Wolf Ways (The Madison Wolves Book 9) (20 page)

“Did I let you touch any of the animals?” she asked.

I laughed. “No.”

“And there are reasons for that. Barracuda can be aggressive if you’re spear fishing or feeding them. Some animals are attracted to shiny jewelry. No one is wearing any exposed jewelry. We don’t spear fish. I don’t believe in feeding the animals. And we don’t harass them.”

“What about sharks?”

“Shark attacks on divers are exceedingly rare. Worldwide, there are fewer than ten shark attacks annually and perhaps three or four of those are on divers. So yes, it happens, but it isn’t common. Did you have more questions?”

“I have no end,” I said with a smile. “But we should debrief.”

Karen spent a few minutes talking about the exercises we did. Then she told us what we’d be doing for our next dive. We were just wrapping up when Rory called out, “We’ve got divers surfacing.”

Ten minutes later, everyone was on board. Abbey offered pieces of fruit to wash away the taste of saltwater, but only Michaela and I were interested. Grey pulled up the anchor, and soon we were on our way to our next location.

* * * *

That morning set the tone for the rest of the week. We did a great deal of diving as well as some snorkeling with the kids. I ended each day absolutely exhausted, but I had a blast.

Michaela’s photo equipment was impressive. I spent time on land growing accustomed to it, then took it into the pool with me for an hour. When we went diving, I got some amazing photos.

Our best dive was a deep dive to a wreck lying in 90 feet of water. The water visibility was perhaps thirty feet or so, and there was a stiff current at the surface, but I didn’t notice much at depth. Getting to the wreck involved Grey doing what they called a plunge dive to the bottom. There were anchor ropes tied to the railing of the wreck. He found one of the ropes and attached a float to it, and then Abbey hooked the rope and tied off to it. After that, we descended hand-over-hand down the rope, going down in groups of four.

When diving in shallow water, you can see the surface — and anything on the surface — the entire time you’re diving. As the water gets deeper, you get to a point where you can see the surface, and then you can begin to see the bottom. But on that dive, there was a time where all I could see was the rope and the people around me. The surface, the boat, and the bottom were all lost in the gloom, and it was like we were floating in a sea of nothing. That was a little disconcerting, but I simply followed the rope down.

And then as I passed sixty feet deep, the wreck began to appear. It was like a foggy night with a ship appearing in the gloom. It was quite surreal.

And the noises changed as we went deeper, but I couldn’t explain them.

On the surface, Grey explained the wreck. It was intentionally placed here as an artificial reef. It was teeming with fish, and the photos I took were amongst my favorites of the entire trip.

From that standpoint, it was an amazing trip. And I got to know Nora, Michaela, Portia, Monique, and even Karen better than I had.

I got to know a little more about Elisabeth, too.

I learned I didn’t like going on vacations with her. She paid me very little attention, offering just moments here and there. I shared my bed with both Portia and Monique more than Elisabeth.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

Okay that was a lie. I liked Portia and Monique, and I didn’t mind sharing with them. But I was disappointed by Elisabeth’s lack of interest in me. I thought it was telling.

The thought made me sad.

By the time we returned to Madison, I was exhausted. The wolves could go, and go, and go. I was utterly, completely worn out, and a long day of travel at the end didn’t help.

My mood wasn’t helped when Elisabeth didn’t even bring me home. Instead, I got a ride with Portia and Monique. They helped me with my things, escorting me straight to my door. On arrival, they searched my apartment for intruders before letting me in. Then Portia told Monique, “Wait for me in the hallway.” Monique and I exchanged hugs before she headed for the door.

Once the front door closed behind the girl, Portia turned to me. “Are you all right?”

“I’m just worn out.”

“You were quiet.”

I shrugged. “I’m fine.”

She cocked her head.

“It was a nice trip, but I’m exhausted. I’m only human, Portia. I bet I held you all back, anyway.”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t. We did everything we would have done without you. Thank you for the photography lessons.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for watching over me, and for hauling all my heavy gear.”

We exchanged smiles, but she cocked her head. “I still think you’re hiding something from me, but I won’t pressure you. I want to make sure you understand you can talk to me if you want.”

“Everything is fine,” I assured her. “But thank you.”

“Well then,” she said, “if there’s nothing else you need, then I’ll see you Wednesday at dinner.”

“Wednesday it is,” I agreed.

We hugged for a moment, and then they were gone. And I wasn’t any less lonely than I’d been during much of the trip.

* * * *

I didn’t hear from Elisabeth for a couple of days. She finally called me Tuesday evening.

“Hello,” I said a little coolly.

“Hey. Did I catch you at a good time?”

“Sure,” I said. “I was just reading a little and was going to go to bed in a while.”

“I won’t keep you long,” she said. “Are you coming to dinner tomorrow?”

“As it’s a command performance, of course I am,” I said.

Elisabeth was quiet for a moment. “Is that the only reason you’re coming?”

“No.”

“Because if it’s a strain for you to come to dinner, I can talk to Michaela for you.”

“You don’t want me to come?” I asked, getting my back up. “Getting tired of me being around?”

“What?” She made that snorting noise. “No. It sounded like the only reason you came was because Michaela ordered you to.”

I paused. I wasn’t sure which of us was picking the fight. “That wasn’t what I meant,” I said. “I only meant that yes, I’ll be there, and perhaps suggested it was a silly question.”

“It was a prelude to what I wanted to ask,” she countered. “If you bring a change of clothes, we can go for a run after dinner.”

“Sure,” I said. “I’d like that.”

“Great.” She paused. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” I replied. “Did you get a chance to unwind? The trip seemed to stress you out.”

“No more than usual,” she explained. “We stay on things to avoid surprises.”

“I see. I thought the kids were well behaved.”

“Yeah. They’re growing up.” She paused. “I should let you get back to your book.”

“You could…” I thought about it. “You could come over.”

She didn’t answer right away, and I had my answer. “Not tonight. I have to get up early.”

“All right. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We hung up, and I stared at the phone. “Well, that wasn’t awkward,” I told it.

I began getting ready for bed. I was just turning off the lights when my phone rang again. I ran to my bedroom and checked it; it was Elisabeth again.

“Miss me?” I asked.

“Actually,” she said. “Yes. Zoe, is everything all right? That conversation felt a little awkward.”

So she had noticed it, too.

I didn’t know how to answer. I didn’t want to be the whiny girlfriend. On the other hand, I didn’t want to be something she kept around for when it was convenient to her.

“I think we’re both just coming off the stress from the trip,” I said. “We didn’t really have much time together, and now we feel a little weird about it.” I paused. “Well, I don’t want to put words in your mouth.”

“I did warn you.”

“And I didn’t complain,” I retorted. “Not once. You said things felt awkward; I was trying to help with an explanation.”

Oh joy, more awkward moments. Lovely.

“It would have been nice if you could have come over, but you’re right. It’s a little late for that. Everything is fine, Elisabeth. But now I have to ask. Is anything wrong on your side?”

“No, Zoe. Everything is fine. Are you angry with me?”

“No. You’ll know if I’m angry.”

“All right. I’ll let you get back to your book. Good night.”

“Night.”

Again we hung up, and again I stared at the phone. Then I sighed, set it on the nightstand, finished turning out the lights, and climbed into bed, intending to read for a few more minutes.

A half hour later, I was woken by my doorbell. I jerked away, my heart pounding in surprise. “What the hell?”

I climbed from the bed, then jerked as the doorbell rang again.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”

When I looked through the peephole, Elisabeth was standing there, a garment bag slung over one shoulder. I stared for a moment then began unlocking the door. A moment later we stood there staring at each other. Then she stepped forward, causing me to move backwards. She pushed me away from the door then closed and locked it before turning back to me.

“What are you doing here?”

She didn’t answer with words. Instead, she stepped into me and pulled me into her arms. My eyes were closed by the time our lips met.

It was a deep, long, lingering kiss, and I melted against her as it went on.

Then, without a word, she led me to bed.

* * * *

Our lovemaking was quiet and a little desperate, but Elisabeth left me entirely wrung out long before she was done with me. I lay there afterwards, flushed, panting, and entirely satiated.

“I thought you had to get up early.”

“I do,” she replied. “I told the alpha I’d meet her at the office.”

“Thank you for coming over.” I snuggled more tightly and pulled the covers up to my chin.

“You were feeling neglected.”

“I didn’t complain.”

“I know. And I appreciate that. I’m sorry about the trip. I have duties.”

I laid my fingers across her lips, silencing her. “I know. It was thoughtful of you to worry and come tonight.”

We murmured together for a while before drifting back into sleep. My last coherent thought was, “Everything is all right.”

* * * *

“Zoe,” I said, crossing the threshold.

The house — as was typically the case — was full. I glanced around. Rebecca and Celeste were sitting on the floor in front of the silent television. Two of the teenagers were with them, and the four were playing some game. I thought that was sweet.

Lara and Elisabeth were standing in the dining area together, talking intently. Michaela was at the dining room table with three more students; they had a textbook open, and it looked like she was helping with homework. Serena was nearby, leaning against the wall, and I saw Monique standing at the picture window, looking alert.

Serena noticed me and nodded in my direction. No one else paid an ounce of attention. That was fine.

I passed through the room towards the kitchen, intentionally walking behind Elisabeth. I brushed my hand along her ass as I stepped behind her. She shifted slightly, and I was sure she knew it was me, but she continued her conversation with Lara.

In the kitchen, I found Francesca directing more of the students in the dinner preparations. I was noticed almost immediately, earning me a brief hug from Kaylee before she returned to her tasks.

I watched for a while. Francesca was amazing. She taught school all day, but somehow she found time to cook all these meals.

The kids were equally amazing. They all cheerfully went about their duties, kidding with each other but showing Francesca an amazing amount of respect. I was also pleased to see Connor and another boy helping. They were outnumbered by the girls, and they got a little additional attention, but everyone stayed on task at the same time.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

Francesca looked over and smiled. “We’ve got it.” That’s the answer I expected. I presumed somewhere in this mess was a meal I could eat, but my vegan sensibilities wouldn’t have been happy with what I could see them preparing. “Go ahead and get yourself something to drink.” She nodded to the refrigerator.

There was lemonade waiting, so I grabbed a tall glass then spent the next twenty minutes roaming amongst the groups, not really taking part in any of the conversations.

Francesca announced it was time for dinner. I hung back, waiting to see whether there was a place for me. It looked like the table was going to be full, but most of the teenagers took plates out to the living room, leaving the dining room for the adults. Elisabeth looked around for me, then gestured to a place next to her. I took the seat, and she caressed my arm. A moment later, Kaylee set a plate down in front of me.

Dinner conversation was primarily banter between Michaela and the wolves. I stayed quiet, and no one attempted to direct the banter in my direction or pull me into any conversations.

It all felt very strange.

Normally the kids handle the post-dinner cleanup, but I bustled around with the rest of them. One of the girls told me, “You don’t have to do that,” but no one tried to kick me out. As long as they didn’t ask me to do anything with their disgusting animal products, I didn’t mind helping to clean up.

And so I was at the sink when Elisabeth found me. “What are you doing?”

“Ritual sacrifice,” I told her. “I am praying to the goddess of cleanliness, asking her to take these remnants as a token of my respect for her.”

“Ha, ha,” Elisabeth said. “Hurry up. We’re going for a run.”

“Just a few more,” I said. A minute later, I was drying my hands. I had been tempted to dry them on her shirt, but I wasn’t sure how she would retaliate. I was sure whatever she did would be worse than a damp shirt she was about to take off anyway.

I let her lead me outside.

The wolves seemed to shift in two styles. Some of them could change from human to wolf in an eye blink. Others took time, from several minutes to as long as fifteen for some of the little kids. I’d asked about once and was only told, “It’s a long story.”

I wondered if it was something about being a pack leader, as Lara’s entire family shifted instantly as did the strongest of the enforcers. I wondered why Portia shifted slowly, but I didn’t ask.

When we arrived outside, I saw a few wolves in fur, more in their transition, and the pack leadership standing on the porch, chatting. Michaela saw me and said, “There you are.” She held her hand out, and so I closed the distance and let her take my hand. She squeezed it for a minute. “Everyone needs a good run,” she said.

“Have a good time,” I replied.

“We want you to come with.”

“I don’t understand. I thought you said a good run, not a slow lope.”

“Don’t worry about that,” she said. “That’s their problem. We know you like seeing us in our fur and I think Elisabeth is looking forward to chasing you around.”

“It’s hard to chase if I don’t run from her,” I replied. I glanced over at her. “It’s not like I’ve been playing hard to get.”

There were a few scoffs at that.

“Alpha, am I doing it wrong?” I asked.

Elisabeth growled lightly, but Michaela laughed. “Well,” she replied. “The wolves do like a good chase.”

I didn’t say it, and all the bantering aside, but if Elisabeth wanted a good chase, I wondered why I was there.

A few minutes later, the last of the slow shifters were in fur. Some of the wolves spent time chasing each other around. I noticed the pups were busy stalking absolutely everyone. At one point, Michaela said, “Don’t look now, but you’re being hunted.”

I immediately dashed behind to the other side of her, using her as a shield from the pups. Michaela laughed then addressed the pups. “You two know the porch is safe territory. Go hunt down in the grass.”

The two grunted and then leapt from the porch and began chasing one of the teenagers around but soon found themselves being chased instead.

I watched for a while. I was a little jealous. Okay, I was a lot jealous. It looked like so much fun, and they were so amazingly fast. Michaela stepped closer. “What are you thinking?”

“There’s a part of me that wishes the mythology were right.”

“You’d want one of us to bite you?”

I thought about it. “Part of me, yes.” I gestured with my nose. “Do you think I’ll ever grow past my awe at seeing this? Even when I was terrified to be here, I was filled with awe at the same time.”