bully I thought he was. I hadn’t been on my best behavior toward his alpha. In the end, it had been Drake who’d sought open dialog with me. Not many men would have, and even fewer werewolves.
He pivoted back and ran his gaze down across my length and up again. “You showed strength against Jonah and stood your ground against me without going dominant.”
“My father made sure I exhaust other options first. Different cultures, different habits, you know.” After all these years, my lies still flowed smoothly off my tongue.
“Ah, okay. Impressive.”
If only he knew what it had cost me. How close I’d come to buckling both times.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head without dropping my gaze.
A gust of wind moved the branches of the large maple tree out front, and dancing sunlight lit up Drake’s face. His features were made of stone, smooth and flawless, and entirely unreadable.
Fine, so maybe he was a ten.
The air steadied, and the brightness fled. Who was this man who could go from cold to hot without blinking an eye? Who was he really?
Drake lowered his arms and curled his thumbs into his front pockets. “Truce then.”
“No more pissing contests?” I kept my voice light.
“We’ll see.” He laughed, then rolled his weight onto his heels and back. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Okay. See ya.”
With his gait light, he returned to his pickup. This time, the engine purred as the truck glided away from the curb and sped off.
I closed the door and angled my face up for an extra helping of cooled air.
Drake was a complex guy. Since he was a male of significant dominance, subjugating himself to Jonah was his choice, in the same way I’d never even consider challenging my dad for leadership, even if I could. Trust, love... Something stopped Drake from making his claim for the top spot.
Sharing the rank of protector with Leo, on the other hand—what a crock. How could he stand that, yet get so rattled by little old me?
He was an onion, with layers as yet unexplored. An enigma.
And hell, how I loved myself a good mystery.
Four
My temporary home was just as charming on the inside. I left my tote by the curved staircase and dropped my other bag on the gray three-seater sofa, squashing one of the many throw pillows in the process. The open floorplan and double French doors leading to the neat-as-a-pin backyard let in sufficient sun, and I didn’t have to turn on the ceiling lights. I grabbed a couple of yoghurts from the well-stocked fridge and returned to the living room to study the file Jonah had given me.
My everyday life played out in the human world, far away from my kind, but nothing could make me forget werewolf rules.
Werewolves lived in packs. End of story. Outside an alpha’s reach, wolves had no incentive to keep our existence secret. Once in a while, a young, idealistic werewolf proclaimed we should live openly in peace and harmony with our human cousins. Lovely sentiment, but not practical given people’s suspicions of things they didn’t understand. Without an alpha to stop these well-meaning hippies, our kind would be toast.
The file gave no indication that Raven had a rebellious streak.
She was about my height with longish brown hair. Her entire life, she’d lived with her mother and father in Marlontown. Her grades had been excellent. After high school, she got a job in her father’s bakery, which to me reeked of unfulfilled potential. Then again, I’d always been more ambitious than the average female werewolf.
I pushed the file aside and yawned. A bunch of facts wouldn’t tell me where to look for Raven. To figure that out, I’d first have to get to know her. So I plugged my laptop into the wall, changed into my PJs, and then set to work with my notebook by my side.
Raven’s public social media accounts told an interesting story. At first glance, she was one of those people who never gave much away. She’d certainly been careful enough not to share photos or status updates.
Her posts, however, finally offered a glimpse into the kind of person she was.
Once I’d taken ample notes and created a plan of attack, I shut down the computer and reached for my cell. I owed my father a phone call. Better he’d hear about the accident and the welcome I’d received from the Wild Pack from me.
For once, he answered the phone himself.
“Hi Dad. How are you?”
“Nice to hear from you, Schatz. We’re doing great. How was your first day?”
His voice at once squeezed my heart and soothed my mind.
“So-so. First, I totaled my car, then—”
“Oh no. Are you all right?”
I rolled my eyes, even if only to convince myself his concern didn’t give me all kinds of fluffy feelings. “I’m good, but I’m now carless. That makes my secret mission more of a challenge.”
“You thrive on challenge. But were you hurt? What happened?”
I gave a condensed version of the crash, elaborated on Mark, before smoothly moving on to my real gripes. “Jonah assigned me a baby-sitter. Can you believe that?”
“I’m sure he has his reasons. Remember why you’re there.”
“Find the missing woman. Turn the Wild Pack into an ally. Track down Mom’s relatives.”
“Do you have a plan yet?”
“On Mom? An online search gave me nothing. Not even a place to start, but I tracked down a historical book collection. It’s in the local library, and the librarian is meeting with me in the morning before they officially open.”
“Keep me apprised. What about your case?”
“I’ve done some initial research.” I picked up my notes and pulled my legs up onto the sofa. “The missing woman’s called Raven. The file Jonah gave me mentioned she was musically gifted. What it failed to say was that, after high school, she’d applied only to universities as far flung as England.”
“And that’s important?”
“I don’t know. At least it’s an indication she has adventurous spirit—or is a woman who’s unhappy at home. Most colleges accepted her, and yet she doesn’t attend any of them.” At least not according to the information Jonah had provided.
“Maybe she wanted to take a year off first?”
“Maybe. I sent an email to a research assistant I occasionally use and asked her to check with the colleges in question, plus any other places that might be of interest to a violinist. If Raven has run off to get the education she deserves, my work will be done.”
�
�You think she’s run off without telling her parents?” My father didn’t sound convinced.
“She wouldn’t have, if she had the world’s best dad, but alas, that position’s already taken by you.”
He laughed his big, rattling laugh. “And don’t you forget it.”
Had Raven’s desire for an education been strong enough to drive her to leave the pack’s protection? Jonah and Leo had struck me as approachable, welcoming ports in any storm.
“Raven’s social media accounts also featured environmental news, which tells me she has a social conscience. The list of organizations she’s following online includes a couple of local ones.”
I underlined the relevant words in my notebook. If she’d met people that Jonah didn’t know of, they were worth talking to.
“What’s wrong, Schatz?”
“Nothing. Except I couldn’t find one word about friends or boyfriends. If Raven was lonely, maybe even depressed, could she have...”
“Taken her own life?”
“I’m going to call the morgues and hospitals in the area tomorrow, but I hope for the best.”
“That’s a depressing thought. Are you going to be okay? Not just with the case, but handling Jonah and his dominance? You’ve been away from us for a while, so it might be a little hard on you at first.”
I rubbed my arm, where the ghost of a prickle still lingered. “I’m good. The alpha that could force me into submission hasn’t been born yet.”
“Okay. Remember to use your entire arsenal.”
“I will. Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s my job. Are you nervous about digging into your mother’s life?”
“A little. I don’t know.”
“You don’t talk about her. Maybe that’s my fault.”
I briefly closed my eyes. “I always thought that part of my past, her family, died when she died. Learning about her won’t bring her back.”
Dad made a non-committal noise. “You’re wrong. But this is your journey.”
Now it was my turn to let out a weird sound, born of frustration and anxiety. “What if I don’t like what I find, or, worse, what if I find nothing?”
“All will be well, Schatz.” A phrase so often used by him, it could be considered a family motto.
“I’m sure you’re right.” Yet I shook my head. “Anyway, I’d better call it a night.”
“All right then. Keep your ears stiff, Kensington. You hear me?”
“Loud and clear. You too.”
We hung up, and slowly, I lowered my cell. It had been a long day, and nothing more would be accomplished tonight.
I placed my notebook on the table and frowned. One alarming possibility I deliberately hadn’t considered was the one Jonah had hinted at: something terrible might have happened to Raven. Even so, why did his people immediately suspect human interference? Had there been precedence? Had the pack drawn the animosity of the humans somehow?
I scribbled one last line into my notebook before turning in for the night. Tomorrow morning, long before I was to meet up with Drake, I was expected by Natalie, the local librarian. Maybe she’d have good news.
Five
I woke up before eight in a room decorated in a weird nautical theme—anchors on the pillows, little boats stenciled across the wall.
I pulled back the drapes to let in the morning’s rays and took in the backyard. Sunshine glimmered off the lawn. The carport had a skylight and had been repurposed as an outdoor seating area. A turquoise-colored patio set sat on a wooden deck, shielded by a large umbrella. I’d assumed they’d put me up in a hotel or, worse, lodge me right there in Jonah’s house. That would have definitely impeded my coming and goings.
After my routine of sit-ups, lunges, and squats, I had maybe two hours before Drake would pick me up, but my app assured me the library was only a skip and a jump away.
Expecting another scorcher of a day, I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail to keep it off my neck. A short-sleeved blazer over my strappy top would keep me safe from the sun. My father’s best tailor had made the jacket from lightweight material. It boasted two zippered inside pockets and a waist-hugging cut.
At fifteen minutes after eight, I snatched my keys from a sideboard and stuffed my slim wallet into one of the hidden pockets, where I also kept my charged USB voice recorder on standby. This ingenious device had once helped me obtain a restraining order against an ex, when it had recorded his threats in crystal-clear audio. Bastard thought he could terrorize me, but he stood no chance against the evidence.
Since then I’d made it my practice to carry it with me on all my jobs.
I gently closed the door and slid my shades in front of my eyes. The quiet neighborhood’s cheerful landscaping was the result of loving care and many a green thumb, while the tall trees provided sufficient shade against the sun that was breaking through the haze. Once again, Marlontown projected the image of the perfect idyll, and once again, my spidey sense tingled. In my line of work, nothing was ever what it seemed.
After ten minutes of Stepford-like suburbia, it was time to face facts. The app I’d consulted had lied to me about how long it would take to get to my destination.
I hated not having my car with me, and the feeling of helplessness, even nakedness, that went along with it. It had taken me weeks to decide on the perfect set of wheels, and the Ford had been the culmination of my effort. But what I hated more than being without a ride was being late. Natalie had agreed to open the library early for my benefit. The least I could do was show up on time.
The surroundings held less appeal as my pace increased. Of course, walking fast came with its own problems in temperatures such as these—a thin film of perspiration on my forehead and my back.
The information I was about to uncover had better be worth it. Did Natalie’s books contain details about my ancestors? Maybe pictures of grand-parents or great-great uncles? If Dad had been a tad more specific about what he was hoping I’d find here, I could have prepared targeted questions for the librarian.
A brown sedan rolled up beside me.
“Hey, Princess Kensington.” Buck, Drake’s partner-in-grump from yesterday, had his windows down and beckoned me.
Once again, his oversized sunglasses sat on his nose, obscuring his eyes.
I headed to the passenger side. “Hi Buck. You can call me Kensi.”
He beamed. “Great. Can I give you a lift?”
I scanned the streets, but had to admit defeat. Wherever this fabled library was, I wasn’t going to get there on time by the power of my own feet. Who knew my savior would come with a brown Nissan and a huge moustache?
“I appreciate that.” I climbed in and fastened the seat belt. “I need to get to the library by, well, pretty much now.”
“In Denville? No worries. I’ll have you there in no time.” Buck zoomed off at Mach-10, forcing me to support myself on the dashboard.
“I appreciate your taking care of my car.” I leaned against the bend in the road so my shoulder didn’t bump against his.
“No problem. I filled out everything as far as I could and collected a copy of the police report on your behalf.” Buck gesticulated wildly, only nudging the steering wheel when it was necessary. “Jonah has all your documents. He’ll need a few signatures, and you’re golden.”
“Again. Thank you.”
“What do you need at the library? If you’re after stuff to do, I can take you places tonight. We have an awesome bar you’re gonna like.”
The bar that I was going to like hadn’t been built yet. I was more of a stay-at-home, read-a-book kind of person. “Maybe some other time.”
“How about tomorrow? There’s a great rave in the woods where we can go to hang loose. Just werewolves. Humans not allowed.”
Jeez. Why had everyone in Marlontown boarded the werewolves-only train? Sure, there were differences, but differences didn’t need to lead to segregation or discrimination. Or maybe Drake had been right, and life among humans had
changed me. Was I making an elephant out of a molehill?
“Thanks, but while I’m working, I won’t have time for play. Jonah asked me here to do a job. I get the feeling he won’t take kindly to my skiving on his dime—or to you leading me astray.” I added a coquettish laugh to soften the blow of my rejection.
Buck’s sunglasses concealed his eyes, but his frown told its own story. “Yeah, he wouldn’t like that. Maybe when you’re done.”
“Yeah, maybe then.”
The sleepy setting perked up almost as soon as we passed the sign into Denville. The endless array of colorful houses gave way to cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Trees and bushes added occasional splashes of green.
In front of us, a young man pushed a black stroller with a fully extended hood across the road. Buck slowed, and the man raised a grateful hand.
“Pretty town,” I said.
“That it is.” Buck aimed a finger at the Victorian-style buildings we passed. “Most of us live in Marlontown, but we consider the whole Triangle our home.”
“By ‘us’ you mean werewolves?”
“Yeah. Since the humans arrived, much has changed. Not sure why we need three coffee shops for every street, or shops that sell swanky fashion when most of us still live off our land, but that’s the way the world rolls nowadays.”
“I read that Marlontown didn’t have its own school until thirty or forty years ago.”
“We schooled our kids at home.”
Simpler times they were, no doubt. Maybe it took a special frame of mind to yearn for the good old days before inside toilets and running water.
“Right, we’re here.” Buck pointed at a huge silver-black statue of a wolf that stood outside a glass-fronted building, and slowed to a stop. “Here’s my number, in case you need another ride.”
He handed me a small sheet that contained many phone numbers. Jonah, Drake, Leo, and others I hadn’t met, were also listed.
“It’s the call sheet for the Moon Festival group,” he said. “As in, we’re the ones who organize the Moon Festival. Maybe you’ll come this month?”
