by R.E. Packer
Chapter 21
The park where we agreed to meet the local werewolf pack was by the Potomac River outside of the city. A Pathfinder followed by a Range Rover rolled slowly into the parking lot.
Being a weekday the park didn’t have many visitors, but parks in this area were never totally empty either. A man of average build who looked to be in his 30’s, got out of the lead vehicle and walked over to us. He didn’t seem like the type of guy that would be in charge of a group of supernatural predators.
James had given us some reminders and for me first time lessons on manners and etiquette with werewolves. The Alpha wouldn’t ever send somebody to do something that would represent his pack to other members of the supernatural community. He also said not to make more than brief eye contact, don’t get into a starting match with any of them.
He looked around at the other vehicles in the parking lot, taking us at a glance, not giving us any more notice than he did the other park patrons. He slowed his pace extending his arms as if to stretch, like he had just woken up. As he did I noticed his eyes never stopped moving and he didn’t have the relaxed look a person generally has when they yawn. A group of high school kids were nearby, cutting class most likely, a young couple walked hand in hand not more than 20 yards away and a couple of old men sat on a park bench feeding the ducks by a small man made pond.
“It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance, I’m Ian, the local Alpha,” he said sauntering over. He extended his hand first to the ladies, then to me, “James speaks very highly of you.”
“How did you know it was us you were supposed to meet?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? You three smell like an entire circle of witches.”
A few of the pack behind him nodded agreement.
“Besides, James told me who to expect. I’m Cody, Ian’s second,” a young man with a drawl and a straw cowboy hat said.
“How do you know James, if you don’t mind my asking?” I couldn’t picture the aging security guard / groundskeeper mingling with a bunch of twenty somethings who also happened to be werewolves. I’d never seen James do anything more exciting than drink a few beers and play chess. He doesn’t even have a smartphone.
Ian gave the faintest of smiles and lifted his eyebrows. “Perhaps you should ask your friends here more about your coworkers.” A few snickers followed.
“What’s with Merlin over there?” he asked gesturing to Eros, still standing by the car. He had gone back to wearing his cloak and a black hat, saying it was appropriate attire for meetings with other supernaturals.
“Long story, he’s an out of town acquaintance,” I said.
The werewolf looked at him a bit longer, then shrugged. “What is it my pack can do for you?”
“We have a job for you if you’re interested,” Gwen said.
“What do you need done and how much?” the Alpha werewolf said. You could tell he was used to taking charge but maybe that was just his personality and not the wolf.
“We need you to put surveillance on some people,” Maeve said. “Government types,” she made a face like she just said got a bad taste in her mouth.
“Why don’t you just put a spell on them or do whatever witchy thing you do?” he asked watching her closely.
“I wondered that same thing, why use these beasts?” Eros said still standing back well away from the werewolves.
I could just barely see the alpha tense up. James said backing down was not in a werewolf’s nature, and I could tell he was thinking if he didn’t do something now, he’d lose face. I’d seen it too many times before with humans. But humans didn’t radiate anger like the Alpha was. James also mentioned they could pull power from each other when they needed it, but he was vague as to what kind of power.
“Why don’t you come over here and I’ll show you my beast side,” Ian said, his voice an octave lower as he struggled to control his wolf.
Ignoring Eros, Gwen turned to Ian, “Because you can stay undetected and watch in more places. You’re also immune to magic.”
“Good point,” Cody said looking at Eros, instead of Gwen.
Maeve shot Eros a dangerous warning with her eyes. To my surprise Eros averted his gaze, finding something on the ground in front of him interesting.
I didn’t know what the magical pecking order was between the witches and Eros, or myself for that matter. I hadn’t really though about it until now, thinking of us all as more of a team. But seeing the werewolf pack, you could tell there was a hierarchy. Besides Ian and Cory, there were no doubt other ranks in the pack and I’m sure each of them knew their place in it.
Ian nodded his head, satisfied with how Maeve put Eros in his place and agreed to use his pack to find out what Blue Mountain Landscaping was up to. He promised they could easily stay undetected. The were-agents were nothing new to his pack, they had found them sniffing around their territory already. A normal pack would never have invaded their territory. They were already keeping tabs on the were-agents to some extent, gathering information before they figure out what to do with them.
That would be a blessing if the werewolves decided to dispatch of the were-agents. I knew I wouldn’t want to be on their bad side.