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Tristan
Rebby’s hand on my leg, her jean-clad thigh touching my bare thigh is messing with my head. Then her scent has my wolf standing at attention. It is all I can do to not growl at James when he gets too aggressive with his questioning.
“What about the wolf you saw?” James’ hard eyes focus on Rebby and I feel her tremble next to me.
“Wh-what about him? He was a wolf.”
“Did you ever see him as a human? What did he look like?” James fires one question after another at her.
“James, cut it out.” Theo stands, one hand resting possessively on Rebby’s shoulder. “She is scared enough without you interrogating her.”
“I don’t care. We need as much information as we can get on them and it sounds like they will be at their weakest during the full moon, while we are at our strongest. That means we find them tonight and take them out tomorrow.”
Rebby places her hand on Theo’s. “It’s ok. I understand that he needs the information.” She turns her attention to James. “I’m sorry. I just don’t know much more. I was so scared when I ran that I didn’t pay attention.”
Standing, I nod to Theo, then address James. “Look, Rebby hasn’t eaten today. Let us take her to get some lunch. Maybe by then the Arachnerds will have something we can work with.”
James turns away, his shoulders tense. The power that radiates off him makes me want to lay down and show my belly, but I need to protect Rebby and she does need food.
Jenny stands and puts a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Let them go eat. Maybe Rebby will remember something or the drive will trigger a memory. She won’t be able to help us if she passes out from hunger.”
“Fine. Go eat, but when you get back I will have more questions.” James doesn’t turn to look at us.
I quickly stand and escort Rebby to Theo’s truck. It will be a tight fit, but the three of us can sit across the bench seat.
“Do you mind taking the middle? I’m afraid that Theo and my legs are both way too long.” I ask, sliding into the passenger seat. Let Theo drive for once. I want to get to know Rebby more.
Her laugh is slightly self-conscious. She stops abruptly with her hand over her mouth, a look of surprise in her eyes.
“Hey, it’s ok. I know we would look ridiculous, with our knees touching our ears. Good thing the truck is an automatic, ‘cause then we would have the stick to contend with as well.” I smile, trying to put her at ease.
“No, it’s not that. Well it is, but not really. I think that is the first time I have laughed since this hell began.”
Theo climbs into the driver seat, interrupting our conversation. “Let’s go before Mr. Grumpy Pants changes his mind.”
“He does seem a little bit...uptight,” Rebby replies, looking out the window at the scenery.
“He wasn’t always like this. I blame his ex and the responsibility of the packs,” Theo says, a frown on his face. “He needs to learn to delegate.”
“Not likely. Ever since your dad died he has been a control freak,” I say. “I miss the kid we used to hang out with. He was always serious but could have fun.”
“What about getting him drunk? Loosen him up a bit,” Rebby asks.
Theo barks out a laugh. “You haven’t been a shifter for very long, or tried drinking as one. Alcohol has almost zero effect on us. He would have to drink a whole bottle of vodka in five minutes, and within thirty he would be sober.”
“Well that sucks. I like getting tipsy now and then.” Her head is lowered, and she glances side to side through long eyelashes. It sends a zing right to the head I need to be ignoring. Think about graveyards, about granny...
“This is more than likely the road you came down. Recognize anything?” Theo asks. Either he isn’t interested in Rebby or he didn’t see her flirting look. I’m going with the latter.
“Sorry.” She shakes her head. “It was dark and everything looked the same. All I can remember is that there was a culvert that went under the road. I debated if I should go under it or up onto the road.” She shivers a little. “A dark road at night is scary, but a tunnel with God only knows what in it⸺that is worse.”
Awkwardly, I pat her leg, “Well it’s over now. Besides the obvious changes to your body, what did he do to you?”
She looks at me questioningly, “I don’t understand.”
“Well, shifters have better hearing, eyesight and various other traits depending on what they shift to. You are a mix of animals, so what special traits do you have?”
“Oh!” She squirms in her seat a bit. “Well, I can see much better in the dark and I can hear better too. I don’t know what else I would have. Of course, a six-by-six cell that you are alone in doesn’t give you many chances to try things out. My wings are pretty much useless.”
“Well, I think your wings are beautiful. Maybe that’s all they need to be.” Stupid! Why do I always stick my foot in it, when it comes to being around women.
Theo shoots me a look over Rebby’s head that speaks volumes, mainly that he knows what I am doing and finds it funny. Cocky bastard!