“It really doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.”
“OMG, they’re all so cuuuuute!”a female voice rang out, tone climbing with doggy ecstasy.
“Hetta just entered the building, didn’t she.”
Ross turned to find the voluptuous brunette beelining straight for the nearest dog.“You are correct.Glenn?”
“Pray for you?”
“I was going to say have something strong and on ice ready for me.”
“I can do that too.”Glenn somehow managed to keep a straight tone while laughing at the same time.Really, that sort of verbal acrobatics was impressive.“Should I bring the van?”
“Do not enable them, for god’s sakes.And I’m going to pound it into their heads right now that poop cleanup duty is totally on them.Maybe that will impact them.”
“I don’t lay good odds on that.”
Neither did Ross.
“Ross, unclench your jaw.Now, take three deep breaths.”
Ross found himself obeying without really thinking about it.And he felt marginally better.It was odd, how soothing he found Glenn’s voice.That combination of masculinity and confidence was a heady mix that slid past most of Ross’s defenses without trying.He sometimes irreverently wondered just what it would be like if Glenn turned that voice against him on purpose.
“Good.Now, this isn’t a disaster.It is more than we need, certainly, but it’s—”
He lost all track of what the man was saying as Maggie led one of the dogs out of the kennel and Hetta immediately went down on one knee.Ross tilted the phone away from his mouth before barking out the command, “HETTA, STOP LICKING THE DOG!”
Hetta lifted her head long enough to look him dead in the eye.“This sparks joy.”
Glenn sighed.“Why don’t I just come down there.”
“What?”Attention jerked back to the phone, Ross denied hastily, “No.No, don’t do that, the sun’s hard on you.Go back to sleep.I’ve got this.”
Translated: Ross certainly did not have this, but be prepared to be thoroughly entertained.
Somehow—Ross wasn’t actually sure how—they got all the paperwork done, the dogs loaded in people’s various vehicles, and back to clan territory without him losing either werewolves or dogs in the process.Something of a minor miracle, that.The werewolves were being just as barky as their dogs.Lots of howling.
It was a relief when they got in, parked, and Ross could ignore the chaos behind him as everyone unloaded.Clothes went flying, werewolves changing forms so they could run with their new dogs.This was outside of Ross’s job as of this very moment.He refused to take any further responsibility for what got inevitably broken next.He let them bark, run, tackle, and howl together.
Ross had intended to go to his own townhouse, but Glenn stood in the shadier side of the porch, fully dressed.Such a bad boss.The man seriously couldn’t take orders.
Ross would only privately admit he was glad to see him.And not only because of the drink in the man’s hand.He walked straight up the walkway and toward the glass of Scotch Glenn held out for him.
“You are the best boss ever.”Ross took the Scotch and sipped it before sighing in pleasure.
Glenn rumbled a chuckle, looking him over.“Frankly, you need it.I think the next time we need to go anywhere near a pound, I’ll go with you.We’ll leave the troublemakers at home.”
“That is a sound plan and I salute you, sir, for it.”Ross took another swallow before turning to see how things were progressing.
The dogs were investigating every nook and cranny, getting the lay of their new territory.The werewolves were right on their heels, also sniffing, tails wagging.He assumed they were explaining things but, since he didn’t speak dog, couldn’t swear to that.
From one of the houses just out sight came an angry feline spit and hiss.
Ross’s head snapped that direction, as did Glenn’s.Then they shared a concerned look.
“Tell me that wasn’t a cat.”
Glenn’s brow furrowed before he stepped off the porch, angling his body to look around the house corner.“I think it was.Oh dear.”
