Provoked Wolf

by Erin R Flynn

  “Yeah, I need to work on that,” I drawled, wincing when Monroe thumped to the ground five feet from me, clearly having flown over from the training center.

  “Next time bring more people if you think it’s a fucking trap,” he seethed.

  “Yeah, we had enough for a normal trap, but they brought like all their friends,” I defended, giggling again. “Your eyes are pretty when you’re pissed. They’re like fire eyes.”

  “She shifted back and forth several times,” Emilio explained. “I’m going to go help the others clear and restrain. Did someone call the coroner?”

  “No one knew we needed to,” someone from CPD said.

  He snorted. “Yeah, several. We didn’t try to, but they were ridiculously armed, and we didn’t watch our strength while trying to not die.”

  “They blew up my SUV,” I bitched, nodding when Brian and Monroe gave me shocked looks. “Rocket launcher, grenade launcher, machine guns with ammo belts, and a mother fucking partridge in a pear tree.”

  “I took out two dozen on my own,” Emilio told them before taking off.

  “So did I,” I added.

  “Holy fuck,” someone whispered.

  “Sounds about right,” I mumbled as my eyelids got heavy.

  “Sera, Sera, don’t sleep. Come on, babe, don’t you dare leave me,” Brain yelled, gently slapping my face.

  “She’s fine, just wiped from shifting too much,” Monroe assured him. “I promise, she’s fine. She’s just on E, not remotely in danger of dying.”

  “My wolf is napping,” I confirmed. “She passed out. I had to shift back.” I blinked my eyes open at Monroe. “Can you get my guns and holster before they get swept up in evidence. I like my guns.”

  “Yeah, I can do that, you idiot,” he sighed.

  “Love you too, boss,” I giggled. I glanced at Brian. “For the record, one of those bullets was CPD.”

  “Sorry, Chief, I think that was me,” one guy called over. “You were just suddenly there. We were pinned down since they were floors above.”

  “I think that’s enough with the shoulder cam,” Brian muttered when I opened my mouth to answer.

  “Oh right, yeah, good thing I got shot in the left side and it’s okay. Those are expensive and we soooo don’t have the budget to replace anything. Or you know, get everything we need.” I let out a groan as I reached up to turn it off. “I want hazard pay for real.” I waved him back. “I’ve got blood on me, Bri. Stop.”

  “I’m so spanking you later,” he threatened when the camera was off.

  “I figured as much,” I sighed. Then I really groaned. “My bag was in the SUV. I’m going to have to go to the DMV again. Can I seriously get like bulk ID orders?”

  Orson came jogging over. “We’re all clear, and I grabbed your bag. I saw you slipped your phone in it and thought we’d need that to call in.” He handed it over to Brian. “I dropped it somewhere and retrieved it.” He gave me a worried look. “Um, Sander’s in a bad spot. The emergency blood we had was in your SUV.”

  “Whoever shot me has to go donate a pint,” I called over to CPD. “And you’re my favorite person today, Orson. I hate the fucking DMV and getting everything replaced.”

  “Shit, I’ll go too,” someone else said. “We were pinned bad. Thanks for the save.”

  “No problem,” Orson said with a shrug. “Sorry you got pulled in. We were trying to keep you guys out of it.” He glanced at the others. “If we get four who can donate a pint, he’ll be okay. Anyone else feel like donating?”

  “It’s safe if he’s that low, right?” someone checked.

  “Yeah, we’ll be there, and it’s just your wrist,” he promised.

  Five ended up going with just to make sure, which really made me feel better about CPD than I had lately. I knew there were a ton of good officers, but I kept finding the assholes and dirty ones, so it was nice to see the good ones too.

  “Sir, she’s not in any condition to talk right now,” Brian said firmly, making me realize I’d dozed for a minute.

  “Can I get some water?” I asked, glad when it was easier to breathe. “Mine was in the SUV.”

  “Yeah, we got you, Chief,” someone said before an officer brought me over a bottle. It was warm but new, so I appreciated it.

  I thanked him and waved at Brian for the phone. He shook his head, and I waved again. “Don’t get in trouble for me.”

  “It’s not Galvin,” he mouthed.

  I winced and let my hand drop. Right, I did not want to talk to the director this way for the first time. Monroe could handle it.

  “Haton wants to make sure you’re alive,” Monroe said as he rejoined us, handing me the phone.

  “I’m alive, but I’m fucking tired, and apparently I giggle if I shift back and forth too many times,” I told her.

  “Yes, that will happen.”

  “I’ve never tested it before but damn, it was pretty useful in a fight like that.”

  “I’ll bet. What do you need?”

  “A new SUV for sure.” I snorted. “They fucking blew mine up. Assholes. Cocksucking assholes.” I giggled, thinking how that could even anatomically work. Wouldn’t that just be anal sex then?

  “I meant from us,” she chuckled.

  “Oh, right, I don’t know. I dozed a bit. I feel seriously down on the tank, like my wolf passed out after I fell four stories through some fire escapes.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, it was worse than it sounds,” I promised.

  “You need fuel and fast or you will hurt worse,” she told me. “The vampires wouldn’t know that, but the shifting back and forth is ridiculously taxing, and I would think your sugar levels are in the toilet.”

  “Got it. Thanks.”

  “I know you’re clear, but I’ll get numbers from Monroe. Glad you’re safe.”

  “Thanks. I like you too.”

  She chuckled as I handed him back his phone, but he was already talking to the director.

  “What should she have done, sir?” he asked, his tone less than friendly. “Ignore the tip? Call in more people and delay so they knew she’d figured it out, or call in CPD and walk them into a friggin’ war zone level gun fight? We’ve confirmed over a hundred guys, and they had a rocket launcher, grenade launcher, and hardware found on military Hummers.

  “They were lucky she didn’t delay because they didn’t have those set up when they arrived because those guns alone would cut through CPD squad cars and did the other SUV that didn’t have armor plating, tearing into two of her security detail. They’re alive because we can take that kind of damage. I get you don’t like supes, but we’re on your side and two almost died.

  “So I don’t care the optics of her taking on a cartel that snuck in illegally with that sort of hardware and how many are dead. None on our side are, so it’s a good damn day in my book. I’ll have Jennings send you their shoulder cam feed, but I’m looking at a kill zone that’s been torn up like it was a war zone.”

  “Fine, but I want that footage and a copy of this ‘tip,’ as she stated, and I want less of these ‘tips’ that are so problematic in the future,” he snapped.

  “Yeah, I wanted my SUV blown up today and to get shot four times,” I grumbled, flicking off the phone and muttering some other unflattering comments under my breath. “Galvin’s gonna beat him up for being mean to me and snitch to the president.”

  Both Brian and Monroe looked seconds from laughing.

  “Here, Chief,” an officer said as he handed me bags of McDonalds. “One of your guys said you need food to recover like they need blood.”

  “You are one of my favorite people ever,” I groaned as I smelled all the greasy goodness. I stuffed my face and watched everyone be the adults of the situation.

  Well shit, I could sit this one out for sure. Nice.

  24

  The video the club put out of our dancing to “Shake It Off” went viral. Like ridiculously viral. The editing and way it was put together was
amazing and is getting more likes than dislikes, so that’s a good start. It got media coverage, and except for maybe Fox News it was well received, but they probably don’t like Taylor Swift either, as she’s a woman with a brain who shuts down sexism.

  Imagine that.

  Travis’s four behind-the-scenes videos went viral as well, and shockingly there was a lot of love and support for me after Simone reposted them on social media. I got more compliments on my hair as it was and people impressed I was taking my mental health seriously along with my physical recovery. We like love and support. I even like him, as he did a great job of being careful of what he showed.

  So we clearly won that battle, as no one’s seen a new meme of my head pasted on anything, but I doubt it will be the end of it forever. There is always a new wave of idiots after all. Simone just shrugs it off and says we can just clap back again or take over the world.

  Right, that was ever an option after all.

  She would make a fabulous empress.

  Clayton is settled in in Greece. I don’t have specifics—mostly because I don’t want them—but according to Zeno, Alena and Eva have made it ridiculously clear they would love to end him. So that’s a good way to make the asshole behave.

  Hearing some of his comments back and about me has helped my wolf realize she was just hurt and angry but not at me. And certainly not at Zeno. Honestly, if I’m ever around Clayton again, I would worry she’d shift and tear him up. We’re in pain, and there’s no hiding that.

  Especially when I have a tendency to cry in my sleep according to a few of the guys. Whoops. That’s got to be awesome for them, but Phobie says I’ve spent so many years holding onto that shred of hope that it wasn’t what I’d thought when they’d ditched me, and losing that is as painful as them leaving me.

  Jason actually called and left a message that he’d heard. We’re not talking really, but as someone who understands and has lived his whole life mostly defined by his family betrayal and pain, I appreciated him reaching out and reminding me I’m not alone. Not enough to let him back in my life, but yeah, nice not to feel alone.

  I don’t though. Brian might have had a great childhood, but there are several in my life that didn’t, and it’s a scar only people with it can understand. I hate when people say that, like others are devoid of emotion, but it’s not that at all. It’s just so deep and layered that it’s too abnormal for most to really get.

  Brian’s brother, Jimmy, apologized. He actually came to my office and apologized, ironing out some stuff he didn’t realize was so important and promising he’d take it all seriously as he should have. Well, okay then. Maybe he wasn’t such a butthead and just needed someone to smack his head out of his ass? Brian’s happy about it but still agrees Jimmy doesn’t need to know everything about Topher.

  Zeno’s stayed in town a bit longer. He’s really enjoying being a grandpa. He takes so many pictures with his cell phone that I swear he’s had to switch out memory cards. And he’s very protective of Topher. All of those pictures weren’t taken with the flash on, and no one had better do that or have a screen of anything too close to him. I got a lecture about using my tablet near him.

  I wanted to remind him that Topher had been asleep and tucked in the carrier wrap, but okay, not having the tablet near Topher as his eyes develop is a good habit to get into. Sure.

  The Haverses are just as bad. They are so excited for their first grandchild and great-grandchild that I’m close to reminding them he’s not actually Brian’s baby. That seems a bit mean, but I think Grammy Havers got clued in I was on grandparent overload when everyone ganged up on me and I got a half an hour lecture on things to do and what works best for newborns.

  Like I didn’t have a nanny to help me and I was quitting work to stay at home.

  But Topher likes them, and sometimes I get the craziest images from him after one of them holds him. I had to tell Mrs. Havers that the bright tops made him unhappy, and the look on her face was priceless. Otherwise he’s good. A little less scary for me now that he’s not a newborn, newborn.

  Still terrifying, but he’s in good health and is a pretty happy little guy.

  I’ve started reviewing applications for nannies. Laila sent over a bunch and laughed so hard she might still be laughing when I called back and asked for any warriors who might want the gig. Fine, laugh, but they could make swords appear when there was danger. I thought that was a great quality in a nanny, and only males were fairy warriors.

  Though she says that’s changing. Fine, hurry and train a female one that wants to be a nanny for a human I’m overprotective of and I’ll be happy.

  And Dr. Sloan can attest to that overprotective thing. He swears I’m nowhere near as bad as stories he’s heard from doctor friends on first time mothers, but well, Maya handles a lot of my freak outs. I more just grill him when he checks out Topher.

  And me. It’s official I’m not pregnant. That two weeks is up, new birth control has been taken, and a charm from Nina. Hagan got it for me, but I miss her. Hopefully soon we can take a step towards moving past what happened. Phobie says it’s not me but her issues and embarrassment over what her ex-husband did to me. Yeah, I can see that.

  I still miss her. She sort of became a cool aunt to me, and I’ve never had that.

  Axel and I have had another date. So have Hagan and I, and it was amazing. Reagan and I had one too, and I wanted to cry at how much I felt right with them again. The moment I had what I needed for my sex life in place, I made sure we had another date… That included life altering sex. Way better than we’d had before, and I wasn’t the only one shocked.

  Or who wanted more.

  The president is putting through the approval for another Shifter Council prison. I think he’s as afraid as we are that the country will swing wildly back right after the next election and try to knock back all the progress that has been made. It sounds paranoid and a bit judgmental, but that is pretty historically accurate.

  The Shifter Council is also helping Bijan put in two new prisons in Iran after he toured them. It was a huge and well received announcement. One will be for international criminals that he plans on allowing allies access to. “Allies” being the key word there, which is smart given how many are on the fence as to accepting his leadership, especially when Russia is clearly against it.

  Well, they’re against supes in general, so they can suck it. I’m bummed because I loved learning the language and think they have some very cool things in their culture.

  The Shifter Council has backed way, way off of me and mine, realizing they were stupid to even try, all behaving for the moment. It’s probably just for the moment and mostly because they’re busy with new plans and even basking in the glow of doing things right for once according to public opinion, but it’s nice to not feel so defensive always with them.

  None of the cases got thrown out, so those bad guys are going away, and people are coming around to supes having extra perks they’d not thought of. Well, geez, maybe they should have just talked to us. Atkins gave awesome press about all that was in on the bust, so that cut through the mess of the cartel trap.

  That was, well, messy.

  There were over two hundred guys from the cartel that had flown in to try and kill me. That sounds insane, and it was. They meant it to be a Hail Mary to take me out and stop the progress we were making. They’d also hired another hundred regional muscle and a different gang than the boss I’d talked to. Wow, so at least people weren’t underestimating me anymore.

  Instead of their plan, we took down a cartel basically. What I’ve gotten from those who know what’s what say that the cartel was fractured. The boss and his adult son had come to bask in the glory of taking me down—partially to show they were bigger than the Dorcuses and not scared of their power—and instead got dead.

  Really dead. I actually threw them out of a window several stories up, so they went splat. I’m not sorry at all.

  The Shifter Council is talking to the
Columbian government about finishing off the cartel, and hey, awesome, but that is all above my paygrade, and I had no comment. I did ask Haton to let me know once they’re all dead so no one else comes after me… Well, at least on that front. I just piss people off all the damn time.

  The mayor is implementing the IA idea with the ancients. I knew there was a reason I voted for the man. Awesome. We’re not sure all the logistics or legalities, but it’s happening.

  Construction has started on the new building, and we’re close to finishing the blood bottling plant with the help of some of Laila’s people. Winter is coming, and it comes fast in Chicago, so the more we get done, the better off we’ll be. I felt a bit of deja vu on that one and took the night off to mourn the months I was gone, the year fast forwarding on me now and again in ways that are painful. But I push through with help.

  Gerald now works for Noah, and they help us too so it’s all in the family. He suggested having a nationwide list of places that pushed supes out the door so we don’t use them. It’s already a very, very long list that upsets all of us.

  Not only did the interrogations go public and viral of the four basketball players, but they were well received. Most took it how it was meant—a first step in admitting what they did wrong and making it clear they were the ones in the wrong, not the shifters. Also, it helped people realize everything the Shifter Council did was seriously and actually legal, not some supe bullshit like most say.

  Well, Fox News, and if they don’t stop lying, I’m going to show up in their station and shove my foot up some asses. No, really, that’s been a reoccurring happy dream of mine.

  Every other men’s team stood together against any of the other basketball players being mean to the girls or people saying shit. It’s made people seriously rethink how they can treat women or supes. It’s amazing, and other schools are seeing it’s a problem they’ve ignored, some changing their student rules as well to protect supes.