Of Doms & Subs

Duct Tape Fixes Everything

A vibration in my pocket notified me of an incoming call. One glance at the screen and I quickly strode outside. Not that I was concerned with the pack overhearing the conversation. I was more concerned with Bran being subjected to the game of Cards Against Humanity that was happening in the living room.

"Good evening, Marrock," I answered respectfully.

"Charles and Anna tracked the Lone out of the mountains, where he appears to have taken a vehicle," he said without preamble.

"You believe he's following Ellie." I tried to ignore the ice quickly filling my veins. Sometimes, in the beginning, wolves are drawn to the people they Change. The strength of the bond can vary according to the strength of the people involved and any pre-existing relationship between the two. If John was using this connection, then it wouldn't be difficult to trace her steps until within range to sense the link and find her.

"They're following the route that she took," Bran confirmed in echo of my thoughts. Some believed him to be a mind reader. I preferred to think of it as clever deduction. "It would be foolish to assume that he hasn't heard of the new wolf simply because he's been in the hinterlands." The online message boards and email lists were full of this latest gossip. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if news of the day's events were already circulating.

"I'll put the pack on alert," I assured him. "But not Ellie."

"You think she might run again?"

"Quite frankly, she's difficult to anticipate," I said dryly.

"Such as doing donuts with a blind witch behind the wheel?" the Marrock asked in amusement, confirming the speed of the rumour mill. "Colin's recovered from his fit of pique after hearing of her escapades. I believe his exact words were 'Good luck to the poor bastard.' Perhaps it would be best if she came to Montana after Charles finds the Lone." That manipulative old wolf wanted to use her as bait to catch John. My hackles bristled at the thought.

"She's settling in quite well, despite her impulsive nature," I replied as smoothly as I could manage. "After all, she's hardly climbing giant cranes or 'borrowing' Lamborghinis."

"But she is growling at humans." I was going to dock the ears and tail of whomever spread that tale.

"I believe it was protective instincts coming into play as I was escorting Moira to her seat." At least, that was what I hoped was the case, yet there was no way of knowing for certain until morning. "You know how the smell of magic can trigger these sort of things in those who are unaccustomed to it."

"I see." Although his expression would undoubtedly be impassive, I desperately wanted to see his face to try and determine what was going on behind those two words. "Keep me updated," he ordered before ending the call in his customary, if abrupt, manner.

The Emerald City Pack evidently had a warren in a warehouse for most of their hunts and full moons, but they decided to take advantage of the three-day weekend to head for the woods. Like most cities in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle was within a reasonable drive of hunting grounds suitable for a pack.

"Stop it," Angus quietly requested for the third time. I stopped jiggling my leg, but the nervous twitch would start up again as soon as I stopped focusing on it.

"Pretty sure we got some duct tape back here that'll fix that," Shane drawled behind me. While the SUV had plenty of room, it was still silly that the six-foot tall man had climbed into the backseat, leaving shotgun for my five-foot three-inch self.

"Put it to better use on your mouth," I shot back. Mickayla was right. Some of the guys with significant others were more like brothers. Only instead of duct tape when we were kids, my brother had used our dad's issued handcuffs in addition to the duct tape and shoved me in a closet one afternoon so he could play video games without me pestering him to play, too.

Which brought my mind back around to the current dilemma. I'd called my parents and brother that morning for the first time since I crossed the Canadian border at the pre-determined check-in time. I still didn't tell them much and fibbed that I was visiting friends in the area. I hadn't yet committed to the pack, so telling them I might move to Seattle, let alone mentioning Eugene or Montana, was jumping the gun. Evidently the tic was back because Angus rested a heavy hand on my knee to still it. Not only did my leg still, but I outwardly froze at the contact. Inwardly, warmth spread outward from the touch.