Hour of the Wolf

by Bell, Dana Marie

  “No. Eat your cereal, Sana.”

  “But it doesn’t taste good without the marshmallows.” Sana scowled at her bowl as she set it back in front of her.

  Noah wasn’t backing down on this, no matter how adorable she was. “Then you should have thought of that before you ate all the marshmallows. Next time, eat it together like you’re supposed to.”

  Sana sniffed disdainfully, but she started eating her cereal. She made faces like she was eating poison the whole time. When she threw her head back and groaned like a dying yak it took everything in him not to laugh.

  “We played rock-paper-scissors and I won. We’re going to learn about frogs today,” Milo added. Unfortunately, he hadn’t swallowed first, so he’d sprayed as much as he’d said.

  “Clean that up, Milo.” The boy nodded glumly and got up, going for the paper towels. To show he wasn’t upset about the mess, Noah relaxed back against the counter. “Frogs are pretty cool, aren’t they?”

  Sana nodded enthusiastically, dropping the dying act at the mention of frogs. It was a miracle her little blond head didn’t go flying off her shoulders. “They are amfizzians.”

  “Amphibians, Sana. Am-phi-bi-ans,” Noah corrected her gently.

  “Am-fizz-bi-ans,” Sana repeated. Her little brows were furrowed in concentration.

  “Dummy,” Milo taunted his sister. “Fib, like telling a fib, not fizz, like in soda.”

  “Oh.” The smile dropped off her face, but she was staring at Milo like he was the teacher and she the student.

  Noah wasn’t going to stand for name calling. “Apologize to your sister, Milo.” Noah stood with his arms crossed over his chest, doing his best to appear stern.

  Milo gaped at him, seeming shocked. “For what?”

  “Calling your sister a dummy. That is not acceptable. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make you a dummy, does it?” Noah pointed out the window. “Has anyone taught you why the sun is yellow?”

  Milo scowled. “No.”

  “But that doesn’t make you dumb. That means you just haven’t been taught it yet. And it might take a while to learn, too, just like Sana has trouble pronouncing amphibian.”

  Milo glanced at his sister, biting his lip. “Sorry, Sana.”

  Sana held out her hand. “It’s okay, Milo. You’re still my brother.”

  Milo took it and shook, then turned back to Noah. “Can I finish my cereal now, Uncle Noah?”

  “Sure thing, buddy.” Noah ruffled his hair and smiled, hoping the boy would realize he was no longer in trouble.

  Milo took his seat again, all of his concentration centered once more on his food.

  “Mm.” Paisley held a cup to her lips and was sipping. “Coffee.”

  Milo wasn’t the only one who concentrated on what he was shoving in his face. Paisley was out of it until she’d finished her first cup. He’d gotten used to it in the weeks they’d been working together, but it still amused him that she wasn’t one hundred percent there without a cup of joe.

  Noah poured his own cup of coffee, still mulling over why Iva would have withheld her breakthrough from him. If she was ready to move on the lab she should have told him. So why hadn’t she?

  “That hit the spot. Thanks, boss.” Paisley poured herself another cup, drinking it straight like Noah did. No cream or sugar for either of them. It diluted the taste and the aroma. Noah was rarely a snob when it came to his house or his furnishings, but when it came to his coffee he was a diehard French press enthusiast. He preferred dark roast beans with vanilla overtones, and Goddess forbid you try to hand him any non-dairy creamer or artificial sweeteners.

  “You need to create a badge for me.” Noah led the way back to his office, nodding to the kids on his way out of the kitchen. Both of them smiled at him.

  “Sure thing, boss-man. Should I tell Iva I’m doing that?” Paisley dropped into the chair in front of Noah’s desk.

  “Hell no. Let me surprise her.” He shot his beta an evil grin. “She wants to hide something from me, fine. I love playing hide and seek.”

  Paisley rolled her eyes. “Men.”

  Noah threw his stress ball at her.

  She caught it in her free hand and laughed. “Admit it, alpha. You’re thinking up all sorts of kinky ways you can punish her for this.”

  He was, but he wasn’t going to admit it. The idea of tying his mate to his bed had occurred to him more than once since she’d emerged from her tree. “Did she tell you what the plan was?”

  Paisley nodded. “Go in as CDC, pretending to run a routine CLIA-compliance inspection. That means they’ll have access to all sections of the lab. I’ve got someone who’s calling ahead, so everything will seem legit to whoever is there. All Iva and Greer have to do is go in, inspect the equipment, steal the samples and get out before the Van Helsings discover them. Right now, she’s at the hospital lab with Greer, Dr. Whittaker and Dr. Andreadis, waiting for the badges.”

  And that was the part that was giving him hives. “Jesus. Baltimore is, like, three hours away. They’ll have no backup.” He began mentally going over the list of possibilities. “They can’t use the dragons to bring backup because dragons flying into Baltimore would be a bit obvious without some pretty potent spell work. And the vampires are sleeping. All of the rest of the flying shifters are too small to carry anyone. Gathering enforcers will take time we don’t have.” Noah couldn’t come up with a fix for this that would ease either his or his wolf’s worries over Iva’s safety.

  “Greer can kick some pretty serious ass. I think he’s the one who will do the actual stealing. Iva is there as the distraction.”

  “Greer is tough, but he’s not a warrior. If they get overrun, they’ll need me.” Noah grabbed his phone. It was the best solution to his problem. If he was there, Iva would be safe. He checked the time, wincing when he realized he really was the only one who’d be going. There was no time to get more than one badge done, let alone call in enforcers. He’d barely make it in time as it was. “Get to work on the badge. I’ll call Frisco and cancel my appointments for the day.”

  Paisley nodded. “If I weren’t working I could take those meetings.”

  Noah shrugged as he dialed. “We should do something about that. I’m going to need you full time, and soon.” He listened to the ringing, wondering what he could do about the situation he found himself in. Should he take on a second beta? How would Paisley react to that? He didn’t want to insult her, but spreading the work would ease things for all of them.

  “Hey, Noah. What’s up?” Frisco’s tone was friendly when he answered the phone.

  “I need help. Iva’s going after the head asshole’s body fluids today and I need someone to watch the kids.”

  “Done and done.” There was unholy glee in Frisco’s voice.

  “What do you have planned for my kids?” Noah wasn’t so sure now that calling Frisco was the best idea.

  “Nothing. I thought I’d introduce them to Avatar: The Last Airbender. One of the characters is a water bender, and I thought Milo would enjoy it while little Sana will enjoy the story and the animals.”

  “Iva already did that, and they love the show.” Noah couldn’t think of a single objection. Sure, there was some violence in the cartoon, but as supernaturals violence often found them whether they liked it or not. Look at the situation they found themselves in now. If they couldn’t stop Peter Bradley, Milo and Sana would be the generation most likely to suffer the consequences. He doubted a demon would go easy on them just because they were kids. “Go right ahead. Bring popcorn, and if we’re not back by dinner I’ll leave money for pizza. Just don’t let Sana have broccoli on hers.”

  “Why not? It’s good for her, you meatatarian you.” Frisco sounded highly amused.

  “Because she loves the stuff, but the gas she emits after eating it could potentially wipe out
the whole town, including the ghosts.” Noah shuddered. “Please, just don’t do it.”

  Frisco laughed. “Okay, gotcha. I’ll be there in ten.” Frisco hung up, leaving Noah very relieved. He headed into the kitchen, where the kids were sword fighting with their spoons. He shook his head, remembering when he and his brothers did the same thing. “Guys, time to clean up.”

  To their credit they didn’t argue with him, but got their bowls and headed for the sink. Milo rinsed while Sana put them in the dishwasher. Noah wiped down the table, freeing it from its milk and soggy cereal prison. “Good job, guys.” He gave each one of them a hug. “Uncle Frisco is coming by for the day. He’s going to watch you guys while I go and make sure Auntie Iva doesn’t do something stupid.”

  Milo nodded sagely. “Girls are like that.”

  Noah grimaced. “No, I shouldn’t say that. I scolded you for calling Sana a dummy.”

  Sana laughed, the sound making Noah smile. “How are you going to punish yourself, Uncle Noah.”

  “Hmm.” Noah pretended to think about it. “How about I have to read two stories at bedtime instead of one?”

  The kids glanced at one another and then nodded eagerly.

  “We each get to pick one!” Sana clapped.

  Milo fist pumped. “Yes!”

  Noah chuckled. “Uncle Frisco should be here any moment now, so go get dressed and brush your teeth.”

  “Yes, Uncle Noah.” Sana skipped away, a happy humming sound drifting from her lips.

  Milo surprised him by kissing him on the cheek. “It’s okay, Uncle Noah. We all mess up sometimes. You don’t have to punish yourself if you don’t want to.” He walked away, his back straight, such a little man. Noah was so proud he could barely breathe. He reminded Noah painfully of Allan, so much so he could barely keep his tears from falling.

  “Allan and Lily were good parents,” Paisley said quietly from somewhere behind him.

  “Yes, they were.” Noah wiped his eyes now that the kids were out of sight. “I miss them both.”

  “We all do.” Paisley put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, offering her sympathy.

  Noah sighed. “Let’s get back to work. I have a dryad to spank.”

  Paisley didn’t laugh this time, both of them remembering good people who had been taken from them far too soon.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Iva stared at the fake IDs in her hands. Paisley had done a fantastic job on them. She’d come to drop them off and followed Iva to the lab. Greer, Dr. Inigo Andreadis, a gray witch, and his business partner, Dr. Webster Whittaker, a black witch, were waiting for them. Both witches had horrified expressions on their faces.

  “This is so illegal,” Web muttered.

  “Shush, little boy. Let mama work.” Iva bit her bottom lip as she stared at the original on the computer screen and the fake IDs Paisley had just handed her. “I can’t tell the difference.”

  “Neither can I,” Greer breathed in awe. He was holding his own badge like a kid given one hell of a treat. He literally bowed down to Paisley. “I am not worthy.”

  Paisley laughed, but the other men didn’t.

  “Here goes my medical license,” Web muttered. “Goodbye, years of medical school. Goodbye, horrible internship. Hello, twenty more years of grad school debt with no way to pay it off.”

  Iva stifled the need to bark at him. Seriously, he was in no real danger. Neither Greer nor Iva would talk if they were found out, and Dragos would have them out of jail so fast the cops wouldn’t have time to blink. None of this would lead back to Inigo or Web.

  “How the hell did you get this?” Inigo wiped his palms on his pants.

  “I have a friend who worked in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services before he died.” Paisley’s smile was evil. “He got a copy for me.”

  “Tell me he didn’t possess someone. Please, just tell me that.” Web closed his eyes, and was he praying?

  Paisley popped Web upside the head. “Calm down, Chicken Little. The sky isn’t falling and my friend didn’t possess anyone. Jeez. No, he spoke to a medium who also works for them. He took a picture of his badge, front and back, and emailed it to me. He’s also the one who’s calling ahead to the lab to alert them to your arrival, so everything is above-board. They’ll have everything ready for a routine CLIA-compliance inspection.”

  Greer studied the badge, tilting his head. “A who-what now?”

  Iva could answer this one. She’d been working on the problem with Web, Inigo and Paisley for weeks. Despite their dismay, both men had worked their asses of to make this happen. It wasn’t until the moment Paisley handed over the fake IDs that they’d become worried. Perhaps the fact that the plan was ready had made them cautious. “The CMS insures that anyone who receives Medicaid or Medicare follow the guidelines set forth by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. If they aren’t compliant, they can lose funding.”

  “Ah. So we have to sound like we know what we’re talking about.” Greer made a face. “Great. I sing people better, I don’t run tests on their hemoglobin.”

  “We’ll do a run-down of the procedures in the car on the way there.” Iva waved a set of papers. “I have everything right here.”

  “It took me a while to get everything just right, but this should get you through the door and back out again at Definitive Diagnostics.” Paisley grinned. “You’ll have to figure out a way to get good ole’ Pete’s blood on your own, though.”

  Iva answered absently. “We have to inspect the locations where they store the blood, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Did you tell Noah?” Inigo glanced around nervously. “I mean, it was my idea to have you and Greer become doctors in order to get our hands on the blood, but I didn’t think you’d have to impersonate CMS employees.”

  “Can you think of any other legal way to get to the body fluids without alerting Peter?” Iva tapped her foot, fed up with the pair of doctors. They’d been on board at first but now were waffling at the thought of Iva and Greer getting arrested outside the borders of Maggie’s Grove. They were probably terrified not of the human police, but of Noah and Mollie’s wrath. “Besides, neither of you are going. This is on me and Greer.”

  “And Noah,” Paisley muttered, her expression momentarily guilty. She clapped her hands together loudly, causing Web to jump like a startled cat. “Okay. Now that that’s done, I’m out of here.”

  Iva grabbed hold of Paisley’s earlobe and twisted. “What was that about Noah?”

  “Owowowowow!” Paisley twisted free, rubbing her earlobe as she pouted at Iva. “You really expected me not to tell Noah, my freakin’ alpha, when you were going?” She held up a badge that had Noah’s scowling face on it. “I even made him an ID.”

  The last thing Iva wanted was Noah becoming part of this. Her mate was large, growly, and unforgettable. Not exactly the type of person who should be going on a covert mission. An Asian scientist? Pfft. She was so cliché no one would question it. She’d be the one dealing with the lab techs, distracting them while Greer got his hands on the sample. Greer was just the person you wanted with you on covert ops. She knew exactly what he was capable of and welcomed him at her side.

  But Noah? One look and you’d never forget meeting him.

  Iva groaned at the sound of the elevator doors opening. “He’s coming in now, isn’t he, you cowardly she-wolf?”

  “Yup.” Paisley waived, the rings on her fingers clinking. “See ya!”

  Iva had never seen anyone bust out of a place so fast before. She probably dived into the elevator as the doors closed just so Iva couldn’t put a hurt on her.

  “Iva?” Noah pushed the lab’s doors open. “There you are. Do you have my ID?”

  Hell, he wasn’t even pretending to be in the dark.

  “He’s good,” Greer muttered. He sounded impressed.
r />   Noah seemed bored as he responded to Greer’s comment. “Mollie wants to talk to you when we get home.”

  Greer groaned. “But I’m not going alone this time, see?” He put his arm around Iva and pointed at her with his free hand, the one holding his badge. “I’ve got her.”

  “Uh-huh.” Noah plucked his badge from the hands of a quivering Web. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome?” Web blinked, then shook himself. “So. Inigo and I will wait here, holding the fort and ready to answer any questions you guys have. Dr. T will join us once we notify him that you’re on the way with the package, and we’ll start working on what you bring us immediately.”

  “Got it.” Noah glanced around. “Do we need anything other than these badges?” He’d worn a dark gray suit, the jacket open. The crisp white shirt was open at the collar, showing a bit of his collar bones. Instead of dress shoes he wore cap toe boots polished to a mirror finish. He was so yummy the female staff (and possibly some of the male staff) were going to go bonkers over him. If only he’d stop scowling, he’d be perfectly distracting.

  He was certainly distracting the hell out of her.

  Greer had gone a little more formal, wearing a navy-blue suit that complemented his honey-colored eyes and blond hair. The orange tips of his hair could be dismissed as personal taste. He too wore a crisp white shirt, but unlike Noah’s his was buttoned to the throat. He’d worn a navy-blue bowtie with, of all things, the periodic table on it in white lettering and boxes. He appeared quirky yet comfortable, as if he dressed this way every day.

  He’d pass just fine.

  Iva had gone for a simple pair of black slacks and a black blouse with a pair of bright red heels and a red purse. She’d had her hair cut during the two weeks she’d been mated, leaving her with a wispy layered bob that accentuated her eyes. She even had enough hair to cover her neck, barely. She found she loved the new style despite its shortness. Hell, she might keep it like this for a while rather than grow her hair back out.

  They all gave the impression of being both smart and professional. Even Greer. The only thing marring Iva’s outfit was the cast still on her arm, but that wasn’t something that would invite comment. She’d even used a red scarf as a sling, the same color as her shoes and purse.