A London Werewolf in America

by A London Werewolf in America (lit)

  She tapped the air over the image. No way would she touch it directly. “Is that Roderick’s mother?”

  Letty’s sniff spoke volumes. “Bernadette Chase,” she confirmed. “My younger sister. She’s a bit of a…”

  “Bitch?”

  “That’s not an insult to us, dear. Let’s call her headstrong. Necessary when you’re in charge of a pack as large as the Chases.” She leaned close to Darinda’s ear for a conspiratorial murmur. “Regardless of what you might hear elsewhere, she didn’t kill her mate. That’s him right here.” She indicated the hefty gray wolf lying at Bernadette’s feet. “Leopold Chase. Hit by a bus, poor dear. He was so much older than my sister, and went a bit dotty. Started chasing cars.”

  “Who’s this one here?”

  “That’s Tamra, Roddy’s older sister. Just like her mother, more’s the pity. The Chases have always been competitive, some more so than others. Perhaps it’s for the best Roddy’s out of it here in America.”

  Yeah, Darinda thought, that was one way to look at it. As she stared at the photo, her imagination saw it move, saw young Roderick and Tamra try to jostle each other aside even as the camera snapped. Jockeying for position, for rank, in a family photo. Bernadette would have moved first, placed herself at the forefront with her mate safely submissive at her feet. Every other wolf in the picture, she noted, was lined up behind Bernadette.

  One other thing she noted: both Roderick and Tamra had their mother’s eyes.

  “That’s quite a spread,” she remarked. “Where was this taken?”

  “That’s Chase Manor, dear. North of London. The Chases are a wealthy pack and have been for decades. They started with real estate, but lately Detty’s branched them into other areas. If there’s one thing a wolf knows how to manage, it’s territory.”

  Territory and a lot of money could count as two good reasons for murder among any number of species. Darinda nodded and bid Aunt Letty continue.

  The litany was brief. Roderick’s next-youngest sibling, a brother named Darryl, had succumbed to ringworm in his teens. The slim gray wolf rolling in the grass with three puppies was Roderick’s younger sister, Diane. At the end of the queue came Orrin, a pinched-faced twelve-year-old in a rumpled suit. Darinda recognized his hunched posture and miserable expression. She’d seen it the previous night on Cole Duquesne. Orrin Chase, the family omega. He’d hidden himself behind some cousins and didn’t look directly at the camera.

  A bit more scrutiny turned up the Meadows clan, or at least Letty’s mate and Charlie. The rest of the pups were in wolf form. Letty pointed out a number of European Duquesnes. “We haven’t seen so much of them lately,” Letty said. “Ellis’s family, I mean. I’m glad they want this marriage. It will tie the packs together. Give us strength.”

  “I don’t see you in this.”

  “Why, I’m right in front of you. Right here.” Aunt Letty pointed to a silver she-wolf lolling in the grass near the Meadows pups. “I had to stay wolf a lot in those days. Eugene and Lorraine were always running off, the scamps.”

  “You’re very lovely as a wolf.”

  “Thank you, dear. I don’t change so much any more. Older bodies don’t take the shift very well. And we…”

  Her hands started to tremble. Darinda caught the album before it could slip off her lap and returned it, open, to the coffee table. When her tentative touch wasn’t met with a snarl she put her arm around Letty’s shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re lovely in this form, too, and you’ve got a lovely family.”

  “It isn’t all right. Not always. Not for us. I was very lucky. When my George passed on, Charles just naturally took over. There was no fight for succession. He looks after me. He let me stay here in my home and never challenged me. But then, Charles always was an odd sort. A police officer. Can you imagine?” She snorted out a little laugh. “Very few wolves reach my years. Alphas, never. I’m so afraid, dear. Afraid for Roddy. He’s such an innocent pup.”

  Not so innocent, Darinda thought. Not with a mother like that. He’d survived this long in a wolf pack, he knew what the score was.

  So did Bernadette. Ship the threat off to America, tie him to another pack in another country. Maybe that was good enough for her. Was it good enough for Tamra? Maybe getting her brother out of sight, out of mind was only the beginning.

  So how did the coyotes fit in?

  “We’ll figure this out,” she assured Letty. “We’ve got a couple of leads. You’ll be bouncing Roderick’s puppies on your lap in no time.”

  “That would be nice.” Aunt Letty wiped her eyes. “Even if they are half French.”

  Roderick picked that moment to stick his snout in. Spotting his aunt in emotional distress, he bounded to her side. He laid his huge paw on her thigh and licked her cheek. The look he speared at Darinda bordered on a threat.

  “Don’t growl at her, Roddy. She hasn’t done a thing beyond listen to an old bitch ramble on.” Aunt Letty patted Roderick’s head. “She’s a good girl, and you’re a good boy.”

  Roderick shifted abruptly. Thank Hecate he was kneeling. “Don’t call me that, for Lycaon’s sake.”

  “This old bitch will call you whatever she wants to. What would you like for lunch?”

  “Something I can rip apart. I’m in a ripping mood.”

  “I’ll see what I can scrounge up.”

  The phone in the kitchen rang. Roderick stood. Darinda hurriedly looked away. “I’ll get it.”

  “You will not.” Aunt Letty got up and brushed past him, abandoning Darinda to the sofa and Roderick. They heard her pick up the phone and speak Charlie’s name, then her voice dropped below overhearing level.

  Darinda sat with her hand shielding both her eyes and her reddened cheeks. “I wish you’d stop doing that.”

  “I wish you weren’t so prudish.” The creep, he knew exactly what she meant. “If it bothers you so much, don’t look at it.”

  “I’m not looking.”

  He snickered. He remained planted in her personal space and showed no inclination to move. “No, of course you’re not. Want to know what your odor says?”

  “Get bent.”

  “You know, we could just pop upstairs and settle all this right now, if you’re game.”

  “Not while you’re engaged to someone else, I can’t.”

  “And if I weren’t?”

  “Not then, either.”

  “No wonder you’re so jittery. All that pent-up energy.”

  “See that wall over there? Would you like me to throw you into it?”

  “Are all witches lacking in humor, or did I just get lucky?” He put his hand on her upper back and tipped her forward. Before she could protest this manhandling he pulled the afghan out from behind her and let her go. He took his sweet time knotting it around his middle. She wanted to scream. “There. Your delicate sensibilities are safe.”

  Never again, Darinda decided then and there. Never again would she work for a werewolf. “You’re an arrogant bastard.”

  “Granted.”

  “And you have grass in your hair.”

  “I was rolling on the lawn. No fresh scent or scat in the yard. Our watchers may have abandoned us, now that they know we’re on to them.”

  “They’re liable to try something else.”

  “Which is why I need you at my side. I’d hoped you could accustom yourself to life among weres. We can’t shift in our clothes. It gets pricy.”

  “You don’t have to keep waving your—your cultural differences in my face, either. I know you’re doing it deliberately.”

  “Stop showing such an interest and I won’t.”

  “I told you, I’m not interested.”

  “Your scent’s immensely interested.”

  “Screw my scent.” She shot to her feet and glared into his eyes. “I’m not some bunny you can chase after. I’m a witch. We bite back.”

  He bared his teeth. “I’m counting on it.”

  “That’s it.” He was going right into t
he wall, client or no client. Before she could summon her air spell they both heard the click of Aunt Letty hanging up the phone. Roderick smoothly glided to one side. When Letty returned to the parlor he had put three feet between them and appeared the model of propriety.

  As long as one didn’t look at the afghan. Darinda was dead certain that wasn’t a fold.

  “That was Charles, Roddy,” Aunt Letty announced. “He’s set up a little party for you and your cousins. A decent place, near City Hall. I hope there’s no trouble this time.”

  “There won’t be,” Roderick said “Darinda’s coming with me.” He beamed at her. Darinda forced a smile.

  “Oh, that’s a relief. I’m so sorry about the other night. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about Philadelphia.”

  “It’s an interesting city,” he agreed mildly, still beaming at Darinda. “I’m getting all sorts of ideas.”

  “I hope some of them include your mate-to-be,” Aunt Letty said primly. Roderick promptly deflated. Darinda caught Letty’s eye. The old she-wolf winked. “Now go get dressed while I fix you two some lunch. Your dinner’s not until seven-thirty and I know you won’t last that long. And please do comb the grass out of your hair before you come to the table.” She swept into her kitchen like a queen.

  Roderick didn’t even try to smother his growl. “I hate it when the shes gang up,” he complained.

  “Yeah,” Darinda said with a chuckle and no sympathy. “Life’s a definite bitch.”

  Chapter 9

  Darinda took special care with her preparations for the evening. She used the strong soap she’d picked up at Set A Spell this morning and a careful application of perfume. She wanted the wolves unable to read her without coming across as insulting. Because this was a casual dinner, she opted for slacks and a sweater, both just a bit on the baggy side. She didn’t want Roderick getting any more of his “ideas.”

  Honestly, what was he thinking? That he could fit in one last quickie before his upcoming wedding? With her? “It won’t work,” she confidently told her reflection as she brushed and arranged her hair. “He’s a wolf and I’m a witch. Witches don’t need men to make them feel like they’re somebody. We walk alone and we like it.”

  She frowned. Was that just a hint of doubt in her reflected eyes? No, she decided, couldn’t be. Roderick did more than flirt with her. He flirted with being an oath-breaker, and she wouldn’t be a party to that. “I can’t,” she muttered. “It goes against everything witches believe in. I can’t.”

  She flung the brush down on the dresser and turned away from the mirror just as a firm knock sounded on her door and Roderick’s voice sounded from the hall. “Charlie will be here directly. Are you decent?”

  “Are you?”

  The door swung open. Roderick stepped in like he owned the place. Even in borrowed slacks, shirt and sport coat he looked good enough to make a woman’s mouth water. Darinda’s heart did a back flip she couldn’t prevent. “I’m dressed,” he said. “Best I can do.” He shut the door. “Can you get what we need?”

  “Maybe.” She found it easier to watch him in the mirror than to look at him directly. “If any one of them is thinking, ‘I want that sucker dead,’ then yes, we’re good. Otherwise it could be tricky.”

  “You had no trouble with the Duquesnes.”

  “That was an aura scan. That only gives me surface impressions. For anything deeper or more detailed, I need to touch the subject. The Duquesnes were pretty open in their feelings, but one of them still could be hiding something. Albert’s the only one I’m absolutely certain about.”

  “How long to do you need to touch them?”

  “That depends on how much info you want. The longer the touch, the more I get. These are weres and we don’t know each other. Any longer than a couple of seconds and they’re going to get bitey.”

  “Will that be enough?”

  She bit off a sigh. There was just no arguing with a wolf with his paws dug in. “I’ll try a scan first, then go for a touch. We don’t want them to know the real reason I’m with you, and I don’t want to lose any fingers. I’ll do the best I can, but don’t get your hopes up.”

  In the second it took her to turn around he crossed the room. His hands closed on her shoulders. She shuddered at the sheer power of him and the blast of utter faith in her that came with it. “This is my family,” he all but hissed. “I need to know beyond all doubt. Do what you have to. You won’t come to harm. I won’t allow it.”

  He released her, and she swayed. The bed and the dresser invited her to sit or lean, respectively, and gather her shaken senses. She summoned her will and stayed on her feet. Witches might walk alone, but no one ever said it was easy.

  Concerned, Roderick reached for her again. She shied away. “Don’t,” she said in a breathy voice not at all like her. “Didn’t I just tell you what touching others does to me?”

  It was a lame excuse, but he bought it. He reluctantly withdrew his hand. “Sex must be hell for your kind,” he said bluntly. “How do you make little witches?”

  “We manage.” There, she had herself under control again, or just about. Good enough to fling a warning shot. “Afterwards we bite the male’s head off. Like spiders.”

  “No you don’t.” But he looked doubtful. Darinda only grinned.

  “Roddy!” Aunt Letty called from downstairs. “Charles is here.”

  “Thank Lycaon,” Roderick muttered. He started to offer Darinda his arm, obviously thought better of it, and simply left the room, expecting her to follow. Darinda hefted her shoulder bag and trailed him down the stairs.

  Charlie drove a white Crown Victoria, which Darinda strongly suspected was a former police cruiser. He didn’t seem at all surprised to see her with Roderick on what should be a family outing. Perhaps he’d deduced why Roderick had really hired her. If so, he said and radiated nothing untoward. He greeted her politely and opened the rear door for her. She thanked him and got in. Roderick eschewed the front passenger seat and climbed in beside Darinda, which earned him raised eyebrows from Charlie. Again, he said nothing. He went to the house briefly to speak with his mother and give her a lick on the cheek before he got in behind the wheel.

  “Police escort,” Roderick said as they maneuvered down the drive. “Should I feel honored or insulted?”

  “I’d be on guard if I were you. I talked to Big Alex’s betas. Nobody knows zip about any coyote uprising. As far as Alfie goes, he’s never turned up on anyone’s radar, either Big Alex’s or the department’s. Not even a citation for jaywalking.”

  “Has your family had trouble with coyotes before?” Darinda asked.

  “Never. I’ve never even arrested one. They’re too slick, too good at keeping their heads down. Why they’re after you, Rod, I have no idea. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “Perhaps they fear another British invasion. Where are we going?”

  He took the change of subject easily enough. “The Rib Shack. It’s were-run. Not many humans, no vampires. Eugene kicked up a fuss, but bite him. You should be safe enough.”

  More meat. Darinda sank back on the seat. At this rate she’d waste away to a stick before they found Roderick’s enemy.

  Charlie’s littermates met them on the sidewalk just outside the restaurant. The whole bunch exchanged greetings, lots of rough slaps and hugs. Darinda was accorded cool nods from the girls and a big-toothed leer from Eugene. Then they went inside, in order. Charlie entered first, with Roderick at his side, followed by Eugene, Lucy and Emma. Darinda, the outsider, was left to bring up the rear.

  Just inside the door, however, Roderick captured her arm. “Hang rank,” he murmured. “You’re with me.” None of the others said anything. Properly submissive, at least on the outside, Darinda played along.

  Eugene briefly showed teeth at the table when Roderick insisted Darinda be seated beside him. A snarl from him and a whurff from Charlie silenced all argument. The pack seated themselves, again in rank order, with Charl
ie and Roderick first and the others circled around them. Darinda found herself beside the youngest, low-ranked Emma. Or maybe it wasn’t just about rank; the teen had heaped a strong cologne on top of a strong deodorant. A slap in the nose to her family? Who was she trying to insult, Darinda wondered. Or what was it she wanted to hide?

  A waiter brought menus. Praise Hecate, they served a selection of salads. Darinda ordered a garden salad and water, and earned more cold, arch looks and wrinkled noses. Go ahead and sneer, she thought. If one of you is a killer, I’m going to bring you down.

  The wolves chatted among themselves, tacitly ignoring Darinda, which left her free to observe, and scan. For an alpha Charlie was remarkably easy-going, not at all threatened by Roderick’s presence. But then, Roderick showed no interest in his territory or pack, so Charlie could afford to be affable. She’d already dropped him as a suspect, and so concentrated on the others.

  Lucy gave off a warm, rosy glow, at odds with her cool exterior. She’d nabbed the seat beside Charlie, putting her one up on Eugene. Eugene’s aura stuttered an annoying yellow-orange. An excitable boy, or a nervous one. Chafing at the leash, perhaps? Maybe cousin Roderick represented one alpha more than Eugene could tolerate. She’d have to contrive some excuse to touch him.

  She might have to touch Emma, too. The youngest Meadows’s aura pulsed yellow with fear, and her movements were edgy and quick. Could she be hiding something? A plot against the pack, perhaps? Hard to believe from a sixteen-year-old girl.

  No, a sixteen-year-old she-wolf, Darinda corrected herself. It probably wasn’t any fun for her living at the bottom of the heap, any more than it must be for Orrin Chase and Cole Duquesne. Predatory ambitions and adolescent hormones made for a volatile combination as well as a potentially deadly one.