Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,41

paperwork. That resulted in me getting a stack of files to find a reason why they could be denied, since they weren't wolves, and an appointment for that afternoon to help with a move-in check.

It was just after three when we closed the office, put up a sign that said we'd be back in half an hour, and found a car. Mine was closer than Ashley's, since the house we were going to was on my side of the community, off one of the new side streets. In fact, it was on the corner, just across from where Gabby's best friend lived. I parked in the drive, Ashley pulled out her keys, and we headed to the front door.

"Ok," Ashley said. "This is all for legal documentation. People do move, even out of their packs. Often, it's a female who finds her new mate, or a couple that isn't welcome in either pack - which is why we have so many young families. Bloodlines can get a little close, you know."

"Is it that bad?" I asked.

Ashley wobbled her head from side to side. "Sometimes. Kim actually moved here because her old pack didn't allow natural-borns to be with converted wolves. Needless to say, that pack has a few banjos playing. I mean, there are some traditions that span packs, usually based on our natures, but each one is also different. Similarly to a city. Stop signs always mean the same thing, but the speed limits might be different."

"Ok, that makes sense," I agreed. "So, this is just a boring check to make sure there's not any damage, right?"

"Right," she agreed as we headed inside and to the kitchen. "You'll want to check the water connections, the blinds, and the carpets for stains from the construction crews. Those are the most common. But we have a form to go through." And she held up her clipboard to prove what she meant. "Easy stuff."

"Take pictures of anything that's not perfect?" I asked.

Ashley nodded. "Because when a wolf is evicted, they will destroy things. Our kind have a tendency to have some anger issues. But the contract states that we can charge the account on file, and it's up to them to dispute it. Most won't, but if they do..."

I understood that. "Better safe than sorry. Got it."

She began to walk through all the rooms, checking things off as we went. I noticed a dent in the trim, and Ashley went to mark it, flipping through the pages. Then she went back to the front and did it again, grumbling when she couldn't find what she wanted.

"Hey, I left that folder on the dash. Can you grab it? I think the previous damage form is in there," she said.

"Sure."

I headed outside to my car. The manila folder was visible in the window, right where Ashley had thrown it. She'd said it was just extra copies, and I hadn't thought anything of it. So, heading to the passenger side, I leaned in to reach for it. The sound of a car on the street didn't even register in my mind - not until it stopped.

I was halfway in my car, reaching for the folder when it happened. A second later, I heard the car's door open, so I jerked back, whipping my head around. My gut immediately tensed. The little blue sedan had become something I dreaded seeing. The woman getting out of it was even worse.

Karen.

"What do you want this time, Karen?" I asked, raising my voice and hoping Ashley could hear me.

"Ian Langdon was supposed to be mine," she said, storming up the drive.

I held the folder at my side like it would work as a shield and lifted my chin. "Your obsession with him isn't my problem."

"I spent my entire life working to be the Alpha Female!" she screeched. "Don't you get it? He was supposed to be mine. I proved that I'd accept his betas. I made it clear that I was the perfect mate for him, and then you just show up and ruin everything!"

Whoa, this woman had some serious issues. I backed away from her, careful to keep my car between us. "Have you ever considered that maybe he doesn't agree?"

"I'm a Green," she growled, slowly advancing. The way her eyes hung on me proved that she was definitely a predator, and not a sane one. "My family and his have been inseparable. Everyone knew we'd end up together, just like they knew that Trent and Pax would