Wolf Ways (The Madison Wolves Book 9) (39 page)

“In my experience, when someone says something like that about reckless driving and insubordination, she is lying.”

I sighed again. Dramatically. “If you must know…” I told her the story, but I hammed it up. Soon, I had her laughing as I described my state of panic, especially when I talked about the wolves, frothing at the mouth for daring to ignore Michaela’s phone calls. “See?” I said when I was done. “Boring story.”

“How much of that is true?”

“The guts,” I said. “I was terrified. I ran. Monique stopped me. They carried me, screaming, into the conference room to face Michaela. She’s so frightening, after all.”

Harper sobered. “You do know she’s killed more wolves than the rest of the pack combined, don’t you?”

“What?” I blurted.

“You’ll have to ask her. I only know about some of them.” She paused. “Maybe don’t ask her. Most of the stories are bad.” Then she smiled. “But the day I met her, she pushed Lara into Lake Superior.”

“What?” I blurted again.

Harper grinned. “Michaela is a whole lot scarier than she looks.” She cocked her head. “You didn’t look scared yesterday.”

“I’m emotionally resilient,” I said.

“I watched you when you arrived.”

“With my blindfold.”

“You looked so…”

“Helpless?”

“No. Well maybe, but that’s not what I was thinking about. That’s when I decided I wanted to meet you.”

“When did you decide you wanted to ask me out?”

“Oh, you watched me decide that,” she said. “I didn’t have a clue what to ask for.”

“Why didn’t you want points?”

“It wouldn’t have been enough to matter. Besides, points are boring. I thought about asking for a kiss.”

I smiled. “So I could have talked you down.”

“Yep.”

“I’m glad I didn’t.”

And when I moved my hand closer, this time, she took it.

We sat quietly for a while. The spring rolls came, and we focused on eating for a minute. I let her keep my hand and ate left-handed.”

“Tell me about yourself,” I said.

“All right. I’m a single mother of one daughter, a year younger than Angel and Scarlett. They live on the compound. Do you know them?”

“I do. They were the first wolves I met. And I’ve since met Scarlett’s father and, of course, Angel’s mother and sister. I’ve probably met Scarlett’s mother, to, but I couldn’t pick her out in a lineup.”

We talked about her daughter. We talked about my family, which was a brief conversation. Then she told me stories from her younger years, which she referred to as her “decade and a half of misdeeds”.

Our meals came, and I barely noticed. It could have been a hamburger, and I might have eaten it, for all the attention I gave it.

We ate as much as we wanted, and the server boxed the rest. We finished the pot of tea and asked for another.

We talked.

And we talked.

And we talked.

She spent most of the time touching me, just casual touches. Most of it was simply holding my hand or occasionally caressing my arm.

She asked me what I liked most about being human. I didn’t know how to answer that, so I asked her about being a wolf.

“Everything,” she said. “Have you asked anyone else?”

“Yeah. They mention the smells and the power.”

“I love my fur,” she said. “The shift is unpleasant, but once I stand up and fluff myself out, it’s the most amazing thing. I’m warm in nearly any weather, and I can run, and run, and run.”

She paused. “I suppose I’m bragging.”

“No,” I said. “I wanted to know.”

“I wish I could describe it, or show you.”

“I do, too, but some things aren’t meant to be. I don’t know of anything in my life to compare. There’s nothing I can do you can’t do better. That makes me feel inadequate.”

“I looked you up. You take photographs. Is that you? Zoe Young Photography?”

“Yeah, that’s me, but you could take photos. Point the camera and press the button.”

“I can take photographs, but mine don’t look like yours. So that’s pretty special.” She smiled. “I understand why you feel inadequate, but I wish you didn’t.”

“But… You all like to play all your games, and I’ll always lose.”

“I guess that wouldn’t be very fun.”

“It’s not that,” I said. “I just feel… Well, I wouldn’t want anyone to be embarrassed by me.”

“Let me tell you something about wolves. We’re exceedingly protective of the weaker members of the pack. Zoe, no one is embarrassed by you. All that we feel is protective and possessive. I’m already feeling it, and we’ve just met. Please don’t worry about that. You had fun yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“What matters to us is you play. We’re so competitive that it’s okay that you don’t win. Hell, we want to win.” She grinned. “For instance, I am suddenly thinking about tickle fights.”

“Oh no you’re not!”

She grinned. “Oh yes I am. Are you ticklish Zoe?”

“Yes. Are you a bully?”

“Yes.”

And that was when I knew she was teasing me.

I suddenly wanted to be somewhere more private with her. From the look she was giving me, I thought perhaps the feeling was mutual.

“We missed our movie,” she said.

“We were going to sit together, side-by-side, in the dark. Would you be touching me?”

“I believe I would be.”

“You know, we don’t need a movie for that.”

She smiled. “Where’s the check?”

* * * *

Five minutes later found us in her car. We drove quietly back to the compound. She parked in front of Portia’s house.

“Are those shoes comfortable?”

“They’re not bad. I wouldn’t go for a hike in them.”

“How about a walk?”

“I could handle a walk,” I said. “But if we walk through the trees, you’ll have to guide me. I won’t be able to see.”

“Do you normally wear glasses?”

“It’s dark,” I said. “Wolf, meet human. Receive introduction to human shortcomings.”

“Ah. Well then, I shall endeavor to guide us both.”

We climbed from her car, then I waited for her. She came to my side, took my arm, and turned me away from the compound. I laid my head on her shoulder, and together we slowly walked, talking quietly.

“I didn’t think this through entirely,” she said.

“Oh?”

“I was going to suggest we sit on the ground and make out, but you’ll ruin your clothing.”

So instead she pulled me to her. My eyes were closed long before our lips met.

She could kiss, and when she wrapped her arms around me, I felt warm and safe.

And very, very aroused.

We kissed for a long time, our tongues dancing together, and both of us making needy little noises for each other.

Finally she released me but pulled me into a hug instead, brushing cheeks again.

“Wow.”

“I want you,” she whispered.

“Good,” I said. “I have my own room at Portia’s.”

“Come on.”

Still, we stopped to kiss several more times before reaching Portia’s, then had another lengthy kiss on the steps. I was panting long before we were done.

She was amazing. She had been sweet and funny all night long. She was kind and gentle, and so far, she was treating me exactly like I wanted to be treated.

“Please come in,” I said.

“Uh huh. You said something about a bedroom.”

I fumbled with the door, finally getting it open, and together we stumbled into Portia’s house.

Beside me, her arm around my waist, Harper stiffened and froze.

“What’s the matter?”

“Zoe?” I heard Portia’s voice. “How was your date?”

“It’s just Portia,” I whispered. “Come on.”

“Elisabeth is here.” She turned me to her. “Zoe…”

“Elisabeth and I stopped dating over a month ago. I’m a free agent.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I really like you, but I can’t challenge Elisabeth for you. I’m sorry.”

“Harper?” I tried stepping closer, but she pushed me away.

“I’m sorry, Zoe. I really am. Maybe when she really lets you go.” And then she bolted for the door.

I stared after her.

“Zoe?” asked Portia. “Is everything all right?”

I closed the door then leaned against it. Then, slowly, then not so slowly, my blood began to boil.

I stepped away from the door and then turned into the living room.

Portia and Elisabeth were sitting there. They each had a beer, and there were the remnants of others on the coffee table. I came to a stop, staring at Elisabeth.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her coldly.

“Do not take that tone with me.”

“You did that on purpose!” I screamed. “You scared her away on purpose! I had a nice time tonight. I had a really nice time, right up until
my date
told me you still think you own me.
What are you doing here?
”

“Elisabeth and I were talking,” Portia said. “Calm down, Zoe.”

“She growled yesterday when she heard I had promised dates, and I bet she knew one of them was tonight. She’s here to intimidate anyone who thought to linger with me!”

They both stood up and began moving towards me. I backed away.

“Don’t you dare touch me!” I spat at Elisabeth. “I stopped being yours the minute you decided I wasn’t good enough for you, and you will leave me alone.”

“Zoe,” Portia said. “It’s not her fault.”

“The hell it’s not her fault. Everyone heard her growl, and everyone knows why, and now she’s here scaring my date away.”

“Zoe!” Portia said. “It’s not her fault. It’s mine.”

I froze in place, but I kept a wary eye on Elisabeth. If she touched me, she’d have a fight on her hands. But she kept her distance from me, not saying a word.

“It’s my fault, Zoe,” Portia said again. She moved closer. “I’m sorry. She’s been trying to leave for an hour, but I kept her here.”

I glanced at Portia then returned to glaring at Elisabeth.

“It’s not her fault,” Portia said a fourth time. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s partially my fault,” Elisabeth said. “I’m sorry, Zoe.”

“I’m not yours,” I said.

“Wolf doesn’t realize that.”

“When is Wolf going to realize it?” I asked. “If it weren’t for Wolf, maybe I would have measured up, so I’m not real happy with her right now.”

“Wolf is quick to claim and slow to let go,” she said. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

Slowly I calmed down, finally lowering my eyes. “I’m sorry I screamed at you, Head Enforcer. Can I expect additional charges of insubordination for it?”

“No, Zoe. You were yelling at your former girlfriend, not the head enforcer.”

I nodded once and then fled, running to my room and slamming the door.

It was a half hour later when Portia knocked at my door. “Please, may I come in, Zoe?”

“Yes,” I called out. I was lying on the bed, curled into a ball. She opened the door, saw me there, then moved in and sat on the bed behind me for a moment, then lay down behind me, curling in next to me. She held me for a while.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s fine,” I said.

“I take it you were hitting it off.”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t blame her. It’s a wolf thing. She would have smelled Elisabeth the instant she walked in.”

I didn’t say anything, but together we lay for a while.

“I owe you pampering,” I said eventually.

“Not tonight,” she replied.

“Yes,” I said. “It will help me take my mind off things.” I rolled over to face her. “Thank you.”

She grimaced.

“What?”

“I’m the one who kept her here, Zoe. It’s my fault your date ended badly.”

“I’ll chalk it up to fate,” I said. “I had a nice date. I got some nice kisses. A stunning werewolf wanted me. I just have to kick the shit out of Elisabeth so she’ll let me date, and there will be someone else.”

She smiled faintly. “I don’t recommend that exact plan, but I like your attitude.”

“Don’t think she’d let me kick her ass?”

Portia smiled. “No.”

“Go climb into bed. I’ll be in shortly.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to. I enjoy it.”

“Do you?” she asked. I nodded. “All right. I’m not going to argue with that.”

I let her get ready for bed first, then I used the bathroom and pulled on my own pajamas before moving into her room. She was waiting for me when I arrived.

“I bought something today,” she said. “It’s on the night stand.” I looked, and there was a bottle of massage oil waiting for me. I smiled at it.

I grabbed the bottle, pulled the covers down, climbed on top of her, and then began her massage.

* * * *

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

“You could come in ten minutes earlier and cuddle me, you know.”

She chuckled and then climbed into bed with me. I rolled over and squirmed back against her, letting her spoon me. “This is nice,” I declared.

“We only have a few minutes. We have a big day today.”

“We have two more rooms downstairs to do.”

“Yes, but we won’t do them today. We have something else to do.”

“Oh? Another trip to the paintball field?”

She chuckled. “No. But if I asked, would you want to go?”

“I just might,” I said.

She tightened her arms around me for a moment. “I’m glad, Zoe.”

“Do you think there are games we could play where I wouldn’t suck though?”

“We’ll put Michaela on that. She’ll think of something. Of course, you won’t beat her, but you might be able to hold your own against the rest of us.”

I laughed. “Environmental Trivial Pursuit.”

“There you go.”

She gave me another minute then said, “As much as I enjoy this, Zoe, we have to get up.”

“Workout clothes?”

“Yep. Very light workout then breakfast at the alpha’s.”

* * * *

An hour later, I asked Portia, “What are they all doing here?”

She grinned. “Helping us for an hour or so.”

Hanging around her house were most of the pack enforcers, minus the three we’d just left behind at the alphas’ house. They were all in construction clothes.

We greeted everyone, Portia thanking them for coming. Then she led the way to her garage, opening the door. Waiting for us were several ladders and a bench with a bunch of tools, most of which I didn’t recognize. Portia directed, and the wolves carried everything out. She handed me a pair of work gloves.

“Pace yourself this morning,” she said. “This first part is hard work. Let the wolves do most of it. We only get them for a couple of hours, and then I’m really going to need you.”

I nodded.

“All right,” Portia said. “We have to strip everything down to the wood, but I want to get these tarps spread first. In twos, please grab a tarp and spread it out to give the shingles a place to land, all around the house.”

It was Angel that grabbed me. We grabbed two of the tarps and went to the other side of the house. We spread it out and used rocks from the garden to hold the corners down.

“We haven’t talked since Sunday. Did you have fun?”

I laughed. “Everyone keeps asking that. Yes, I had fun. Yes, I’d play again.”

“Good. There’s a campaign to make it a monthly event. I don’t think it will be that regular, just because we go to Bayfield a lot.”

Portia made a circle of the house, declared everything ready, then sent us up the ladder. I found myself with Portia holding the ladder at the bottom and Rory waiting at the top to grab me as I stepped off.

“You know, humans do this without werewolves watching out for them.”

“Yeah, but you’re just a girl,” he said with a grin. “It wouldn’t be chivalrous to let you climb on and off the ladder without help.”

“But you’ll let me paint the alpha’s house and nail shingles to Portia’s roof?”

“You’re right!” he said. “I have some darning that needs doing.”

I laughed. “I bet you don’t even know what darning is.”

“It’s what you say when you’re not wolf enough to say ‘damn’,” Portia said, stepping up next to me. “Enough lolly-gagging. Let’s show the human how wolves work.”

For the next hour, while I tried to help, mostly I just got in the way. Finally I sat at the peak of the roof and watched.

The wolves were amazing. I keep saying that, I know, but again I was reminded. They weren’t reckless, but I was sure a human crew would take far longer than that.

I actually felt kind of worthless and offered to fetch drinks for people, but Portia told me, “Your part is coming up soon. Watch and learn.”

Soon, the roof was down to bare wood. Portia sent everyone around. “Look for any wood that looks rotted. If you find any, show it to me.”

There were a couple of boards that they declared, “Soft.”

“We’re going to rip them out,” Portia said, “But leave them there for now. We’ll do it after the delivery.”

“Did you get a dumpster?”

“It was supposed to be here yesterday, but they screwed up,” she replied. “It’ll be here this afternoon.”

“We’ll come back and help dump everything,” Eric declared. “In fact, we’ll grab the kids from the program, too.” He looked at me. “We’ll take those drinks now.”

It was twenty minutes later before a big, flatbed delivery truck appeared. It had a crane with a forklift attachment and was piled high with building materials. Portia talked to the driver for a few minutes, and then he backed the truck as close to the garage as he could. Soon he was operating the crane, lifting the palettes to the roof. He didn’t set them down. Instead, the wolves pulled the materials off, making piles along the peak of the roof.

I tried to help, but they were heavy, and I almost dropped the first one. Portia told me to find a place I could stay out of the way.

I felt worthless.

It didn’t take them any time at all to unload everything, distributing the materials evenly in six piles along the roof peak. Portia thanked everyone.

“Can we get those soft boards pulled out? I bought replacements.”

Eric attacked one, and Rory went after the other. It took them only a minute or two before the old boards were pulled out. Portia found the replacements and dropped them into place. “Zoe and I can nail those,” she said. “Thanks guys.”

There were several offers to stay behind and help, but she said, “Naw, now Zoe has to pay off her debt to society. If we get done too fast, I don’t know what I’d make her do next. And this will be real work for a little human like her.”

The wolves laughed. I got my hair tousled. And a minute later, Portia and I were left alone.

“You know, I don’t have a clue what to do.”

“That’s okay. I do.” She gave me a safety lecture, and a few minutes later we were working together, driving nails into the boards that had been replaced.

Using a hammer wasn’t as therapeutic as a paintbrush, but it was a nice change of pace. But I wondered how I would feel about it in a few hours.

“Are we really going to do all this ourselves? It’ll take weeks.”

She smiled. “Yes, we are, and no, it won’t. Wait until you see.”

We finished nailing in the boards. Then Portia found a box of something called ‘water shield’. It came in a roll three feet wide by seventy-five feet long. One side had a sticky side after you peeled the protective paper back, and it went down on the roof nearest the gutters. Working together, we rolled it out and got it in place all along the edges. Then we did a second row overlapping the first by a few inches. This left the bottom six feet of the roof covered in the rubbery material.

We switched to a different material after that, covering the entire roof to just below the shingles waiting in the big piles near the peak. We surveyed what we had done. Portia smiled.

“All right,” she said. “Now we do chalk lines.”

“I’m not that artistic,” I said. She glanced over to see me grinning.

She had a little metal box with a string sticking out of it. You could pull on the string, and it came out of the box, covered in chalk. Portia handed me a tape measure and sent me to one end of the roof. She showed me how to measure. Then she had me hold one end of the string, went down to the other end, and called out a distance. I put the string down tight on the tape measure at the right distance. She did the same on her end, pulling it taut, and then she reached over, lifted the string away from the roof, then released it to slap against the roof.

It left a clear, straight mark on the roof.

“Cool!” I said.

We did that over and over, all the way up the roof, leaving lines across the roof.

“We’ll do the other side later,” she said. “Wait here.”

She climbed down from the roof, was gone for a couple of minutes, then I heard her climbing back up. She was bringing some weird tool with her, dragging an air hose along behind her.

“What’s that?”

“Nailer. No hammers. You’ll see.” She arranged the hose the way she wanted then said, “Don’t trip over it.”

“Important safety tip.”

“All right. Let’s get started. What I want you to do is bring me shingles.”

“I can’t carry them.”

“Open a pack and bring them in handfuls,” she said. “Be careful not to break them.”

I found I could bring a half pack of shingles at a time. Portia sat down on the roof, took a shingle from me, set it in place, then banged the end of the nailer against the shingle four times.

“Next.”

“Um. Portia. It’s backwards. The tabs go the other way.”

She looked up at me. “Trust me. Next shingle please.”

She put that one in place, nailed it, and then moved down for the next shingle.

The nailer made a thwack sound every time she used it, a little like the paintball guns from Sunday. When I looked, I could see the heads of four shiny nails perfectly embedded into the shingles.

“Okay, that’s cool,” I said.

We got to the end and found ourselves with a shingle hanging out the end. “It’s too long.”

“We cut them later,” she said. “You can cut them now, but you get a straight line if you cut later. Now we’ll go backwards.”

So I kept bringing her shingles, and she worked back, laying the second shingles immediately on top of the first ones, but these were facing the right way.

“Why did you do it that way?”

“So that the open tabs have shingle behind them,” she said.

“Oh. That should have been obvious.”

After that, we worked our way up and across the roof. I brought shingles and Portia nailed them. I realized after the third time across that she was using the chalk lines to keep the shingles straight. It took another few trips to realize she was also staggering how the shingles were installed so the joints between them were not on top of each other.

“Is that it?” I finally asked.

“For most of it. The peak is different, and it’s a tiny bit harder to do the garage.” The garage was attached, but it was at a different level, with one edge against the side of the house. I would learn later in the week that wasn’t too bad to handle, either.

Portia waited until we were a good third of the way up the roof before she said, “Okay, we’re far enough from the edge. Did you want to try it? You can work from below now.”

“Could I?”

Using the nailer was a little tricky, but it only took a few minutes before I was nailing shingles like a pro.

“I told you that you’d earn your keep,” she said.

After that, we traded off periodically, one of us doing the fetch and carry thing, the other running the nailer.