Jaguar (The Madison Wolves Book 12)

by Robin Roseau

  “Of course she can.”

  I turned to look at the fox. She offered a smile and turned back to her conversation with Deirdre.

  “Michaela,” I called out.

  She turned back. “Yes, Anna? You should do something about that cushion before it sets.”

  “In a minute,” I said. “Michaela, would you be able to confirm that I did not shake Elisabeth’s beer?”

  “How could I do that?” she asked. “I haven’t moved from this seat since you began teasing her.”

  Elisabeth set a hand on my leg for a moment, and when I glanced at her, she shook her head slightly. Don’t pursue it.

  “I thought I’d ask,” I said. I sighed. “I should take care of this laundry. Elisabeth, if you’ll change, I’ll do your jeans. I saw the laundry room last time I was here.”

  * * * *

  Carrying the cover to the sofa cushion and my own beer-splashed clothes, I found Elisabeth in her room five minutes later. I slipped in, and she handed me her clothes to go with me.

  “Are we going to let the human get away with it?”

  “You know, we should. She sort of owes me a hell of a lot more than that. It all turned out in the end, but her introduction to the pack didn’t go well.”

  “I had nothing to do with that,” I pointed out. I grinned. “Going to use one of your favors?”

  “No, but I’ll say ‘please’.”

  “We can’t let her think we’re too stupid to have figured it out.”

  “Will you let it drop if I promise she’ll know we’re blaming her, whether she did it or not?”

  “Sure. I don’t pick on humans, anyway.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  * * * *

  I got the laundry started and returned to the great room just in time to see people filing back outside for the picnic. I stepped up to Francesca. “Can I help?”

  “We have a system,” she said. “It involves an army of teenagers. Go enjoy yourself.”

  I followed everyone outside. It was a short walk to their large athletic field. I looked around and saw Elisabeth with Portia, Zoe, and a few of the parents. I stepped up to join them. They made room for me, and then Elisabeth said, “I’m dry again.”

  “Got it,” I said. “Anyone else?”

  “I’ll take a beer,” Portia said. I collected her old can. Elisabeth pointed to several coolers, and I ambled over. It took a minute to find the right beer, grabbing one for myself. Returning, I passed them out.

  Portia was about to pop hers when Elisabeth said, “I’m not sure I’d do that, Portia.”

  “Afraid the cat shook this one?”

  “No. But I saw Zoe near the coolers earlier, so you never know what state that beer is in.”

  I snorted, aimed my own can away, and opened it. I took a good slug. “Ahh,” I said.

  No one else said a word.

  Water

  Mornings with the wolves started early. They definitely weren’t on New Orleans time. But a shower provided a nice wakeup, and I was just finishing the last button when there was a fresh knock at the door. A moment later, Elisabeth slipped in and closed the door. “Good morning.”

  “I’m here as the head enforcer,” she said. “I’m not going to put you on a standard rotation, but is it your intention to shadow Michaela’s classes?”

  “I’d like to be handy, but I don’t really know what to expect.”

  “In other words, if Deirdre is doing it, you’re in the neighborhood?”

  “Elisabeth, put me where you need me to ensure adequate protection of the alpha family and Deirdre. I need to be able to keep an eye on my day job, so to speak, but I’ll find time for that. I don’t have anything pressing.”

  “So, however I need you?”

  “With the understanding I have no military or enforcer training. But yes.”

  We talked about it for a few minutes then, together, headed for breakfast.

  * * * *

  It became evident very quickly that Michaela was an amazing science teacher. Elisabeth didn’t assign me any sort of guard duty. She assigned me as one of Michaela’s assistants. And so, immediately after breakfast, Michaela gathered all her assistants together, and I was surprised by whom that meant.

  I was expecting Deirdre and Zoe. I wasn’t surprised to see the parents who had come. But Lara reported in as an assistant as did Scarlett, Angel, Iris, and Lindsey. I looked around but didn’t see Monique. I would discover later that the enforcer students were students for this trip and would be going through the same programs as the other students.

  “Most of you know this,” Michaela said. “But this class doesn’t mirror anything you might find in any other high school program. We’re teaching basic fieldwork, but some of the kids know the basics and some have barely had any science at all. We don’t split them up, however. Instead, we treat them like a future employer might. New hires work on the basic skills; the experienced employees oversee them and employ advanced techniques.”

  “What about us?” Iris asked.

  “You two have already officially graduated from my program, and we all know you’re here for the other activities.” They both grinned. “You’re assistants, just like the other adults.”

  “Really?” said Lindsey. “So the kids have to obey us?”

  “Yes, but don’t let it go to your head,” she replied. “Over the next two weeks, we’re going to address geology, botany, zoology, and water quality. We’ll spend two mornings on each, starting with geology. This is a simple assignment.”

  She talked about what we’d be doing. I understood about a third of what she said, but it was clear others understood most or all. When she finished, she said, “All right. We’re going to line up based on how much you think you understood.”

  That earned some chuckles.

  “Here to my left,” she said. “If you understood all or nearly all. At the other end, to my right, if you didn’t understand any. Pick somewhere in between if that seems to fit.”

  I didn’t take the place furthest to Michaela’s right. That space was occupied by some of the parents. But instead, I stood next to them. Deirdre and a few parents were near the middle, then everyone else was far to the left.

  “We’re going to break you guys into teams of three,” she said. She pointed to the know-it-alls. “Each of you collect someone from near the middle and someone from near the other end. Let’s see how that works out. I’ll adjust if necessary.”

  I found myself in a team of four, not three, led by Lindsey. From the middle was Naomi Gibson. I discovered she was Lindsey’s aunt. And from the raw beginners was Faith, Monique’s mother. She and I had met at Thanksgiving, and she told me how nice it was to see me again.

  “Those of you who don’t know what you’re doing: you’re basic chaperones and gofers. Your group leader is your boss.”

  “You hear that, Aunt Naomi?” Lindsey asked.

  “I heard,” the woman replied.

  “If you want, you can do the same exercises as the kids do, but don’t get too absorbed. Questions?”

  * * * *

  As I said, it became evident Michaela was a good teacher. When we joined the kids, she spoke carefully and clearly, letting them know the goals and expectations of her program. She explained the science we were doing, and even I understood.

  I might have been a better science student if I’d had her as a teacher.

  I had fun. I didn’t actually do the exercises, but I helped the kids do them, even to the point of holding things for them or double-checking some of the measurements they were taking.

  One of the things Lindsey stressed was precision. “It’s not good enough to say about eight centimeters. Is it exactly eight, or is it seven point six? Part of the goal of these exercises is to grow accustomed to the tools of the trade, which means you pick a tool that can measure to three digits of precision.”

  Michaela floated around, answering questions and making sure the groups were all proceeding near the
same speed. When she found one group was moving too quickly, she discovered they were being sloppy. Another group was struggling with a calipers. They had two, and they kept getting different measurements. Michaela compared them and pointed out, “You need to zero it first.”

  They were simple adjustments, but I knew I’d never even seen a dial calipers when I was that age, and I’d never used one before today.

  We worked until 11:30, and then Michaela got us moving back to the picnic shelter. She got us settled, the adults hovering around the perimeter, and said, “Okay. I want to hear from the newbies. Tell me something you learned?”

  A boy held up his hand. “I learned if I wear short pants and sleeves, I probably should wear mosquito spray.”

  “That is a very important lesson,” Michaela said. “Insect repellent was on the list of things to bring. What other protective gear do people wish they’d worn, but forgot this morning?”

  “I forgot my hat. I didn’t need it earlier.”

  “You’ll want your hats for kayaking, too,” Michaela said. She talked for a while longer, and I realized even the simple lessons were important.

  * * * *

  Before departing for the waterfront, Michaela collected not only all her assistants, but the enforcers as well. “All right. If you have significant kayaking experience, stand near Lara.”

  All the enforcers and about half the assistants moved there.

  “If you have some experience, join Naomi.” She pointed to Lindsey’s aunt.

  Then she smiled. “If you have never been or consider yourself a rank beginner, join Anna.”

  Deirdre moved to my side and two other adults.

  “We have too many today for me to keep an eye on everyone,” she said. “The kids are divided in about the same ratio as all of you. So initially we’re going to break into groups based on experience. I am going to teach the raw beginners. I want Scarlett and Angel to help me out. Elisabeth, I want you to run a safety seminar for the advanced paddlers, and then take them on a tour. We’ll decide which direction when I see the water.”

  “Got it,” Elisabeth said. “But Michaela, do not spread us all over the lake.”

  “Well, you control how far you take them. The beginners and intermediate paddlers will get their lessons and then a tour of the waterfront before we go out into open water.”

  “Got it,” she said again.

  “Lara, I want you to do a safety seminar with the intermediate paddlers and then judge their abilities.”

  “Sure.”

  “Elisabeth, you can divide the enforcers once we get final numbers.”

  It was a long caravan into town. We actually parked at the house that Prudence had taken me to and walked downtown from there. Michaela stayed in the middle of the pack, Deirdre with her. They talked to anyone who moved close. I hung towards the back, keeping an eye on everything, and I saw Lara and Elisabeth doing the same thing, arrayed about for best coverage.

  The kids were good, maintaining contact all the way down to the water. Angel disappeared into a building for a moment, and a minute later, she returned with Benny, the human I’d met at Thanksgiving.

  “Quite the crew today, Michaela,” he called out.

  “Can you help get us going, Benny?” she asked.

  “Of course. Who can I use in the boathouse?”

  Getting fitted out went quickly, in large part to the amount of help. They organized well. One of Benny’s ad hoc assistants would grab someone, bring that person inside, and help them collect all their gear. The advanced paddlers took care of their own needs and stepped into the water, and Michaela told us all to watch for a few minutes.

  Elisabeth ran an efficient safety clinic, made easy by how well the kids knew what they were doing. It wasn’t long before they were paddling away to the south.

  Benny helped Lara with the intermediates while Michaela collected us raw beginners on the grass. We had all our gear with us, but we weren’t wearing any of it yet. Right on the grass, she showed us all the equipment and how to climb in and out of our kayaks. She and her assistants helped us adjust the foot pegs, and soon all the newbies were sitting in our kayaks, right there in the green grass. Michaela taught paddle techniques but told us to be careful while on dry land.

  And then it was time to overheat. I mean pull on our wet suits. It was clear none of us had worn one before, but we helped each other. I found myself partnered with Parker, and when I looked around, I saw there was one adult with one teenager, the earlier pairings suspended for this activity.

  “All right. Before we all get hot, we’re going to get wet. The lake is cold, and it’s a shock at first. A wet suit doesn’t keep you dry. That’s why it’s called a wet suit. But it’s going to feel good.”

  We moved our kayaks into the water and then helped each other climb into them while still in water not to our waists. Then we paddled gently into slightly deeper water, and we all practiced everything we’d been taught.

  It was fun.

  “All right,” Michaela called out. “You all have partners. Each of you is responsible for remaining with the other one. I want to see all of you side by side the rest of the day. I know some of you are hoping for races, but those have to wait a day or two. We’re going out for an easy paddle, and we’re not in a hurry.”

  She paused. “Who is getting hot?”

  I raised my hand, and she laughed.

  “Said the woman from New Orleans. The solution is simple.” She unzipped her wet suit and used the pump to add cold lake water. Soon, we all added a little cold water.

  “But remember to zip back up. If you tip over, you want that zip closed.”

  * * * *

  It was nice being out on the water, and so different from the bayous of Louisiana. I understood immediately why Michaela loved it, and equally understood why it had been difficult to leave.

  After the training exercises, Michaela gave us a casual tour of the waterfront. Parker and I stayed together, barely far enough apart to avoid banging paddles. I focused on paddling a straight, clean line and worked on making as little noise as I could while dipping the tip of my paddle into the water. Beside me, Parker was louder, but not unreasonably so, and I let her set her own priorities.

  Then we all collected, still inside the breakwater, and Michaela asked Elisabeth to lead us out and to the north.

  It was a beautiful, beautiful day, the wind moderate, but from the northwest, and so the shore was protected. The lake wasn’t smooth, but it was as good as.

  We paddled what I thought was about a mile before Michaela drew us all to a stop, floating a hundred yards from the rocky shore. “Zoe, how are you doing?”

  “I’m great, Michaela,” Zoe said. “I’ve already fended off two offers to tow me, so I know when I start to lag, I’ll have plenty of help.”

  “Deirdre,” Michaela said. “I don’t know your limits.”

  “I think when Zoe is ready for a little help, I might be, too,” Deirdre said. I thought that was unlikely, but while some of the people here knew her true nature, we were maintaining the fiction she was a human friend of Michaela’s.

  “How about the rest of you? Doing well? Comfortable? Everything riding well? Nothing should chaff or hurt, so if something is uncomfortable, we should adjust it.”

  We were all good, and soon we were moving again.

  “Parker, tell me about yourself.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “Start with the basics. How old are you?”

  “I’m 15,” she said.

  “You live in Madison?”

  “Yeah.”

  “With your family?”

  “My parents and brother,” she said. “My older sister got mated last year and has an apartment with her mate. It’s pretty cool. I stay overnight sometimes.”

  “Do you like her mate?”

  “He’s okay.”

  “And your brother? Is he older or younger?”

  “He’s oldest.”

>   “How old?”

  “24.”

  “And what does he do?”

  “This and that.” I didn’t care for that answer. That sounded like he got into trouble a lot. “Dad tells him he should apply himself.”

  “Does he have a job?”

  “They don’t last,” she said. She lowered her voice. “I don’t want to be like that. This summer is my chance.”

  “Your chance?”

  “To get out of the human school. The human kids are mean, but if I impress the alpha, she’ll let me into her program in the fall.” She glanced around. “Some of the kids are just here for the kayaking and stuff.”

  “Well, you have to admit, the kayaking is fun.”

  “Yeah,” she replied. “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but I know I don’t want to be a slacker. Ms. Redfur makes the kids work. But my dad worked on a house Scarlett helped design. She’s still in college, but she’s working for an architect, too, and she designs really cool stuff.”

  “And a part time enforcer,” I said. “She’s very busy.”

  “Yeah. That’s about as opposite from my brother as you can get,” Parker said. “I’m going to work hard. I’m lucky I got paired with Kimber. She’s cool.”

  “She seems cool,” I agreed. “And here you’re stuck with me for kayaking.”

  “Yeah, but you’re really cool. Cat.”

  I laughed.

  * * * *

  “Care for a run?”

  I looked up. I hadn’t even noticed Elisabeth in the doorway to my room.

  “I’m just looking to unwind before bed,” she added.

  “Give me a second,” I replied. I read the email I’d been working on, decided it was good, and sent it. “Can I ask you something before I shift?” I shoved my computer away and stood up, beginning to unbutton my shirt.

  “Sure.” She stepped in further and closed the door.

  “It’s no big deal. I was just wondering why the kids call Michaela Ms. Redfur instead of Ms. Burns. I thought she took Lara’s name.”

  “She did,” Elisabeth replied. “But she teaches as Ms. Redfur. She’s the only Ms. Redfur anyone knows, so that helps if Lara and I are around.”