I Kissed a Dog

chapter 24

Back at Zane’s, we explained our discoveries to Alcuin, Mack, and Michael. The three sat in rapt attention, all uncharacteristically quiet. Alcuin was taking what appeared to be detailed notes.

Seeing a vampire with such a studious demeanor almost undid the tight knots in my stomach. Zane’s intense expression kept me from laughing. His brows were so furrowed I could picture them meeting in the middle. An awful thought, because in my book, men with uni-brows were major turnoffs.

In Zane’s case, turning off my intense feelings was the most difficult task I faced. Well, maybe not the most difficult. I still needed a full-proof plan, if I was going to get my personal meeting with Joshua Smart, in Portland.

For some inexplicable reason, my thoughts were plagued by visions of the Smart boy locked away in a dreary psychiatric facility, far from his home and family. Did his mother even bother to visit? Was his condition improving?

Joshua Smart was a young boy who might very well have vital information locked away in his troubled mind. Information we desperately needed.

Getting to The City of Roses for a brief visit on my own would be nearly impossible with my protective alpha male watching my every move. Zane would accompany me if I asked. But what I wanted, and probably needed for my own sanity, was twenty-four hours to myself — a full day to process all the craziness that had invaded my life.

I’d plan my clandestine escape for Monday night, after the big meeting with Logan and the legendary Board of Directors. I prayed that I still had enough pull with Luke to enlist him in my plan.

“I believe you’re missing an important detail,” Alcuin’s assertion sliced through my scheming session.

“Go on,” Zane grumbled.

Mack and Michael nodded their agreement.

“You are all forgetting something crucial. From what I’ve gathered after hearing Chloe’s description, this woman, the redhead isn’t a mutant. She’s a purebred.

The normal separation between mutants and werewolves is changing. These killings are evidence of a much wider arrangement that involves not only a group of rebellious werewolves and mutants, but also your Native American brothers, all working together. This female werewolf is a primary player in their game. I also agree that Jazmine is involved.” Alcuin glanced at his notes again.

“Who is this redhead?” Mack asked. “I can’t think of any female in our pack that fits her description.”

I listened as the men went over the details again and again, reexamining all the key players and points, and always ending up with the same conclusion — they were baffled.

The only good news we’d received all day was a phone message from Luke instructing me and Zane to take the next week off from work — his wedding gift to us.

There was one condition: we remain on call in case of an animal emergency that one of the two M’s couldn’t resolve. I had enough confidence in the father and son duo to trust that my week off wouldn’t be interrupted.

I glanced at my husband. His hair was tied back showing off his rugged features.

Sensing my gaze, he lifted his head, giving me an easy smile. My heart did that crazy fluttering thing and I looked away. At least I hadn’t blasted my erotic images into his mind. Though his eyes gave away his intentions, they were as heated as my own private thoughts.

Somehow, even in the midst of our developing crisis, he, too, was distracted by my presence. Just the awareness of his heated feelings sent a rush of power through my veins, like a potent narcotic to a diehard junkie, but better, and without all the deplorable side effects, yet no less addictive.

I wasn’t sure if it was the situation bringing us closer, but I knew one thing for certain, I wanted a repeat of my wedding night. The night I couldn’t remember. I wanted to trade any remaining regrets for romantic bliss. I wanted to experience whatever pleasures he’d given me all over again with my eyes wide open. But with our world raging out of control, finding the right time would prove difficult.

Alcuin rose to his feet. “Since we’re all speechless, I suggest we get busy. I’ll teleport over to the late Mr. McCray’s trailer and search for another antique coin hiding in some wicker contraption. You two,” he nodded at Zane before turning his piercing eyes my direction, “will take a look around Will Mills’ household. As for the M-mutts …”

“I resent that,” Michael snorted. “I’m not a mutt you frozen freak. You’re just jealous of my body temperature. And by the way, I have a security shift to pull at the park. Pops can handle anything.”

Mack responded to his son’s compliment by inflating his already huge chest.

“If I get too cold, I know where to find a warm wolf coat.” Alcuin flashed fang and chuckled.

Mack high-fived the vampire, leading Michael to swipe at his dad.

Tired of their banter, I stood and stretched. “How about we finish with our itinerary? I’m exhausted. Stressed. And a whole lot of other things that don’t need mentioning in front of you two.” I directed my complaints at the youngest werewolf and Alcuin, who raised an eyebrow.

The vampire’s ability to distinguish human emotions was disconcerting in view of my never-ceasing hunger for Zane.

To my relief, Alcuin kept his observations to himself and picked up the map. I’d circled the murder sites with my orange highlighter. I kept forgetting to ask the one thing the circles reminded me of. “Someone please explain this whole warding thing to me.”

Alcuin raised his head. “Why wards?”

I hated how he answered my question with another one. “The mutants in the trailer mentioned wards and magic.”

Zane answered this time. “Some witches, sorcerers, and all high court fae are able to create wards. The types of wards you’re referring to are ones that protect a specific area or person, keeping any unwelcome visitors away. Most wards are breakable, if a more powerful being wants through.”

Michael jumped in. “We haven’t seen a powerful fae in years. They’re watching though. You can count on it.”

“Thanks, that helps,” I said, not satisfied and still wishing I could ask more pointed questions about the wards that had kept Valamir from entering The Crab Cove.

I’d keep those questions to myself for the time being. Mentioning the master vampire would add more chaos to our crisis. I wondered who had set up the wards for our reception. Just the idea that we had a witch — or worse — in our midst was unsettling.

“Where do you want me?” Mack asked. I could tell he was eager to play a more active role in our search.

Reluctant, Zane handed him the coins. “I need you to take these to Rita. Alcuin can teleport you there before he visits Miles’ place.”

Alcuin just smirked.

“What?” Zane demanded.

“You assume I’m at your beck and call. I’m quite hungry, and I don’t play well when I’m hungry.” His icy eyes landed on a spot just below my jaw line.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I snapped, reaching for my neck.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I have plenty of willing donors.”

Alcuin almost seemed offended, in an “I’ve been rejected” kind of way. Mr. Calm, Cool, and Collected had displayed emotions. He was upset because I didn’t want him to bite me.

“Can’t you wait twenty more minutes?” asked Michael.

“I can wait days if it’s required, but I don’t want to. You hungry hounds should understand. You all eat like …”

“Enough! Please!” I’d reached my boiling over point. “Let the blood-starved vamp go feed, just don’t give me any details. Then we can get to work.”

Michael clapped, inspired by my retort. “One for the lady.” He stopped clapping to make an imaginary check mark in the air.

Alcuin missed out on the younger wolf’s theatrics. He’d already disappeared.

I was relieved thirty minutes later when Alcuin reappeared with a smug grin. His eyes were brighter and his presence more imposing. I had to admit, for him, blood did the trick.

Zane nodded toward the door and jingled my car keys. I followed, thrilled to leave the once again bickering boys behind.

While Alcuin had been hunting, Zane had explained how civilized vampires like Alcuin could feed from any human, willing or not, without causing permanent damage. Rogue vampires, on the other hand, were far more likely to drain their food sources, causing problems for vampires trying to maintain a semi-normal existence away from the supernatural community’s scrutiny, and from humans’ superstitious natures.

I wondered if Valamir bled his victims dry.

“You’re in deep thought.” Zane’s voice alerted me to just how far I’d allowed my mind to drift. With so much new information to absorb it was a wonder I could form complete sentences let alone come up with valuable theories and questions.

“There’s so much to think about,” I said.

“We’re almost there.” Zane tensed, preparing once again to face the unknown.

From what I’d gathered, none of my supernatural cohorts were very comfortable with so many unknown players on the game board. Not knowing who or what they were up against had diminished their overconfidence.

Wanting to get this latest search behind us, I was ready to move forward with our investigation of Will’s property.

“You haven’t asked me the one question I’ve been expecting,” he said. “Aren’t you curious about Rita?”

Without his prompting, I might have forgotten about the woman. “I wouldn’t mind knowing,” I confirmed, refusing to act all excited by this latest tidbit tossed my way like a bone to a hungry dog.

My dog-induced thoughts weren’t stopping anytime soon, regardless of my fearful feelings about the four-legged fiends. I hated to admit, I’d taken a real liking to Kelsey — Seth’s retriever — the first ever dog that had caught my fancy, except, of course, the werewolf sitting next to me.

I stifled an unexpected giggle.

Zane gave me his lopsided grin. “I’m glad you find this all so amusing.”

“I’m sorry,” I fibbed. In truth, I was thankful for my imagination. Having an offbeat sense of humor and always creative mind had proven very helpful over the torture-filled years at school, when snooty girls like Darlene Davenport made it their top priority to shred my self-esteem. Right now, my inner-comedian kept me from drowning in despair.

“No reason to apologize. There’s more than enough for us to worry about. As for Rita, she’s a retired college professor. Her area of expertise is the study of ancient and lost languages. She’s worked with some of the greats in her field. She’s also what you might call a packette.”

I pulled over and parked across the road from Will’s. “Now I’m curious. What’s a ‘packette’?”

“Werewolf supporter, groupie, fan … someone who has discovered our existence and has committed to maintaining complete confidentiality. In turn we provide protection from those unhappy with her knowledge.”

“I guess at this point that title would apply to me?” This was good news; the added protection policy.

“You’re my mate. You are under my protection, making you far more valuable than any packette.”

“Oh,” I squeaked.

Afraid to look at him, I did it anyway. His eyes shimmered golden and his mouth formed a firm line. The myriad of emotions churning under his tight expression said more than any words.

As difficult as it was, he remained bound to his self-imposed, no touching without permission rule. The strain this boundary was causing him had become unbearable, evidenced by the twitch in his jaw, his ragged breathing, and the way his body instinctively leaned toward me.

A little moan sounded deep in my throat as I stretched to reach him. His eyes widened for a split second before his hands cupped my face. “You are everything,” he whispered. His mouth descended, pressing, at first tentative, than devouring mine.

This kiss was unlike any prior. It was full of promise, protection, and a hint of pain. The pain he’d felt staying away from me melted away as I gave myself over to the exquisite things his mouth was doing to mine. Our tongues danced in perfect rhythm, our mouths expressing the feelings I had been fighting. My, oh my — my wolf could kiss.

He stopped mid-kiss and tensed.

I gripped his shoulders. His stillness told me that we weren’t alone.