Red Hot Wolfie

by Nyx Halliwell

  Before I can tell them what I speculate happened with Wagner and Ferrin, we hear sirens. The landline on the wall rings.

  Cinder gets up to answer it. “Nonni? Whoa, slow down—”

  She pauses to listen and Belle whispers, “What is it?”

  Cinder motions for her to wait. “Oh, dear. Okay, stay put. We’re on our way.”

  She hangs up, and I jump to my feet, Zelle and Belle following. “What happened?”

  Cinder looks pained. “Poppi found another body in the woods.”

  Thirty minutes later, we’ve calmed Nonni as much as possible, and we’re listening as Poppi explains to Robyn what happened.

  “The wolves scented something and were on the trail of it.” He sets his shotgun, now empty of bullets, aside as Robyn takes notes. “Had to be three, a pack for sure.”

  “Wolves,” Robyn clarifies, “or coyotes?”

  “You don’t think I know the difference, young lady?”

  She smiles at his bluster. “Go on. What’d they do next?”

  He points to the tree line. “They skirted the edge, along there, noses to the ground, darting in and out, whining and looking back at me. Then I kept hearing a weird motor noise. Not sure what it was, but it spooked ’em good. I didn’t even need to fire a shot to scare them off. Whatever was making that noise did the job.”

  “Like an ATV?”

  “Nah, nothing that big.” He rubs his chin in thought. “It was smaller, whinier. I can’t place it.”

  “I saw something odd,” Nonni adds. “Two small lights, in fact. They were up in the trees, like floating headlights.”

  Ren glances at me and I can read his mind. Supernatural?

  I shrug.

  Several CSI techs come and go from the forest. “But you didn’t see anybody?” Robyn asks.

  Our grandparents shake their heads.

  “Those paranormal investigators have been hanging around. Their fans, too.” Poppi's disgust echoes in his tone. He brushes his hands together and eyes his gun. “It’s no wonder the wildlife is acting up. Can’t say I blame them, neither.”

  “Can you run them out of town, Robyn?” Nonni pleads.

  I put an arm around her shoulders.

  Robyn closes her notepad. “I’m trying, Nonni. I really am.”

  Snow and Broden arrive with their black cat, Jinx. We take Nonni and Poppi inside to the kitchen table, while Ren accompanies Robyn to look at the body.

  I fix Nonni a cup of her favorite ginger and honey tea. Poppi pours himself a coffee and offers Broden one.

  “Is it possible Wagner and his team were filming from up in the trees?” I ask Cinder. “Could that have been the lights Nonni saw?”

  Everyone ponders this as Nonni sips the steaming brew. “How could they get a camera that far up? They had to have been fifteen feet or more off the ground.”

  Snow leans on the counter. “Would a camera make the noise that Poppi heard?”

  Poppi waves that off. “Nah, it had to be something else.”

  Broden holds a wiggling Jinx in one arm as he tastes the coffee. The cat stares up at him with big eyes and purrs lovingly. “Was it a continuous noise? Or did it fade in and out?”

  Poppi worries his fingers. “Come to think of it, it moved, like something flying around, making laps.”

  Snow looks at Broden. “A motorized thing flying around in the woods with headlights?”

  “A drone.”

  We all contemplate that as Broden continues. “They might have had a camera secured to it or they were simply using it to rile up the animals. If they’re trying to prove the wolves are possessed, they could create anxiety in the pack, make them crazy. That might give them the footage they could pawn off as paranormal activity.”

  Nonni’s hand shakes as she sets down her mug. “Those poor creatures. How dare they upset them! I hope Ferrin is okay.”

  Snow reassures her. “He’s in my barn. Unhappy to be restrained, but he has an injured leg, so Ren fixed him up. Runa’s with him.”

  “What happened?” Poppi demands.

  She tells them she doesn’t know for sure, and I explain what Ren saw the other night. “Unfortunately, we don’t know if Wagner was trying to help Ferrin or possibly do more harm.”

  “I’ll shoot that idiot if he hurt Ferrin,” Poppi says, shaking a fist.

  Nonni reaches over and pushes his fist down. “No more violence. The woods have been upset enough.”

  He glances away with disgust, but relaxes his arm. “The wolves I saw tonight had a lot of black in their hair.”

  Like Ren’s. “They weren’t the usual misfits that hang out with Ferr?”

  Poppi shakes his head. “These were the biggest wolves I’ve ever seen. Definitely not part of Ferrin’s rag tag group.”

  “They’re werewolves,” I tell him.

  Broden stops petting the cat. “For real?”

  Zelle grins. “We have a pack of weres on the loose.”

  “Cool,” he says.

  I relate the legend about the indigenous wood walkers and see Snow and Broden’s eyes light with understanding. “The shamans have been triggered,” Snow states.

  I nod.

  “By what?” Broden asks.

  “Who are they when they’re human?” Snow adds.

  “We don’t know yet.” Matilda stares at a cat statue on the shelf over the sink. “This stretch of forest sounds like it could be holy ground. Ruby was telling us about it at breakfast.”

  Glancing out the window, I see Ren approaching. “I think one of their own has been threatened.”

  He enters before I can say more and acknowledges everyone. “No bite marks, cause of death is still up in the air, but the man has blood in his hair. It’s possible he was hit in the skull.”

  “Like our other victim,” I murmur.

  He shows surprise. “He had a head injury, too?”

  “It could be what killed him.”

  Ren frowns. “Must have been some blow.”

  The rest of us share a look. “We better tell Robyn about the drone,” I say, and head for the door.

  “Drone?” Ren queries.

  “I’ll tell you while we walk.” I grab his hand and drag him outside once more. “The PIT group may be using them to gather footage for their show.”

  He nods, sunlight glancing off his hair. “That makes sense.”

  “At least we know you had nothing to do with this.”

  He stares off in the distance. “Yeah, but…”

  His pause makes me itch. “But what?”

  Those beautiful eyes rise to meet mine. “Who did?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  We catch up to my cousin and I motion her aside from the techs.

  “Broden thinks the noise Poppi heard might be a drone,” I tell her.

  “Hmm.”

  “They may have mounted a camera on it to video the animals,” I add.

  “Makes sense.” She pockets her notebook. “If I ever get them to return my call, I’ll ask them about it. They aren’t endearing themselves to me at this point.”

  A thought crosses my mind. “Have you scanned the woods and river?”

  “One of my deputies checked today, but no one was there.” She glances around at the dark landscape. “You think they might be camping out here?”

  “They’ve done it before.” Ren pulls out his phone. “Ruby and I watched a video where they were chasing…”

  Her radio buzzes with a call coming in about an accident outside the city limits. She responds and replaces the unit on her belt. “Great, just what I need on top of this latest body. Look,”—she glances at us—“there’s a lot of ground to cover, and I’m already shorthanded, but it’s a good lead, Ruby. I’ll check the woods tomorrow.”

  “Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you,” Ren says.

  She calls to the techs, informing them she has to leave. They acknowledge it and she heads for her vehicle. “You’ve done enough. Talk soon.”

/>   While this new victim is terrible, the fact Ren had nothing to do with it lifts my spirits.

  “I’m so glad I was at your place last night,” he murmurs as we cross the forest to head back to Enchanted.

  The fact that he stayed in his human form gives me hope. “The shift only happens in conjunction with the moon when it’s waxing or full, which is actually good news. That’s manageable.”

  “Yeah, I guess I need to face facts, don’t I?”

  He sounds so disappointed, my heart sinks. “I understand you feel like this is a curse, but we can turn it into something positive.”

  “If you say so.”

  Just like Belle telling me that seeing ghosts is a gift, I know that’s how he feels about being a werewolf. I take his hand, our footsteps nearly silent on the forest floor. “Combined with the potions in Eunice’s books, we have a good chance of keeping it fully controlled.”

  Heavy in thought, he leaves without a goodbye. Determined to help him, I open the shop.

  Enchanted is busy that afternoon with folks purchasing candles for the Thanksgiving holiday.

  Between the steady flow of customers, I collect items to take to the farmer’s market. I’m sad it’s the last of the year, but it will bring in a huge crowd from neighboring counties for that very reason. I’m hoping to capitalize on it and sell as many products as possible, as well as take orders for my new candy enterprise.

  Finn stops in to buy a bottle of men’s face tonic. “Cinder couldn’t bring you some?” I tease.

  He glances toward the area of the shop where she’s re-wiring an outlet, utterly oblivious to us. McAllister runs around her, hopping in and out of the large metal toolbox open at her feet.

  “She’s a bit preoccupied. I’ve asked for a bottle three times, and she’s forgotten every request.”

  He enquires about the morning commotion at the farm. “Cinder texted and said your grandparents are all right, but if you want Leo and I to keep an eye on them tonight, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  I thank him and offer him his receipt. He strides over and plants a kiss on my older sister’s head.

  “Ruby?” I look up to see Mrs. Briggs from the bakery smiling as she comes through the door. “We’re already wiped out of the chocolate truffles and the tiny white chocolate pumpkins. Can you make more by morning?”

  “You sold all of them?” I gave her two dozen of each on Monday. “They went so fast.”

  She chuckles at the disbelief on my face. “You really should expand your offerings, start your own candy shop.”

  My witchy friend, Sugar, in a town several miles away, runs an amazing candy store. You’d swear her confections are from a land of fairytales. She’s been offering advice on recipes, how to handle my perishable inventory, and which outlets appeal to candy lovers. “I could never leave the family business and go off on my own.” I see Cinder glance my way, overhearing my statement. “But I’ll make more for you tonight.”

  “Perfect. Thank you. Did you meet the new veterinarian? Cute as can be. My daughter made an appointment for her cat that she doesn’t even need so she could see him.” She purchases a few bath bombs before saying goodbye. “You’ve got your key for the store, right?”

  I assure her I do, and she exits the shop.

  Cinder walks to the display where I’m putting out fresh Autumn Splendor candles. “Have you considered Snow’s offer?”

  “Yes, and I’m working on a plan. If I can up production or hire help, I can supply Snow and the bakery, but my place is here with you and the others. I love our shop.”

  She throws an arm around my shoulders and gives me her bossy, big sister hug. “I’m not sure we can run it without you.”

  Matilda saunters in with her unicorn mug. She’s wrapped her long hair in a turban with a jewel the size of my hand in the front to hold it. “Go and make candy, Ruby. I’ll watch the shop.”

  I hug Cinder and Matilda, then use my new kitchen to get started.

  A few hours later, I stop by the vet clinic to see how Ren is doing, a small plate of sample chocolates in hand.

  His excitement at seeing me makes me blush. He hurries through his last patient, to the woman’s dismay, to lock up. Then he turns to me, downs three of the candies, and begins showing me around, describing his plan for the space.

  George sits in his cage in the waiting area, the door open so he can fly in and out. “Intruder! Intruder!” he screeches.

  I wish I could win the bird over with my candy. “He’s not going to let me forget that, is he?”

  Ren chastises him. “She’s our friend.”

  Friend. The word disappoints me a bit. “Did you get the backroom the way you want it?”

  “It’s a work in progress.” He begins a tour, directing me through the area. “I want to blow out this wall and expand the footprint of the building.”

  He opens the rear door and we look out at the parking area. “With another fifteen square feet, I can use it for surgeries, then have a room over there for rescue animals to socialize them, upping their chances of getting adopted. I want to hire more staff and take on exotic animals as well.”

  Listening to him brings a smile to my face. The sun is sinking, and I casually brush a hand down his arm. “You’re a good addition to this town. I’m glad you felt the need to move here.”

  We are jammed in the doorframe. Before I can ease back, he faces me and touches my cheek. “I’m lucky to have met you, Ruby Sherwood.”

  The fading sun sends a rainbow of peach and blue stripes over us. My pulse skips. He leans in for a kiss.

  “Watch it!” Lenore cries as she flies past us.

  We both jump and laugh. Ren looks as self-conscious as I feel. “She seems quite vocal around me.”

  “At times I wish she couldn’t speak.”

  Another chuckle. “I’ll get my things so we can go.”

  He’s still standing close. I can smell our fir soap that he used this morning. I have a sudden urge to run my fingers through his hair, see if I can still get that kiss. “Go?”

  He grins at my confused look. “To the tower?”

  Oh right. How embarrassing. “Of course. We’d better get you safe inside.”

  While he locks up, I wait outside for him. Lenore lands on a nearby post. I glare at her. She rarely speaks, and I’m more than slightly glad about that. “Your timing needs work.”

  She dances a little, one beady eye meeting mine, as she tilts her head. “Odin sent me.”

  “Regardless of his tendency to act like my father, I’m old enough to kiss whoever I choose, and you’re my bird.”

  Ren emerges and secures the door behind him. “Ready?”

  “Watch it, wolf,” Lenore screeches.

  I swear she winks at me as she rises into the air.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Saturday dawns bright and chilly, everyone abuzz for the farmer’s market and pre-Thanksgiving sales.

  I wake to find Ren pretending not to watch me. “Will we have to do this every month at the full moon?”

  “Probably.” The lie tumbles out of my mouth before I can call it back. I only hope I wasn’t snoring or drooling. “Breakfast?”

  “Yes, please, if it’s no trouble.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes. “But I prefer your cooking over your sister’s.”

  The two of us enjoyed a quiet night getting to know each other and diving more deeply into the local legends. He had lots of questions about magick and shamanism, and asked about the potion I want to make to see if it helps him control his beast.

  I don’t know exactly what threat has triggered it, other than assuming the murder of the first man in the woods is to blame. But what if now that it is awake, it never goes dormant again?

  “The legend claims that after the threat to the holy ground and/or the wood walkers passes, the werewolf shamans once more become normal people,” I tell my family at the table. “Even at a full moon, they don’t turn into wolves because they’re not needed as protectors any l
onger.”

  Ren downs a forkful of biscuits and gravy. “We’re hoping that’s true in my case, too, but Ruby’s afraid to experiment.”

  “The threat isn’t past yet,” I remind him. “Maybe next month.”

  “We’ll help,” Zelle tells me. “All of us. When the full moon comes around, we can free Ren and see what happens. If he does wolf out, we’ll corral him again.”

  “Thanks, I think,” he says.

  Once the meal is over, I walk him to the front door. “I’ll work on that potion today, if I have time, but with the market, I can’t promise anything.”

  He kisses my cheek. “See you at three for the grand opening?”

  “I’ll be there,” I reply, cheek tingling.

  Back in the kitchen, I find everyone smiling like goofballs. “You two are so cute together,” Belle says with a wink.

  “Don’t be silly.”

  “I can’t get over how handsome he is.” Matilda peeks at me over the edge of her mug. “Every single woman in town has her eyes on him, a few of the married ones as well.”

  The teasing continues as I pack the van. Uncle Odin and Lenore accompany me. “Don’t let the others get to you,” he tells me. “They like seeing you happy, is all.”

  The park is bustling, the sun warming the cool air and melting a light covering of frost. Uncle Odin sets up the folding table after we get the tent secured. Together, we line up products and put out business cards.

  Many of the local crafters and gardeners wave and chat as they walk by. Plenty stop to ask about Ren—new blood in town always gets tongues wagging.

  I’m enjoying my conversations with him, learning more about him. The fact I’m getting used to sleeping next to him, even if there are bars separating us, makes me smile. I hope tonight, when the moon is completely full, we’ll still have a quiet—as in no wolfing out—time. When he saw me looking over Eunice’s letters, he asked about them. Tonight, I plan to read some of them out loud to him. Ezra loved animals and wrote about a few he helped in his travels.