Pack Protection

by Shannon Duane

  He couldn’t help asking, “So, why isn’t Blue in Reggie’s care? He’s a minor wolf and seems in need of a parent type figure.”

  Her teeth kept chattering as she responded, “Mr. Wagner follows the money and power. Blue’s parents didn’t have money and when they passed, Blue immediately went into the foster system. I thought it was odd and that maybe Blue was overlooked, but when I told Mr. Wagner about Blue, he didn’t want to get involved.”

  Interesting, definitely something to think about later.

  Trying extremely hard to get past the terror and violence that she just encountered, Bree allowed Tinker to guide her into the back seat and didn’t balk when he fastened her seatbelt. She was feeling quite silly by the time he started the car.

  “I’m really sorry about this. You shouldn’t have to take care of us both.”

  “I don’t mind it at all. I feel good being needed. Back at home I get calls all the time to pick someone up, or fix their car, or bail the Alpha’s mate out of jail.”

  She giggled a little bit and then snorted. It was by no means delicate, but it was her, real and genuine. It made him chuckle in return. Their shared amusement appeared to be annoying to Blue as he shifted restlessly.

  “Where to, Thumper?”

  “We’re almost there actually, just keep going down this street until you hit the stop sign, make a left and I’m two blocks down on the right. It’s the building with the yellow shutters at the end of the road.”

  “Got it. Stop sign, left and we’re there.”

  Following Bree’s directions, he was surprised when she had him park in a carport for an apartment complex. “I thought you were taking us to your house.”

  “This is where I live, second floor, number twenty-four B. Is there a problem?”

  He closed his eyes tightly. “No, I just thought you had a house. Ya know, a private place to relax.”

  She laughed outright, as he tried not to be annoyed.

  “What’s so funny, Thumper?”

  “Do you have any idea what a house costs in New York? It’s not possible to have a house and a car. My student loans are probably more than most people make in a lifetime.”

  The door opened and Tinker walked around the car, taking a moment to open her door and help her out before he proceeded around to lift Blue out of the car. His wolf was fighting him: it wanted to go back and make sure she was feeling better, less emotional. To keep his hands and brain busy he concentrated on Blue as he carried him up the stairs towards her apartment. He knew she followed because he heard her scramble out of the car and her footfalls followed him closely.

  “Move to the side so I can get the door open.”

  Forcing his instincts down, he stepped aside. In reality he wanted to drop this kid and swoop in to take care of his mate, open her door, carry her still tremulous form into the house, and soothe her.

  When she finally got the door open she walked in and flicked the lights on, illuminating a surprisingly bare living space. He saw an old couch pushed up against a wall with one lone item in a frame, most likely her diploma. The kitchen was to the left and at first glance appeared clean, but Tinker had a sick feeling that it was simply not stocked.

  Her voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “As you can see, the kitchen is to the left and the bathroom is straight down the hall, ahead on the right. My bedroom is just down the hall past the bathroom. I’ll get you guys some blankets for the couch. Do you want to put him down?”

  “I should probably clean him up first. Can I use the bathroom first?”

  “No problem. I’ll just make us something for dinner.”

  Tinker paused on the way to the bathroom, still holding Blue. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll rustle something up after I’m done with Blue.”

  “It’s the least I can do.”

  He chuckled. “If you remember correctly, you’re saving me a great deal of hassle. You’re my ride, navigator, and landlord for the next week. Please, let me take care of dinner.”

  Not hearing anything else, he continued on to the bathroom. Settling Blue in the bathtub, he turned on the water and a cold stream of water hit the unconscious, fully dressed teen in the chest. As Blue gasped, Tinker turned the water warmer.

  “Sorry there, Blue, I needed to wake you in order to introduce myself. I’m Tinker and you’re staying with Ms. Bree until you’re feelin’ a bit better. Do you remember what happened?”

  Blue sat up quickly, winced and eyed Tinker with mistrust.

  Nodding and refusing to take offense at the kid’s distrust, Tinker continued. “You smell like a wolf. I’m also a wolf. I belong to a pack in American Canyon.

  Blue didn’t speak or move, but his eyes did widen slightly.

  “I reckon you need to go ahead and shower,” he pointed to his nose, “the smell of blood is upsetting me. No grown wolf wants to smell young bleeding. I’ll just wait outside.” He stopped at the door, “Unless you need my help.”

  Still shivering under the shower, Blue remained silent.

  “Alright, I guess I’ll see you when you get out.”

  Tinker closed the door slowly so he wouldn’t startle Blue. He also didn’t want him to think he was upset. It took a lot to rile Tinker up, but they wouldn’t know that.

  As Tinker walked into the kitchen, he noticed Bree’s shoulders were shaking. He almost panicked thinking she was crying. He inhaled deeply, no smell of tears.

  “I’m not crying. I’m laughing at myself. I don’t have enough food to feed you both and I’m pretty sure you don’t want my usual dinner, a nice big salad. I usually work pretty late and pick something up on my way home. I really only have coffee and tea. Oh, and eggs. I don’t know what I was thinking bringing you both back here.”

  He reached up to stretch his muscles and grabbed the top of the door jam. “Well, it seems to me that I asked to come here. And we saved a life today. That young wolf could have been hurt pretty badly if we hadn’t intervened.”

  She turned swiftly and her eyes pleaded with him. “Did he tell you that? Is he a wolf?”

  Tinker shrugged. “He didn’t exactly tell me anything. He smells like a wolf though. He hasn’t said anything to me.”

  He watched as her shoulders slumped. “He hasn’t said anything to me either. In the years I’ve known him, he doesn’t talk.” She paused, “He refuses to talk.”

  Approaching slowly he placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright. Be patient with him. I can’t imagine living as a wolf in a big city. No pack, no connections. From what you said he’s been placed in several different homes. He needs a stable environment with someone to teach and guide him. How can humans do that if they don’t know or understand what he is?”

  Appearing puzzled she said. “But wolves in the city don’t have a pack.”

  “Sure they do. They probably are just very secretive. I was contacted by Reggie. He wanted me to evaluate some of the teens in his pack and possibly take them to my pack. Maybe Blue was one of them”

  Her entire body stiffened. “I doubt it. I asked Mr. Wagner to take Blue in and he said no. He didn’t feel that Blue had anything to offer. He basically told me if Blue caused a problem he would ‘take care of it’. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t appreciate how he took care of things.” She followed up with saying, “predators,” making it sound like a curse.

  He put his hands up and backed away. “Hey, don’t judge all of us on the actions of a few. We don’t ‘take care of things’ in my pack.” His brow furrowed, “That didn’t sound right. If a person in our pack isn’t pulling their weight they have a talk with the Alpha. If someone commits a crime we have a group of wolves that decide their fate.”

  She looked like she was about to go off so he hurried to continue. “We have never and will never execute anyone. We also realize shifters cannot be in regular jails so we have one of our own. Granted, it’s seen little use, but it’s there if we need it. Honestly, there is a pack out there for every wolf. We help to find
the right fit.”

  She still smelled annoyed, but must have chosen to pick her battles because she remained silent. So silent that they could both hear the sound of the shower stopping. Tinker collected a pair of sweats and a shirt from his bag and quickly opened the steamy bathroom and tossed them in.

  Chapter 5

  “Is it okay if I borrow your car?”

  Bree shot him a look like she honestly thought Tinker was crazy. “No.”

  Not surprised he responded, “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

  Looking between Blue and Tinker she asked, “Well, what are we supposed to do while you’re gone?”

  He opened the door while grinning; she did want him around. “I’m sure you can think of something. How about the television?”

  “I don’t own one, cable is too expensive.”

  “Board game?”

  “What am I, twelve?”

  “You can go ahead and take a peek in my bag. I’m sure I have a deck of cards. Play a little poker.”

  The door slammed before she was able to tell Tinker she didn’t know how to play poker. Now what was she going to do? Chancing a glance at Blue, she saw he was sitting on the couch with his head back and his eyes closed. They were still swollen, but not nearly as bad. “Want to play poker, Blue?”

  He didn’t even open his eyes, just shook his head. She paced the kitchen for a few minutes before bringing him a few Tylenol and a glass of water. “Here, take these.”

  His eyes did open then and he sent her a scathing look.

  “It’s just Tylenol for crying out loud. It’s not like I’m trying to poison you. Yeesh.”

  His eyes closed and he resumed his position on the couch with legs extended and head back. Appearing relaxed, although she knew better. She’d just have a seat on one of the two table chairs she owned and wait for Tinker to come back. Her stomach growled while her annoyance of Tinker’s abandonment increased.

  Forty five minutes later, Tinker strolled into her apartment. She hopped out of the chair she’d been stewing in and was prepared to give him hell. Unfortunately, he carried about twenty bags, not appearing to be bothered at all by the extra weight he dropped the bags in the kitchen and asked, “Who missed me?”

  Her jaw dropped. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to the store, I’d have driven you.”

  “Blue is probably sore as all get out. I didn’t want him to be in pain while we shopped. That wouldn’t have been very nice at all. And if you’ll recall, I did ask to borrow your car.”

  She began to sputter when Tinker came over and closed her mouth for her. “It’s alright. We just met and your car is the only thing of true value. I wouldn’t have let me take her either. I hope you know I wouldn’t run off with Casey though.”

  “I-”

  He hated to interrupt her. “Blue, get your nose out of that bag. You’re acting like a wild animal. I’ll cook the steaks while you two relax.” He shoved them out of the kitchen and sat them both on the couch next to each other. “Play nice.”

  They both watched him as he unloaded the groceries onto the counter. He pulled out a small bottle of milk and a pill bottle last. Bringing it over to them he knelt down in front of Blue. “Here’s some Motrin, it’ll help with the pain and swelling. It won’t make you sleepy at all so you don’t have to worry about missing dinner.”

  He handed the milk to Blue and watched to see him break the seal and take a sip. Next he handed over the bottle of medication. Blue shook the bottle first and then popped the top. He checked the seal and when he found it intact he dumped the entire bottle over into his hand.

  “Blue, what are you-“

  Tinker silenced Bree with a look. “It’s alright, Blue. We just want you to feel better.”

  Blue proceeded to count the pills he’d dumped out and when he was satisfied they were all accounted for, he took three with milk. When the milk was drained he resumed his position on the couch, legs extended, head back and eyes closed.

  Tinker must have understood that she was shaken because he grabbed her hand and gently guided her to the kitchen. He’d purchased everything to complete a meal. She could feel tears forming in her eyes. Instead of holding her and letting her cry her eyes out, Tinker jumped right back into reality.

  “Can you please hand me the steaks. I’ll quickly get them ready.”

  Reaching over she watched as he placed some salt and pepper on each side of the steaks, rubbing the spices in and then placing them back in the package. He turned and pointed at a package of small potatoes, which she picked up and handed to him.

  “I’ll show you a trick. I love baked potatoes, but I hate to wait for them. I put ‘em in a bowl with some water and cook ‘em for about three minutes and they come out ready.”

  “You’re teaching me how to cook potatoes?”

  His grin warmed all of the icy bits that clung to her. “I just thought it was a good thing to know. Pass me the lettuce please.”

  She tossed the package containing three heads of romaine lettuce directly at his head and was briefly disappointed that he caught it. “You eat lettuce?”

  “Of course, a wolf needs vitamins and nutrients too. I’ll make you a tasty salad and then you’ll never let me leave. You might just chain me to the kitchen after this meal.”

  “Doubtful.”

  Her words were firm, nevertheless they didn’t convey the deep need she was feeling for this man. He was truly her hero after fixing her tire, saving Blue and making sure Blue had everything he needed. Not to mention he was cooking for her, thinking about her likes and dislikes. She was quickly melting into a pile of goo for this man. She was quite sure if he pulled out a cookie or a brownie she’d beg him to stay forever. What a needy hussy she was becoming.

  It was his lean muscular build that kept her rapt. Along with his eyes that appeared to be hazel but at the merest hint of his wolf they shimmered to a bright vibrant gold. His hair, at first glimpse, was a plain brown, but when he was it the sun his short locks were multi-toned and barely long enough to run his fingers through which she’d witnessed him doing often enough. He didn’t look lie he could hurt a fly, but he’d broken up that fight without violence and then carried Blue without breathing hard. Not to mention the fact that he must have walked to the grocery store and back loaded down with bags. And he came back smiling. He was either deep in thought or smiling. Was it a front? If so, who would benefit?

  “Bree!”

  Startled that he was yelling, she focused on him. “What?”

  “I’ve been asking you to pass me the other veggies. You’ve been in la la land.”

  Whoops, she’d have to save her daydreams for later. “Sorry, what do you want me to pass and can I help?”

  “Just hand me the carrot, cauliflower, and cucumber.” He gave her a deep-in-thought look again and she giggled just before he asked, “Unless you’re allergic to anything. You couldn’t be allergic to carrots I suppose. That would just be wrong.”

  “What kind of salad are you making?”

  “I learned it from my Alpha’s mate, Shana. She’s actually the reason we all started eating vegetables. There are a few human women and children that keep us in line. Heck, before I met Shana, I’d never tried kale.” He looked at her over his shoulder with a little boy grin, “I really like kale chips, and kale salad and kale soup.”

  Not able to help herself, she stared at him with her mouth hanging open. “I can’t decide if you’re a hick or a really nice guy.”

  “Can’t a hick be a nice guy?”

  “I guess. I always thought a hick was stupid.”

  He chuckled and the deep tone of it made her stomach clench and her nipples pearl. Not able to believe she was reacting to him she became slightly bitchy. “You’re laughing at me now?”

  “No, I just think you should know better. You live in a huge city with any number of people. How many of your former peers at work were from the South? Is it just Southerners that are hicks or are they defined by you as un
educated people? Are female’s brainless twits only good for breeding? Ya know, barefoot and pregnant. Are men selfish jerks that care only after their careers and care nothing of their women and children? You have some odd stereotypes, especially after living in such a culturally diverse place.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “I do know, but I also know words hurt and if you call someone a hick it leads to believe you think they’re uneducated and simple minded. I may not have a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree, but I don’t consider myself dumb by any means. I know you didn’t intend to put me down, but maybe you should think about your words before you toss ‘em out.”

  Duly chastised she simply nodded. “I apologize. You are a very smart, nice, Southern guy, who can cook.”

  “Accepted. Now, why don’t you go sit with Blue and wait for the magic to happen. I’m almost done with the best meal of your life. Oh and I’m not from the South, I am from the wide open spaces in California.”

  Well, hell. That certainly wasn’t the best way into a woman’s heart. Accuse her of being judgmental and narrow minded. Score one for team Tinker. This was why he preferred to remain single, no one else’s feelings to consider, no one to be disappointed in him and no one to disappoint him.

  He searched for plates in Bree’s kitchen, and found one bowl and one plate. He’d had a feeling that was going to happen so he’d purchased paper plates and plastic silver wear so they wouldn’t end up eating with their hands. Where the heck would she have gotten only one plate and bowl? Unless she was extremely clumsy and dropped the other seven plates and bowls, doubtful.

  He was looking in her cabinet intently when he felt her presence and she announced. “I don’t need much. I don’t ever have company and I wash the dishes I use immediately. I’m sorry I don’t have anything for you guys to eat off of.”

  “No worries, I got us covered. The food is all ready to eat. Would you mind if we sat on the couch and ate?”