Titus
WE MEET the charter bus and the shifter refugees the next morning in a dirt parking lot at the juncture of three highways. The black wolf pack show up in two Humvees and Deke’s Mercedes G63. Whatever their jobs really are or were, they have plenty of money.
The refugees climb out of the vehicles. Even though they’ve been free for six weeks now, they still wear shell-shocked, wary expressions. I catch their strange, mixed scents-a jumble of animals, nothing that makes sense. It’s just like the misfit shifters from California. Alpha Green asked those three to come up to Wolf Ridge and meet the bus, so these new refugees will have shifter’s who have been through what they have to advocate for them and help build trust.
“We’re going to provide escort to Arizona,” Rafe tells me. “Make sure you arrive safe.”
I shake his hand. “Thank you.”
A young female walks up with a baby bunny cupped in one hand. Her head is bent, her soft dark ‘fro making a halo around her face, and she’s murmuring softly to the animal.
“Oh how sweet!” Sunny chirps. “Is it hurt?”
The female looks up in surprise, then ducks her head again. Her warm brown skin glows as she cuddles the creature. I get the Disney princess reference. No one would blink if she burst into song. “No. I’m just saying goodbye.”
Sunny smiles as if this is the most normal thing in the world.
“Hope you don’t mind animals,” Rafe mutters. “Allison made friends with just about every creature in the area. Even prey animals were hanging around our door.” He shakes his head but an underlying gentleness and affection shows through. Like he really got to know and appreciate these shifters.
The last of my reservations about him disappear.
“Fuck, Allie, you gonna bring the menagerie?” A short, pale female shifter with a nose ring and a mohawk of black hair stalks up. She crosses tautly muscled arms over her chest and sunlight flashes on the huge skinning knife she’s carrying.
I step between her and Sunny.
“Don’t be silly, Fiona,” Allison says, and puts the wild rabbit down. “Go on,” she encourages until it hops off. Allison heads over to Fiona, and hugs her side, laying her head on the tiny goth woman’s shoulder, ignoring the knife.
“Thank fuck,” Fiona says fondly, winding her free arm around Allison’s shoulders. “They like you, but whenever they got close to me they peed themselves. I’ll buy you a stuffed animal at the gas station.”
Rafe clears his throat. “Who says you’re allowed off the bus when we stop for gas?”
“Deke, actually.” Fiona tosses her chin in the direction of the crazy wolf. “I told him Allison would cry if she didn’t get a Taos key chain. He promised.”
“Sure he did.”
“Oh, Rafe, please,” Allison coos.
Rafe rolls his eyes. “Fine. Get you off my back.”
Fiona points her knife at him. “You’re gonna miss us. Admit it.”
I clear my throat as Rafe shakes his head. “Time to get on the bus. Load up!”
“You gonna be okay, baby?” I steer Sunny to her VW.
“Of course,” she goes up on tip-toe to kiss me on the nose. So fucking cute. I hook her close and claim her mouth.
An “oooOOOoooo” chorus goes up from the peanut gallery. I give them the finger and Allison and Fiona both cackle.
“Until later.” Sunny gives me her signature smile and climbs in the bus. I follow her on my bike, swallowing down my own sense of foreboding.
Sunny and I still haven’t spoken about the future.
About what happens after we get to Arizona.
All I know is I don’t want to say goodbye to her. My wolf probably won’t let me.
But I also can’t figure out how to keep her either. Even if she were the type to settle down-which she isn’t, thanks to her asshole ex-husband-I can’t exactly bring her into my pack. It’s forbidden.
So where does that leave us? Me trying to convince her long-term relationships can work? It would have to be away from the pack. Maybe moving into her Airstream, hoping that as long as we stay mobile and tour the arts and crafts scene, she won’t feel pinned down?
That’s crazy, though. I don’t even fit in that Airstream. It creaks every time I set foot in it. I have to duck to walk. And I’d probably go nuts.
But you’d be with Sunny, my wolf argues.
True. Very true.
I resolve to talk to her about it when we get to Wolf Ridge. After my mission is complete.
SUNNY
THE DRIVE from Taos to Phoenix is hot. Mountains melt into desert and the air outside grows increasingly more stifling. We pass through Navajo land. I keep catching myself gnawing my lip.
It’ll be fine. I release my chokehold on the steering wheel. I’m just meeting Titus’ entire pack. No biggie.
But by the time we pull into the parking lot of Wolf Ridge Rec Center, the concrete in my stomach has settled in to stay. Calm down. I jump out of my bus to assist my new shifter friends.
Fiona is already off the bus, a pitifully small bag slung over her shoulder. These shifters had nothing. Not even clothes to wear, if Fiona’s makeshift outfit is anything to go by. She looks like she cut up a big man’s t-shirt and a pair of running shorts to fit her. That’s right, focus on helping.
When Allison steps off the bus, she stumbles. A lanky male catches her, his cheeks flushing as they both straighten. When Allison thanks him, he flushes and stammers, “W-w-welcome.”
“You’re sweet,” Allison tells him and his thick glasses steam. His ears practically combust. “I’m Allison.”
“I’m Laurie,” says the tall male.
“Allie, quit flirting,” Fiona says. “I need the little puppies room.”
Allison blushes.
“I’ll show ya where it is.” A dark-haired guy steps up, flashing white teeth.
Fiona’s head snaps around. “You’re Irish,” she accuses.
“That’s right. Name’s Declan.” He puts his hands up like she’s threatened him. She’s still holding the long knife, so she might. “Pleased to meet ya. And might I say, ya are the most beautiful shifter I’ve ever seen.”