Rebuilding the Wolf

by Erin R Flynn

  “Yeah, don’t we all,” I agreed, glancing over at the others. A knot formed in my stomach when I saw Brian ruffle Leo’s hair, giving him a look of love. “He’ll make a great dad someday. He was meant to be a dad.”

  “Sera,” Freddie gasped.

  I shook my head and went for the elevator, feeling horrible I’d tried to help and handle this and fucked it all up. Making a situation all about yourself was about the worst way to do that. Maybe I was too selfish already? Wasn’t making things all about them what selfish people did?

  Ashley was pacing by the elevator, giving me a worried look.

  I mustered a smile and kissed her hair as I walked by. “Sorry I messed it all up, honey. I wish I was the type of Alpha who could handle the personal and emotional stuff, but it seems I’m only useful in a fight.”

  “No one thinks that, Sera.”

  “I do. I always have,” I muttered and kept walking. I told the boys everything was fine when they asked, teasing them to stop chatting on the clock and to get to work.

  “Beep, beep,” Tommy said loudly as he pushed the cart with all the cleaning supplies for the hot tubs that were delivered along with the votive candles to set the mood.

  “Jared, get plastic bags from the kitchen, and everyone grab more roses. We can leave bags of petals as an option.”

  “On it,” he promised, heading that way as we loaded up.

  “What are we thinking for lunch?” I asked when there was still tension as we rode up to the third floor.

  “Something light so I’m not bloated if I get a last minute call for a date tonight,” Cory said, his tone completely serious. They were so damn adorable.

  “Never accept a date last minute,” I argued. “One of the articles said it showed you don’t value your own time and then they won’t. Or you’re too easy. Personally, I don’t like any of those games, but well, I guess that’s how it goes at first.”

  “Besides, you have a date with us tonight,” Ben grumbled. “No blowing us off for dates. Not cool.”

  “Fine, but I’m eating my weight in chips and whatever else then,” Cory shot right back.

  “You’re doing the shooting game tournament?” I checked, smiling when they excitedly told me about it and the plans, the huge event that was way beyond them they were trying for.

  The way Simone had worked the hot tubs with the designer and installers was extremely smart. There was one large tank they all connected to that filtered, cleaned, and put in the right stuff for new water. It could hold enough for half of the huge pool with the bar there or most of the room tubs, which meant there was always fresh water ready to go. The private tubs were drained after each use and a cleaning cycle run after they were refilled.

  The big one was done every morning because it took a while and no one was staying after the club closed to handle that. But the system cut down our water bill, as we weren’t pulling in new water all the time, just half the big pool once a day. Saturdays was full cleaning day, which was seriously overkill compared to most pools, spas, or places that had hot tubs.

  Yeah, but they weren’t just for a soak after a massage, as we all knew people were having lots of sex in there. Hell, I did all the fucking time. We liked the idea of it being luxurious and done right.

  And it was something perfect for the boys to do to help, as they couldn’t just have normal after school or weekend jobs. Nina paid them for their fur, but this was something nice they could get extra spending money for, as we didn’t do allowances for chores.

  They got fed for doing those. There was no way I was going to let them become spoiled, and they took pitching in seriously, so apparently it worked.

  Tommy held up his hands that now had the pool cleaning mitts on and made circles in the air. “‘It rubs the lotion on it’s skin or else it gets the hose.’”

  “Why would you make a Silence of the Lambs joke instead of Karate Kid?” I asked, shaking my head at him. “It’s ‘wax on, wax off,’ you goof.”

  Alvin squirted the cleaning stuff on the mitts and gently pushed him towards the pool. “Get your butt in gear. We’ve got a ton extra to do once we get through this.”

  “I am bunny fast,” Tommy promised, smiling brightly before hurrying down the stairs into the empty pool.

  “Are you having a hopping good time?” I asked, smiling when they groaned at the pun. “My work here is done.”

  “I’ve got the filters,” Leo said from behind me, letting us know he joined us. “And Simone said she loves you and your ideas and offering petals for them to use is genius.”

  “Yay me then.” I swallowed a flinch when Brian plopped down next to me. “Thanks for the save.”

  “It was more an assist than a save,” he argued, reaching over and picking up a bouquet of roses. “You tend to tag out when you even think you might let your personal feelings get in the way. Way before most people would. It’s not a weakness but a strength, Sera. You’re so dedicated to being fair, you have the courage to say when you need the sub whereas most of us aren’t secure enough to admit it.”

  “I couldn’t even stop to ask for directions,” Virg said as he sat on the other side of me. “Thank fuck for GPS and it’s accurate now, not like when it first came out and was a complete shot in the dark sometimes.”

  “So where did everything land at?”

  “Them being friends is fine, certainly hanging out at pack stuff or like when they see each other here,” Brian answered. “But they’re not okay with her dating anyone yet until her wolf is a bit better under control or she knows the guy better. Ashley said that’s fine, but she’s talking to him on the phone if she wants, and she’s keeping the almonds because she wanted to accept them from him when she turned down other boys at school.”

  “Go Ashley,” I chuckled. “I had a moment of wanting to really freak them out and remind them that at her age I was emancipated and living in the dorms at college.”

  “I think they both might faint at the idea,” Virg drawled. “It’s rough being out sometimes. I mean, everything was a secret when I was her age. Yeah, that secret was hard to keep and we were always scared we’d be the one to fuck up and screw everyone, but this being out is even scarier. And with social media, people are terrified it’s going to be their kid on YouTube shifting in a public place or doing something to make us look bad.”

  “Oh no, that was me the end of last year,” I grumbled. “Luckily the idiot actually contacted me demanding a payoff to not post the video when I shifted in that restaurant. How did he think that would seriously go with someone from the FBI?”

  “What happened?” Virg asked as he started helping tear up the roses.

  “We brought him in and then I ended up taking him to Brian’s office because the guy was twenty and just a kid and got hysterical we were going to eat him. He was acting like we brought him in to cover up his finding out about aliens. He wasn’t hearing us that he was in trouble for trying to blackmail a federal agent.”

  “She brings in this kid who looks about Tommy’s age that’s bawling his eyes out and begging we at least tell his parents he didn’t run away before she eats him, and my whole office just stares at her like what the fuck? It was great.”

  “You missed the part where he kept puking his guts out he was so wound up.” I did smile when they laughed, glad at least the kid hadn’t done it in any of our vehicles.

  “So you know those onesies that are mops they put on babies and then let them dust the floor while they crawl around?” Ben said to the others, holding up two of the gloves. “What if we shifted into bunnies and did that? Put this stuff on our fur and like slide all around? Oh, you guys can toss us across and get some good glide time or whatever.”

  “Yeah, they’re total monsters any parent should worry about their kids hanging out with,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head before raising my voice. “No, no chemicals on bunnies and their fur. Even if we heal from a lot, even if the stuff we use is like ultra safe, that cannot be good fo
r your skin.”

  “What if we wore the onesies or made ones in our size and like spun each other around like ice dancers?” Tommy tried next, smiling brightly. “Hagan or Reagan could hold our legs and just use us like a big mitt or mop.”

  “Oh good lord, they are the biggest goofballs ever,” Brian snickered, looking like he was two seconds away from losing it.

  “That’s actually not a bad idea,” I admitted, knowing I had to be the adult though. “I would worry someone would flip and then their face landed in cleaning stuff. How about we do it as we have been and maybe once you’re super awesome at it, we think about cleaning booties so you can ice skate around.”

  “That does sound better,” Tommy agreed after a moment. “If we were all slippery, we could accidently hurt Hagan and Reagan.”

  “How would we get hurt?” Hagan asked from behind us.

  I glanced over my shoulder, swallowing what I was feeling when I saw Jessica and Freddie. I told the twins what we were talking about, sort of wanting to stick out my tongue at Jessica at how not monsters the boys were.

  “Oh shit, that’s funny,” Hagan chuckled. “That’s like Ben wanting to dress as Edward Scissorhands for Halloween and run around the greenhouses laughing like a loon that he was going to trim until he dropped.”

  “Or Leo admitting he was uncomfortable driving the riding lawn mower until he got his actual driver’s license,” Reagan added.

  “Or Tommy offering to do recon missions for my office if I was ever in a tight spot,” Brian threw in. “He heard me say that I was a bit jealous you had a frog to place bugs and he said bunnies were just as inconspicuous and could get into lots of tight squeezes if I wanted.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I chuckled. “And yes, you’ve said numerous times you want to borrow Agent Barns for recon. He said he doesn’t mind as long as you guys stop giving him places it would take him a fucking week to hop all the way to and around. At least drive him in on a toy car or something. Frogs aren’t made to go across huge places.”

  “Cory said he’d learn how to fly drones and could drop off any of the others for me,” Brian drawled. “Yes, because a bunny strapped to a drone won’t draw anyone’s attention.”

  “It’s sweet they want to help as they do,” Jessica said as she sat down with us. I had to give it to her that she did and even talking to Leo because I would have hid. I would totally have hid and not been able to just move right along and make nice.

  But sharing a look with her later, I realized it wasn’t just that. I was her friend, not only her Alpha, and she was upset she’d hurt me. It took me a bit, but by the time the boys finished cleaning the big pool, I was pretty much over it, knowing she wasn’t a bad person but shit happened.

  “Barnes could ride one of them over to a building as a drop off,” I offered, bursting out laughing at the visual of the frog shifter riding one of the rabbits like a horse. “Oh fuck, my life is so weird most days.”

  We all had a good laugh at that, the boys asking us what was so funny when they finished up, but we didn’t tell them… It would be like saying we were fine with crazy ideas.

  They moved on to the private hot tubs as the big one refilled, as several of the day workers the club had cleaned out the slushy machines. It had to be done twice a week, and since Simone had come up with some romantic drinks for tonight, the flavors needed to be changed. That was all great, but what they were talking about bothered me.

  I pulled out my phone and sent a text, excusing myself from everyone else when I got the response I wanted. I gave a few orders where it all went to before I hurried up to the roof, coming out of the door as Vlad landed.

  “‘Can you meet me on the roof of the club to talk?’” he muttered, giving me a bored look as he brushed off his suit. “I do not normally fly over on any whim, but you rarely reach out to me—”

  “I know your time is valuable, Vlad. You don’t have to act all bluster and grumble I summoned you or whatever. Just cut the shit, okay? I’m trying here.” I waited until he gave a slight nod, shocked at my tone though he hid it well. “You gotta get a grip, Vlad.” I held up my hand to silence him when he opened his mouth and rage filled his eyes. “People of my pack are talking about you and Tristan having some blow up.

  “That there’s some rift and he was like your favorite, so wow, do you not care about your people then. I know that’s not how you feel, but where do you think my wolves got that from? Your coven? This has to stop, and I’m not saying this because it’s Tristan. This is bad for Chicago and all of—”

  “And an in for your Carter to take over, yes?” he seethed. “More to put under your umbrella as they have you under them anytime they want with—”

  I punched him so hard I heard something in my hand break. “Get your fucking shit together, Vlad. I’ve heard all kinds of stories and crap about you. I don’t ever throw it in your face. That’s your business, and I wouldn’t ever throw that in your face.”

  He spit out some blood before slowly looking at me. “And yet you call me here to get all in my business, Seraphine.”

  “God, you egotistical child. Not everything is about you! If what’s going on is reaching my ears through my pack and I’m oblivious to gossip, who the fuck else do you think knows? Other master vampires? People who could take the coven from you? People who aren’t as good for Chicago, and that could be bad for my pack. I’m telling you one leader to another, not as your mom.”

  He opened his mouth but then closed it, crossing his arms over his chest. “There was an argument. Unfortunately it was very public and we both lost our tempers. Things were said by both parties that should not have been.”

  “Because it was Tristan,” I guessed, huffing when he didn’t deny it. “You can’t seem to move past what happened, and he’s getting caught in the middle too often. Fine, we remove him from this destructive pattern.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “What would it take for you to give me Tristan? Let him become part of my coven?”

  “You love him that much still that you—”

  “I haven’t spoken to him in weeks,” I argued, shaking my head as I paced. “Vlad, he and I are over. I don’t know if anything will ever happen there, but I’m not a fan of him getting tossed around like a kid after the parents divorced or whatever analogy works here.” I shot him a nasty look. “And he’s been incredibly loyal to you. He deserves better. This keeps making you look weak, Vlad. So let’s fix this.”

  “He is part of a much larger problem,” he snapped. “And I do not wish for you to have any more vampires, Seraphine. This threat looming—”

  “Vlad, Carter doesn’t want your coven, okay? I am saying this as plainly as possible. He doesn’t want it. He wants his freedom and to have fun and fine, we’re getting somewhere on this vamp SWAT idea so he can go hunt all over. Please, you gotta hear me this time.” I studied him closely and saw it was more than the threat. “You need a break, Vlad. You keep spiraling, and it’s getting worse each time.”

  “Yes, thank you for such astoundingly naive leadership advice when you are but a child and—”

  “I’m also FBI, asshole. I’ve seen the signs of burnout more times than I can count. There is a reason jobs require vacations to be taken. People need the break. I know I sound like a hypocrite, but I’m not all Alpha all the time. You are for your coven.” I went to say more, but I blinked and Vlad was air born and then slid across the roof, Carter standing over him, fangs out and hissing.

  “I warned you that I would smash in your face each time you spoke ill of our mistress,” Carter growled, staring down at Vlad with hate. “She is right that I do not want your coven, but understand I would take it and your life just so she never had to endure another insult of yours that hurts her so, as she thought you her friend once.”

  Vlad nodded, sitting up and moving his arms to his knees, letting his head hang down. “I don’t mean to say it. I get so angry, so upset that I did what I did to protect my people and they have all sided with you. Th
ey all love you, and I am the villain.”

  “That is what you need to fix, not hurt her more each time you see her,” he snapped and then came over to me. “I apologize for my rudeness, Mistress. I felt him arrive and then caught what he said and my feet moved on their own. This was supposed to be your happy spoiled day, and I want that for you.”

  “I did punch him too,” I chuckled, pulling his head down and licking his fangs in the way that set him on fire. “What do you suggest he do to help the situation?” I smiled when he shot me a look saying he didn’t give a flying fuck if Vlad’s people liked him. “He’s not all bad. He’s progressive and has a lot of good PR already in Chicago. He’s done a lot for Chicago. Please help me fix this.”

  “Will you reward me?”

  I leaned in and licked his fang again, smirking when he moaned. “I have a gift already planned tonight, and I would be inclined to invite you if this gets taken off my plate.”

  “Trade him Tristan for some goodwill move to show unity, stop this talk of the divide and rift between you,” he suggested. He moved behind me, wrapping his arms around me as I was pretty sure he gave Vlad warning looks to choose his next words wisely. I let him, happy for the backup.

  “I am not sure that is worth a trusted vampire, certainly not one that makes our coven so much income.”

  “I didn’t make Tristan quit before,” I reminded him, flinching at what I saw in his eyes as he stood. “That was because he wanted to work there before, and you think it’s changed.”

  “Yes.”

  That word hung in the air, and I nodded, not pushing it. Carter’s hands moved somewhere fun, and I chuckled. “Rub my shoulders and help the blood to my brain instead of my ass where I get distracted.”

  “Yes, Mistress,” he murmured in my ear, licking the shell of it.

  Brat.

  But I also didn’t stop him because it felt good. Really good.