Evan sighed and walked into my room, “Nothing I did worked to stop your howling,” he confessed, “So I reached out to a few sows I know who know a few wolves without packs. One offered to try a,” Evan groaned, “puppy pile while you slept to calm your wolf. It worked. I have a rotation of rogue wolves who’ve offered to help you. That was Ginger.”
“How many wolves?” I thought back and tried to remember how many different smells, it had to be in the double digits.
“Total? I think there’s been 9, but I have 6 on regular rotation,” Evan explained.
“Wow,” I muttered, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Evan shrugged, “In my first call with Cain, I mentioned your missing tooth and back scars. I about broke my phone listening to the scenarios he described could cause those. And because you won’t talk about it. We presumed the worst. Cain didn’t think you would feel safe knowing wolves were around.”
“So you willingly let strange wolves into my bed?”
Evan sighed, “I was trying to help. And it did help. You haven’t howled once since they’ve started. And before you think you’re a charity case, which you’re not. The wolves offered to puppy pile. They say it helps them just as much as it’s helping you.”
“How is it helping them?” I asked hiding my annoyance that Evan thought I’d think I was a charity case. I did, but I hated he knew that.
“They’re packless too,” Evan explained, “I don’t know why or how, but their wolves are like yours, alone and miserable.”
“Can I meet them?”
Evan shrugged, “I’ll ask. Some of them don’t like being in human form. I’ve only seen the wolf form of at least four. If Ginger hasn’t ran away, she’d probably be ok talking to you. She’s a waif of thing, usually takes me up on my offer of a breakfast before she leaves.”
“Call them, all you can get, I want to meet them,” I told him, “Thank them, really. Winter’s here and your bear is asleep. Maybe I can convince one or two of them to run with my wolf.”
“I’ll set it up,” Evan said sensing the change in my beast’s demeanor, “I’m making breakfast, I’ll see if Ginger wants to stay for it, if she’s still here.”
Evan nodded, took a deep breath, and smiled at me, “You’re taking this a whole lot better than I thought you would.”
I walked over to him, Evan ruffled my hair, “I was a wreck without you, Lee. This was my last ditch crazy idea, but it’s been working. You’ve been sleeping, you’ve been eating, you smile more. I would have tried anything to get your wolf healthy. Anything except sending you back to that fuck head mate of yours. ”
At the mention of Kendrick I felt my wolf whine inside of me. We didn’t talk about him. We didn’t mention him. I did my best not to think of him. It hurt too much.
I smiled back at Evan, “I didn’t know I needed help. But it’s obvious I do. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. What you’ve always done for me.”
“You’re a mess, Lee,” he said messing up my hair for the second time this morning, “But you’re my mess.”
“Thanks Ev.”
Ginger was cowering in the corner of the living room when I walked out. I stood on the far end of the living room, “I’m sorry for scaring you,” I told her in soft tones, “I didn’t want to frighten you.”
Her honey colored fur was shaking. The poor girl was terrified, “Do you want breakfast? Evan makes amazing French toast.”
Her shaking slowed down and the wolf cautiously uncurled.
“I’m Lee,” I told her, “You can stay in wolf form if that’s how your more comfortable. I won’t hurt you.”
The wolf trotted toward the galley kitchen where Evan was already cooking up a pound of bacon for the girl.
“Hey Ging,” Evan told the wolf who sat dutifully. She was so small that even in wolf form she barely came up to his knees. I’d never heard of a wolf so tiny.
Ginger ate her bacon and whined at the door, “If you’re free tonight,” Evan told her, “Lee wants to meet the wolves who’ve been helping her. Come to the pub anytime before ten.”
Ginger whimpered and Evan opened the door to the outside stairs. I heard the clicking of her nails as she ran down the stairs.
Evan shut the door, “I’ll call Cain, you eat.”
“She’s really tiny.”
Evan nodded.
58
6 years earlier
Earl’s cough didn’t go away. It took almost six months to convince him to go to the doctor. By then the cancer had spread through his lungs and he had to be hospitalized.
The drive back to the pub was awkward. Evan sat in the passenger seat of my car growling.
“He’s not going to die,” I lied. It seemed like the right thing to say, but Evan’s reaction told me otherwise.
“He is going to die, Lee, he’s almost eighty years old with stage four lung cancer,” Evan shouted at me, “He’s going to fucking die and what happens next?”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said, “Maybe we can-”
“We?” Evan scoffed, “We? What on earth could we do? A bear and three legged wolf alone in the human world.”
“Evan...” I didn’t know how to respond. Since the Lark wedding, Evan hadn’t made any derogatory remarks about my lost limb.
“I need to run,” he said throwing the door open before I even fully stopped the car. He slammed the door behind him and ran into the woods on the side of the road.
“Evan...” I whispered after him. I wanted to run after him, to force him to talk to me until we figured it out. But the car behind me beeped and I pulled forward in the intersection and continued until I got home.
I opened the pub for the evening by myself. Because Evan wasn’t there to cook, I had to tell everyone who came in it was a bar-only night.
“You ok, Lee?” Louie asked. He and Edith were going to leave after finding out that the kitchen was closed.
“Earl’s sick,” I admitted, the town would find out sooner rather than later and Earl didn’t make us promise to keep his illness a secret, “Cancer.”
“Oh Lee,” Louie said pulling me into a tight paternal hug, “If there’s anything you need. Let us know.”
I nodded, “Um, Evan’s not taking it so well. I don’t know how he’d react if people knew...”
“We didn’t hear it from you,” Louie told me with a wink.
“Thank you,” I said, letting the older couple leave and greeting the next customers, “Welcome to Tooth and Claw, unfortunately the kitchen is closed tonight, but the bar is wide open.”
The tourists turned to look at each other, having a silent conversation that ended up with them deciding to stay for a drink while they figured out other dinner options.
This was good, I could be busy with people in the bar. I could focus on something, anything other than Earl. I couldn’t let myself dwell on the impending loss.
Earl was the father and grandfather that life had stolen from me. He saved me from the streets, but I wouldn't be able to save him from cancer.
59
Present day
Evan managed to get the 6 wolves who he considered the usual rotation to come to the pub for a meeting. I noticed them as they filtered in, blending in with the human crowd. I recognized the scents, but it was the way they watched me that gave away their status.
The first to come into the pub drew my attention immediately. My wolf recognized the scent. It was the trail she’d been chasing in her dreams. He was in his early thirties but dressed like he was still a teenager. His hair was scruffy and a bit greasy. Despite his ragged appearance, his green eyes were fiercely intelligent and scanned the room constantly. He took the last stool on the bar almost hidden behind the large coffee carafe in the corner. Despite his hiding place, I found my eyes drifting over to him all night.
Finally I got a break in my tables for the perfect excuse to sate my curiosity. I busied myself making a pot of coffee that would likely go stale, my eyes were dra
wn to the wolf. His hair was dark blond or light brown, I couldn’t tell through the unwashed oils in his hair. I shouldn’t be attracted to him. I could smell the sweat and grime radiating off of him, but the underlying scent that was his essence kept my eyes on him.
“Cain Harris,” he said with a nod to me after Sarah left to run food from the kitchen, “Evan said it was ok for me to come before close. Is that alright?”
I returned his nod, “I’m Lee, but I guess you know that. Of course, it’s more than alright. Welcome to the Tooth and Claw. Order anything you like, it’s on the house.”
The edges of his mouth crooked into a smile and a hint of a dimple touched the stubble on his cheek. My wolf stirred inside me. She was intrigued by the man across the bar. I wanted to stay longer and analyze Cain, but I needed to finish my shift.
When the whistle sounded last call I re-made the carafe of coffee. I started to pour three mugs when Sarah asked me what I was doing. I felt silly. Our nightly tradition of making coffee for Louie had ended when he was officially weaned from alcohol. He came in at three for a burger and coke then left immediately after. Louie had long left his booth at the Tooth and Claw, all that remained in the pub were the six rogue wolves.
“You can head out early, Sarah,” I told her and she looked at me really confused because there were still so many people in the bar, “Evan and I are having friends over tonight.”
She accepted that answer and ran back to the office to get her stuff, “Text us when you get home!” I hollered after her. She’d gotten really good about texting us since my disappearance. I’d like to think it was because she knew how serious we were about her safety, but I think it had more to do with Evan pounding on her door scaring her roommates the last time she forgot.
When the human was safely out of the building, Evan came out behind the bar and poured himself a Jack and Coke. I managed to keep from gagging at the smell of the whiskey.
“Cain, Ginger, Olly, Charlie, Lottie, Ed,” Evan said nodding to each of the guests in turn. They each gave him a nod when he greeted them.
Ginger was about four foot ten and maybe eighty pounds soaking wet. No wonder her wolf was so tiny. Olly and Charlie looked to be twins, both young, not much older than twenty years old. They stood close to each other and didn’t interact with the others. Lottie and Ed were the oldest. Lottie looked to be in her fifties while I’d peg Ed to be in his sixties. All six of them looked too thin, dirty, and in need of new clothes. My wolf yearned to help them.
“Hi,” I said, waving to the group. Cain was sitting at the bar on one end, Lottie was sitting at the other end. Olly and Charlie were sitting at a table in the far back, Ginger was sitting in Earl’s booth and Ed was sitting at a table in the center of the room, “I’m Lee. But Evan’s probably told you that. Um, are you guys hungry? Order whatever you want it’s on the house.”
Olly and Charlie’s ears perked up and they stalked to a table closer to the bar.
I felt Cain’s watchful eyes on me as I continued, “I’m sorry if I scared you this morning, Ginger,” the small woman ducked further into the high backed booth, out of sight. Shit, I was really fucking this up, “I just wanted to thank you, all of you, for....” I bit my lip trying to find the words.
“You’re one of us, Lee,” Cain’s voice was deep and rich, smoother than his appearance would have had me believe, “We’re all packless. When Evan called I know my wolf jumped at the chance to not sleep alone.”
The heads I could see were nodding in agreement.
“Best I’ve slept in decades,” Ed said, his voice was just as gruff as his appearance would have me believe.
“It was no hardship,” Lottie agreed. When she spoke she reminded me even more of my mother.
I could smell the burgers Evan was cooking. He’d disappeared back to the kitchen without taking any orders, I had a feeling the food would be eaten.
“I don’t want to be alone anymore,” Ginger’s voice was so soft I could hardly hear it.
“We don’t either,” Charlie said, presumably speaking for Olly and himself.
Lottie and Ed nodded. I looked over at Cain who lifted his glass to me with a smile before drinking. I felt my lips quirk into a smile. I wasn’t really alone. I had Evan. But Evan had brought these wolves to me. For me.
“I don’t know what Evan told you all about me,” I said, “I don’t want to know. He’s told me less than squat about all of you. But you need to know that I appreciate what you’ve done. You are all welcome to stay,” when the words left my mouth I saw their faces twist, “I don’t have much room right now, but I’ll figure it out. You won’t go hungry. You won’t be alone.”
My wolf howled inside of me, she didn’t know she wanted this, but now that the words were out there, it was all she wanted.
“I can’t be in a pack,” Ed said sadly.
“This isn’t a pack. I have no desire to ever be in a pack,” I told him, “At best, it’d be a puppy pile,” I heard Evan snort from the kitchen, but he continued to cook.
I saw Ginger’s blond hair peek out from the booth as she slinked into a lower back one closer to the bar. Charlie and Olly moved up to another table closer too. Evan brought out a tray of burgers and fries. He set it on the largest empty table in the center of the pub and slowly the scent of caramelized onions and beef lured all six of my secret sleeping partners. I pulled up a chair and sat with them.
My wolf was pleased to see them eat, particularly Ginger. She was much too small. Charlie and Olly each ate two burgers. Their subtle differences became more obvious the more I looked at them. Charlie had a small scar over his right eye. Olly’s right forefinger was missing the first knuckle.
Cain was sitting next to me watching me carefully, “When’s the last time you shifted?” he asked casually.
“Around the new year,” I told him, “My wolf can’t be trusted to run alone right now. That reminds me, I was going to ask-”
Cain’s knowing grin stopped the words in my throat, “I don’t want to speak for all of us, but I know anytime you want to-”
I felt my eyes widen, my wolf heard the offer and she was primed and ready, I heard the pleading whine crawl up my throat. Cain raised an amused eyebrow, “Tonight, even if you wanted.”
My eyes flew to Evan who was watching from the bar. He gave an almost imperceptible nod. I trusted Evan implicitly. If he thought I’d be safe running with these strange wolves, I trusted I’d be safe. And if their human forms were any indication, I’d bet my wolf could take them in a fight, if not, she’d have the home woods advantage should she choose to flee.
“Just keep her from running West,” Evan told Cain from the bar, “I’ll go grab your bag and rope.”
“Oh!” I ran after him, “Can you put my arm on the charger?” Evan turned to look at me accepting the arm with bewilderment.
“Has your single handed knot tying improved?” he asked.
I shrugged, “If I need help, I’ll ask for it,” Evan smirked at me, it wasn’t a sentiment I’d often used, “Thank you, Evan. Seriously.”
“I love you, Lee,” he said rubbing my arm with my bionic arm in his hand, like Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. I rolled my eyes at him.
“I love you too, Ev,” I told him before turning back to the group of misfits.
Ginger looked over at me her eyes widened at the stump. Her face reddened and she turned back to her plate.
“Bear trap, hurt like a bitch,” I said unwilling to act ashamed, or pretend my missing limb was a secret, “I’d recommend staying away from them if you can manage. The town thinks it was a hunting accident, if you hear them talk about it. It’s close enough to the truth.”
Ginger’s lips quirked but she still didn’t look at me. Charlie and Olly looked at each other and Charlie raised his eyebrows like he’d won an unspoken bet. Lottie sipped her coffee casually watching the group.
“How does your wolf handle three legs?” Ed asked, breaking the silent tension.
“Be
tter than she did four,” I replied, “She avoids letting anyone run on her right side and can’t go down stairs to save her life. Other than that I can’t tell the difference. You’re welcome to come run tonight and see for yourself.”
Ed looked thoughtful for a moment but shook his head, “Next time. I need to work tomorrow.”
“I think we’re out too,” Olly said, “but we’ll take you up on the offer to stay if that’s ok. We’ve been living out of our car.”
I nodded, “You know where my room is. I’ll tell Evan when he gets back what’s going on. Anyone else want to stay?”
Ginger slowly raised her hand. Lottie shook her head. I looked at Cain who just quirked his eyebrow at me. That wasn’t an answer, but he was going on a run with me so I wasn’t going to pester him.
Evan eventually came down with the heavy duty pack we used for holding our clothes when shifting and a pile of rope.
“I heard we’re having guests tonight?” Evan said looking over at the table of wolves. The three young wolves raised their hands, “Alright, we’ll make it work. Help me clean up the kitchen and we’ll get you settled while Lee runs. Is it just you Cain?”
Cain nodded.
Evan looked at me, “I should probably come with.”
“Think I can’t handle her?” Cain asked, his voice more amused than challenged, “I know she’s tougher than she loo-”
Evan’s growl cut off Cain’s words. And Evan looked at me, “Is she going to run?”
I closed my eyes and reached out to my wolf. She wasn’t on edge with desperation the way she’d been when she took complete control from me. She was excited to run. She was intrigued by the new wolf. She didn’t seem flighty.
“I don’t think so,” I told him honestly, “I think she just wants to stretch her legs.”
Evan worried his lip but gave me a stiff nod, “If you’re not back by sunrise I’m coming after you.”
I nodded, “I’ll call if plans change.”
Tooth and Claw (Kootenai Pack Book 1) Page 18
