Howling Moon (23 page)

Tuesday morning dawned
cold and clear. Cat wandered downstairs to check the answering machine.

The first message was Jake’s from last night. Cat fought down a wave of irritation.
Jerk.

The next message was from Mike. Apologizing – endlessly. Or rather, it would have been endlessly if the machine hadn’t cut him off. Cat had almost made her mind up to just erase the rest without listening in case they were just more from him, but she changed her mind when Holly’s voice came on the line.

“Cat, are you all right? I’m so sorry! I can’t believe my dad is being such a fricking ass! Anyway, I’ll bring by your check tomorrow morning and we can talk. We can cruise down to Denver if you like. I’ve got the whole day off.”

The machine beeped again.

“This is Brownstown Movers calling for Cat Turner. We understand that you’re scheduled to meet with us at the property owned by Mr. Ned Thornton Thursday afternoon. We’ve had a change of schedule and would like to move the time up to 10:00
a.m.
Tuesday. Please call and let us know if that will work for you at 303-555-4828.”

Beep.

“Catherine, it’s me… Brad. I’m… worried about you. You haven’t returned my calls, and your e-mail was so… cold. I really want to see you, see if we can work things out.
Please
call me back.”

Beep.

“Ms. Turner, this is Lucas Santiago. I understand that the rental car you’ve been using has sustained some damage. If you’d take it to Rowan’s Auto Body they’ll do an excellent job on the repairs for you at no charge. Also, my wife and I would be honored if you and Raphael would join us this evening for dinner at Roberto’s Restaurant in Denver. There are a number of things we’d like to discuss. Please call my secretary and let her know if you’ll be available.”

Cat checked the clock. It was already eight o’clock.
Damn.
She didn’t know if the mover’s office would be open yet, but it was worth a shot. She rushed over to the phone and dialed the number. The woman on the other end picked up the phone on the first ring.

“This is Cat Turner, you left a message on my aunt’s answering machine.”

“Yes, Ms. Turner. We’ve had a cancellation on the schedule and were hoping you might be able to meet us at the Thornton residence today rather than when it was initially scheduled. I realize it’s short notice – “

“Actually, today would be fine. What time would you like me to be there?”

“Is ten too soon?”

She nodded and scribbled the time on the pad next to the phone. “Ten will be fine.”

“Oh, good. I’ll tell our people to expect you.”

Cat hung up the phone and hurried upstairs to pull on a pair of worn jeans and a sweatshirt over thick socks and warm boots. She didn’t want to wear anything good, because once the movers were done she was going to start in on cleaning the place. Yeah, she could pay a cleaning crew, but why? She was perfectly capable of scrubbing a floor and wiping down counters. God knew she’d been doing it enough at Jake’s.

She’d just finished brushing her teeth and pulling her hair into a braid when she heard Holly’s Geo pull into the drive. She thundered downstairs to get the door before the other woman even had a chance to knock.

“Hi.” Holly stood on the front step, a dark figure limned in the almost blinding brilliance of sunlight sparkling from virgin snowdrifts.

“Hi.” Cat stepped aside “Come on in.”

Holly was dressed for the snow in a bright blue down jacket with a fur-trimmed hood and warm winter boots. She reached into her large black purse with one gloved hand. “Before I forget. Here’s your paycheck.”

“Thanks.” Cat took the check from her hand. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“No problema. What’s up?”

“I need to drop the rental car off for repairs, but I’m due up at Ned’s to meet the movers. Think you could drive me around today? I’ll pop for the gas.”

“Sure.” Holly agreed. “But, I thought the movers were scheduled for Thursday.”

“So did I. But they had a change of schedule.”

“Sure, I’d be glad to.”

“Thanks!” Cat reached into the hall closet to grab her purse and jacket.

Holly’s voice was light and teasing. “I see you finally got yourself a coat.”

“Actually, it was a gift.” Cat said a little sheepishly. While she would have loved to talk about everything that was going on, she wasn’t sure it was a good idea to talk to Holly about Raphael. He was her uncle. And she had been so very shocked when she’d found out that he and Cat were an item.

“Ah. I thought it looked familiar.”

“Holly – “

“Cat, it’s okay.” Holly took a deep breath and plowed on. “Really. I mean, I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and… I don’t know. It just kind of is right. You suit each other. He actually seems
happy.
I’ve never seen him happy before, and he’s been around our house since I was born.”

“Thanks.” Cat really appreciated Holly’s effort to accept her relationship with Raphael. It had been a long time since Cat had something close to a best friend. In fact, she couldn’t remember a really good friend – ever. The thought of losing that friendship had hurt, badly. Even so, she hadn’t for an instant considered the possibility of giving up Raphael instead.

“Yeah, well, I want you to be happy. And since Mike’s turned out to be such a jerk.” Holly gestured through the open door at the damaged rental car.

“How’d you know?”

“Cat,
please.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “Who
else
would it be?”

She had a point. Anyone else would’ve left the car alone, and hurt
her.
Cat pulled on her coat, checked the pocket to make sure she had her keys. “Can we stop by the ATM – oh, and a grocery? I need to get some money and pick up some cleaning supplies.”

“You might pick up some gloves while you’re at it,” Holly suggested. “Most of the chain groceries carry them during winter.”

“That would be awesome!” Cat agreed. She pulled the front door closed with a brisk slam and picked her way carefully out to the driveway. She knew she should shovel the snow from the walk, but there was no time for it now. Who knew, if she was lucky, maybe it’d be sunny enough for the snow to melt off and she wouldn’t have to.

“So, where’s this repair shop you’re going to?” Holly’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“You ever hear of a place by the name of Rowan’s?” Cat asked.

“Yeah, it’s a pack business.”

“Figures. Lucas Santiago wants me to take it there. The repairs have already been paid for.”

“Makes sense.” Holly agreed. “Since it was Mike’s fault to begin with. You can follow me. It’s not far.”

Raphael checked his
watch. Cat was late for their training session. So he concentrated, using his magic to search the connection that bound them. He found her easily. She was in Holly’s car, on her way to Ned’s. She was happy and excited, talking with the other woman about her plans for decorating the new place once she moved in.

Cat?

Raphael? I’m sorry! I forgot to call you. The movers changed the appointment to this morning.

That’s the second time you’ve forgotten a training session with me, young lady. He tried to sound stern, but failed miserably. Yes, the lessons were very important, but she was doing well, and he was just too damned happy to stay angry with her for long. I’m beginning to worry you aren’t taking this seriously.

I’m sorry. Really. Can we reschedule, maybe for this evening?

Did you check your messages? Lucas invited us for dinner at Roberto’s in Denver.

Yeah, I know. But I’m not really looking forward to dealing with the whole Michael thing.

Raphael didn’t answer, letting the mental silence stretch uncomfortably.

Fine,
I’ll do it. Just as soon as I’ve finished with the movers.

I’ll pick you up at Violet’s at five thirty. We don’t want to be late. The last thing you need is more trouble with the pack right now. We’ll have a training session tomorrow morning no matter what, 7:00
a.m.
sharp.

He cut the connection between them quickly. He heard laminar footsteps in the hallway. They paused outside the door to his office. A moment later he heard Raven’s knock on the office door.

“Come in.”

Emma took the lead, holding the door open for Raven. It was obvious the package he carried was not only bulky, but heavy. That piqued Raphael’s curiosity. Sazi had super strength, and Raven was exceptional even among their kind.

“What are you two up to?” Raphael watched as his son looked carefully around the room before choosing a spot in the corner. Sitting on the floor, the box stood chest high.

“Well, go on. I can smell that you’re curious. Open it up,” Raven teased.

“What is it?” Raphael looked at Emma.

“Oh, no. I’ll never tell.” She waved him toward the box in a shooing gesture. “Go on. Raven’s been dying to see what you think of it.” She grinned. “Frankly, so am I.” She’d leaned her package against the wall. Raphael didn’t have to guess what that one was. By it’s shape it
had
to be a painting, and a large one.

“All right, all right.” He laughed. Pulling a pocketknife from his pocket he went down on one knee and began slicing open the wrapping. “But why the presents?”

“Your new promotion. You are now
officially
the Alpha of the pack. Being alpha of a pack the size of Boulder is quite the honor.” Emma’s voice was matter-of-fact but he could smell her pride.

“It’s only temporary.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that, Dad,” Raven answered. “Lucas and Tatya have been here a long time. People are starting to notice that they’re not aging much – “

He was right, of course. Hell, it wouldn’t be much longer before Raphael had to leave as well. Right now he could still pass it off as “good genetics.” Then maybe a few years of artificially aging his appearance, but it probably wouldn’t be more than a decade before he had to create a new identity.

Raphael felt the knife cut into the Styrofoam beneath the cardboard. After a quick look at Raven to make sure nothing would be damaged, he grabbed the cardboard with both hands and ripped it and the Styrofoam away.

His jaw dropped.

It was exquisite: Carrara marble, lovingly sculpted into the shape of a wolf. He knew that Raven had always wanted to try his hand, but this – he’d caught the wolf leaping skyward into battle from atop a jagged boulder, fangs bared. Every detail was perfect.

Tears filled Raphael’s eyes. The boy had his mother’s talent. Raphael had always known that. There weren’t words for what he was feeling.

“You like it?”

He turned, letting Raven see the naked expression of his face.

“How could he not?” Emma stepped forward to run a careful hand over the textured stone. “It’s beautiful. He did it himself, you know.” The look she gave Raven was filled with love and pride.

“Yeah,” Raphael’s voice was rough with emotion. “I know.”

“Okay, Emma’s next,” Raven announced.

“Right.” Raphael coughed, clearing his throat and tearing away the wrapping surrounding the oak frame. The painting showed a pack on the hunt, the wolves flowing over rocky ground under a sky leaden with snow, in the lead, a huge black male wim one white paw, Raphael.

“I don’t have Raven’s talents,” Emma said. “But when I told Star what I needed a gift for she suggested that she give the painting and I take care of the framing.”

“It’s perfect.” Raphael turned to give Emma an impulsive hug. “Thank you.” He looked up at his son. “Thank you both.”

He didn’t hear Raven’s answer. He saw his son’s lips move, knew he was speaking. It was Cat’s voice he heard, tight and tense. But it wasn’t in his head, like normal. It was though he was standing inside her body, watching a desperate scene unfold.

“Get in the car Holly, now!”

“Wha –?”

Raphael saw them then, four familiar furred shapes, fanning out to circle the two women. Corrine moved forward and to the right, cutting off any chance of escape to the car.

“Let Holly go. This has nothing to do with her.” Cat’s voice
was distorted only slightly by the shifting of her body into cat form.

“Can’t do that.” Another wolf spoke; Raphael recognized John’s voice. “Don’t want to leave any witnesses now, do we?”

The wolves circled, looking for an opening. It was Corrine who took the lead, but it wasn’t Cat whose throat she leapt for.

Raphael’s head snapped back from the impact of Raven’s slap. He tasted blood inside his mouth.

“Holly!”
Raphael shoved his son away from him, hard enough to make the bigger man stumble against the desk. In a flash of power he changed to wolf form and leapt through the window.