“Yes. I am aware of his growling and I can help with anything of that nature.” If he thought I was in the lifestyle and looking for a human playing pretend, well, I’d been accused of weirder things. “I will not get angry with you for growling-related issues.”
Gods above, humans made me say the strangest things.
“Well, I’m running out of ideas and things will get awkward fast if I don’t get this settled. They’re going to call in the vet.” The way he was shaking his head said that was a bad thing but I had no idea what he was talking about. “Um, well, yes. Charging right in is the best idea.”
If he said so.
“I promise to leave if you think I’m…not quite sane. Don’t worry about that.” He wasn’t making a lot of sense but I nodded again anyway to keep him going. “Good. You’re nicer than you think. It’s the whole image thing. You just project. Oh, maybe thatisgrowling related.”
He seemed to think he’d figured something out but I wasn’t going to start randomly guessing.
“Back to the point. Yes.” Giving his head a shake, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I volunteer over at an animal shelter about twenty minutes from here. Last night they got…well…it seems to be a young wolf…a young wolf that’s frustrated about being in a cage and he’s…he seems overly intelligent.”
What?
“How intelligent?” What the fuck had happened last night? “I need a bit more information.”
“He’s…well…he seems like he’d be a teenager if he were human…the rolling their eyes and being a smart-ass kind of teenager…and he’s highly intelligent for something that falls in the canine category.” Going still, he looked apologetic for a moment. “If that’s rude I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not up to speed on the…science of it.”
For fuck’s sake.
Scrubbing my hands over my face as the human finally sighed, I did my best not to sound like I was the Big Bad Wolf going after the cute little pig…or human in this case. A human who smelled entirely too good and kind of like bacon.
Stay on track.
“I’m just going to spell this out since no one would believe you anyway. Are you telling me that one of the teenagers in my pack is in the fucking pound?” When I focused back on the little human, he was nodding and shrugged.
“Yes, he’s got a bit of an attitude but that’s to be expected. Teenagers all seem to be alike even if they’re not…well…not human.” Throwing up his hands, the human sighed again. “I’m a teacher, though. You can’t take it personally.”
That was so true I almost laughed.
“Yes, and he was safe when I left him a little while ago but the vet is going to be in first thing in the morning. I’m not sure that would be a good idea.” Before I could agree with him, he frowned again. “It seems like it would be violating at the very least.”
Fuck.
“One second, please.” Manners since he’d actually been a helpful human. He seemed to appreciate it based on how his stress seemed to deflate like a balloon.
I probably should’ve tried to put him at ease but I had people to scream at and had already picked up the phone.
One.
Two.
If it took more than three rings—
“Hey, Alpha. Did—”
“WHO IS MISSING?” I didn’t bother holding back the magic that made me Alpha and I could feel it going through the phone because technology was fucking amazing. “WHY WASN’T I TOLD ONE OF OUR PUPS WAS MISSING?”
“He was hit by a car. I don’t remember if I mentioned that.” The helpful human shivered at my tone but didn’t actually seem upset, which was slightly confusing. “There’s just been a lot going on, but do you know if we’re allowed to say pound? No one seems to use that word any longer.”
“ONE OF OUR PUPS WAS HIT BY A FUCKING CAR!”
Jessen tried to interrupt, but I wasn’t ready to be rational yet.
“WHY DO WE HAVE PUPS WHO DON’T KNOW HOW TO CALL FOR THEIR ALPHA?”
Still not ready yet.
