Page 59 of Ice King

“Like I said. We’ll see. Let’s just get this meeting over with.”

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he made a turn. “The news isn’t talking about the murders enough. It’s all over the Ohio news.”

“Meaning what?”

“A couple of Cincinnati reporters think this group the Order has become organized and are well funded.”

“With what goal in mind other than for sport?”

“That’s the big question. Maybe that’s all it is. But with that attorney being killed, I don’t know.”

“They aren’t taking trophies.” Although they didn’t mind doing so for kicks.

“They don’t need to,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “They’re forcing people to shift against their will or be killed. That’s the rumor anyway. If you ask me, I think they’re trying to prove without a shadow of a doubt shifters exist.”

“Brother, some days you need to step off the ice. Other than private showings, we haven’t made a point of highlighting our furry DNA. Now, have we? That’s why people are now refusing to believe the stories, thinking them hyped up. That’s probably why that hot girl of yours had no clue.”

“Georgia is not my girl and there’s been proof.” I thought about what he’d said. He was right. To the best of my knowledge, no one had gone on national television and made the big transition. That would solidify our fate. “Huh. Maybe not.”

“This is my personal view, but I think this group needs to prove our existence to continue their mission, whatever the hell that is. And I can tell Georgia has a thing for you. Or at least she can better tolerate your arrogance than most.”

It was my turn to glare at him. “You know why I’m cautious.”

“There’s cautious, then there’s stupid.”

“You sound more like our father every day. Maybe you need to settle down.”

We were close to the building used for pack council meetings for as long as I’d been alive. It had once been home to some union group, purchased with combined funds from several ofthe local packs. We had our own political climate and had for generations, the main focus until recently all about our lineage staying hidden.

His laugh was careful, something I envied. “You’re the old brother. I’m young, hot, and fresh. Come on. She’s beautiful. What’s the harm in wanting to be with her?” He made the turn down the long driveway mostly hidden by foliage. The location was highly secure, although no one would know it given the natural state of the area surrounding the building and grounds.

“Nothing, but I don’t need to feel anything before the upcoming playoff game. You know how we are when we become distracted.” I was throwing him some shade to keep him from prying into my business.

“You know what happened. Answer me this. Are you going to try out for Portland if they’re approached by the board?”

“I honestly don’t know. That’s preferable to moving to Vancouver.” If the team bothered to call me up. “It might be my only shot.”

“You obviously haven’t gotten on the internet today. Have you?” At least he was grinning, which should mean I hadn’t been raked over the coals as usual.

“I was a little busy.” I was surprised at the number of vehicles surrounding the building. Over the last few years, the need to separate town business with shifter business had lessened. Obviously, everyone was concerned about the recent murders and whether there was a trend.

When I was a boy, Pops used to allow me to ride shotgun to these quarterly events, long before he was anything but a dedicated member, determined to protect our way of life. Even for a smalltown, the meetings had been popular, more like community get-togethers complete with outdoor games, music, drinks, and of course a huge afternoon barbeque.

No humans were harmed in the food presentation.

I released a heavy exhale as I thought more about my conversation with Georgia. She was more than curious about my lineage, skating around asking about our DNA. Maybe I’d present her with a little furry show one day. When and if the time was right.

He snorted while smashing his fist on the steering wheel as he found a parking space. “I knew it. You’ve locked onto a mate.”

“I have not.”

“You have too.”

“Not.” The same as when we were kids, including the heavy puffing up and willing our wolves to crawl to just below the surface. My wolf is badder than your wolf. Unable to stop grinning, I yanked out my phone, pressing the icon for Instagram. If you wanted to find anything fast and furious, that was the place to go.

HornyPuckBunnyinSeattle:Wowzer, girls. Did you see Mr. Hot Stuff on the ice tonight? Ford Kendrick is utter perfection. All I can say is I’m thirsty. I think his jersey number needs to switch to 69. What do you think, ladies?

The picture was… rude, highlighting the thick bulge between my legs just before I made the last shot. Who the hell had the photographer been? Oh, my God. Roxanne Stryker, our socialmedia guru. I needed to have a nice, long chat with her. Now I was snorting but for an entirely different reason. 69? Really?