by Bianca D'Arc
Jesse had built an elite clientele among the various shifter Tribes, Packs and Clans. When something of a paramilitary nature needed to be done, he and his select group were the ones called upon to do it. They hadn’t been in business long, but they had quickly gained a reputation for getting the job done.
Securing the prisoners in the bed of the pickup truck, Arlo and Jesse split up to scout the perimeter. Len was left to guard the prisoners and act as home base, should they run into trouble. It wasn’t likely, but it was best to be prepared for all possibilities. Arlo and Jesse each went in a separate direction. They met in the middle on the other side of the house. Their paths had taken them past the three barns and into some of the open pasture. Jesse scented the big cats, along with a few other varieties of animals. It would be interesting to see how Maria interacted with some of the creatures she had on her property.
Considering the fact that she refused to leave, Jesse figured he’d have his chance to do just that later in the day. But first he had to get his men on their way. He gave Arlo the high sign as they passed each other and continued on the circuit, moving in a bit from the sector they’d already checked. By the time they circled back to the truck, the full perimeter had been scouted. No big surprises. The two hunters had approached on a pretty straightforward vector. Jesse had sniffed it out almost immediately once he got near the driveway.
The hunters weren’t very crafty when it came to hiding their presence. They’d taken only minimum precautions, which spoke of lack of skill and just plain sloppiness. Jesse wasn’t impressed.
“These guys must be the B Team,” he observed when he reached Len. “They came in on the side of the driveway. Their vehicle is stashed in those bushes up at the road, right next to the entrance to Maria’s land. Take it with you when you go.”
“You’re not coming?” Arlo asked, joining them as he completed his circuit of the perimeter.
“She refused to leave. She’s a veterinarian with a lot of sick animals that only she can take care of, supposedly. I’m going to stay and convince her otherwise. Help her find someone to fill in with the beasties.”
“I thought I smelled lioness, but I figured I had to be wrong.” Arlo shook his head.
“Nope. Your sniffer is good. Lions, tigers and probably bears too, for that matter. Our little Maria is a brave one.”
“Don’t like leaving you here alone, Jess.” Arlo was one of Jesse’s closest and oldest friends. His expression was troubled.
“Yeah, I feel it too.” They both had a sixth sense for impending danger. “It’s why I’m staying. She refuses to leave, and if these guys found her, you know their bosses have to be on their way.”
“If this was the B Team, the A Team could be right behind them,” Len observed in his quiet way. Len was usually a man of few words. That he chose to speak now indicated he felt the same danger in the air. Not good. But what could Jesse do?
“And we can’t risk keeping these guys here. I want Jason to have a chance to question them. Maybe send them on to the Lords if necessary, so the priestesses can have a crack at them. Either way, these two could have information, and I want to give my brother every chance to extract it. Low-level guys like these won’t have the same protections against spilling their secrets as the higher-ups. They probably don’t know as much, but what they do know is easier to get at.”
Arlo and Len were both nodding. They knew full well what was at stake. The safety of their Pack and perhaps all shifters who fought on the side of Light.
“Get them back to Jason as quick as you can. I’ll stay in touch by phone. We’ll plan as we go if the situation here goes south.”
“I don’t like it, but I guess it’s what we’ve got,” Arlo ground out.
“I hear you, brother.”
Chapter Two
It had been a bitch of a morning. Maria cursed under her breath as she yanked on her underwear and jeans. She then threw on an old shirt with angry movements. First, the noise of an intruder had awoken her and then two guys had attacked her when she went to investigate.
She never locked her back door. The oaf who had broken in after she’d already subdued the intruders could have spared himself the trouble if he’d just tried the knob. Like the first set of burglars had.
Part of the reason she didn’t lock her door was that people sometimes brought injured animals to her at all hours of the day and night. It simplified matters if they could get inside easily. Most people in these parts were honest and the crime rate was incredibly low. She’d never had a problem before.
All that changed when not one, but two sets of asshats decided to rumble through her kitchen in the dark hours before dawn. She didn’t really know what to believe, but she wanted to give the guy who had remained behind a chance to prove himself. He’d taken away the first set of idiots and sent his men away as well. That had to count for something.
Or maybe he was just playing her. Trying to lull her into a sense of security before attempting what the first to idiots had—abduction. No way was she going anywhere with anyone. Not now. Possibly not ever.
She would have called the cops if she thought they’d actually do something. But her sanctuary wasn’t popular, and she was already persona non grata with the local sheriff. Her immediate neighbors didn’t like the idea of wild animals so nearby and had sent the sheriff over to read her the riot act more than once. She didn’t like the man and it was clear the feelings were mutual. After their previous confrontations, she knew he wouldn’t spit on her if she was on fire.
She would fight whatever battle might come on her own land, and on her own terms. She’d fought too long and too hard to create this little oasis of calm in an otherwise turbulent world. She needed the peace she found here, on her sanctuary, away from other people and surrounded by her animal friends.
This place was a balm to her soul and she wouldn’t give it up easily.
But there was something about the hottie who’d broken through her kitchen door as if it had been made of paper. His strength impressed her, but there was also something in his eyes. It was a wounded wariness she often saw in the eyes of the animals that came to her for healing. And he wasn’t hard to look at either. In fact, he was just about the yummiest thing that had walked across her path in too many days to count. Years, even.
Yes, sir, when the good Lord was handing out handsome, that boy got a double helping. And he didn’t carry himself as if he either knew it, or cared. She liked that about him too.
She didn’t really know the first thing about him, yet something inside her stood up and took notice when his gravelly voice rasped over her senses. Yeah, she liked the way his simplest words caressed her nerve endings and even the way his gaze had roamed over her body in obvious appreciation. She’d give him a chance to prove himself either way. The animals should do it. They’d give her a clue as to his inner character. They were the most objective judges of character she’d ever known and she trusted them as she trusted no other.
“Time to face the music,” she said to herself as she opened her bedroom door and headed down the stairs to meet him. It was time to feed the menagerie.
Maria found him at the kitchen door, his weapons placed carefully beside him as he examined the damage he’d done to the frame and knob. He’d already removed some of the dangling hardware and the largest of the splinters. At least he appeared to be making good on his promise to fix her door. He’d broken it, after all.
“I’m going to need to replace a bit of the trim and this wood right here.” He pointed to a section that had been mostly demolished by his entry. “I don’t suppose you have anything like this on hand?” His gaze met hers with a skeptical tilt of his head.
She hadn’t made much noise as she entered the kitchen, but he’d known she was there. He definitely had sharper senses than the average person. It would be interesting to learn the extent of his werewolf talents.
“There might be something out in the red barn. The previous owners had a lot of lu
mber scraps that I kept. Sometimes I use bits of them to cobble together things I need for the animals.” She moved into the room and toward the door, grabbing her jacket from the hook on the wall as she went. “Speaking of which, I need to go check on everyone and do the morning feed.”
He didn’t even have to be asked. He stood, throwing his assault rifle casually over one shoulder. The strap that held it looked well worn, and he carried the giant gun as if it belonged there. As if he always went about heavily armed. Like a soldier who had seen more than his fair share of action in dangerous places.
“So what do I call you? Major? Major Moore? Jesse?” she asked as they left the kitchen through the broken door. He took a moment to secure it as best he could.
“Jesse’s good.” Apparently he was a man of few words.
“I’m Doctor Maria Garibaldi, as you no doubt already know.” They walked quickly through the brisk morning air.
The sun was up and the day beginning to warm, but there were still sparkling droplets of dew in the grass and on the leaves. It was a magical time of morning that Maria usually enjoyed in solitude, listening to the whispering song of the leaves and grass.
“Doctor Garibaldi,” he spoke her name in a respectful tone, emphasizing her title. “Our intel didn’t include that little fact. We were operating on very little information, but I’m glad we arrived when we did.”
She decided to give him a little credit. “Me too. Not that I wasn’t already handling the situation, but I’d rather not involve the local sheriff in anything I don’t have to.”
“Why’s that?” He looked at her sharply, and she instantly regretted her words. She probably shouldn’t have mentioned her problems with local law enforcement to this guy she barely knew. Too late now.
“Let’s just say, a few folks weren’t very happy when I set up my shingle here. One or two of the local landowners objected strongly to the idea of a wildlife sanctuary in their midst, and the local sheriff…well… It might be too much to say that he tried to run me off, but it sure felt that way for a while. I’d rather not let him know that I had trouble here. It would only add fuel to the fire of those who want me gone.”
“I’m sorry,” Jessie replied. As if he had any control over the local biases. “We shifters tend to handle things ourselves and keep human law enforcement out of it as much as possible, so you’re in the clear as far as I’m concerned. If you continue to have problems with the sheriff, I’d be willing to have a few words with him if you like. I’m not sure what I can do, but I’d be willing to try.”
“While I appreciate the offer, I’ve learned it’s best not to have any dealings with the man that aren’t strictly necessary. He’s a real jerk.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Again, his concern seemed real. “Sally is a former police detective. She used to live and work in San Francisco before meeting my little brother and moving out to Wyoming to live. She might have some pull. She gets along well with other cops from what I’ve seen.”
“This is my supposed long-lost cousin you’re talking about, right? She’s a werewolf?”
“No,” Jesse was quick to clarify. “In fact, before coming to Wyoming, she had no knowledge of the existence of Others. Although, far back in her ancestry—and yours too—is a very powerful dryad. Sally has a little bit of wolf blood, but she can’t shift. She can do things with plants and trees though that would amaze you.”
“Maybe not as much as you think,” she mumbled as they approached the first outbuilding. “Are you still willing to help with the feed?” She turned to him as she slid open the oversized door.
He smiled at her and her heart literally skipped a beat. Damn. He really was too handsome for his own good.
“I’m happy to help.”
“Good.” She cleared her throat, trying to regain some of her usual equilibrium. “Take out the plastic bag full of red meat from the refrigerator and set it on the table.” She nodded toward the work island in the center of the kitchen area.
There were a couple of freezers and one big industrial refrigerator on the perimeter of the area. There was also ample counter space and some very large knives in a wooden block on the counter by the sink. The cabinets were full of the tools of her trade—medicines and supplies to help her treat her furry patients.
Maria opened the medicine cabinet and took out what she needed. She used a mix of her own healing energy and manmade drugs to help her patients. There were too many for her to heal all by herself. If she tried—as she had when she was a youngster—she would be knocked unconscious from the strain. She’d learned through trial and a lot of error that she gave of her own energy when she healed and a complex or prolonged healing could push her to dangerously low levels.
So she’d decided long ago on a compromise. She’d gone to veterinary school and gotten all the knowledge and credentials she needed. That, combined with her innate abilities, had made her a much more successful vet than most.
Jesse sniffed as she neared, holding a few of the pills she meant to incorporate into some of her patients’ meat.
“Oral antibiotics?”
“You can smell that?” She set the paper cup that held the pills on the table near the bag of meat he’d retrieved.
“Yep. My sniffer is very sensitive.” His lips quirked in a small grin that was altogether too charming. She had to be on her toes with this guy. He could too easily trick her into liking him.
“Interesting,” was her only comment. Frankly, she didn’t know what to say to that.
The idea that he could shift form into a giant wolf made her knees weak. She’d met only one shifter, and that one had been female and young. The werecougar woman hadn’t been all that intimidating when she was in her feline form, and when she was human she was frail as a willow.
This guy was the most imposing man she’d ever seen up close. His size was on the enormous scale and his muscles had muscles. If he ever did turn into a wolf in her presence, she’d probably wet her pants.
Maria went about her work silently, inserting the pills into flaps she cut in the meat. It wasn’t the most efficient way of delivering the drugs, but it would have to do for now. She didn’t want to take too many chances with her newest guest, a young bear with a badly infected gunshot wound. He’d been anesthetized when he came in, courtesy of a friendly animal control officer, and she’d been able to dig out the bullet and stitch him up while he was still out.
She’d also been able to administer antibiotics and other medicines by injection while he was safely unconscious. Now, however, he was up and about. Even in pain, he was really not happy about being caged. He attacked the bars and paced every time she entered the barn, watching her with an angry expression. She tried not to take it personally, but she was still kind of surprised by his violent reaction. He really was a wild one and refused to let her near. She didn’t want to tranquilize him any more than necessary.
Maria placed the spiked meat back on the tray and went to get a few pounds of chicken she’d had thawing in the refrigerator. She used this building as her surgery and prep room. The barns were where she kept her larger patients while they recovered. It was easier and more secure, also quieter for the animals farther away from the house and the driveway.
She prepared the chicken and some more beef for the cats, adding portions to another tray. When she was done, she loaded Jesse with the larger tray and picked up the smaller one herself. Might as well take advantage of having him around while he was here. They walked toward the first barn, which was full of cats. She could hear the uproar already as they neared.
“They smell me.” Jesse stopped short of the door. “Maybe I’d better wait outside or they’ll never settle down.”
Maria listened to the unusual ruckus inside and hastily agreed. “I’ll be right back.”
She took the larger tray from him and left him with the smaller one, rushing into the barn and making her rounds quickly. The patients were all doing well, if agitated by the werewolf scent outside. T
hey quieted down when they got their meals and Jesse didn’t come any closer.
Rejoining him outside the door, she smiled tentatively and pointed to the tray he still held.
“This is for the new bear. He’s in the next building.” She led the way, chattering a bit to cover her surprise at the cats’ reactions. “He’s a juvenile and not happy about being here. Hopefully he’ll take the pills this way. If he doesn’t, I’ll have to try something else.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He was shot a few days ago. Animal control tranq’ed him and brought him to me when he strayed too close to somebody’s house. I took the bullet out and stitched him up. He was unconscious most of the first day. Yesterday, he was back to his ornery self. Nearly ripped my hand off when I strayed too close to his cage, but he needs more antibiotics. His wound was already infected when they brought him to me.”
“What kind of bear?”
“Grizzly,” she answered as she opened the barn door. She noticed when Jesse’s head came up suddenly, his eyes peering intently into the darkness beyond the door.
“He’s more than that.” Jesse put the tray down on the table just inside the door and went inside ahead of her. “Stay back, Doc. Let me talk to him.”
“Oh, Lord. Do you mean to say I’ve got another shifter in a cage? Crap!” She was upset. More than upset, to be honest. She knew about shifters now. They were people, not just animals. They didn’t need—or deserve—to be caged. “No wonder he’s not happy with me.”
She tried to push in front of Jesse, but he wouldn’t budge. He approached the cage and stared down at the small bear inside. Jesse cursed under his breath and crouched down, way too close to the bars had this been a truly wild animal.
“Hey, sport,” he greeted the youngster. “You’re safe. You can shift now. The doc didn’t know you were were, but she knows about us and she’s safe. Are you well enough to take your skin and talk to me? Tell me where your parents are and I’ll get them. They must be worried sick.”