you’re a werewolf?”
Lindsey frowned. Of course, that was Cole’s primary concern, but it didn’t feel much like a friend who wanted the best for him no matter what it was. “No, he broke up with me because he found out I was Super Granny.”
“Who?”
“You know, the old lady who saved the governor’s daughter. It was on the news.”
“That was you?”
“Yes.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Cole barked a laugh. “Taking some chances there, buddy.”
Lindsey frowned even deeper. “I wasn’t in fur at the time. I did it as a human.”
Cole leaned forward. “Right. And they catch you, toss you in jail, and the full moon arrives.”
Lindsey sprang to his feet. Enough, dammit. “I love you, darling, but I’m kind of tired of taking crap from both humans and werewolves this week. I seem to be failing in my perceived obligations to both groups. I’m over quota.” He stomped to the fireplace and looked in, even though the fire wasn’t lit. “My werewolf blood isn’t so strong that I have to shift. I negotiate human activities all the time at the full moon, and you’ve never rushed into a Vanessen corporate meeting to pull me out for a run. I think your precious secret is safe with me.”
Cole sounded serious. “Our secret. It’s our secret.”
Lindsey put his hands on his hips and stared at Cole. “I don’t remember the secret being such a big deal when we rushed into the heart of human land to rescue Paris. You weren’t so damned concerned then.”
Cole’s silvery wolf eyes gazed back. He blew out his breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Lindsey crossed back and sat on the edge of the sofa cushion. “I understand that you’re going to be alpha and that’s a huge deal. But we used to be best friends. Us against the world. The only gay werewolves.” He stared down at his hands. “I guess I miss it.”
He practically fell on the floor when the big body hit the cushions next to him and Cole grabbed him up in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Linds. I am your best friend, and that’s more important to me than anything, including the pack.”
Okay, that felt a little better. He hugged back. “All is forgiven.” He laughed.
Cole finally let go and sat back with his arm around Lindsey. “So tell me about the guy.”
Weird. It almost hurt too much. How had he gotten so attached so quickly? “He’s a cop who’s active in the kidnapping investigations. We got on well, but he was disappointed that I didn’t tell him I was Granny. He thought I believed I was more capable than the police. He said some pretty nasty things.” He sucked in a shuddering breath. “But it had to end anyway, so I guess now was as good a time as any.”
Cole’s arm tightened. “I’m truly sorry, buddy. We need to find a good werewolf for you. Then you won’t have these problems.”
“I’m too human for any male werewolf. And much too gay.” He looked up at his friend. “Hell, Cole, you’re the blue blood of superwolves, and even you couldn’t find a mate until you met Paris.”
“But I did meet Paris, that’s the point.”
“And before him, who did you have in your life?”
He stared at his hand. “Random humans.”
“Right. One guy in twenty-four years for the most eligible gay werewolf in the country. I’ve got no chance. I accepted that years ago, but then Seth came along, and I started wishing again.” He took a breath. “Wishing is evil. I’m giving it up. I’ll even avoid birthday candles and fountains from now on.” He tried to laugh.
Cole’s arm tightened even more, but he didn’t say anything. Right. What was there to say?
Seth stared at his computer screen, but all he could see was the funny, waddling figure in the flowered dress walking away from him. Gone for good.
What the fuck? He’d done the right thing. He couldn’t let a guy like that get away with this kind of fucking vigilantism. What else could he do? But if he couldn’t do anything else, why the fuck did he feel like somebody had peeled his skin off?
A hand dropped on his shoulder. He looked up from his desk. Estevez. “Hi.”
The stocky, black-haired cop gave him a smile. “Great job on sniffing out that location. I heard the kid had been roughed up a bit. At least he was alive.”
“Yeah. It seems he fought back, and the kidnappers didn’t like that. He could have gotten himself