Friendship at its Finest

One week after Valentine’s, or hell day as she was going to think of it from now on, Day and she was once again persona non grata with her family.  Not that she was really surprised by the turn of events.  Ziva was right to hate her, but not for the reasons she thought.

“What room is he in?”

“He’s in six, but Reetha, I think you should let me talk to him.  Alone.”

“Hell no, Dante.”

“Yes …”

“No way, and hear me out.  This ass-packet has caused me nothing but grief for years.  He hacked my computer, my computer Dante, he’s not bright enough to do that alone.  He tossed me to the dogs, literally, tossed my full blown heated ass into a pack of horny dogs.  My wolf was missing tufts of fur for weeks after that …”

Reetha stopped moving when she felt Dante’s hand on her arm and looked back at him.

“Jilly told me about that one, she was impressed … Reetha, shite, come here, love.”  Warm arms surrounded her as the tears she always tried to hold back, soaked his shirt.  “I know what it’s like to lose a partner, the hopelessness and frustration, but … “

Reetha pushed away and swiped at her eyes.  “She wasn’t just my partner, Dante.  She was my partner, my love … and this guy,” she huffed, pointing down the hall.  “This guy injected her with Tranq one time and the withdrawal killed her.  One time, Dante!”

“Reetha, I didn’t know.  I’m so sorry. Tranq is a designer drug that acts like several hits of heroin all at once and is the only drug that works on shifters.  It’s fast and it’s destructive.  Let me deal with this guy, Ree.”

“No.”  Reetha turned and headed toward room six.  “I want to take this guy apart.  Get the name of his supplier and then watch while Nick tears him apart.”

“You’d let Nick finish the job?”

“He’s my packs alpha and even though they don’t want me right now I respect his right to lead and provide protection to all in our pack.”

Reetha reached for the handle and took a deep breath.  “I can do this, Dante.”

“Yes, you can, but not alone.  I’m with you, my friend, and we will break this guy.  I promise.”

###

Nick held the trench coat closed with one hand and quieted the rulers in the pocket with the other.  He could do nothing about the big wings flopping around on his back as headed towards Ziva’s office.  He was completely nude beneath the coat and looking for a way to make up for the aborted Valentine’s Day dinner.

“Come in.”

Nick pushed the door open and stuck his head in and with his voice low murmured, “I’m here to give you my grace, human.” And he slid into the room.

“Oh my, come on in, angel-boy and let’s see what’s under that trench.”
~~~

Have a safe and warm weekend!


Serena

Thankfulness and Gratitude

Angel looked out the window.  Pristine white snow fell in large flakes.  Outside several landed on the windowsill, melted and as water trickled down the side of the pane until they disappeared from sight. 

Two months had come and gone, and still no word from Randall.  His family reached out to her covertly through short phone calls and anonymous emails.  All they wanted to know she couldn’t answer.  No one knew where he was.  His eldest brother demanded responses threatening to expose her whereabouts if she didn’t answer him.  

Angel sighed, wiped her eyes, and hunched closer to the window.  Her cell phone lay next to her, battery dead, and her minutes run out.  She knew what Tongson said was true.  Her safety and the lives of the kits she carried hinged on her remaining silent and hidden.  At least with the snow she could run and find tranquility for a moment in forgetfulness as she exercised. 

Out by the large grove of trees marking the border of the property a flash of black appeared.  Angel blinked and squinted.  Had her mind bent in half and began playing tricks on her?  The black splash appeared again. Appeared and weaved itself back into the dark trunks of the trees.  

A mournful howl split the air and three others followed.  Three dark inky dots appeared closer to the edge of the snowline separating the grove from the shoveled path leading to the house.  Angel gasped as the dots began racing toward the path.  One then another became clearer.  Three large black wolves came into view.

One leaped and spun in circles.  First, to the left.  Then to the right.  Another copied his moves and added his own as if trying to get the other to follow suite.  The third hung back, sitting on his haunches watching the others.  The first two laid their ears back and bared their teeth.  The third trotted up behind the others.  Crouched, and waited until the two raised their asses up, tails raised, as they lowered their fronts snapping and snarling between yips. 

Two loud barks echoed off the hills.  Howl after howl mixed with the echoes.  The largest of the three black wolves sat on his haunches, his tongue lolling out as if he laughed at the other two caught off guard by his cold nose goose their exposed asses more than once.   The other two circled him.  He snarled and trotted toward the house.

Laughter sounded behind Angel.  She turned.  Tongson and Octavia stood arms around each other smiling and pointing toward the trio approaching.  “Looks like Anthony’s relatives arrived.”

Angel blinked and scratched her head.  “This is the triad made up of a husky and two wolves.”

“Not them.  Relatives of theirs that are joining us for Thanksgiving and Solstice.  Anthony, Tory, and Josh are arriving later.  They’re bringing humans with them.  Also the baby.”  Tongson sat next to Angel.  “Why the puzzled look?”

“There are species mixing that shouldn’t.  At least that is what Sheer Khan says.”  Angel wrapped her arms tight around herself.

Octavia slipped her arm around Angel’s taunt shoulders.  “Khan wishes to rule a world where his orders and whims are supreme.  He seeks to let terror reign in his stead and allow control to be his to grab.”

Tongson nodded. “Here we live by our own rules.  We mix, pleasure and do as our agreements and experiences teach us.  There are good and bad in everything the world produces.  Knowing which is which is which is key to understanding what makes and keeps the peace and balance.”

Octavia smiled.  “There is much to be thankful for and gratitude to give as well as share.  Come let’s find out who joins us for the celebration.”

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Happy Weekend Gang!

I hope you like this week's post as we learn more about Angel and her love.  As well as more on the world outside of Talbot's Peak.  Poor Gil now as mayor.  That is going to be a new adventure in squirrelish antics.  

I'm off to work on edits for my new release due out in January.  I'll post more and a tidbit when I've got an excerpt or two to share.   Remember to take time out to enjoy the fall colors and share a good book with your spice and loves.  I know I will!

Smiles,

Solara