Wolf Tales IV

by Kate Douglas

  Tinker was headed out to the pens on the perimeter to check on the wolves with the goal of finding a pen for the animals still in quarantine. It was time to move them into a more permanent home, but it also gave Tinker a good excuse to see which enclosures were under cultivation. Thank goodness Anderson had stayed in his office.

  “G’morning, Millie.” Lisa nodded to the secretary, grabbed a cup of coffee, and sat down at her own computer.

  Millie raised her head and smiled at her. “Hi, Lisa. Where’s that man of yours?”

  “I sent him out to find a new home for the four animals in quarantine. They’re ready to be moved into one of the large enclosures. I hope that’s okay?”

  “Perfect.” Millie rubbed her fingers across her forehead, obviously distressed. “This has been such a nightmare. I wonder what’s going to happen to us now? Do you have any idea how Dunlop’s arrest will affect the financing?”

  Lisa took a deep breath. She knew Ulrich and Anton were working on something. “No. But I’ve got friends working on it.” She leaned across the desk and patted Millie’s shoulder. “I promise to let you know what they find out.”

  Millie’s smile was grim. “Thanks.” She glanced at Lisa’s neck. “How’s your throat?”

  Lisa blinked. In the two years since she’d worked here, this was the longest conversation she and Millie had ever had. She touched the healing cut on her throat. The sterile strips had fallen off last night when she shifted. The cut didn’t even hurt anymore and was already almost healed. “It wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked. See? Almost gone.”

  Millie frowned. “My goodness, you heal fast. That did look worse than it is. I can’t believe what Seth did to you!”

  “I know.” Lisa sighed. Seth was, in her mind, one of the biggest victims in all of this; he was basically a good kid led astray by bad people. “I feel so awful for Seth. He acted without thinking when he attacked me. That was stupid, but I think he totally flipped out when he learned the wolves were being hunted. All along, he really thought he was doing something good for them.”

  Millie nodded. “I agree. Does that mean you’re not going to press charges?”

  Lisa shook her head. “I wasn’t planning to. That will be up to the authorities, I imagine.” She glanced toward the supervisor’s closed door. “What’s Hal up to?”

  Millie tilted her head in the direction of Hal’s office, then leaned closer to Lisa and whispered, “Napoleon’s in there planning his next Waterloo. I can’t believe all that business with Mr. Dunlop was going on under his nose and he didn’t know about it. The man’s an idiot!”

  Lisa slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter. Millie so rarely said anything at all, much less something derogatory about their boss. “In all fairness,” Lisa said, “I work close to the wolves, and I didn’t have a clue.”

  “Well, Mr. Dunlop handpicked Hal to run this place. That alone makes him suspicious to me.”

  For the first time since working at the sanctuary, Lisa saw Millie in a new light. “How long have you been here, Millie?” The woman was attractive and ageless, anywhere between forty and seventy with silver-streaked blond, shoulder-length hair. Usually she wasn’t very talkative or even friendly, but she’d always been amazingly efficient. Lisa generally kept to the outdoor jobs and really didn’t know the secretary all that well.

  Millie looked up and smiled wistfully. “I managed the ranch before Dunlop bought the property and turned it into a wolf sanctuary. My uncle owned it and raised cattle. I grew up here. I stayed on in the office because it’s the only home I’ve ever known. I was hoping for the supervisor’s job, but Hal got it.” Her eyes narrowed, and she took a deep breath. “Believe me, if I was still in charge, I’d sure do things a lot differently.”

  “Wouldn’t we all?”

  Millie laughed. “When all that commotion happened yesterday, I was actually hoping they’d arrest him.”

  Lisa glanced toward Hal’s office and whispered, “Me, too.”

  Millie reached out and took Lisa’s hand. “I’m sorry I’ve taken so long to get to know you. I think working here as hired help after so many years as the boss has turned me into a bitter old woman. You’re a good girl, Lisa. Don’t let Harold Anderson give you a hard time.”

  Lisa went back to work on her computer, but she couldn’t get Millie’s comments out of her mind. Maybe things weren’t going to be as difficult as she’d thought. Smiling to herself, she went online to do some research. It never hurt to have a little extra knowledge.

  They regrouped at noon, meeting near the picnic area set up for visitors. There were more people here than usual today, most likely a result of all the publicity from the raid.

  Tinker opened the ice chest filled with sandwiches Tia and Lisa had packed earlier and passed them out. He checked to make sure no one was within hearing distance of their small group, thought better of it, and resorted to mindtalking. I had a good chance to check the empty enclosures. Almost all of them show signs of cultivation. A few actually have plants coming up.

  That’s all we need, isn’t it? Luc nodded and smiled at an elderly man who passed by with two children, headed for the small on-site museum.

  Are you ready to call Anton, let him know so he can get the DEA out here? Lisa took a bite of her sandwich.

  Tia grinned and looked around, obviously noting the large number of people in the area. “Do any of you feel like praying?”

  Luc glared at Tia. “Funny girl.”

  Laughing, remembering Luc’s major faux pas this morning, they clasped hands around the picnic table and bowed their heads. No one would disturb them now. Tinker glanced at Lisa and realized she was doing her best not to giggle. He squeezed her fingers, and they brought Anton Cheval into their group.

  Praying? I could get used to this approach.

  Luc blushed, but he didn’t say a word. Their conversation was brief but productive. Tinker passed on his information regarding marijuana cultivation and Hal Anderson’s involvement. When Cheval ended the contact, they all raised their heads.

  “Is it getting easier to contact your wizard or is that just my imagination? I keep wondering if the fact Tinker and I have a stronger bond helps.” Lisa finished her sandwich and wrapped her leftovers for the trash.

  Tinker cocked an eyebrow at her. “It’s getting easier because of all that sexual tension, we’re supposed to work off of. If I get any more tense, I’m going to explode.”

  “Same here.” Luc stood up and brushed the crumbs off his lap.

  “Men.” Tia grabbed Lisa and hauled her to her feet. “What are we doing next?”

  “Well, if Anton’s right, nothing will happen until this evening, after the crowds leave. DEA won’t plan a raid until then because of the risk to public safety. All we have to do is make sure Anderson is still on-site.” Lisa stretched and stared in the direction of the four wolves in their temporary pens.

  “I say we talk to him about moving the animals from the quarantine pens to larger enclosures. As supervisor, he has to authorize which pen they go to. It’s going to be interesting to see what he says, considering that all the available ones appear to be under cultivation.”

  Tinker grabbed Lisa’s hand as they walked over to the quarantine section. He had to know what her plans were, no matter how painful it might be. She’d still not said a word about returning to San Francisco with him.

  “Anton doesn’t see a problem with the sanctuary remaining open,” he said. “It sounds as if everything was put into trust as a tax shelter, so Dunlop’s arrest shouldn’t affect funding.” Tinker stopped walking and pulled Lisa around to look at him. Her fingers felt warm and strong and absolutely perfect grasped in his, and it took all Tinker’s willpower to ask the question. “Once Anderson is gone, though, who’s going to run the sanctuary?”

  Lisa grinned at him and squeezed his fingers. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She stood on her toes and kissed him.
“I can always wing it.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. “No. Not with something this important.”

  Smiling mysteriously, her thoughts totally blocked, Lisa led him across the parking lot to check on the wolves.

  Tinker couldn’t help but believe he’d liked it better when Lisa had accidentally broadcasted her every thought.

  The four of them met with Hal Anderson near the quarantine pens shortly after closing. He’d been reluctant when Lisa asked him for a few minutes of his time, but she’d finally convinced him.

  When two unmarked cars pulled into the parking lot, Hal turned a questioning eye on Lisa, though he didn’t appear overly concerned. “Any idea what this is all about?”

  Lisa took her time studying the two cars and the four men who climbed out of them. When they were merely a few feet away, she said, “I imagine it has something to do with the marijuana farms in the empty paddocks, but I could be mistaken.”

  Anderson’s face lost all color. He turned as if to run, but Tinker blocked his escape. Luc wrapped his fingers around Anderson’s upper arm. Tia and Lisa moved aside to give the agents room to work.

  A helicopter roared in over the treetops and landed in the empty parking lot. Lisa shielded her eyes from the blowing dust as a tall, dark-haired man climbed out, ducked beneath the spinning blades, then headed in the direction of their small group.

  One agent held Hal’s hands behind the little man’s back, which were secured in plastic cuffs. Another read him his rights. Luc, Tia, and Tinker watched intently as Hal at first struggled, then glared sullenly at his captors. The helicopter rose into the air and headed toward the areas under cultivation. Lisa realized she was the only one who watched the man coming toward them. Tall and lean with his long, dark hair tied back in a queue, he looked like he should be dressed in a tuxedo, not in snug jeans and a loose cotton shirt. Lisa knew she’d never seen him before, but there was an odd sense of familiarity about him she couldn’t explain.

  Until he joined their small group and held his hand out to her. As she grasped his hand, he said, “Lisa Quinn? I’m Anton Cheval.”

  So this was the great Chanku/wizard. His grasp was strong and sure, his amber eyes twinkling with good humor. He was not at all what Lisa had expected, yet he was so much more.

  “Hey, Anton!” Luc turned around and greeted him.

  Anton Cheval cocked one winged eyebrow almost regally at Luc. “God to you, Mr. Stone.” Then he turned to Lisa and, smiling broadly, leaned over and kissed her. Still in shock, she kissed him back.

  “No discipline in that San Francisco pack,” he said. “None at all.” Laughing now, Cheval greeted Tinker and Tia, then nodded to one of the agents. “Thank you for the flight in. If you don’t mind, I’d like a lift back to the airport when you’re through here.”

  “No problem. I’ll have the chopper swing back over and pick you up, Mr. Cheval.” He grabbed the radio off his belt and gestured to the other agents to bring Anderson and follow him back to the car.

  Lisa and the others watched as they marched Hal over to one of the unmarked cars and shoved him unceremoniously into the backseat. Tinker turned back to Cheval and laughed. “Okay, you’ve established your divinity, but I want to know why the DEA is taking orders from you?”

  “Over here.” Cheval led them to an empty picnic table. Once they were seated, he explained. “Ulrich and I pulled some strings and got me named as the temporary director of the sanctuary. Dunlop was removed from the board immediately after his arrest. Within the terms of the trust, a new, temporary director could be brought in under the discretion of the bank holding the trust. It so happens I’m on the bank’s board of directors.”

  “That’s handy.” Luc grinned at Lisa and Tinker.

  Anton bowed his head. “Yes, quite convenient.” Smiling, he turned now to Lisa. “The problem is, we’re going to need someone on-site to run the place. You, Ms. Quinn, are the obvious choice, but I imagine that’s not something your mate wants to hear.”

  Lisa glanced at Tinker and saw so much pain in his eyes. She shouldn’t have kept her idea a surprise. She realized now how unfair she’d been. “Actually,” she said, looking back at Anton Cheval, “I don’t want the job. There’s someone else here who is much better qualified. Besides, the reasons that brought me here two years ago don’t really exist anymore.”

  “What reasons?” Tinker reached across the table and took Lisa’s hands in his. His grip was strong, reassuring, and terribly loving. “What brought you here?”

  “I was looking for answers. I thought the wolves could show me the way. In that respect, I was right. Wolves truly did show me the way.” She swallowed back the sudden lump in her throat. “I can’t stay here, Tinker, because I could never ask you to leave your packmates and the life you had before we met. And face it”—her voice cracked, and she took a shuddering breath—“there’s no way in hell I’m ever letting you go. You’re stuck with me. All of you are.”

  Tears were running down Tia’s cheeks, and even Luc looked touched by her words. Lisa kept a tight grip on Tinker’s hands, but she turned to Anton. “Millie West, the secretary here, used to be the ranch manager before this became a sanctuary. She loves the wolves, she’s an ardent conservationist, and she’s even more qualified than Anderson. She should have had the job all along. Come with me so you can meet her.”

  They all trooped over to headquarters. Millie was just locking the front door. She smiled at Lisa when she looked up. “I told you he was in there plotting his own private Waterloo. A very nice gentleman just came in and confiscated Napoleon’s computer. He had a search warrant, and I told him to take whatever he wanted. What happened?”

  “We suspected Anderson was growing pot on the property. Turns out we were right, which leaves a big gap in management. Millie, I’d like to introduce you to a very good friend and the new director of the trust that controls the sanctuary. This is Anton Cheval.”

  Anton took Millie’s hand in his. His eyes widened and then he smiled. Lisa turned to leave, but Anton stopped her with his free hand. “Lisa, you have no idea what an excellent suggestion you’ve made for the new supervisor’s position. Thank you very much. Ms. West, do you have time for a chat?”

  Looking almost mesmerized by Cheval’s intensity, Millie turned around and unlocked the door. Anton raised his hand in a farewell salute. “Take care. I’ll be in touch. And, Lisa, thank you again.”

  They lay together in a tangle of arms and legs and bedding. Tomorrow Tia and Luc would be gone, heading home on a flight back to San Francisco. Tinker planned to help Lisa pack her few belongings, and then the two of them would drive west. She wasn’t quite ready to part with her beloved Jeep.

  Lisa stared at the ceiling, ticking off all the things that needed to be done before they could leave. The wolves from the quarantine pens had been safely moved into one of the larger enclosures after the marijuana had been removed. She’d left her forwarding address with the authorities in case they needed her testimony in Hal Anderson’s case.

  Seth was back on the job already. When he learned Lisa didn’t intend to press charges his relief had been almost humorous, but he still had much to atone for. Hopefully, this had been a very hard but long-lasting lesson for him.

  Millie had moved into Hal’s office immediately after her discussion with Anton. That had been an inspired suggestion on Lisa’s part. She’d had no idea, though, just how inspired.

  “How do you think she’s going to take the news?” Luc’s voice sounded groggy from sleep, but the contact they’d just had from Anton still reverberated in their minds.

  Tia raised her head. “She won’t know until someone tells her, and that won’t happen for a while. At least not until after the wedding. Anton thought maybe Dad should be the one. They’re about the same age.”

  Tinker rubbed his fingers over Lisa’s nipple, and it immediately sprang to life. “How do you feel about that, Tia? Your dad and Millie.”

  “Go
od. I feel good about it. He’s been lonely too long. I know my mother would approve.”

  “I can’t believe Millie is Chanku.” Lisa grinned into the darkness that wasn’t nearly so dark. Damn, she loved the night vision she had now. Loved the strength, the powerful senses, the man. She found Tinker’s fingers, brought them to her lips, and kissed each one. “She’s a nice lady, but she’s always seemed so bitter. Now I know why. It’s sad that she’s missed so much, but once she learns who and what she is…”

  “It’s going to be like a rebirth.” Tinker rolled over until he was on top of Lisa. His cock was already hard, which was totally amazing, as they’d spent hours making love, the four of them, before finally falling into an exhausted slumber.

  Until Anton’s mental call. As a wizard, he was truly amazing, but as far as Lisa was concerned, his timing sucked. On the other hand, it wasn’t bad to wake up to this.

  Tinker slipped inside her wet and ready sex and sighed. Lisa searched his mind and found his thoughts, open and filled with love—and a lot of fiendishly wonderful ideas. What do you think you’re doing?

  Making love to you. See, Luc and Tia think it’s a great idea, too.

  Lisa rolled her head to one side and realized Luc and Tia were doing exactly the same thing. It’s almost like you planned this, she said, rolling her hips to take him deeper.

  Tinker kissed her. A long, slow meeting of mouths and tongues, lips and teeth. Finally Tinker came up for air. No plan, my love. None at all. I’m winging it.

  I heard that. Tia’s voice slipped into their silent, very private conversation. I’d watch him closely, Lisa. Look what happened the last time he took off without a plan.

  Lisa turned her head and winked at Tia. Then she placed a very strong, very effective block in her mind. At the same time, she opened a narrow channel that let one man into her thoughts, and one man alone.

  Tinker pushed himself up with his powerful arms and thrust his hips forward. It’s about time you figured out how those blocks work. He leaned close and kissed the very tip of her nose, then moved his lips over hers.