Fox Run

by Robin Roseau

  "Damn it!" I said. "Alpha, call them back, right now."

  She didn't even ask why, trusting my judgment. She immediately offered a wolf howl. They either didn't hear it or chose to ignore it, because they kept paddling furiously.

  "Fuck," I said.

  The wind was out of the west. It wasn't much of a wind, and we were well sheltered by the shoreline. But they were about to be far more exposed, and the swells from the greater part of the lake curve around the headlands. We were going from basically calm water into water far too rough for a little kayak.

  I dug my paddle in. When we reached Elisabeth and June, I told them, "Keep up, let me lead." Soon the four of us were chasing after the men. Lara offered another wolf call, but neither of them faltered.

  They were a half a mile ahead of us when I saw Rory raise his paddle, perhaps having won whatever race they had set. But I could tell they were starting to encounter the heavier chop.

  Rory got into trouble first. He started to turn his kayak around and was broadside to the waves when he flipped.

  "David will be next," I said. We were still too far away for him to hear my yells.

  I watched David try to help Rory. Instead, he went over. I saw one head appear, bobbing in the water, then another.

  "Lara, I need you to listen to me," I told her.

  "Those are my people, little fox," she said, panting.

  "And I don't want to rescue five of you," I told her. "That's too many for me."

  I glanced over and she nodded.

  "You'll stop short, where it's calm. You and June. Elisabeth and I will do the rescue." I turned to Elisabeth. "Are you good enough?"

  "No."

  "All right. I'll drag them to you. Stop where you'll be safe." She nodded.

  Lara and June stopped where I told them to. Elisabeth followed me another two hundred yards, and the chop started. "Michaela," she said.

  "I know. Wait here. It'll be fine."

  I paddled ahead, coming to a stop thirty yards from the overturned kayaks. The men had tried valiantly to right them and climb in, but they kept flipping them over.

  "Conserve your strength," I hollered at them.

  "Stay back, little fox," David yelled back.

  I paddled slightly closer. "How are you two doing?"

  "C-c-cold," said Rory.

  "David," I said. "Flip one boat over and pump it out. Rory, hang onto the other boat. Neither of you come near me."

  While David pumped a boat out, I dug through my fishing supplies. Once David had finish pumping, I said, "It's too rough here to get you back in. I'm going to tow a boat to Elisabeth, then I'll come back for Rory. Then David, then the last boat. All right?" I gave David a piece of rope. "Tie the front of that boat to the back of mine, I told him. Then hang out with Rory. Be across the boat from each other and hang onto each other. If you can, pump that boat out."

  He nodded, and a minute later, I was paddling for Elisabeth as fast as I could.

  "How are they doing?" she asked.

  "Rory is in trouble. David will be soon, too."

  "I could come help."

  "Stay here."

  She untied the boat I'd brought her, and I went back for Rory. They had drifted further out into the lake, and the chop was getting worse. But David had gotten the boat pumped out. I stopped twenty yards away. "How are you doing, Rory?"

  He didn't answer.

  "David, can you pull him across that boat?"

  "Yes."

  I paddled to the front and steadied the boat. "Do it."

  David, using brute wolf strength, got Rory pulled across the boat. "Come tie it," I told him. He moved to the front of the boat. I maneuvered, and he managed to tie the two boats together.

  "All right. Move to the back of that boat. Keep it from tipping over, but hang on and make yourself as small of a drag as you can."

  "Little fox, you'll never be able to pull us that way."

  "Don't argue with me, David."

  He nodded, and I watched over my shoulder as he moved to the back of his boat and grabbed onto the stern, his hands wrapping around from either side. He went under water in the swells, but he hung on. I began to paddle for Elisabeth.

  It was hard. Very hard. I was paddling my boat, David's boat, one very large wolf across the boat, and one equally large wolf acting like a large anchor. But I made progress. "Talk to me, David," I yelled.

  "I'm here," he said. "Hurry, little fox."

  I finally arrived at Elisabeth, and I was done in. I pulled Rory next to her. "How is he?"

  "Breathing," she said. "He's not shivering."

  "Shit. All right, we need to get David out of the water."

  "I won't be able to pull myself out," David said. His teeth were chattering.

  "Elisabeth will have to do it. Elisabeth, raft up with the first kayak. I'll David off on the other side then raft up here with you. You just have to pull him across both kayaks without tipping over."

  "No problem," she said.

  So that's what we did. I towed David around, and he dropped off as needed. We all rafted up. Elisabeth leaned for David's hands while I held her boat as steady as I could.

  "Pull, now," I said, and Elisabeth pulled David smoothly out of the water until he was draped across both boats. He lay there panting.

  I looked at him.

  It took time and care, but we got him into his boat. He insisted he could paddle. I was still dragging Rory on his kayak, and I was done in, but we moved slowly towards Lara and June.

  Rory started to stir, and I was afraid he'd tip over again. "Calm him down, David." Five minutes later, we pulled up to Lara. Rory was awake but lay still across his kayak.

  With help, we got everyone settled. Rory climbed back into his kayak properly but was done in. David was, too. I slumped in my kayak.

  "Well done, little fox," Lara said to me.

  "You have a discipline problem to address, Alpha," I told her.

  She nodded and maneuvered her boat between David and Rory. "You two, come here," she said. They paddled slowly to her. I watched as she set her paddle down, then she reached out a hand in each direction and grabbed a throat, catching them each by surprise. "When Michaela tells you to do something," she said through gritted teeth. "You damned well better do it. And when I howl at you, you damned well better listen. Do I make myself clear?"

  Eyes bulging, they both nodded, and she released them.

  Then she patted their cheeks gently. "Please don't scare me like that again."

  "No, Alpha," David said. "One near drowning was enough for me."

  "You wouldn't have drown," I said. "Just died of hypothermia. And if you had tipped me over, I wouldn't have lasted as long as either of you."

  "You risked your own lives, and you risked Michaela's. And if she had gone over, Elisabeth would have been out to help, and you know I wouldn't have held back. This could have been a disaster."

  "Yes, Alpha," David said again. Rory simply nodded.

  Lara looked at me, and I nodded. Lessons learned. "Lets go home. Who wants a race?"

  The chuckles were weak. No one took me up on it.

  I was ready to ask Lara to tow me long before we got back to Bayfield, but we arrived safe and sound with everyone in good spirits. We returned the equipment and walked up the hill to my house, June and Lara carrying my kayak for me.

  Elisabeth sidled up to me. "Are you as done in as you look?"

  "Yes."

  "That was an amazing rescue."

  I shrugged. "I just did what I needed to do."

  "What's what you always do, isn't it?"

  "I guess so."

  She tapped her fist very gently against my shoulder. "You're all right, for a fox. Can I ask you something?"

  "Isn't asking me if you can ask me something, asking me something?"

  "I suppose it is. Are you still afraid of us?"

  I thought about it before answering. "Of the five of you? Actually, no. But I don't know if I could ever be comfor
table in a room full of wolves. I also know how I'd respond if tempers were to rise, even if I weren't the target."

  "None of us would ever hurt you," Elisabeth said.

  "I'd prove you wrong, but I'm not sure I'd survive long enough to collect on the bet."

  "And Lara would have to kill whoever you used for demonstration," Elisabeth added. "But that would be you intentionally making someone angry, wouldn't it?"

  "What do you suppose will happen the day David thinks he needs to give me an order?" I asked.

  "You'll do it," Elisabeth said.

  I actually laughed at that. "Right. I guess you haven't known me long enough yet."

  We arrived at my house and clustered together on my deck in back. I sighed and then offered the shower to anyone who wanted one. "But not one of you better go furry inside or I will find a way to pay you back."

  A few eyes glinted, perhaps taking on the challenge, but Lara said, "We're guests. Behave."

  There was a chorus of, "Yes, Alpha."

  "My hot water heater won't last if you all take long showers," I said.

  "Vixen first then," Lara said.

  I smiled. "No, thank you. I'll take one later after you leave."

  Her expression fell.

  "Will you be inviting me somewhere next weekend, Lara?"

  "If it's flying weather," she said, smiling at me.

  Then Elisabeth whispered into Lara's ear. She didn't realize how good my earing was. "The fox is done in, Alpha." Lara nodded.

  "Michaela, why don't you sit?" Lara directed. "June can have first shower. Elisabeth, will you go to the store for supplies? If Michaela will loan you a vehicle."

  "Of course." I tossed her the keys. "Do you know where the store is?"

  She nodded.

  "May I go, too?" Rory asked. "To get beer?"

  Lara looked at me. Two wolves in my car. And they were still damp besides. Two wet wolves. "Elisabeth can get the beer."

  "She always gets swill," Rory complained.

  "I'll find a nice bock, Rory, if I can, or Guinness if I can't."

  "Lemonade for June and me," Lara said. "We're flying later."

  "This is Bayfield, Alpha," I said.

  "Oh right. Cider for June and me," she amended, laughing.

  June went inside to shower. Elisabeth took off in my car. David asked where to find equipment for cleaning the fish, then told Rory to help him. That left Lara and I alone on my deck.

  "I could have done without the rescue," I told her.

  "Me too. You were great. I want to do this again."

  "I'd like that."

  "I'll beat you next time."

  "Racing? No you won't."

  She laughed. "I am on to your tricks, little fox."

  I reached over, and we held hands. "You could come back with us to Madison," she said. "Or we could stay here."

  "This has been a good day, Lara. And it's not over. You're giving me a lot to think about."

  We sat quietly for a while. I could hear David and Rory talking about me. I preened when Rory said, "She's tough."

  It felt even better when David said, "She's good for the alpha, and I think she would be good for the pack."

  I didn't let on I could hear.

  "Oh hell," I said suddenly.

  "What?"

  "I live alone."

  "Yes, that part was important to me," she said. "I wouldn't get between you and someone else."

  "Not that," I said. "I have supplies for one."

  "That's why Elisabeth went to the store."

  "I have towels for one."

  Lara chuckled. "Rory!" Rory came around the corner of my garage. "Call Elisabeth, tell her to pick up more bath towels."

  "Bath towels?"

  "Six."

  "Yes, Alpha." He went in search of his phone.

  "I'm a terrible host," I said.

  Lara squeezed my hand. "I'm glad you thought of that now rather than when I stepped out of the shower and there was nothing left but a dirty rag from the garage."

  "I wouldn't make you dry off with a dirty rag, Alpha," I told her. "I'd suggest you shift, then get my blow dryer."

  Lara guffawed. "I thought you didn't want wet wolf in the house."

  "Lara, if Elisabeth is older, why are you alpha?"

  "She doesn't want it. She hates the politics. She likes her fights straight up. She begged me to take the position. There are six, maybe as many as eight wolves in the pack who can beat me in a fight. She's one of them. But they follow me because they know I am the most qualified to lead."

  "Is David one who can beat you?"

  "Yes. Eric, maybe, too."

  "Rory and Eric are both much bigger than you."

  "I am faster. And intimidation counts for something, too. David is bigger and almost as fast. Elisabeth is both bigger and faster." She turned to me. "I watched you play with her. At first she was letting you get away, but in the end, she was honestly trying to catch you. You're much faster than any of us."

  "Faster reflexes and far, far more agile, but it's not even close in an actual foot race, and I'd be dead from one blow. I don't think I could hurt you if you stood there and let me try."

  "Not straight up, probably not, but is that what you would do, little fox?"

  "No, I suppose not. I'd go for a hamstring, perhaps, but ultimately my goal would always be escape, not to win."

  She nodded. "Do you think you could hamstring one of us?"

  "I don't know, Lara. I would have to be very desperate to even try. That is way too close for comfort. It's not like any of you are slow. I'd rather go up against a bear, if I could even get through its hide."

  "Ah, bears. Tough. We leave them be."

  June came back downstairs and joined us on the deck. Rory and David finished with the fish. Lara sent David to shower and Rory to the kitchen to wash the knives they had used.

  "Thank you for taking us kayaking," June said. "Can we go again?"

  I smiled. "Any time. Maybe if you came on a Monday, we could invite Benny to join us. The boathouse is closed on Mondays, so he might be free."

  June grinned. "Alpha, may I date a human?"

  She laughed. "If you can keep our nature secret."

  "If it gets serious?" June asked.

  "Then we'll see if we can trust him."

  "Benny loves the water," I said. "June, it would be cruel to expect him to move to Madison."

  June looked at Lara. "If it gets that far, June, we'll figure something out."

  "Thank you, Alpha."

  Lara and I were still holding hands. June glanced down, then asked, "Are you two in a relationship?"

  "No," said Lara.

  "We're dating," I said. "Casually, for now."

  Lara looked at me. "Are we?"

  "What would you call it?" I asked her.

  "We're dating," Lara said to June. "Not as casually as the fox tried to imply."

  I laughed.

  "I don't share, little fox," Lara said firmly.

  "Neither do I, wolf."

  "She's kind of cocky, Alpha," June said. "Need me to discipline her?"

  "No," said Lara slowly. "I think I need to handle this one with kit gloves."

  She grinned at me, and I groaned at the horrible pun.

  Rory came outside. "Fox, don't you have any beer at all?"

  "Have you been digging through my refrigerator, wolf?"

  "Maybe," he said.

  "Sorry, but no beer. I'll make sure I keep stocked in the future. Can you make a list of everyone's favorites? There is a desk in the spare room upstairs, and there should be a pad of paper and pens there."

  "You don't have to stock for us," Lara said. "We'll bring what we need."

  "You two are talking like we'll be here a lot," Rory said.

  "The alpha said we're dating not-so-casually," I replied. "And I think if she intends to court me, that means she should come to me. Not send people to fetch me like a child coming home from summer camp."

  "I dunno
, you're about as big as one."

  "Smaller, I suspect," I admitted. "Tell me, do you guys like to play poker?"

  Lara snickered. Rory didn't get it, but he looked so innocent I decided he would be too easy of a mark.

  "I'm not sure what just happened," Rory said. "I'll go make that list."

  "David hosts a poker night once or twice a month," June said. "They play for some serious cash."

  "Do you ever play with them, Lara?" I asked.

  "Sometimes. I am not playing poker with you."

  "I have to pay for the groceries to feed your horde somehow."

  She laughed. "I'll pay for the groceries, Michaela."

  "Party pooper," I told her.

  "Politics, little fox," Lara said. "But if we invite guests we want to fleece, you can bet we'll invite you to fleece them for us."

  "Fleece whom?" David asked, stepping out onto the deck, Rory in tow. "I used the last towel."

  "Elisabeth will be back soon," Lara said. "We were talking about poker. The little fox wants an invitation. I told her no."

  "We play for pretty big stakes, Michaela," David said.

  "How big?" I asked.

  "Buy in is a grand," David said. "Every few months we do ten grand."

  "Serious money," I said. I looked plaintively at Lara.

  She sighed. "One night," she said. "Don't whine to me if you lose your money."

  David laughed. "I'll call you the next time we're going to have an open seat."

  "Maybe I should come and watch a few nights, first," I said. "You know, to judge tempers and such. I wouldn't want to play if there's too much testosterone."

  "You could come this Wednesday then," David suggested.

  Lara sighed. "Did you want to pick her up, June? Maybe you could fly down in the morning."

  "I'll have to work until after lunch. Lara am I invited to spend the night?"

  "If June wants to fly you back on Thursday," she said.

  "I have to work Thursday, so it would need to be early."

  * * * *

  Dinner at the Rittenhouse that night was nice, very nice. Reservations were for six as two tables. Lara and I sat in the corner while the other four wolves shared a table on the other side of the room.

  Lara and I kept the conversation light. She was expensively dressed, and I felt self-conscious about my own clothing, but there was nothing I could do about it. Lara was very charming throughout the meal, and I had a very nice time. I was sad when dinner was over.