I had my freshly made oolong in one hand and my new keys in the other, and for some reason, I was starving.There was a big tin of very healthy and organic nut cookies on the table, which Ell had already pushed within my reach when he’d seen me eye them.
“So you broke into my place,” I asked Smith.“And you’re also a werewolf.”I slurped more tea.Dom was getting really good at making it just right.“What color fur do you have?”
Smith laughed.He had a good laugh.It made him look less like a federal agent side character and more like the best friend you can party with side character.
“Chocolate brown.A bit like the boss’s.”
Dom put his elbow on the table.“You wish.”
Linc moved the cookies even closer to me.Had I looked at them again?Yup.There were three different kinds, and the one in the center had chocolate chips.I put the keys down and picked up one of those.
“Smith moved here with me.We used to belong to the same pack back in New Harbor,” Linc said.
I nodded.The cookies were really good.I put a bunch more on my plate.
Dom sighed.“We should’ve gotten some extra cinnamon buns.Really, that was my bad.I guess I can ask my sister-in-law for her fluffy coffee cake recipe to make up for that oversight.”
My mouth watered even while I was munching on the cookies.“Coffee cake?”
Dom grinned.“Let me go text her now.”
He walked away.That left Linc and Ell on either side of me.
Linc steepled his fingers in front of him.“I think we just ran into a group of hunters.”
Smith’s fun party bestie demeanor changed, and he went right back to the federal agent persona.“That a joke?”
“Afraid not.”
Ell put his arm around me.That was nice.I took another cookie from the tin.
Smith tapped a finger on the table.“Do you have an ID?”
Linc shook his head.“Dom might have an idea of their car.Marcus’s ex was with them, but they were…not exactly peas in a pod.”
Ell shifted in his chair.“We know the hunter or hunters were here first.They must’ve run into him, or vice versa.If we have group chats, hunters have them too.”
Linc nodded.“I agree.”
I swallowed and reached for another cookie.“You guys have group chats?”
“Pack elders always exchange information,” Ell said.“Dom, can you bring over the snacks we packed?I think Marcus is still hungry.”
I shrugged.“Was a long hike.”
Ell huffed and shook his head in amusement.
Smith took a swig from his coffee cup.“The area is good for hiking.With a guide, of course.”
“I don’t think we’re going to be doing any hiking while those guys are still in town.”Linc looked up when Dom came in with plates full of food.“Need any help?”
“All good,” Dom said, putting a plate on top of my used one that seemed to have a selection of everything—fruit and sandwiches.I didn’t really care what was on there.I was just so hungry.Had to be because I was recovering from that cold.“Steven—that’s the ex—drives a Hyundai.Dunno which kind, but dark blue.Smallish, typical city car.With the other guys, I don’t know.I don’t make a habit of memorizing cars.It was three people with him though.When we ran into them yesterday.”
I nodded.“Right.Almost forgot.”
Smith picked up an apple slice from one of the plates Dom had spread out while Dom sat back down on my other side.
“What do you want me to do, boss?Look around town?”
