Everything changed when we went to Animals. For the better. One way or another, we would make this work. I had to believe that.
The guys had been so cute going off on their date, and they’d sent me a couple of pictures of their adventures, even though it was supposed to be all about them. I’d have a date with our wolf soon, and of course I’d had many with Indy over the years. I had wondered if I’d feel jealous, but I didn’t in the least. Rather, I couldn’t wait to hear that they had a good time. I did have to remind myself not to ask a lot of questions because it was up to them to share or not.
Okay, not jealous…but maybe a little nosy.
Nobody was perfect.
Sipping tea, I considered the bit and pieces we’d heard from our omega about his pack. I wasn’t familiar with many wolves, basically just him. Sure, I knew a few at a distance, people who worked in the local store, the postal delivery person…no, wait, he was a cougar. Anyway, I didn’t know a lot. But what I did know about his family had me wondering what was going on there.
He was so reticent to talk about it…why?
Of course, we hadn’t said much yet. We had intended to tell the whole story to Bram so he could make better decisions wherewe were concerned, but we kept getting distracted by kisses and hugs and coffee. But his pack…something felt really off.
Then I remembered one other wolf I knew. A lawyer in our town. Not the one who represented our shimmer. I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling that one, anyway. He’d ask too many questions. No doubt pass on information I didn’t want passed along to my father or possibly even Indy’s fathers.
This attorney worked for mostly people who didn’t have a lot of money. He handled wills and small lawsuits, and I’d run into him once when my father was suing someone for some BS reason. A car accident that was not the guy’s fault. Or at least that was the judge’s determination. Hardy had been there for the other person and had defended them so well, Father had to pay court costs and attorney fees for the person he sued.
Picking up my phone, I searched for his number and tapped it.
“Law Offices of Hardy here. How can we help you?”
I explained that I would like to speak with the attorney if he had a moment. He said he did.
“You answer your own phone?”
“Not usually, but my assistant is out to a late lunch. We had a busy morning. What did you need a moment for?”
“I’m hoping for confidentiality, here.”
“If I represent you, you’ve got it.”
“Does that count even if it’s only a few hours of your time?”
“Yes. Would you like to tell me your name?”
“Seth. I’m a unicorn in the local shimmer…”
“Ah. You’ve been all the talk around here. Rumor has it you’re getting mated soon.”
I launched into an explanation of what I needed to know, and the moment I told them the name of the pack, he stopped me. “No need for hours of time. I know of them, although they are a long distance away from here. But just to be safe, let memake a call and I will phone you back within a few minutes. Can I get your number?”
I almost asked why he couldn’t see it then remembered…land lines didn’t always show the number. “Sure.”
After we hung up, I settled back to wait. He said it wouldn’t be long, but I’d just hoped he’d have some way to check on the pack and what was going on there. But he knew them. Or at least of them. Were wolves all so close, they would know someone all those miles away?
And I didn’t get a very good feeling about the way he sounded.
Fortunately, before I could torture myself too much, the phone rang and I swiped it. “Hello?”
“Is this Seth?”
“Yes. This is me.” I gripped the device tight in my hand. “What do you have to tell me?”
“Well, first of all, the pack in question does not have a good reputation among our people. That much I knew without making any calls. But if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say you’re calling regarding their beta’s son who has run away?”
He had a lot more to say, and every bit of it chilled my blood. Our omega had been treated as a pawn for his father to get a little power. Our fathers were guilty of trying to set us up as well, but that was about the good of the pack. Not personal gain.
And there was more. “I’ll send you some information. Give me your email.”
