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Fifteen wolves sat on their haunches, staring at him.
“Oh.” Brandy stumbled to a stop. “That’s weird. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them all together like this before.”
“Maybe they’re having a meeting.”
At the sound of his voice, all the wolves got to their feet, tails wagging wildly. Short barks and whines filtered out of the pack as they took turns coming to him, sniffing and licking and rubbing.
“I’m sorry,” Brandy said as she steered Lug away from him. “I don’t know what’s gotten into them.”
“It’s not a problem. They’re just curious.” He offered each of the wolves—his pack really—quick pats and whispered words of greeting.
“Well, they certainly seem to like you.” She put her hands on her hips and regarded the few wolves still nudging him. After turning in a circle, she furrowed her brow. “I don’t see Alator though.”
But you do.
“Perhaps he’s with Dylan?”
“Maybe, but he usually sleeps in the house.”
Reardon raised an eyebrow. “Special treatment for him?”
“He earned it. I have a neighbor who…” Brandy hesitated as she ran her fingers along Albi’s brown fur. “Who acted like an ass. Alator told him to knock that shit off and I greatly appreciated that. He’s a protective wolf. I really wish you could meet him.”
“Another time.”
“Yeah, maybe tomorrow.”
“I look forward to tomorrow with great anticipation, Brandy.” He stepped away from the lingering wolves and pressed a kiss to Brandy’s forehead. “Good night and thank you.”
He walked toward the entrance gates, all fifteen wolves on his heels despite Brandy calling them back. When he opened the gate, he turned, hand held out.
“Stay,” he commanded.
Each wolf sat and watched as he re-latched the gate. Trusting they’d heed his order, Reardon walked down the driveway into the darkness. He stowed his clothes in the rocky outcropping hiding spot and shifted into wolf form.
In a matter of minutes, he was getting a running start, hurtling over the gates, and rubbing noses with his wolf family. His sharp hearing picked up sounds of Brandy on the back patio of her cabin so he trotted to her.
“There you are.” She put down the glasses she’d been picking up off the patio table and kneeled, beckoning him over to her. “Where have you been all night, big boy? Huh? I wanted you to meet someone. Someone amazing.”
Reardon pushed his nose into her hands and allowed her to rub him all over. Such contact felt good in wolf form, but now that he knew what her hands felt like on his human flesh, he craved that.
Tomorrow.He could wait until tomorrow.
Chapter Eleven
“I know you don’t like this, sweet girl.” Parker held the syringe aloft as Brandy rubbed the fur between Midir’s ears. “I’ll have what I need after one prick and you can be on your way.”
Brandy stroked Midir’s muzzle, trying to distract the wolf from the blood Parker was collecting. Once a year, she and Parker did full physicals on all the wolves to keep their records up to date and look for potential problems. Wolves didn’t always reveal their illnesses in obvious ways, and she wanted to stay on top of anything that might be a hazard to them.
So far the biggest hazard had been Hank Swift. Luckily, after Alator’s warning, she hadn’t seen much of the ass or his traps. Maybe he’d finally gotten the message between the Sheriff’s requests, her yelling at him, and Alator’s razor-sharp teeth display. Whatever the case, things at the sanctuary had been good, and she hoped it stayed that way.
Because other things were good too. Really good. Last night with Reardon had been amazing. Not only the sex, but the dinner conversation as well. She’d enjoyed watching him interact with Dylan, Meredith, and Parker. He’d even had some quick replies to Chella that had been entertaining. He’d appeared to be in tune with her too, picking up that she didn’t exactly approve of Chella. Was she that obvious? She didn’t think so. She’d reconciled to allow Parker to do what he wanted. The best she could do was be there for him should Chella break his heart.
“Okay, this beauty is good to go.” Parker moved to stand next to Brandy so he could look Midir in the face. “Sorry, Midir. You know it’s nothing personal.” He removed his gloves and gave the wolf a scratch under the chin.
Midir let out a huff as Brandy released the harness they used to keep the wolves in place as they worked with them.
“I don’t think she forgives you yet, Park.” Brandy opened the clinic door to let Midir out.
