by Michelle Fox
The sheriff shook his head. “No. All the vics were local. We got lucky, the tourists barely knew anything had happened.”
“Thank God for small favors,” she said. Northern Michigan’s main industry was tourism. If word got out that it wasn’t safe, the region’s economy would plummet.
“Yeah. At least there’s that much.” He sighed. “To answer your question, Charlotte is Mickey and Jean’s kid.”
She gave him a blank look. Mickey and Jean who? “I don’t think I’ve met them.”
“They’re probably before your time. Mickey used to be mayor back in the early nineties. He’s retired now.”
She filed away that bit of information for future reference. “Thanks. I think I have everything I need.”
He tapped the space bar on his computer, waking it up from sleep mode and flipped through his day planner, his focus moving from her to other work. “Let me know if you need anything else. Good luck with your report.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I hope your bite heals soon.”
“Same goes for you, Ranger Levine.” He gave her a little salute.
She stood up and waved as she left his office, but he didn’t see her, already absorbed in the next thing on his to-do list.
***
Since Charlotte Wills was the only person she hadn’t recognized on the victim list, Audrey started with her. Charlotte’s address put her a few miles out of town, and, after stopping for a cup of coffee, Audrey headed out.
Charlotte lived in a sprawling cabin on one of the small inland lakes that dotted the area. Everyone knew of the Great Lakes surrounding the mitten shape of Michigan, but what tourists didn’t know was the state also had little lakes all over the place. With such a plethora of waterfront property, you’d think it would drive down the price, but no, not so much. The house in front of Audrey was easily worth a million dollars. In a landlocked lot it would probably go for less than three hundred thousand. On the shore of Lake Michigan, it would be worth well over a million.
A young woman opened the door and greeted Audrey with a suspicious look. A yellow lab poked its head into the crack of the door and woofed at Audrey. “Midas,” chided the young woman. “Go to your bed.” The dog pouted for a fraction of a second, his ears up and eyes wide, but he obeyed his mistress and disappeared into the house. Returning her attention to Audrey, she said, “Can I help you? If you’re selling something, we’re not interested.”
Audrey flashed her park ranger badge. It wasn’t as cool as a cop badge, but it at least gave her some form of official identification. “Hi. I’m not a salesperson. My name is Audrey. I work with the park service and I’m following up with everyone who was attacked by the wolf. Is Charlotte home?”
“That’s me.” Charlotte opened the door wider, revealing a full figure in denim cutoffs and a pale yellow tank top that complemented her tan. Her dark hair was pulled back in a pony tail. Gesturing to a large bandage that almost completely covered her thigh, she said, “He got me good.”
Audrey’s eyes went wide at the size of the bandage. “Wow. That’s a big wound. Are you okay?”
Charlotte lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I guess. It feels funny though. Like it’s buzzing and the rabies shots were awful.” She rotated her other shoulder, “I’m still so sore I can’t lift my arm.”
Audrey nodded sympathetically. “Well, I’m supposed to do paperwork on all the people who’ve been attacked. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?”
“I guess,” the young woman said ambivalently. “Come on in.”
They settled at an oak table in the modern kitchen. The appliances were steel, the counters a beautiful black granite and the floors were some kind of fancy tile Audrey knew was expensive even if she couldn’t name it.
Audrey scrolled through her phone, looking for the app she’d downloaded that would record their conversation. “I hope you don’t mind if I record our interview.” She held up her bandaged hand. “I can’t write with this injury.”
“Sure, no problem,” Charlotte said.
Audrey hit record and leaned back in her chair. Thinking Charlotte looked a little young for such a perfect house, she asked, “So, this is your place?’
Charlotte shook her head. “No, my parents. I’m home for summer break.”
“You’re in college then?”
Charlotte nodded. “I’m a senior at Michigan State. You want something to drink?”
“No thanks.”
The young woman grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, hobbling slowly on her injured leg. Returning to the table, she said, “Well, what do you want to know?”
“Tell me how you were bit.” Audrey checked to make sure the app was working, confirming the red record button was on.
“I went out for a hike with my boyfriend.” Her expression soured. “My ex-boyfriend. I thought he wanted to meet my parents, turns out he wanted to dump me.”
Audrey winced. “Ouch.”
“Yeah. Suckage. He drove me to Inlet Beach, made me hike all the way down to the shore and then he broke the news.” Charlotte squeezed her water bottle until the plastic crackled from the pressure. “He left after that.”
“He just left you?” Audrey shook her head. Inlet Beach was almost five miles from town in the middle of nowhere. The walk to the beach alone was a mile. The guy literally dumped his girlfriend.
“Yep. Just left me. I had to walk back all by myself.” She lifted her foot, displaying several red wounds on her toes. “The blisters are still healing.”
Audrey gave the young woman a sympathetic look. “What a jerk.”
Charlotte just nodded. “So I was walking back home and I heard a yelping noise in the bushes.”
“A yelping noise?”
“Like a dog maybe. Something was hurt.” Charlotte snapped her fingers. “Midas, come.” The yellow lab that had greeted Audrey at the door, returned. He bounded into the room, ears perked and dark eyes dancing with interest. “Sit,” she ordered. The dog obediently sat at Charlotte’s side, panting happily when she scratched his ears. When Audrey caught his eye, he wagged his tail in a friendly greeting.
To Audrey, Charlotte said, “See, I love animals, especially dogs. So I went to look and see if I could help. At school, I volunteer at the animal shelter sometimes.” She paused and took a sip of water. “Turns out it wasn’t a dog, but an enormous something like a dog with white fur and green eyes.”
Nick, Audrey thought to herself.
“The cops told me it was a wolf.” Charlotte looked doubtful. “That’s some strange looking wolf.”
“Yeah. Actually, that’s why I’m following up on it. We don’t think it’s a local species and it’s possibly an albino.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Well, no shit. Wow.”
“So you found the wolf and he bit you?” Audrey prompted.
“Yep. I didn’t even have time to react. He just leaped and was on me,” she snapped her fingers again, “ just like that. I passed out. When I woke up he was gone and my thigh was a mess of blood. He took a big chunk out of me.” Charlotte’s gaze fell to the bandage on Audrey’s hand. “Did he get you, too?”
Audrey shuddered. Nick was like a serial killer, taking trophies or whatever they called them from his victims. First her pinkie, now a piece of thigh. To Charlotte, she said, “Yeah. He got me.”
Charlotte rubbed her arms, as if cold. “Is he still out there?”
“No. He’s likely dead. The rabies virus kills infected animals within a week or so.” The lie didn’t sit well with Audrey, but Tao had insisted they keep the werewolf thing quiet until the full moon to avoid creating a panic.“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I think I have everything I need for my report.” Audrey turned off the recording app and slipped the phone into her pocket as she stood up. Curious, the dog came over to sniff her. She held out her hand and when he gave her a little kiss, she rubbed his ears.
“He likes you,” Charlotte said. “Usually he’s afraid of stranger
s. We got him from the pound and I think he was mistreated.”
“Aww, poor baby,” Audrey said. “I work as a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. Animals usually like me. We’re kindred spirits.” And now I’m part animal myself, she thought wryly.
“That sounds like a cool job.” Charlotte stood up and started for the front of the house. Midas quickly abandoned Audrey to follow his mistress, his tail wagging enthusiastically.
“It is,” she said following Charlotte to the front door. Of course, the risk of being bitten by a werewolf and becoming one yourself is higher than anyone knew.
Chapter Nineteen
Tao slumped in a chair at Audrey’s kitchen table. He’d just checked on Nick, and finding the wolf still unconscious, had decided to hold off on the next sedative dose. Tao didn’t want to accidentally overdose his brother. He had taken the opportunity to check his brother’s wound, surprised to find it almost healed. Maybe all the sleep accelerated the healing process. Tao resolved to try it sometime, only sans medication.
At loose ends, he drummed his fingers on the table. Dan would blow into town any minute and what would he do then?
Tao didn’t know.
He thought of Audrey and a pang went through his heart at the idea of her suffering any more at the paws of wolves. I won’t let Dan or Nick touch her, she’s mine.
The fierceness of that thought startled him. A possessive growl even rumbled in his chest and his hands curled into fists. Of course he had marked her, claimed her as his as if she was his true mate. He just hadn’t thought it would actually count.
Tao stared at his clenched fists, a sense of wonder filling him.
Did this mean she was his mate for real? Had his mother been right about fated mates? He’d always dismissed her ideas about love, especially once it became clear few women found him or his brothers desirable as mates.
He sat there, stunned at the idea. Certainly, he’d been attracted to her or else he wouldn’t have offered to try and displace Nick’s hold on her with his own dominance.
Tao frowned.
But she’s a made wolf.
Who clearly calls to mine.
Finally, he shrugged, unable to come to a conclusion. Would he be happy if they were true mates? Yes. He knew that in his gut. Despite her weird vegan ways, Audrey was an amazing woman; brave, strong and sexy as hell. A more than worthy mate under normal circumstances.
And if they survived the mess Nick had made, Tao already knew he would be staying in the area to help the other bite victims transition to their new reality. Audrey made sense in his life in a way no other woman had. Celia had been a fun fling, but she’d never taken their relationship seriously. To the point where she’d slept with several other wolves behind Tao’s back. If she hadn’t run off with one of them, he would’ve broken it off.
Audrey was the opposite of Celia. She was someone he could settle down with, have pups with and who would build a life with him. Tao smiled at the image of them both five years in the future, a house filled with kids and lots of wild hot sex.
His phone rang just then, a shrill reminder that the future he pictured may not even be possible.
Tao checked the caller ID. Dan. Again. Which meant he’d probably arrived in Glen Vine. Tao rubbed his forehead, as he brought the phone to his ear. This was going to suck.
“Tao. Where the hell are you?” Dan’s normally gruff voice was even deeper, throbbing with anger and adrenaline. The alpha was ready for action, itching to rip out throats.
Tao thought fast. The last thing he wanted to do was bring Dan to Audrey’s house. Better to meet on neutral territory. It would help keep things calm. “I’ll meet you at Glen Vine Point,” he said. He’d scouted it once or twice while in wolf form and in human form he’d noticed it was well marked with road signs making it easy to find for tourists.
“Where is that?”
Tao gave his alpha the directions. The point was a straight shot down the road from Glen Vine. “I’ll be there in an hour.”
“An hour?” Dan’s voice went sharp.
“That’s how long the drive is from where I’m at,” Tao said, working to keep his voice pleasant and non-offensive.
“Well, step on it. I want to get this done as fast as possible.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Tao hung up and made for the front door. He hesitated at the threshold, thinking of Nick. Should he give his brother another shot to top him off? But Audrey had mentioned they’d already given him enough today to take out four elephants. Tao shook his head. Nick would be fine. Even a werewolf couldn’t overcome a dose that would knock out that many elephants.
Once in his truck, he quickly called Audrey as he navigated out of the driveway. “Hey, baby,” he said.
“Tao? Is that you?” Audrey sounded wary and Tao realized they’d never talked on the phone. The only reason he even had her number was because he’d snagged it from her phone earlier while waiting for her to finish making breakfast.
“Yeah, it’s me. My alpha’s in town. I’m going to meet him.”
“What about Nick?” Her voice went up.
“Can you come over and babysit?”
That made her laugh. “Yeah, I’m on my way. When’s his next dose?”
“Probably when you get here. I’ve been holding off.”
“What?” Now she sounded upset. “He could wake up.”
“He’s out cold. I’m keeping a close eye on him, I swear.”
“Okay, if you say so, but we have to be careful. What if he wakes up?”
“That’s not going to happen,” he promised.
“If you say so,” she said.
“Tell me about the bite victims. Did you talk to any of them?” he asked wanting to get off the subject of Nick’s sedative dose.
“I know almost everyone on the list and met with the one name I didn’t know. We’re good there. Your brother has good taste.”
“So, no problems you can see?” Tao had worried that Nick might’ve been drawn to people as unstable as he was. Sure, Audrey was fine, but Owen hadn’t been and he’d been picturing almost a dozen Owens in his head because that’s what scared him most.
“I don’t think so. He went for the who’s who of Glen Vine. Solid people. Once they come around it should be fine.”
“That’s good news,” he said, relieved. He didn’t know much about building a pack, but it couldn’t hurt to start out with good people. That could only make things easier.
“What are you going to do about your alpha?”
Tao’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Hold him off until he sees things differently.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.” He hung up and floored the accelerator, zooming along the curved back roads of Northern Michigan.
Chapter Twenty
Audrey headed for home, the radio playing upbeat pop songs. She felt optimistic and buoyant. The people who’d been attacked by Nick were good people. They would be okay with a little help and guidance from Tao.
Her heart sank though when she pulled into her driveway and all her optimism popped like an over inflated balloon. The garage door yawned wide open as if preparing to swallow her whole. Parking her truck, she grabbed her gun and stepped out, her senses on high alert. Holding absolutely still, she listened and inhaled the air, searching for any hints as to what might have happened.
When she heard nothing but the thump of her anxious heart, and caught no scent other than sun-warmed grass, she headed toward the garage. Maybe Tao had opened it for some fresh air and just forgotten to close the door when he left. Audrey could see how his alpha might have frazzled Tao enough to forget something so basic.
But as she went deeper into the garage, she realized that wasn’t what happened.
Not even close.
The cage door hung open, the stainless steel bars bent like noodles. She hadn’t been able to see it from the driveway because the tarp had miraculously held on, camouflagin
g the cage’s condition.
“Oh shit,” she whispered.
Then she noticed the door leading from the garage to her house was also open. Oh God, was Nick in there? She hoped not.
Apprehension shivered up her spine, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Audrey shook it off, and clenching her jaw, she marched into the house, ready to shoot first and ask questions later. She passed through the kitchen, made a quick circuit back through the ranch’s two bedrooms, poked her head in the bathroom and then headed for the living room.
The house was empty.
And quieter than an empty graveyard.
She soon saw the reason why stillness hung in the air, heavy as a shroud.
Audrey bit back a shriek when she saw what had happened in her living room. The cages were all open and bloody bits of animal were strewn across the floor. The bastard had come into her home and eaten her animals like they were hors d’oeuvres.
“Damn him,” she said, her voice deep with anger and grief. The bunnies had grown to trust her, nuzzling her hand when she fed them. The robins used to sing whenever they sensed she was in the house and the squirrels always chattered at her conversationally. They’d been defenseless against Nick; trapped and easy prey for a grisly death.
A sob wracked her body and she covered her mouth, trying to hold herself together.
As if the loss of the animals she’d lovingly nursed back to health wasn’t enough, Nick had scrawled a message on her wall. In blood, of course.
‘Thanks for the snack.’
Nick had no respect for anyone or anything. He was a destroyer. A mad wolf bent on destruction merely because it pleased him and she was one of his targets.
Audrey sank to her knees, trembling like a tree in a storm, one the wind was about to rip up by its roots. With numb fingers, she set her gun on the ground and pulled her phone out of her pocket. It took her three tries to call Tao because her fingers kept slipping and hitting the wrong option on the touch screen.
Tao answered on the first ring. “Audrey?” He sounded surprised to hear from her.
“He’s gone,” she said, her voice weak and tremulous.
“Nick? You mean Nick’s gone? What happened?”
