I Kissed a Dog

chapter 11

Zane paced somewhere not far behind me as I gathered the few belongings I needed for our trip. I had one sequined cocktail dress, a couple of cute skirts, and several sheer matching blouses that I hoped would be dressy enough for the infamous and always glitzy Sin City.

Dressing up was something way out of the ordinary and even further out of my comfort zone. I was a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.

A few days ago, I couldn’t have begun to foresee my current reality. For one, taking a vacation from work was mind boggling in itself. Add traveling to another state with a man who wasn’t a man added to my new dreamlike existence.

Without the foot tapping coming from the far corner of my bedroom, where Zane now loomed, I might have been tempted to pinch myself.

“If you forget something, we’ll pick it up when we get there.” He sounded impatient, and worried.

“Can I grab my toiletries?” I didn’t have a ton of money to be splurging on new makeup.

“Can you do everything in five minutes or less?” he demanded.

“Can you stop rushing me? I’m almost finished.” His brusque manner made me more anxious than I already was. I scurried to the bathroom and tossed the essentials into a smaller bag.

“What about my car? What if someone sees it and wonders why I’m not in it or why I don’t answer the door?” I didn’t want to raise any suspicions. “Luke might figure out we’re together. That would be … uncomfortable.”

“Do you think he’ll come by?” Zane asked. “He likes you a lot.”

“I doubt it. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. He’ll think I went to visit my folks. My mom’s been known to whisk me away for a weekend.” I ignored his comment about Luke’s feelings. I had no intention of exploring that situation tonight.

“How would you feel about the two M’s staying here and keeping an eye on your place?” Zane suggested, changing the subject.

Having two werewolves as house sitters seemed a little bizarre, but they’d be closer to the animal park this way and more able to protect my property from any intruders.

“Sure,” I agreed, adding, “I think I’ll call Luke, let him know I’m with my parents. That’ll take care of the car being here with me gone.” I hated the idea of lying to Luke, but had convinced myself I’d hurt him more by revealing the truth.

“Call him from my place.” Zane lifted my heavy, old-fashioned suitcase like it weighed next to nothing.

After a quick once-over, I realized there was nothing else for me to do. I’d already preset two timers on my table lamps, and now that Zane’s friends were staying, I felt more confident leaving my personal sanctuary.

Forty minutes later, we pulled up in front of a small, rundown four-plex. The place looked deserted, creepy. Regardless, I was relieved to escape the confining Corvette. I’d never seen Zane so withdrawn. He hadn’t appreciated my attempts at scanning his thoughts either, and my enjoyment over his protectiveness had vanished, to be replaced by the nagging thought I’d become his biggest burden.

I decided to stay quiet and out of his way. Considering the limited space in his apartment, it wouldn’t be easy. Vegas sounded better by the moment.

“You can take the bedroom. I’ll stay out here and keep watch.” He placed my luggage by the front door. Grateful I’d worn sweats, I could go to bed without disturbing anything.

“I appreciate you doing all this, but I can handle things. I could go to my parents,” I said, hating how feeble I sounded.

“We’ve already been through our options. The last thing you want is your parents in a standoff with mutant werewolves. Believe me, the bad guys will find a way to locate everyone who’s important to you.”

A fist of terror punched into my gut. “What do you mean? Should I warn my family? Friends?” I thought of Melanie.

“If they don’t register your scent or find you there, they’ll move on. I don’t think anyone wants this exploding in the media. Staying undetected is still a top priority for everyone involved. The consequences for revealing our existence to humans are … unpleasant.”

I decided not to ask for the extended version. After all, the sole consequence I was aware of didn’t leave room for any others. I’d defeated death more than once and had no intention of trying again. Still, there was one person I figured we could reach out to for added assurance.

“My stepdad’s a cop. Maybe we could trust him …”

“With what? The fact you’re running from a supernatural serial killer, a vengeful woman werewolf, and her mutant warriors, with your new werewolf companion?”

I hated to admit he was right. Bob was way too practical even to consider something as farfetched as ghosts and goblins, let alone monster-sized wolves howling at the moon. For my family, ignorance wasn’t bliss, but it was the safer choice.

“You never told me what other supernatural creatures exist.” I glanced at the window certain there were ferocious fiends hovering just beyond the glass.

I couldn’t seem to escape the vivid memory of Missy the Zebra’s ruthless assailant, blood drenching his face.

Seeing my discomfort, Zane closed the mismatched curtains. Considering his status in the pack, I was baffled by his sparse living arrangements. His car screamed of wealth, power, and prestige. These tiny quarters told a far different story.

Keeping a low profile was the explanation that made sense. I realized again how little I knew about my current companion. I wasn’t even sure what to refer to him as — coworker, life-saver, friend, boyfriend, veterinarian, werewolf buddy, future lover …

“Now you want a bedtime story about things that go bump in the night?” The corner of his mouth twitched like he was fighting the urge to smile. “Can I tuck you in too?” A full grin followed.

Thankful for another reprieve from thinking about what Zane meant to me, and relieved to see him back to his normal flirty self, I sunk into the worn sofa. “That depends on how good the stories are.”

Rather than responding with his usual sarcastic-laced enthusiasm, his smile vanished. He froze, listening.

Following his example, I turned my attention to anyone in the vicinity. After a few seconds, I was rewarded with several non-threatening images.

He’s not expecting us.

I hope he doesn’t mind we’re early. Zane isn’t one for surprises.

“I think your friends are here,” I whispered.

“They’re not trying to hide their presence, that’s for sure.” A loud crash confirmed Zane’s observation.

“Ouch!” Several curses followed.

Almost faster than my mind could register his movements, Zane opened the door and vanished. Laughter and friendly greetings broke the silence. I questioned how Mack and Michael had managed to arrive so fast. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that traditional travel methods weren’t a feasible option.

“I hate teleporting,” a smooth masculine voice answered my unspoken questions.

The explanation wasn’t what I’d expected.

“It was your idea,” either Mack or Mike chided the other.

“Nothing changes. Always bickering,” Zane chuckled. “You picked a great time to show up.”

“Ah, that’s right. You’re protecting the human woman …”

“I can hear you,” I called through the door, not wanting to listen while pretending I wasn’t. The way they said human was borderline insulting.

“She can hear in more ways than one,” Zane agreed, affirming my unique talents.

“I’m Mack,” a monstrous and very attractive man, with shoulder-length, blonde hair, announced. He filled the doorframe.

No wonder they called him Mack. He was built like a Mack Truck. Too bad the werewolves couldn’t form a professional football team.

Sensing my appraisal, Mack flashed a wide grin my direction.

“And I’m Michael. The. Younger. One,” he boasted, dodging his father’s grasp. The two looked more like brothers than father and son.

Zane shook his head, looking from one man to the other. “Need I say more?”

“Did someone say teleporting?” I pressed, ignoring Zane.

Mack glanced at Michael, who looked at Zane. How much does she know? Mack speculated without speaking.

“A lot,” I replied. “We were just starting our discussion on the wide range of existing supernatural creatures.”

Mack and Michael grinned, looking even more alike.

Zane glanced my way. “She’s a pushy one.”

I couldn’t let that comment go. “Hey! Who’s pushy?”

The two M’s sniggered. Zane scowled.

“I like a woman who knows what she wants,” said Mack with approval.

Zane tilted his head, tightening his lips into a hard line.

“Come on, man. We’re just playing. I forgot how fast you jump from fun and games to teasing and tormenting,” Mack scolded.

I determined right then that Mack would be an ally. By the way Zane glared his direction, I assumed he knew too.

Sensing a standoff, Michael joined in, “You want me to tell about the others?”

“Thank you. That’s what I wanted all along. Zane keeps topic hopping,” I teased, hoping to deflate the tension. It worked. In unison, the two older men inhaled and relaxed.

“If Zane doesn’t mind,” Mack said, head inclined, acknowledging his lesser status in the pack.

“Michael, feel free. Just don’t scare her,” Zane warned, refusing to meet my gaze.

“It’s not his fault if I’m scared. He’s not responsible for my reactions.” I tried to keep my voice steady. Zane’s overbearing manner was getting on my nerves.

“Michael’s storytelling skills are renowned,” said Zane.

“He’s trying to say I exaggerate,” Michael agreed sheepishly. “Anyway, first, let me ask you something.” He glanced at Zane for what I guessed was approval. Zane nodded. “What do you think exists?”

Surprised by the question, I thought back to several scary movies I’d seen, without my parents’ permission of course. “Vampires, witches, goblins …”

“You’re doing great,” Michael grinned. “Go on.”

“Since there are werewolves and mutants, I’m guessing there might be other creatures, oh, what are they called?” I tried to remember the creatures that I’d read about in my study of Indian legends. “Shape shifters!” I yelled out as if we were playing monster charades.

“Real,” Zane confirmed, at last relaxing.

“What about angels and demons?” I wondered, hoping my biblical training wasn’t based on myth.

“The Bible is real. Remember, there are a number of additional books the Bible either references or alludes to, like the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch. If uncovered by humans, these ancient texts would expose the supernatural communities. In fact, the Bible talks about fallen angels, or sons of God and human woman creating a new race of giants. Many of us are offspring of those ancient races.”

Still confused, I felt more relieved knowing the Bible was true. There just happened to be additional information that was dispersed on a need-to-know basis.

“You doing okay?” Zane asked, looking apprehensive.

“Of course,” I fibbed, unwilling to halt the discussion because of Zane’s over protectiveness and my increasing squirminess. “Tell me about vampires,” I insisted.

“Let’s stick with vampire basics.” Michael glanced at Zane, who again nodded.

I was starting to see just how serious the werewolf hierarchy thing was. Zane held a powerful position in his pack. I assumed that Logan alone outranked him. Though, according to family history, Zane should be the alpha male. His grandfather, then his father had held those positions. Why not Zane? I understood those questions would have to wait until we were alone.

Noticing my companions’ stares, I agreed. “I’m ready for vampire 101.” All three werewolves chuckled. I wished my own species found me so amusing.

“The first vampires resulted from fallen angels copulating with human women. As I mentioned, they were just one of the many offspring from these illicit unions, often referred to as the Nephilim. For whatever reason, this finicky family line had no desire for traditional food sources. They craved blood. Human blood. This desire made them pretty unpopular with the others …”

“Short version,” Mack interrupted.

“I’m just trying to give a little background. Anyway, these blood drinkers formed their own clan and became nomads traveling from place to place in order to avoid detection. They hunted solely at night and stayed hidden during daylight hours. This pattern caused them to become what legends often refer to as children of the night.

Like most creatures, though, there are exceptions to the rule. Some vampires can survive during the day. They have to wear sunglasses to cover their light-sensitive eyes, but nowadays, they blend in. Sure, they’re paler than the normal person, but they are beautiful to look at.”

“Do they still drink human blood?” I was fascinated.

“There are different populations of vampires. Some have found a way to exist on animal blood. Others feed off criminals. And, yes, there are still vampires that thrive on seducing humans. A few have specialized powers like flying, mindreading, mind control, even the ability to teleport from one place to another.”

“Is that how you got here so fast?” I asked, reminded of their unconventional travel method.

Michael’s eyes darted to Mack, who turned to Zane.

“Well?” I looked toward Zane since he seemed to be my sole hope of an honest answer to this particular question.

“A vampire friend teleported them here. We work closely with some of the vampires,” Zane admitted with reluctance.

“The vegetarians and the ones who feed off the bad guys,” Michael explained, as if my knowing that little tidbit would make their partnership more tolerable.

Curious to know more than he was revealing, I pushed through Michael’s ineffective mental barrier. He was recalling the memory of teleporting. An attractive twenty-something man, with black sunglasses, rested his hands on Michael and his father. In a blink, they vanished. The next picture revealed the three of them standing by Zane’s mailbox.

“There was a vampire here?” The idea repulsed me. Vegetarian or not, the image of a bloodsucker was just too much. Maybe a vampire had attacked Missy. “The zebra’s blood …”

“No,” Zane said. “Like werewolves and well-behaved mutants, human-owned animals are off limits for vampires to hunt”

“I thought you said there were exceptions to the rules. Maybe a rogue vampire?” I wasn’t convinced.

“We’re done with this discussion. You’re going to have to trust me, Chloe. I will protect you. You know more than any human should. This knowledge puts you in greater danger.”

“You can’t make up your mind, can you?” I snapped; regretting my disrespectful tone in front of his guests.

“I think it’s best you get some sleep,” he said, his irritation obvious. “I’ll wake you in time for our flight.”

Wishing I could teleport far away from the scrutinizing gazes of three werewolves, one in particular, I struggled up from the sunken couch and rammed my little toe against the coffee table’s protruding leg. Refusing to acknowledge the biting pain, I hobbled to the bedroom door, where I tripped over a tear in the worn carpet and found myself sailing across the room. I collided with the bed, face first.

My clumsiness was becoming quite the nuisance. Humiliated more than hurt, I dragged myself onto the bed. Zane’s musky scent enveloping me.

“Are you all right?”

I didn’t need to look to know Zane was hovering above me. I heard the door click shut.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to challenge your pack authority. I …”

“Chloe, you’re not a werewolf. I’m not your leader. I appreciate the sentiment, but both Mack and Michael realize you’re human. Humans aren’t even supposed to know we exist, let alone understand our code of behavior.” He lowered himself to sit beside me.

“You deserve to know the rest. The supernatural population is diverse; our history is extensive, and far more complex than I could begin to explain right now. Just know there is an unnoticed world right in the midst of yours. Other than angels and demons, werewolves, mutants, and vampires are the largest sub-groups, though there are many others. We go to great lengths to remain anonymous, but as you know, scores of stories and myths about our kind exist. Though many are false, due to our meddling, some contain bits of truth.

There are indeed humans who do know about us. Some are more sensitive to the supernatural. Others hunt us.

Most of us try to live amongst your kind in peace, even protecting your race. But, like humans, we have our own bad guys. Covering their tracks in order to maintain our anonymity while making sure justice is served are top priorities.”

“Really?” I rolled over and sat up, feeling vulnerable lying down with him so near. “I feel inadequate, lost even. This is all so overwhelming. I keep forgetting it isn’t a dream.” A fresh wave of uncertainty threatened to drag me under.

“You’re not inadequate. It’s not a dream. I’m real. And you’re very, very real.” He cupped my face.

The kiss was different from the others. He handled me like a fragile treasure, pressing kisses across my cheeks, eyelids, and forehead. I clung to him like a life preserver, afraid if I let go I’d drown.

All I wanted was him.

Sensing my need, he found my mouth and pulled me onto his lap. The electrical current of insatiable desire, raging like a wildfire between us, exceeded any pleasure I’d ever experienced. I wondered if a vampire’s need for blood surpassed my need for this half-man half wolf. Somehow I doubted it.

I loosened the leather cord that bound his hair, releasing an avalanche of raven waves. I wound my fingers through the dark mane. His hands mimicked mine, clutching and pulling my curls as our kiss deepened.

A little moan escaped my lips, surprising me. I’d never felt so out of control.

Forgetting my virginal vow, I let my hands trail down, reveling in the sensation of his muscular arms under my fingertips. His skin was fiery hot and smooth. The musky, earthy scent that was all Zane wrapped around me.

“Are you sure, Princess?” He whispered; his golden eyes focused on my face.

Unable to tear myself from his gaze, I responded by scooting off his lap and stretching out beside him. Faster than lightning, he positioned himself just above me, his hair spilling around my face. When he lowered his mouth to my neck, I arched, winding my arms around him, pulling him closer.

“Zane! We’ve got company!” Mack bellowed from the front room.

Zane, on his feet in an instant, commanded: “Into the closet! Go! Now!”

I was frozen on the bed, unable to obey. My body felt like melting butter, ready for loving not running.

Then the funny rippling thing was happening all around him. Terrified to see him again in his wolf form, I sprang toward the closet.

Crouched below several long-sleeved shirts and jackets, I reached with shaking hands for the doorknob, but hesitated. Zane had morphed into a humongous, sable, wolf–like creature. His thick fur spiked outward, making him appear even more formidable. A menacing growl rippled through him, a chilling challenge to anyone or anything foolish enough to mess with him.

For a time-stopping moment, he was motionless like a statue. His ears twitched, followed by another deep rumble. Slamming through the bedroom door, he shattered it into pieces.