The Trouble With Slaying

The Trouble with Wolf Kings

We made use of the shower to clean up a bit before walking back to the apartment, hand in hand. I caught sight of a young man staring up at our building with a certain amount of trepidation as we rounded the building. He frowned as he dropped his gaze down to a little slip of paper, then back up at the doors. I had to assume he was looking for someone who lived here, but the door numbers were so faded one sort of had to know where they were going beforehand.

Nobody got anything delivered around here, just because there was no guarantee it would show up at the right door. And there were just too many interesting individuals here to make opening the door for strangers a good idea.

I hesitated partway up the stairs, wondering if I should offer some help. There was a second boy with the first, looking nervous at being here. The first couldn't have been more than twenty. I didn't think they were related, though they were both Werewolves.

"Who are you looking for kid?"

The elder boy turned an unamused look on me while the younger hid behind him. He slowly looked me up and down, then crumpled the piece of paper in his hand and shoved it into his pocket. "Shaw and associates."

I lifted a hand into the air and gave a 'present' gesture. "We're associates. Shaw is this way."

The young man glanced at the boy hiding behind him before striding after us. I led them both up the stairs and to our door, opening it up and walking through as I called out. "Hey guys! Aria's back! And we've got some company."

I cleared the way as the two boys followed me in, shutting the door behind them. Aria happily trotted for the kitchen to meet Lissi's excited squeal. I heard motion down the hall towards the bedrooms and moved in that direction when I didn't see anyone in the main room.

I met Liam before I could get too far. He took one glance over my shoulder and paled. I stiffened when genuine fear flashed across his face. His mouth fell open and worked for a moment before he snapped it shut again. I glanced back at the young man, trying to figure out what was so special about him that Liam would be rendered speechless. The young man just stared blandly back.

I turned back towards Liam when he finally managed to whisper. "Oh, Thumper, tell me you didn't do anything to piss him off or offend him."

I blinked. That had sounded ominous. The young man spoke up, making Liam gulp audibly.

"I wasn't particularly fond of being called kid, but given his species I can forgive the slight."

Huffing in irritation I snapped a little. "Are you even old enough to drin-" Liam's hand clapped over my mouth and he started spilling apologies.

"I'm so sorry Alpha. I never thought we would ever see you in person or I would have told him how to act. I swear he doesn't mean any harm he's just-"

He stopped as the young man shook his head, waving away the apologies. "Calm. I didn't come here to get into a pissing match." His gaze flicked to me. "I turn twenty-one in March."

I jerked Liam's hand off my face and scowled at him. Then I was glancing around him as Sawamura made an appearance. "What's going on in-oh fuck me." The fear on Liam's face was nothing compared to the utter terror on Sawamura's.

Who the hell was this guy?!

The young man eyed Sawamura with a sharp gaze, nostrils flaring as he slowly inhaled. Liam ducked his head and shuffled forward a step even as Sawamura started to retreat. The wolves were saying an awful lot with body language and I wasn't even catching half of it. Lissi and Aria looked just as bewildered as I was from where they stood at the edge of the kitchen.