Page 12 of Howl You Doin'

"Think of all those sweet little cubs who come here after school." Rachelle's gaze drifted to the playground. "Would be a shame if something happened while they were playing. Accidents do happen."

Wade took a menacing step forward. "That's enough."

"Oh, I'm just getting started." Rachelle's smile widened. "Victor wanted me to paint you a picture of what resistance looks like. All those elderly pack members doing their morning tai chi, the teenagers at their study groups, the single mothers at their support meetings..." She clicked her tongue. "So many vulnerable people."

The rage building in Caleb's chest threatened to explode. "Last warning. Leave."

"You know, your father would have been smarter about this." Rachelle's words hit their mark. "He would have known when to bow out gracefully."

"My father would have torn out Victor's throat for threatening children." Caleb's eyes flashed. "Now get out of here before I show you exactly why I'm alpha."

Rachelle's laugh echoed across the parking lot as she stripped off her dress. "Have it your way." Her body contorted, bones cracking as she shifted back to wolf form. Her companions followed suit, their clothes falling to the ground as they shifted.

The three wolves turned tail and ran, Rachelle's gray form disappearing into the tree line.

Caleb turned abruptly to the guards. "Double the patrols. I want eyes on every entrance, every window, every shadow." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "No one gets within fifty feet of this place without us knowing about it."

"Yes, Alpha," the guards responded in unison.

Wade moved to his side. "Want me to put extra security on the playground?"

"Everything." Caleb's gaze remained fixed on where the wolves had vanished. "We protect everything."

Caleb's shoulders relaxed marginally as his guards and Wade dispersed, but the tension snapped right back when a throat cleared behind him. He'd completely forgotten about Fiona.

"So," she said, crossing her arms. "Want to explain what that little wolfy showdown was about?"

He turned to find her green eyes blazing with determination. The same look she'd worn when she'd first walked into his office. "Not particularly."

"Three giant wolves show up,there's threats, dramatic stripping, and more threats." She ticked off each point on her fingers. "And you expect me to just go back to organizing the potluck schedule?"

"That's exactly what I expect you to do." Caleb moved to walk past her, but she stepped directly into his path.

"They're the ones who vandalized the community center, aren't they? This Nightfang pack?"

The accuracy of her deduction stopped him short. Her scent carried notes of frustration and curiosity, but not fear. Most people would be running for the hills after witnessing that confrontation.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance." A smile tugged at her lips. "I've been told I can be quite stubborn."

"You don't say." He ran a hand through his hair again, studying her. "Fine. Short version - Victor, the Nightfang alpha, thinks he should rule all the packs in town. I disagree. He's trying to force the issue."

"By destroying property and intimidating people?" Her eyebrows shot up. "Sounds like a real charmer."

"You have no idea." Despite himself, Caleb felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "Look, this isn't your problem. Just focus on running the center."

"Running a center that's apparently caught in the middle of a supernatural turf war?" She shook her head. "Sorry, but that makes it my problem too."

"Fiona-"

"Besides," she interrupted, "I'd say I handled myself pretty well just now. Didn't scream, didn't faint, didn't even comment on the gratuitous nudity."

A surprised laugh escaped him. "No, you didn't."

"Though I have to say, as far as dramatic exits go, that was a bit over the top. Does everyone in your world have such a flair for theatrics?"

The lighthearted mood evaporated quickly as Fiona's expression shifted to something more serious. Her fingers twisted the hem of her jacket, a nervous gesture that caught Caleb's attention.

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