“You bit her.” Calian attacked with a clear accusation.
“I did.”
“You knew we were interested too.” Calian picked up his phone and tapped several keystrokes.
“I nipped her, rather than give her the full mating bite. A good thing as it happens since it will ensure she has a slight tie. You didn’t see her. She’s angry. I battered her pride, and she thinks I slept with her to get information. She didn’t understand the nature of the bite. To her, wolves are an animal that roams the forests.” Matto sighed, the enforced break from her presence chafing him. Restless and edgy, it was as if someone stroked his fur the wrong way.
“What about the fact we all want her?” Kansas snapped. “Dakota and I had persuaded her to go out with us for lunch. She won’t want that now.”
“No use fighting amongst ourselves,” Dakota said in a soothing voice, always the peacemaker when they squabbled.
Calian set his phone aside. “I’ve sent Misty a text, asking for the info. Once we hear from her, we’ll email those we can.”
“Is Hunter’s Facebook page still up? That might be a shortcut to his army buddies,” Matto said. “Didn’t a lot of them leave messages?”
“That is brilliant.” Calian’s smile of approval was big and wide.
“What about Renee’s fears for her safety?” Dakota asked. “Is she overreacting?”
Kansas shook his head. “Doesn’t strike me as the type.”
Matto nodded. “I agree. Renee is tough and competent. She’s fought in Afghanistan. She’s not the sort to jump at shadows.”
“We watch her back,” Calian suggested. “In secret. The last thing we want is for her to rabbit.”
“The trouble is there are a lot of tourists arriving and departing,” Kansas said.
“It’s the ones who hang around and stay that we need to watch.” Matto paused. “She had two passengers yesterday who creeped her out. But she made a joke of it and told me some people were plain weird and couldn’t help it.”
“Let’s keep watch today,” Calian said. “Matto, do you want to take care of the Facebook messages? Tell them the truth and lay out why we want the info. Tell themwethink Renee is innocent but Misty is a hard sell. I want to approach the town officials to check out the building rules. I’ve searched online and have the info but I need to clarify a few things. The idea of a luxurious hotel seems popular. I know it was our cover story for staying longer than the average tourist, but I’m thinking it’s not a bad idea. Kansas, you and Dakota could book us a helicopter scenic flight. Make sure they put us with Renee. Check out the town facilities. Poke your nose everywhere and see if you can spot anything out of the ordinary. Questions?”
“Aye. Aye, Captain.” Kansas saluted.
Dakota rolled his eyes.
“We’re on the same page.” Matto chuckled. “We try to clear Renee’s name and keep her safe.”
“One more suggestion.” Calian leaned closer and lowered his voice. “We shift again tonight. The stronger our wolves, the better our chances of protecting Renee.”
“Agreed,” Matto said.
“Yes,” Dakota and Kansas spoke at the same time. The twin thing in action.
Calian nodded, and Matto studied his older brother, puzzled by his satisfaction. Something pleased Calian. Something he didn’t wish to discuss. No doubt, he’d tell them in time, but right now he was staying silent.
Their big brother had an agenda.
Interesting.
6 – The Truth Comes Out
Groups of tourists kept Renee busy for most of the day. Her mind and mouth worked on auto-pilot, pointing out the sights and the polar bears congregating for the freeze. On the plus side, the constant flights throughout the day shifted her mind from the Taktuq brothers. She’d liked them a lot, and the sex with Matto… Simply the best.
At least she’d missed lunch with Kansas and Dakota.
A scoffing sound escaped her, drawing Janet’s attention.
“Something wrong?”
