I’m certain Jake has noticed the lack of an alpha-scent on me; he must realize I’m a loner. I mumble apologetically, “I don’t have a pack, not any longer.”
Jake’s eyebrows bend inward. “For how long?”
“Three years… ever since Miss Dragonfly employed me.” I hesitate. “It’s a long story, perhaps best saved for another time.”
Jake stands up, pushes in his chair, and pins me witha steely glower that makes my tongue go immediately dry and stick to the roof of my mouth. I know he’s trying to shake my resolve, but I refuse to flinch; I need to prove I’m a werewolf worthy of joining his pack. “Alright, Mr. Barker. I’ll listen to your tale, but know this: if I smell anything fishy, I’ll run you right out of Riddle Hill, regardless of Dragonfly Spellman’s last will and testament.”
Since I can’t think of anything to say in my defense, I don’t reply. Jake straightens, his scowl replaced by an assessing gaze. Then he asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”
“No sir.” At this point, all I want is to shed my orange jumpsuit, leave the SIU, and tumble onto the mattress in my spic-and-span bedroom.
“Then I’ll offer a word of advice, Mr. Barker,” says Jake wearily. “While you’re in my town, keep your clothes on and your nose clean.”
Chapter 8
Lone Wolf
SOPHIE
Almost Midnight, June 22
“He appears legit… except for the fact he’s not a member of any pack, which I’ll need to explore further,” says Jake, pushing the SIU police report across the table at me. We’re in one of the small conference rooms at the Riddle Hill police station; it’s nearly midnight, and I’m positively bushed. Teddy Barker’s arrest is the very last thing I feel like dealing with at the moment. I’m half tempted to leave him in jail until the morning so I can go home and get some shut-eye, but then I recall his apologetic message… and the low rumble of his voice as he pleaded for my help… and I heave a sigh.
“It says here that his old pack disbanded three years ago when the alpha died.” I tap the report and glance at Jake. “Is that normal? Why wouldn’t another werewolf have assumed the alpha role?”
Jake shrugs. “It’s not uncommon, particularly with asmall pack. The rest of the werewolves probably merged with another group.”
“Then why wouldn’t Teddy Barker have done the same thing—joined another pack?”
“That’s what I aim to find out,” says Jake. “You know how I feel about loners; they’re generally self-absorbed and rarely loyal. I’ve yet to meet one I’d invite into my pack.”
I shift uneasily on the hard chair as I think of Rafe MacTire, the bad-boy werewolf I had dinner with earlier this evening. I’m pretty sure Jake wouldn’t like Rafe any better than he likes Teddy; best not to mention Rafe’s loner status around him. “If you’re trying to warn me that Teddy Barker can’t be trusted, you have nothing to worry about.”
Jake shakes his head. “That’s the thing; I’m not getting typical loner vibes from him. I think Teddy Barker yearns to belong to a pack. He’s coming to my pack meet Sunday night for a sniff and a tussle; I’ll get a better sense of him then. But Teddy strikes me as lonely, so whatever’s been keeping him from pack life must have been pretty traumatic.”
I draw my brows together, feeling a twinge of remorse for how I’ve treated Teddy. Stifling a yawn, I say, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jake pats my hand. “Why don’t you pull the car around front; Teddy can leave whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks Jake… for everything.” I grab my purse and head for the door.
“No problem. And Sophie—” Jake waits for me to turn back around “—If I’m wrong about him, or if hegives you any trouble, I’ll run him out of town so fast he’ll be glad his tail is still attached to his butt.”
I grin at my overprotective cousin. “I think I can handle Leslie T. Barker, but I’ll let you know if I need any assistance.”
I pull up in front of the police station in my ancient, silver, Subaru Forester, which my dad bought from a used-car dealer when I turned sixteen. With two-hundred thousand miles on the odometer, and more dings and divots than the first tee at the public golf course, I’m grateful it’s still running. Ten minutes later Teddy drops into the passenger seat, pulls the door shut, and gives me a small, shy nod. “I’m so sorry, Sophie; I made a stupid mistake. I’ve gotten used to shifting anytime I want—everyone on Miss Dragonfly’s staff was a super—and the nearest neighbor was three miles away. It won’t happen again; I promise.”
“If it happens again, you’ll be arrested and convicted; the elder council is very strict.” I sound grumpier than I intend, so I soften my tone. “Marv let you off with a warning this time. You have to close all the curtains before you shift.”
“Got it, boss.” Ducking his head, he fiddles with his seatbelt.
As I watch Teddy buckle up, I’m suddenly distracted by the black tee he’s wearing, which is so form-fitting I can see the ripple of his biceps beneath the stretchy fabric. Dropping my gaze, my eyes snag on a pair of muscular thighs encased in skin-tight, black leather.
“What in faerie-land are you wearing?” I sputter.
“Oh… um… ” Teddy gives me an apologetic grin. “I hadto borrow these from lost and found, since the police wanted their jumpsuit returned, and I wasn’t about to ask you for a fresh change of clothes, not on top of ruining your evening.” He shrugs. “I gave them a good sniff; the shirt was recently laundered, and the pants are practically new.”
Rolling my eyes, I pull out of the parking spot. “Well, they don’t fit you properly. Please donate them or something.”
