Page 16 of A Dash of Wolf

They all turned to see Chief Wolfe standing there, arms crossed over his chest, brow raised. He’d clearly heard every word.

“Oops,” Tempi squeaked. “Gotta run.”

She disappeared into the crowd before any of them could say a word.

“Can no one in this town get my name right?” Chief Wolfe demanded as he stepped up to their booth. “It’s Chief Wolfe. It’s really not that hard to say.”

Princess Muffin Top looked up from grooming her front paw. “I hear nicknames are a sign of affection.”

Chief Wolfe arched a brow. “Really? So do they call you Muffy? Or maybe Princess MT?”

Adeline and Emory both sucked in a breath.

Princess Muffin Top dropped her front paw, rose to her full height and stretched, her back arching slowly. “I am never addressed as anything other than Princess Muffin Top.” She unsheathed her claws, all of them, and let them catch the fairy light. “Anything else...” She flexed. “Will get you disemboweled.”

Chief Wolfe smiled. “Did you just threaten a law enforcement officer?”

“Hey, Chief!” Mr. Harwick waved from two booths down, a funnel cake in one hand. “Good to see you out and about! You gotta try the funnel cakes!”

Chief Wolfe lifted a hand in greeting before turning back to Adeline.

“Are you here to arrest me, Chief?” she asked.

He grinned. “Do you want me to arrest you?”

Emory choked on the tea she was sipping, and Adeline felt the heat rush up her neck.

“Oh, I’m sure she does,” Princess Muffin Top purred. “I’m told some people pay good money for that kind of thing. You got handcuffs, right?”

Adeline turned and glared at her cat. “Do you want to go for a swim in the bay?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to face the werewolf. “What can I get you, Chief? Lots of great things to choose from tonight.” She paused. “You know, since you forgot to eat the last thing I gave you.”

He had the decency to look slightly guilty about the abandoned truffle. “Do you have something that isn’t infused with magic?”

Adeline stared at him. “You’re really going to make me pull out the non-magical stuff?”

“I’d prefer it.”

Sighing, she reached under the table and pulled out a wax paper sleeve. “How about a simple, no-fuss, no-added-intentions chocolate chip cookie?”

Chief Wolfe grinned. “I’ll take it.”

She handed it over, and this time their fingers didn’t touch. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

“That’s a good cookie,” he said, wolfing it down in just two bites.

“I know.” She crossed her arms. “I made it.”

He smiled. “Listen. I’m going to need to talk to you about⁠—”

“Beaumont!” Ivan Johansson pushed his way through the crowd, his face already three shades of red. He shoved past two startled fairies and planted himself in front of Adeline and Emory’s table. “My crew just finished fixing the bulldozer. Do you hear me? Fixed it. And if anything happens to it again, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

The crowd gathered nearby stopped to hear what was going on. Adeline could tell most were shocked…but also curious as to what might happen next.

“You needin’ help, Adeline?” an elderly voice called out. “Because I’m not so old I can’t whip some manners into that troll.”

Adeline looked over and smiled at Artie. He’d been one of the centenarians from the assisted-living facility that had helped her protest yesterday afternoon. Her gaze flickered to the others standing by and noted three or four more protesters.

“Thanks, Artie, but I got this handled.” She turned back to Ivan. “I didn’t touch your bulldozer, Ivan. I have a solid alibi. I was with friends all night enjoying the full moon.”