Henry drank the last of his beer.“You’re right.I might park a distance from her house, shift to wolf, and do a circuit.That way, I can tell Maia no one is loitering outside.”He changed the subject.“I can pick up the puppy tomorrow.She’s recovered well, but Gavin said she’s skittish.”
“Not surprised.You keeping her?”
“One more makes no difference.Maia said she wanted a dog but can’t have one because she travels often.I might take one of the older dogs to her place.She can keep it while she’s at home, and if she needs to be away, she can drop them back with me.”
“Look at you thinking of the future,” Gerard teased.
“Please don’t tell London.I don’t want her sticking her nose into my business.She’d mean well, but I need to do this at my pace.”
“Got it.I’ll run interference.I won’t lie to London, but I will ensure she and Megan don’t pressure you.Neither are stupid.They’ll notice your behavior.”
“My behavior?”
“You’re lacking your normal confidence, and your temper is running hot when normally you’re Mr.Cool, and nothing rattles you.”
Henry frowned, not liking this.Yeah, he’d noticed his mood swings.God knows what Maia thought.“I better go.”
“Take one of your dogs.Let Maia think that is why you left her house.”
Yeah, that wouldn’t work, but taking the dog might help.At the very least, it would distract Maia.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“Any time.You can always talk to Sam if you want impartial counsel.If Maia is playing up that way, go with her and take an extra day to visit Sam.Sam and Lisa would understand, especially if the person responsible for the graffiti keeps hassling Maia.”
“That’s a pretty decent idea.”
“I know,” Gerard said smugly.
Henry rose.
“Keep me in the loop.If anything happens, I’m nearby.Dad and Megan should be home in a few hours.Dad will help.”
“I know.Thanks.”
“Should I tell Dad what is going on?”
Henry considered this and nodded.“Please.Tell him I’ll talk to him tomorrow, but yeah, tell him what’s going on and not to tell Megan if he can help it.”
Gerard’s eyes gleamed with silent laughter.“I’ve got your back.”
Henry left with a wave and headed out to his dogs.He wanted to decide which of his dogs would work best for Maia.After a quick exercise run, rough and tumble, and ear rubs, he chose Juno.If she didn’t work out, he’d try one of his other dogs, but Juno was older, well-mannered, and adaptable.She was intelligent, and she’d quickly learn Maia’s routine.
An hour later, he set off with Juno riding shotgun, her eyes bright with anticipation.Henry parked on a quiet side road near Maia’s house.He exited his vehicle and let his night vision kick in, listening carefully for any out-of-the-ordinary sounds.He heard nothing but a lone owl perched in a pine tree.
Satisfied no one lurked nearby, he let Juno out and stripped.He didn’t bother locking his vehicle but placed the keys beneath an old log a few feet from where he’d parked.That done, he shifted, letting the change slide over him.The familiar pain-pleasure of the morph flared under his skin and through his muscles.Hair sprouted on his body, and he arched forward, landing on all fours.Henry took a few seconds to let the exhilaration of his expanded senses roar through him before he signaled Juno.Like the well-trained dog she was, she trotted after him with a soft grunt.They’d enjoy this run across the paddocks.It would serve two purposes.He’d reassure himself Maia’s stalker wasn’t lurking in the darkness, and it would allow Henry to calm and center himself.
He owed Maia an apology.This time, he’d change how he interacted with her—starting with friendship and going from there.
They trotted around Maia’s house, finding nothing out of place.Perhaps the graffiti was a one-off thing.He hoped so, but his gut told him otherwise.He and Juno loped back to his vehicle, and the owl hooted twice before taking off to arrow through the sky and disappear into the gloom.
Henry shifted and retrieved his keys before dressing.When he stopped at Maia’s house, the outside light blazed, and the three sensor security lights he’d installed at the front flicked on, illuminating a large area.Excellent.That would make any would-be thieves or intruders think twice before proceeding.Juno followed him up the three steps to the door and sat at his side.
When he tested the front door, he found it locked.Maia had listened to his lectures on security.He knocked three times and waited, hearing Maia’s light footsteps as she approached the door.
“Who is it?”
“Henry.”Approval filled him, along with relief.She’d taken his advice on board and was taking care of security.
