Maybe it was because my dirt bike was working, and I was lazy. I hadn’t let the instinctual werecat come out to play in too long.
I growled as it began, taking over my body swiftly. Bones cracking and breaking. Hands and fingers growing and changing in shape to paws with deadly claws. My canines grew and grew, hanging over my bottom jaw. Fur exploded out of my flesh, and I dropped down to all fours as the change continued. Finally, I shook, adjusting to the feeling of being a large cat.
The first thing my brain had to deal with was the presence of werewolves in my territory. The werecat and I fought to hold the leash back on the need to drive them out. Every full moon was like this, a silent war not to attack predators who weren’t supposed to be there. Other nights, it wasn’t so bad, but tonight was the night I was in the backseat.
Finally, the cat scented deer on the wind, diverting our focus. It was a safer, more acceptable quarry.
By dawn, I was bloody, full, and tired.
It was a sluggish climb up my front steps, but I knew I couldn’t sleep. The first thing I did was check my phone to see Hasan had been glad to hear I would be going north with some sort of back up. Hisao wanted me to promise to tell him if he needed to fly out in his jet. I didn’t reply to either of them, heading for my shower. I also needed to pack quickly and hit the road if I wanted to make a flight out of Dallas.
I met Heath at his farmhouse, where I could see him talking to Landon and Carey on the front porch. Parking behind his massive pickup truck in his giant driveway, I stepped out, walking closer slowly, making sure they knew I was there. With the intense, concentrated look Landon and Carey were watching their father with, it was possible they missed me driving up.
“Carey, please behave for Landon.”
“I will! Keep Jacky from getting hurt, please.”
“I will.”
I smirked, stepping up behind him.
“You hear that?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at me. “I’m to keep you from getting hurt.”
“I did.” I reached around him to high-five Carey. “Kick Landon’s ass at bowling while I’m gone. Or kick him when he tries to cheat at video games.”
“Will do!”
“Head inside while I talk to your brother,” Heath said kindly, though the order couldn’t be missed. Carey jumped forward to hug him, then grabbed hold of me before darting inside. “Landon, you’ll keep a close eye on her.”
“Yes, sir.” Landon’s eyes shifted onto me. “Are we sure we can trust this?”
“He’s only going to help me with Seattle’s pack. Everything after that is his own choice. He should be coming home soon and well away from any possible danger…unless it’s the Seattle pack that’s the problem. Then who knows?”
“It’s fine, Landon. We owe her one. This is simple compared to last year.” Heath didn’t seem worried in the slightest. “Plus, I can see if Emmy is doing all right.”
“Ah…” Landon snorted. “Emmy is a dangerous bitch, Dad. Be careful.”
“No more dangerous than the one behind me,” Heath retorted. I jerked back, confused, making both men laugh. “She’s an old acquaintance. Left my pack for Seattle when she and I had a bit of a falling out.”
“Old lover,” Landon clarified. “But then she fell hard for the Seattle second, and the rest is history…or so they say.”
“What was the falling out about?” I asked curiously, eyeing Heath.
“I wouldn’t marry her,” he answered mildly. “I didn’t feel for her like that. This was all about forty years ago.”
“And you didn’t get her pregnant? Color me shocked.”
“Very funny.” He shook his head in disdain for me. “Are we heading out?”
“Ready when you are. We can talk about what I know about this on the drive. Then we’re in for a pretty long flight.”
“I know. I resisted calling the Dallas pack for the use of their jet because it would be improper without clearing it with you, but…I can call them.”
“No, we’re fine. I checked flights already. We might not sit next to each other, but we can get there on the same plane.” And I was going to fly first class. I had booked my ticket right before walking out the door.
“Be safe,” Landon said with urgency. “After last year, I don’t know what I would do if you didn’t come back, Dad.”