“Are you part of the pack?”
Thomas didn’t know what to make of the man.A lot of people were weird, although this had to be one of the weirdest conversations Thomas had ever had.He just didn’t understand what Jimmy was trying to do.Still, he might just be someone who was looking for a new pack and was trying to find out what it was like to become a member of the Mayport pack.“I am,” he said.
“That sounds nice.How’s the pack and the alpha?Do you have a lot of space to run?”
“If you want to become a pack member, you can talk to our alpha.I’m sure he’ll agree to see you if you explain what you’re after.”
“Oh, I don’t think I’m ready for that.I just have a few questions, and I thought you might answer them since you’re a pack member.I’ve never lived with a pack like this, you know?”
“I’m not sure I do.”And Thomas wasn’t sure he wanted to find out.
“It’s just a big pack with a lot of different people.I’m a bear shifter, so I would fit right in, but from what I know, a lot of pack members have nothing to do with bears.I’m pretty sure I heard about a dragon.”
There were, in fact, several dragons in the pack, but Thomas wasn’t about to say that out loud.He had no idea what Jimmy was after or how he’d react.“Like I said, if you’re interested in the pack, you should talk to Chance.Unfortunately, I have a lot of work to do, so unless there’s something I can do for you, I should ask you to leave.”
Jimmy didn’t look disappointed.He just grinned at Thomas again, then thankfully stepped toward the door.“I’m fine.I just wanted to check in on the pigeon, and if you say it’s okay, then I trust you.”
“The pigeonisokay.”
“Good.That’s all I wanted to know.Have a good day.”
Thomas watched Jimmy disappear through the door.Since it was made of glass, he could see into the parking lot, so he knew that Jimmy made a beeline for a truck parked there and climbed into the driver’s seat.He didn’t leave right away, though, and Thomas wasn’t planning on moving until he did.
He didn’t trust the guy, even though he didn’t have a reason to.Jimmy’s behavior just struck him as off.Why had he been asking questions about the pack?Sure, it might have been because he was interested in the pack and maybe he wanted to become a member, but that didn’t feel quite right.
That didn’t mean there was a reason behind Jimmy’s behavior.Maybe the man was just a weird guy.
Even if that was the case, Thomas hoped Jimmy wouldn’t come back.He didn’t know how to deal with the guy, and he didn’t want to have to do it again.He also didn’t want Jimmy to ask more questions because he had no idea how to answer them.If Jimmy had questions about the pack, he could reach out to Chance, who, as the alpha, was the best person to answer them.It had nothing to do with Thomas or his job, andthatwas what Thomas wanted to focus on.
Something he could do now that Jimmy had left.
* * * *
WHEN THOMAS CAME BACKinto the room, Rowan could tell something had happened.He stopped moving and turned to fully face Thomas, who was frowning and was clearly distracted.“What’s wrong?”he asked.If there was anything he could do, he wanted to help.
Thomas shook his head.“Nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s just that guy who came in the other day with the pigeon.He came back to ask what had happened to it.”
Rowan suspected there was more to it.Surely Thomas wouldn’t be confused by someone coming in to check on an animal.Since Rowan had started working there, it had happened several times.“And?”
“He started asking questions about the pack.That’s what he did last time, too, right?”
“He did.You think he wanted to become a pack member?”
“I don’t know.Maybe he does, but it feels a little weird.He was just very insistent on asking me questions about the pack, even after I told him he needed to contact Chance.”
“Some people are awkward.”
“I suppose you’re not wrong.”
Rowan hoped he wasn’t and that the guy was just odd, but if he came back, Rowan would make sure not to leave Thomas alone with him.In fact, he sounded like no one should be left alone with the guy.“Maybe you could mention something to Chance, just in case,” Rowan offered.
Thomas shook his head.“I don’t think it’s worth it to bother him.The guy didn’t do anything.It was just weird.”
Rowan wasn’t going to push if Thomas was sure it was okay.Still, he’d keep his eyes open.“The good thing is that the pigeon is okay, right?”
