Wolf Ways (The Madison Wolves Book 9) (41 page)

I was a pretty ticklish person, but I was already laughing so hard, she had a difficult time finding anywhere that was ticklish, especially when I was wet. But still, she soon had me squirming and struggling to get away while we both continued to laugh.

Although my laughs were a lot like shrieks.

“Do you surrender?” she finally asked.

“I surrender! I surrender!”

She pulled me backwards against her, and I went still. Then she held me for a moment longer before releasing me. I turned around in the water, and she carried a serious expression.

“What was that last part?”

“A hug,” she said. “Come on, Prisoner, we have work to do.”

* * * *

When we got back, instead of continuing on the first side, we went to the other side and started there. We were just to the point we could turn around and work from below before company began to arrive. When it did, it was in the form of most of the enforcers, Kaylee and Ember.

“Ah ha! My extra credit workers.” I turned to Portia. “They don’t owe that much time, but I made them promise to keep me company, too. But I’m having a grand time with you.”

“Well, let’s get them both up. They can haul shingles for us, and we can both nail. Keep working here.” I took over with the nailer, and she brought a couple of bundles of shingles, leaving them where I could reach them without having to get up and down. Then she disappeared off the roof, but I heard her directing everyone.

A few minutes later, Kaylee and Ember appeared. “Portia said to do whatever you said,” Ember said.

So I explained what we were doing, and I even taught them both to use the nail gun after asking them if they were smart enough to avoid nailing their own hand. I pointed out it was a gun, after all.

They were good kids, and careful.

“All right. Let’s play a game.”

“While we’re working?” Ember asked, carefully positioning a shingle for Kaylee to nail.

“Sure,” I said. “We’re going to take turns. We’re each going to say something about ourselves the other two don’t already know. If neither of us know it, then you get two points. If one does, and one doesn’t, you get one point. If both already know it, then you lose a point.”

Ember laughed. “You don’t know a thing about me, so this should be an easy game.”

“But fun?”

“Sure,” she said. “Who goes first?”

“You do,” I said. “We’ll go you, Kaylee, then me, around in a circle like that.”

“All right. My full name is Ember Marie Johnson.”

Kaylee cocked her head. “I didn’t know your middle name.”

“Two points for me?” she asked, and I nodded. “Oh, I like this game!” she said with a laugh.

God, the wolves were fun.

“My turn,” Kaylee said. “Well, if we’re doing names… Mine is Kaylee Alice Moss.”

“I knew that,” Ember said.

“I didn’t. One point. I suppose I should keep Ember’s tradition going, but after this, we should try to change things around. I am Zoe Everest Young.”

“I didn’t know that,” Ember said.

“Neither did I.”

“Okay,” I said. “From now on, to keep things going, we’ll say something only if we know. Otherwise we’ll each assume two points.”

“My turn,” said Ember. “I was ten when my aunt told me about Ms. Burns’ program here at the school. I knew right away I wanted to be in the program. I bugged my teachers to help me learn everything I could so when it was time, I could come here. “

“Oh wow,” Kaylee said. She stopped working and stared at Ember. “That’s cool, Ember.”

“I agree. I applaud your devotion to science, Ember.”

She smiled, a little shyly. “Your turn, Kaylee.”

“All right. I gave a speech at Michaela and Lara’s wedding.”

“I knew that,” Ember said. “I was there.” She looked at me. “But I had forgotten. Does that count?”

“Hmm. What do you think, Kaylee?”

“One point,” she said. “I bet you didn’t know, Zoe.”

I laughed. “No, I didn’t.”

We went around with our game while we continued to lay the shingles, but we had fun getting to know each other better. I could tell the girls didn’t know each other that well, and the scores grew steadily.

I wasn’t sure how long we had been playing when Portia reappeared on the roof. She was pulling another air hose with her and had a second nail gun.

“Hey, Portia,” Kaylee said. “This is fun!”

“Good,” Portia said.

“We’re playing a game,” I said. I explained the rules. “Did you want to join us? We can declare a winner and start over with fresh scores.”

“Maybe in a bit. The enforcers are going to help me with something first.” And sure enough, we were shortly joined by the adults.

Ember, Kaylee and I continued to nail shingles, working steadily while sharing stories. I saw the adults shifted the piles of waiting shingles so that Portia could lay out the rest of the underlayment underneath where the shingles had been sitting. She thanked the adults, and then they were gone. She came over to join us.

“I should have done that part differently,” she said. “If I had brought the replacement roofing boards and underlayment home myself, we could have had that done before the shingles were delivered. Live and learn.”

Both of the girls looked over at her for a moment then went back to the shingles. It was Ember’s turn with the gun. Portia watched critically for a minute and also checked our completed work.

“You’re doing a good job. Let me show you how we can use two people nailing, and then we can start up your game again.”

Five minutes later, we were really flying our way up the roof, both nailers going like crazy.

And I started learning more things about Portia.

A few minutes later, Kaylee said, “I was only supposed to be here a half hour. But Portia, may I stay?”

“Yeah,” Ember said. “Mine was forty-five minutes. Why was Kaylee’s only thirty?”

“Because Kaylee was already in jail, and I didn’t have as much leverage as I did with you,” I said with a grin.

“Well, may I stay, too, Portia? This is fun.”

“Are your parents expecting you? Should you be doing homework?”

“Well,
my
mother isn’t expecting me,” Ember said with a smirk.

“Smarty-pants. Is Michaela expecting you at home?”

“I’ll text her.”

“I can call my mom,” Kaylee said. “She’s probably with Michaela anyway.”

“If your mother gives permission, then I would really appreciate your help,” Portia said.

“Does it continue to count against Zoe’s sentence?” Ember asked.

“It does.”

We worked for another hour and a half when Portia said, “All right. We’re done for the day.”

“No…” said Ember. “Already?”

“Quitting time. Zoe and I have been at it all day.”

Both girls glanced at me then turned to Portia. “May we come back tomorrow?” Kaylee asked.

“If it’s okay with Serena and Michaela, then yes, we would love to have your help.”

“Cool!” Ember said.

“Before you go, you can help cover everything up.”

Thursday, everyone met in front of the school an hour after school got out. Zoe’s roof wasn’t done, but she assured me that it would be fine for the weekend.

We all drove up in a convoy of SUVs. The pups were staying behind, but from the goodbyes they shared with their mothers, I got the impression this happened with some regularity. There was clearly a lot of love, but no tears.

We had all of Michaela’s students, including Layton. Michaela must have been satisfied with his paper. We also had the enforcer students as well as six enforcers. The rest were staying to manage the compound and keep the pups safe.

I again wondered about a lifestyle requiring guards to keep your children safe.

There were a lot of people.

Michaela gathered around. She had a clipboard and looked around, checking off names, then she said “All right. There are a lot of us on this trip. We’re going to play a quick game, and we’re going to do this a few times. The kids should all know each other by now, but this is the first trip for some of you. And there are adults who don’t know all of you. So we’re going to go around and each introduce ourselves. We’re going to be quick. For the adults, I want your names and what your job is on this trip, very briefly. For the kids, I want you to tell us your name, age, and what class you are in. We’ll do the kids from the enforcer program, then the science program, then the various adults. But Lara and I will start.”

She paused and looked at her mate for an instant.

“I am Michaela Burns. I am the teacher for this event.” She turned to Lara.

“I am Lara Burns. I’m here to do whatever Michaela tells me to do.”

The kids laughed at that.

“Okay, enforcer students. One of you pick.”

One of the boys said, “I’m Nash Fields. I’m 15 and a freshman.”

After that, I met Shelton, Evangeline, and, of course, Monique.

“Okay,” said Michaela. “Evangeline, you have a different name you prefer?”

“Yes, Ms. Burns,” she said. “But you know it.”

“I do, but many here do not.”

“Oh. Sorry. I like Evangeline, but it’s a mouthful. My parents usually call me Line.” She pronounced it like Lean. “I really like my whole name, but most people shorten it.”

I vowed to call her Evangeline anyway.

“All right,” said Michaela. “Good. Now the science program students.”

There were a great many of them, seven girls and six boys. Amongst the girls, I learned that Kimbriella was often called Kimber, but the most unusual name was Cassiopeia. She could also be called Cassie but asked us not to call her Cass.

I thought that was an unexpected name. Cassiopeia is from Greek mythology, a queen who was vain about her appearance. I would learn later from Michaela that her mother didn’t know the full etymology of the name and thought she was naming her daughter after a particularly beautiful Greek goddess.

Still, I thought it was a lovely name, and during the trip I would call the girl both Cassie and Cassiopeia.

When the kids were done, Michaela said, “All right, the remaining adults. Let’s start with you, Zoe.”

“I’m Zoe Young. Like Lara, I’m here to do whatever Michaela tells me.”

Next were Bertram and Gretchen Beck, who I learned were Cassiopeia’s parents. They described themselves as “chaperones” and admitted to knowing little about science. Bertram introduced both of them, and Gretchen struck me as almost mousy, which I found an unexpected personality for a werewolf.

I would learn during the trip that Gretchen wasn’t the brightest bulb, but she was kind, exceedingly good with the kids, and loved her daughter to pieces. Bertram was a little rough around the edges, but it seemed like perhaps he knew it and was trying to be on his best behavior.

The enforcers went last: Elisabeth, Serena, Karen, Portia, Angel and Scarlett.

“Excellent,” Michaela said. “I’m going to talk for a few minutes, and then Elisabeth has more to say. Then we’ll assign vehicles.” She looked around. “This is a lot of people, and it would be easy to misplace one of you. We’re going to do a few things. First, I want all of you to pair up. Science programs, pair up together. We have an odd number, so there will be one group of three. I want boys with boys and girls with girls. Hold hands once you’re in your groups. Enforcer students, you are assigned to one of the enforcers. Elisabeth?”

“Monique, you’re with Portia.”

“Yes!” said the girl, immediately moving to Portia’s side.

“Shelton, you’re with Angel. Nash with Karen. Line, you’re with Scarlett.”

Each of the kids moved to stand next to his or her assigned enforcer.

Elisabeth turned to Michaela, and she was watching the students. I saw that Kaylee and Ember were together, and they had Cassiopeia with them as well, forming the group of three. Iris and Lindsey were together, and I would learn they were best friends. Kimber and Valeria formed the last group of girls.

“Excellent,” Michaela said. “Now, partners eat, sleep and breathe together. Most of you have done this before, so you know the drill. If I see you separating by too much, we will be lashing your wrists together.” She looked at the guys. “I know it’s not macho to hold hands, especially in public. But I require you to be within touching distance most of the time, and I expect you to be touching when we’re walking through Bayfield or at the two rest stops we make during the drive. One of you can put your hand on the other’s shoulder, if you want.” She demonstrated with her hand on Lara’s shoulder. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Ms. Burns,” the kids intoned together.

She looked at the girls, all of whom were casually holding hands.

“Rules. I know you’ll all be on your best behavior. I know if any of the adults tells you to do something, you will do it. I know there will be absolutely no mischief. I will tolerate a certain amount of playing around and banter, but I know that none of you will engage in unwise or risky behavior.” She looked around. “You all know what that means by now.” The kids all nodded.

“We have a lot of field work to do, but we’re also going to take time for the fun stuff, too.”

“She means kayaking,” Angel inserted.

There were expressions of glee from the kids.

“The amount of time we have for kayaking and other games will be related to how well you do on the field work. If you goof off, it will take longer. If you do a poor job, we’ll have to do it again. If I don’t feel you’re learning the material, we’ll be spending time in class instead of outside doing what we all really would rather do. You guys know this, and you know the material, but you also know I have to remind you sometimes.”

Then she looked at the adults for a moment before looking back at the kids. “Ms. Young is an environmentalist. Her understanding of what we’re doing is a little different from mine. She’s here to help me help you, but she’s also going to be sharing the things she knows, too. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn what you can from her.”

I thought that was really nice of her to say, and it made me feel good.

She glanced down at her clipboard, and I realized she had notes. “All right. Elisabeth has some things to say, then we’ll assign cars. Head Enforcer?”

Michaela stepped back and Elisabeth stepped forward. “We’re doing a few things different from how we have in the past, so pay attention. First, absolutely no shifting into fur without permission. Anyone caught in fur without permission will be having a long, very, very difficult conversation with me. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Head Enforcer!” they said together.

“Good. You also know to avoid certain words and conversations in public.”

“Words like ‘werewolf’?” I asked.

“Yes,” Elisabeth said. “Next. As always, if an enforcer tells you to do something,
you will do it
.” She looked around and her eyes settled on me. “That includes the adults.”

“Yes, Head Enforcer,” I said. That earned some chuckles.

“Now, we’re also training our future enforcers, and we have a variety of exercises for them. We may not share those exercises with the rest of you, and they could happen at any time. So, if one of the student enforcers tells you to do something,
you will do it
. They, in turn, will certainly not tell you to do their dishes or clean up their messes. But if they tell you to clean up a mess, you will clean up the mess, and then you will tell one of the enforcers of the orders you were given. It is not your responsibility to judge whether an enforcer should be giving you that particular order.”

She looked around. “Questions on that?”

I raised my hand.

“Yes, Zoe,” Elisabeth said. “If Monique tells you to do something, you will do it.”

I lowered my hand to a few more chuckles.

“Part of being an enforcer is handling the authority. There is a temptation to overstep bounds and become a dictator. The enforcers in our pack resist that temptation, but learning to resist it takes time, and we all have to help them learn.”

She looked around again. “I want to repeat something Alpha Fox said. When we are in any of the towns, partners will be touching. This is an important rule. Do not break it.”

“No, Head Enforcer,” the kids intoned.

“That’s all I have,” she said.

“Thank you, Elisabeth,” Michaela said. “All right. For the trip, you are assigned to cars. Not only will partners remain in physical contact during our stops, but you will remain as a group by car.”

She checked her list. “Car One: Lara Michaela, Serena, Kimber and Val. You two come here.” The girls joined them, and soon there was a clump of five.

“Car two: Elisabeth with Kaylee, Ember and Cassie.”

She assigned out all the cars. I was with Portia, Monique, Iris and Lindsey. It would be fun getting to know two more of the girls. Each group clumped together so we had six groups of four to six people.

“Elisabeth?”

“While Michaela listed herself as car one,” Elisabeth said, “Car one will not be in the lead. Karen, you’re in front. Portia, I want you at the rear.” She assigned the other cars with Michaela’s car in slot three and Elisabeth immediately behind her as four.

“Why that way?” I asked.

“Karen to watch ahead for trouble. I’m to watch behind. Elisabeth will watch over the alphas.”

“Okay am I missing anything?”

“One last thing,” Lara said. “Zoe, your driving privileges are reinstated for this trip, but you continue to report to Portia.”

I nodded understanding.

Michaela stepped forward once more. “We’re going to have a great trip, but it’s up to everyone to make sure. And that means you not only selfishly make sure you have a great trip, but you make sure that I have a great trip. I’m going to cover my ears, then I want to hear a howl of joy.”

She stepped back to Lara, who pulled the little fox against her chest, wrapping arms around Michaela’s head. The kids seem to know when it was time, because as a group, they all lifted their noses and began to howl.

Even through their human throats, it was a beautiful sound.

* * * *

At our assigned car, I was ready to climb in, but Portia stopped me, turning me to her. “I need an honest answer. Are you a good driver?”

“I’m not a race car driver, but yes. I haven’t had an accident or even a speeding ticket in twenty years.”

“Can you drive an SUV?” She gestured. I nodded. “Would you keep your cool in an emergency?”

“Yes.”

She studied me. Then she held out the keys.

“If you get tired, tell me.”

The girls were hovering around. Iris asked, “Where should we sit?”

“Monique in back,” Portia said. “Monique, we’re the last car. Do you know what that means?”

“It means we watch for trouble from the rear.”

“So what’s your job?”

“To make sure we know if anyone comes up behind us.”

“Yes. And watch the sky too.”

“Got it.”

We all climbed in. I got the car started then adjusted everything. I thought this might be the first time this vehicle had been driven by someone my size. I made sure I knew where the lights and wiper controls were. Then I turned around.

“The human is driving. Make sure your seat belts are properly buckled.”

There were chuckles, and I heard one last seatbelt click closed. When I looked over, I realized it was Portia’s. I grinned at her.

Then she played with the radio. It was the strangest radio I’ve ever seen, and there was a microphone as well. I stared.

“Is that a CB Radio?”

“The military version,” she said. “We have them in the airplanes and the pack cars.” She picked up the microphone. “Portia checking in.”

Over the next minute, the other five cars checked in.

“Let’s head out,” came Elisabeth’s voice. “Go ahead, Karen.”

One by one, we pulled out of the lot. Karen came to a stop out on the road, waiting. Then Portia said, “We’re ready.” And we were on our way.

Behind us, the girls chatted together. Once we made it onto the highway, I asked, “So, do you guys play games during drives?”