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Knox took a beat to respond, as though weighing his words carefully. “Keith and I were soldiers together in the Dogs of War, along with Chaz here.”
“What can you tell me about Keith?”
Knox raised his hands, palms forward. “Whatever this is, I don’t wanna get involved.”
“We need your input, Knox,” Chaz pleaded. “Something ain’t right.”
Our interaction in Chaz’s condo must’ve spooked him if he came running over to Knox.
“I’m sure the good people in charge of this island can figure it out without an old dog like me.”
Chaz’s face morphed into a ripe tomato. “This isn’t the soldier I knew. You once told me you’d carry me out of hell if it came to it!”
“In my defense, I was seventeen and high on mushrooms at the time, and hell for me was the mall.”
I turned to Chaz. “Why don’t you wait outside for a few minutes? I’d like to speak with Knox in private.”
Chaz made sure to kick the doorjamb on his way out.
I spun back to Knox. “You know something.”
The aging werewolf shrugged. “The older I get, the less I know. That’s true wisdom.”
“Knox, help me out here. Keith seems to be exerting influence over people. Even your wolves are…” I wasn’t sure how to put it. They weren’t fighting anymore. They weren’t wreaking havoc. “Unproblematic.”
And that was the problem.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Knox said. “Keith was a scruffy little pup when I knew him. I’d even go so far as to say the runt of the litter.”
“That’s how Chaz described him but said he’s bigger now. More confident.”
“We parted ways decades ago. According to Chaz, the wolf I knew then doesn’t seem to be the wolf he is now. Good for him.”
“Is that typical?” I asked. “For the runt to become an alpha?”
“Not typical, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility.”
“Do you think it’s odd that he went to see Chaz but not you?”
“Shows he’s smart. I’m a pain in the ass. I’d steer clear of me, too, if I were in his boots.” He scratched his beard. “What bothers you about him, if you don’t mind me asking? Sounds like the pack has calmed down quite a bit since he took charge. I would think that’s a good thing from where you’re sitting.”
“Keith is an asshole, but I don’t think he’s an alpha.”
Knox grunted. “If he can wrangle a bunch of fussy old wolves like ours, then I guess he’s earned the title.”
“That’s just it, Knox. I don’t think he’s wrangling them in the traditional way. Something’s off. Chaz felt it, too. That’s why he’s here.”
“Humor me, Maya. What’s the criteria for an alpha in your opinion?”
“Spend time with him. Then we’ll talk.”
Knox’s lips reverberated as he exhaled. “You know I don’t do that. I’m a lone wolf now. Solitude suits me.”
“Will you do it as a favor to me? Or to Chaz? Sounds like you owe him.”
The front door creaked open. “Come on, Knox. Help her out. Whatever is going on, it isn’t good for any of us.”
Except Keith.
