Wolf On the Job

by Amanda M. Lee

  Cavendish was taken aback. “That’s it? You’re not going to help?”

  “I did help. I led you here. The rest is up to you.” I spun on my heel and stormed out of the clearing, heading back toward the lumberyard. The only thing I could think of was getting Sami away from these people.

  A little voice inside kept telling me she wasn’t safe. I decided to listen and take her away. It was the only thing I could do.

  Four

  Sami never got her promised lunch, and that made me angry.

  She was bone weary, and even though I tried to return to work, the fact that she was curled up in one of my office chairs sleeping caused me to call it a day early. I took her home, allowed her to nap on the sofa in the living room and waited for my wife to return so I would have someone to hear me rant. She was prompt, which I appreciated.

  “What’s wrong?” Right away, Zoe knew something had gone sideways. She put her bag on the counter and immediately started scanning the living room. When her eyes fell on a sleeping Sami, she was confused. “Is she sick?”

  I pressed a finger to my lips and gestured toward the balcony. It was fall, but the weather hadn’t turned cold enough to chase us from the outdoors, and I wanted to make sure Sami didn’t overhear us. Zoe didn’t put up a fight and instead followed me outside and patiently (at least for her) waited until I tugged the door shut. We could see Sami, but she couldn’t hear us.

  “Don’t make me kill you,” she warned, her voice low. “What happened?”

  I told her about my morning. When I was finished, instead of being enraged, she seemed intrigued. “She knew where to lead you?”

  I was expecting a rant of the highest order, so I had to adjust my expectations accordingly. “It seemed like that,” I confirmed. “It tired her out, though.”

  “She’s a child.” Zoe’s expression was thoughtful as she gazed through the glass. Because she was obviously worried rather than furious, it tempered some of the anger I’d been hoarding like gold, and I instinctively reached out and ran a finger over her cheek, causing her to look back at me.

  “I don’t like it when you’re quiet,” I admitted, causing her to grin. It lightened her features, which were already angled and beautiful. Sometimes when she smiled it caused me to remember the first time I ever saw her, and I grew warm all over. This was one of those times. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “We knew she would manifest,” Zoe replied simply. “I think we both hoped there was a chance it wouldn’t happen, but deep down we knew it would.”

  “I don’t know if she understood what she was doing,” I hedged. “She might not realize.”

  “She realizes. That’s why she let you carry her around, put her to bed in the middle of the afternoon. On a normal day, would she have allowed either of those things? I think not.”

  “Were you exhausted after the first time you did that spell?” I was honestly curious. I was with her that day and didn’t remember things being so difficult.

  “No.” She shook her head. “But I was older. I’d unleashed more frightening magic by that point. I was also running on adrenalin.”

  “I remember.” I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her to me. My wife was a ball of energy, always raring to go. She was surprisingly open to quiet moments, too. I needed one now as I buried my face in her hair. “What are we going to do?”

  She patted my back. “Protect her, like we always do.”

  “And how are we going to do that?”

  “I don’t know yet.” She leaned into the hug a bit longer and then eased back. “Let’s sit. You can tell me about these men.”

  I followed her to the daybed we’d purchased from Restoration Hardware at the beginning of summer. I would have to store it for the season soon, but we could enjoy it today, which was nice because we both loved it. I rolled in first and brought her with me, waiting until her chin landed on my chest before speaking.

  “Brett Cavendish,” I volunteered. “He’s one of the big wigs with the council. He’s the youngest member, which means he ascended fast. He’s the yardstick my father measures me against.”

  Zoe narrowed her blue eyes. “Would you like me to find a bigger stick to beat him with?”

  I couldn’t contain myself and barked out a laugh. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

  “I’ll do it.” She always knew how to lighten my mood. We were a good fit, in every possible way. I think part of me knew from the start that she was the one thing that would always make me happy. I’d almost lost her, and when I got her back I’d promised myself (and her) that it would never happen again. That meant putting her ahead of everything (and everyone, for that matter) else. It was a relief when that happened, because I no longer felt as if I had split loyalties. Then, when Sami came along, we made another vow to each other. We put her first. We were a unit no matter what, and that would never change.

  “I could even drop a building on him if you want,” she offered.

  I wrinkled my nose and rubbed it against her soft skin. “I’m okay. It probably sounded like I was feeling sorry for myself, but that’s not the case. I just … I wish my father would get it through his head that I’m not coming back. I don’t see why he can’t just accept who I am and be happy with it.”

  “I’m happy with it,” Zoe offered, causing my grin to widen because she was purposely being flirty. “That’s the most important thing. As for your father … I can beat him up if you want. I’m stronger than I look.”

  “You’re the strongest.” I rolled her so she was completely on top of me and I could hold her close. “I love you, Trouble.” I kissed the top of her head. “I know you’re trying to figure out how to make me feel better, but that’s really not necessary. Cavendish is a tool. He’s not a concern … other than the fact that he might be aware of what Sami did this afternoon.”

  It was obvious the notion hadn’t occurred to Zoe, because her forehead wrinkled as she lifted her head and stared into the house. “If he comes after her, I’ll kill him.”

  Anyone who didn’t know her would’ve laughed. I’d seen what she could do, though, and recognized it wasn’t an idle threat. “I don’t think he’ll come after us, at least not the way you mean. Trust me. He’s a purist. He thinks wolves are the strongest creatures out there. Still, he either thinks I magically found my way to the spot on my own or that Sami led me. Both possibilities could lead to issues.”

  “Right.” Zoe rolled to a sitting position on my stomach, her hands pressed against my chest. “Tell me about the missing guy.”

  “I don’t have much information. I know things in a very vague way. I mean … he’s Franklin Horton. He’s several years older than me and supposed to be the best hunter in the pack.”

  “With a gun or claws?” Zoe asked.

  “Does it matter?”

  “Yes. I’m more afraid of guns than claws, because people can hide behind trees and in ditches and fire a gun without us seeing them. If someone comes after me with claws I figure I’ll have plenty of time to protect myself.”

  It was an interesting point and I shifted to stare at the perimeter of the property. Early on, I’d erected a fence to keep others out. In the process, I recognized I was keeping Zoe locked in. Even after we realized she was pregnant it was important not to segregate her from the rest of the world. Still, there were times I thought about re-erecting the fence to keep my child safe.

  As if reading my mind, Zoe forced a tight-lipped smile. “If you want to put up the fence because you’re worried some great hunter is out there, it’s okay.”

  “No.” I was adamant when I shook my head and stroked my hand over her hair. She would give of herself to make me feel better. I would do the same for her. It was best for both of us if we straddled a certain line, and I had no intention of breaking from that tradition now … especially if I had no cause. “We don’t know what’s going on. Heck, he could’ve had a hot date.”

  “You said there was blood on the ground
.”

  “There was. We don’t know it belonged to him.”

  “What are the odds it didn’t?” She was oddly pragmatic on certain matters. “I mean … it seems like a strange coincidence for the blood to belong to someone else.”

  She wasn’t wrong. “I don’t know.” I exhaled heavily and stroked my chin. “I would’ve liked to stay out there longer and take a look around, but I couldn’t because I had Sami.”

  “Well, isn’t it convenient that we have a babysitter staying with us tonight,” she intoned, her lips curving. “Your father will be here, and he likes to dote on Sami.”

  “My father would die for her,” I acknowledged. “I’m not sure I’m okay leaving her alone with him when I feel this unsettled.”

  “So, we’ll put up the fence.” She was blasé as her eyes landed on the woody expanse that stretched out beyond our property. “While we’re gone, we’ll put up the fence. If there is something out there, we’ll be able to fight it. I’m sure we’ve taken on stronger foes before. While we’re searching, we can rest assured that no one can get past the fence.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded without hesitation. “If Sami is in trouble, I’ll know.” She seemed sure that was true, so it made me feel more at ease.

  “Okay. We’ll wait for my father to arrive, have dinner and then take a walk.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She turned her pretty smile back to me. “Wait … you don’t expect me to cook, do you?”

  It was a running joke in our house. The only thing Zoe could cook up was trouble. “Perish the thought.”

  “We should order something delivered. I’m in the mood for pasta.”

  “No garlic,” I warned. “I have plans for you later.”

  “Would the garlic really stop you?”

  She had a point.

  “WE SHOULDN’T BE GONE LONG,” I announced after dinner, shoving the dirty plates into the dishwasher as Sami sat at the counter, her gaze bouncing between Zoe and me.

  “I don’t understand.” Sami was hesitant as she unwrapped a cupcake. Zoe ordered an entire tray of them to be delivered, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she did it because she knew Sami loved chocolate or because she wanted my father to have to deal with a sugared-up Sami in our absence.

  “We’re going out to look for the missing man,” Zoe volunteered, taking me by surprise. I was trying to concoct a believable lie, but she went straight for the truth and didn’t back down. “While we’re gone, your grandfather will be with you – and we’re putting up the fence.”

  Dad’s eyebrows hopped. “You’re putting up the fence?”

  “That’s what I said.” Zoe met his gaze. “Don’t let anyone in while we’re gone. I don’t care if you think you know them … and that includes this Franklin Horton guy.”

  Dad scowled. “I think I’m capable of recognizing the difference between friend and foe.”

  “No one,” I stressed, firm. “Until we know what’s happening here, I want my kid safe. If you can’t promise to make that happen … .” I left the statement hanging.

  “She’s my granddaughter.” Dad was obviously affronted, but I didn’t back down. “I’ll take care of her.”

  “Great.” I forced a smile for Sami’s benefit even though residual anger from the ambush this afternoon lingered. “While you’re at it, can you forward what you have on Franklin to my cell phone? I’ll go through it while we’re searching.”

  “Franklin is a good man.”

  “He may be. Right now he’s also a potential danger to my child. Forward the information to me.”

  Dad waited a beat and then nodded, stiff. “Fine. I’m only doing this because it’s what’s best for Sami. Before I leave, you and I really need to have a talk.”

  I was expecting this. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  DAD KEPT A FIRM HOLD on Sami’s hand as we crossed the perimeter. We raised the fence, smiled as if we were about to hop on a rollercoaster and encouraged Sami to wave at us. The look on our daughter’s face was dour, though, and if we thought the act we’d been putting on for the better part of the afternoon had worked, we were sadly mistaken.

  “We’ll be back soon, Sami,” Zoe promised. “While we’re gone, why don’t you show your grandfather what happens when you eat three s’mores and two KitKats?”

  A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Sami’s mouth. “I’m not supposed to eat that much sugar after dark.”

  “It’s a special occasion.”

  A quick glance at my father told me he knew exactly what Zoe was doing. His resigned expression caused me to bite off a laugh and wave.

  “We won’t be gone long,” I called out. “Show Grandpa your tumbling, too. He’ll be impressed. Actually, make him practice with you. Your grandfather is a world-class tumbler.”

  Officially intrigued, Sami stared up at him. “I didn’t know that.”

  “That’s because your father is making it up to punish me,” Dad said.

  “I still think we should try.”

  The last thing I saw before disappearing into the trees was Sami tugging on his hand. He doted on her, so I knew my father would acquiesce to her demands. At least that would keep them busy for the next few hours.

  “Which way?” Zoe asked once the lights of the house diminished. She was great in a fight, murder in the kitchen and often at a loss when it came to following a map.

  I chuckled and pointed. “That way. It’s about three miles.”

  She scowled. “We should’ve driven.”

  “Then we would’ve drawn attention to ourselves.”

  “I know but … you know what we should get? They have ATV things to drive in the woods. They’re like little cars.”

  “Which also make noise and allow people to know we’re coming,” I reminded her.

  Her frown didn’t diminish. “I bet I could find a way to fix that.”

  “How?”

  “I could put a dome around the ATV. If I can do it for us when we’re walking, I can do it for an ATV. I’m serious about looking into it.”

  “And this in no way has to do with the fact that you’re lazy?”

  “I think I should be offended.”

  I gave her rear end a smooth pat. “I happen to like you lazy.”

  “I’m still offended.”

  By tacit agreement we lapsed into comfortable silence. Zoe was oddly adept in the woods. She knew how to be quiet, not alert others to her presence. It was probably a mage quality, but I’m not sure she even realized she was doing it.

  It took us almost a full hour to get close to the area where the blood was discovered. That’s where I planned to take her so she could use her magic and uncover a trail for us to follow. We didn’t make it that far, because I pulled up short when a familiar odor assailed my olfactory senses.

  Zoe didn’t have my keen sense of smell, but she’d learned to read my body language over the years, and she froze.

  I pointed toward the right and she instantly turned in that direction. I intended to get in front of her – it wasn’t a man thing as much as a love thing, mind you – but she was already on the move. She burst through the heavy brush and stopped cold when her gaze fell on a body. It was out in the open, on display … and there was blood everywhere.

  “How did you miss this?” she hissed.

  That was a good question and I didn’t have an answer. Instead of seeking one, I stayed alert and scanned the immediate area for hints of movement. Zoe moved directly toward the body and knelt.

  “So, this is Franklin Horton, huh?” She didn’t look impressed. “What do you think he’s doing here?”

  I had some bad news for her. Not only didn’t I know the answer to her question, we had another problem. “That’s not Franklin Horton,” I offered.

  She jerked her eyes to me, surprised. “It’s not?”

  “Nope.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I have no idea, although he’s clearly a wolf.” Satisfied that
we were alone, I moved closer to study the body under the limited light offered by the moon. “I don’t recognize him.”

  “How long would you say he’s been dead?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not a coroner.”

  “Ballpark it for me.”

  She wasn’t going to let it go. “Since sometime this afternoon.”

  “Do you think he was out here when you were?”

  “I don’t know.” That was the truth. “We need to figure it out. If Franklin wasn’t the one hurt, it seems to me that he was the one doing the hurting.”

  “Unless they were both victims of something else.” Zoe was grim as she straightened and stared at the forest. “We should call your father so he can get a cleanup crew out here. Then I want to get home.”

  I knew what she wasn’t saying. She didn’t like being separated from Sami in instances like this. I happened to agree with her.

  “I’m on it.” I dug in my pocket. “Keep watch, okay? Don’t leave any blind spots.”

  She flashed me a wan grin and squeezed my butt. “I’ll protect you with everything I have, in case you’re worried.”

  “Ha, ha.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “I’m going to protect the crap out of you when we get home. Just you wait.”

  “That sounds like the best offer I’ve had all day.”

  Five

  I took a moment when I woke the next morning to bask in the quiet warmth I knew would disappear the second I climbed out of bed. Zoe was warm, tucked in at my side, and making little whirring noises that told me she was still asleep.

  She sleeps hard ... and drools. She was embarrassed the first time I pointed it out, but I’ve always found it endearing. We’ve been together so long I rarely think about it now. She could practically drown me in drool and I would still be so thankful for her presence in my life I would gladly dog paddle through it.

  Thankfully, it’s not that bad … and I would never say anything that schmaltzy out loud.