Page 2 of Alfie

Alfie grinned, aware of the unmentioned challenge. “We’ll see, bro.”

“Feeling psychic yourself?” Amadeus called over his shoulder as he walked away.

“Maybe,” Alfie called.

As Amadeus let out a lionish chuckle and disappeared, Alfie continued to patrol along the tall, stone wall. But now his wolf was thinking about anything but patrolling and security. He was thinking solely of finding his soulmate.

Damn Amadeus, putting wild thoughts in his head.

But deep inside, a little ember of hope flickered to life.

Maybe tonight.

“I think I need more sunlight,” Hyde said as Alfie pulled into a parking spot at a local bar.

“What?” Alfie asked.

“I’ve been working in the underground market all month. I think this is the first time I’ve been topside since the sleuth went for a shift and wander around the bear paddock last week. And that was at night. I might be a little depressed.”

Alfie looked at his friend. “You could switch to security for a while. Patrol with me and Amadeus. It’s cold as crap right now, though.” New Jersey often had unpredictable winters. There were some in recent memory that had been downright balmy in comparison to the single-digit temperatures of the last week.

Each shifter group handled various aspects of the park and underground living areas. The lions handled security, but also construction and remodeling. The wolves worked security, the safari tours, and park admissions. The bears handled the food for the park patrons and the shifters. Gorillas handled maintenance and upkeep, from the tour Jeeps to electrical and plumbing work around the park and living areas. And the elephants took care of the norms—the non-shifting animals in the petting zoo and safari tour. Including the unofficial park mascot, Tank the grumpy moose.

“True,” Hyde said. “I’m not sure if I’d rather be depressed and warm or cold and happy.”

“I didn’t say I was happy, just in the sunlight during the day shift,” Alfie said. “Any job becomes a pain at some point. Except maybe the petting zoo staff. I think playing with baby animals all day would be hella fun.”

“Except for the stall cleanout,” Nathan said from the backseat.

“Oh, hell yeah, that stinks!” Amadeus said.

“So those are the only choices? Cold and happy or bummed and warm?” Hyde asked as they all got out of the SUV Alfie had borrowed from the employee vehicle fleet.

“Pretty much,” Alfie said. “But again, I’m not ecstatic to be walking the park every day. It’s a good job to have, but I like the safari tour. I miss it in the winter.”

While the park itself was closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, the park would open again in January with their winter hours—only open on weekends. The safari tours would be closed through January because the construction crew was breaking ground on the safari-themed cafe, which was going to be built near the entrance of the tour.

Alfie was a jack-of-all-trades when it came to security. He went where Joss put him. He used to be a night owl and loved the overnight security patrols, but lately he’d enjoyed the daytime patrols and working the safari tour either as a driver or guide.

Their group walked into the bar, and each of them gave a once-over to the interior. It was moderately busy, the counter stools all filled but plenty of empty tables, so they grabbed a four-top and settled in.

They ordered beers and a few baskets of fries.

Alfie took off his jacket.

“I see zero females,” Nathan said with a low voice. “Your psychic radar needs to be recalibrated, Amadeus.”

“What about the waitress?” Amadeus asked.

“She’s got a wedding ring,” Alfie pointed out.

“Ah crap, I didn’t notice.” They stopped talking when the waitress appeared and put their beers down, then disappeared to check on their fries. “Oh well.” Amadeus lifted his beer. “To someone’s future changing tonight by whoever walks through the door.”

They all lifted their beers. “That sounds almost ominous,” Alfie said.

“I meant it in a good way. To the future, gents. And finding our other halves,” Amadeus said with a grin.

They all clinked bottles and took a drink after saying hear, hear.