Fox Play (6 page)

"Council?"

"Yes."

"How does a woman land on the council?"

"The same way a man does: by challenging an existing member."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "She's been on the council forever. Mom says she's brilliant, and if anyone ever challenged her, he would find himself facing a lot of angry wolves. She scares me worse than Mr. Berg does."

"Are challenges to the death, like-"

"Like David?" I nodded. "Sometimes. They don't have to be. If someone submits, that is usually the end of it, but not always."

"So you could submit, but the other wolf might kill you anyway?"

"Yes. But if you get a reputation for that, then you find everyone assumes a fight with you is to the death, and if you kill someone with family or friends, you probably made some enemies."

I was glad I wasn't to be involved in any of that. I did worry about Lara's position, though.

I saw Scarlett hanging around, watching Angel, and it was clear how she felt. I was surprised I hadn't noticed it before.

"You know, Angel, there's something I've never asked you. Do you think of any of the boys as a boyfriend?"

She glanced at me. "Where did that come from?"

"I'd rather not say," I said.

Then she glanced where I was facing and she saw Scarlett watching. Angel began blushing and turned away. Scarlett's expression collapsed, and she turned away.

"Want to talk to me about it, Angel?"

"Scarlett has a crush on me," Angel said.

"Maybe she does. How do you feel about it?"

"She's had it for a long time. It got worse last year, when you and Lara started dating." Angel looked at me. "Please, Michaela, I like being your assistant."

"What does that have to do with it?"

"I. Um. Sorta asked initially because I wanted to get away from her. I thought she'd give up. But-"

"But what?"

"I think I might like her too."

"And that's a problem, why?"

"Because Jeremy is totally in love with her, and Derek thinks I'm going to agree to marry him someday."

"Do you want to marry Derek?"

"I don't think of him that way."

"Do you think of Scarlett that way?"

"I don't know. I might. I don't know."

"Do you want my advice?"

"Please, Michaela. Yes."

"Talk to Scarlett. Soon. Your body language just told her you weren't interested and are embarrassed by her attention, and now she's hurting."

"Mom told me to introduce you around."

"We both know I don't want to be introduced. Please go talk to Scarlett. At least for a few minutes."

"I don't know what to say."

"Invite her to Bayfield for a weekend of kayaking."

"Really?"

"Yes. Not this weekend, though. Maybe next."

"Thanks, Michaela."

I watched Angel cross the field, making a beeline for her friend. Scarlett had her back to us, standing alone, when Angel stepped up and put a hand on her shoulder. I watched the body language. Angel was a little tentative, and Scarlett looked like she'd been crying. The two of them talked, and then I saw Scarlett look straight at me, and she was beaming.

I turned away and found Lara. She was in conversation with one of the countless males I didn't recognize. I worked my way in her direction, then stood off a short distance in case they wouldn't want me in their conversation. I purposely tried to tune out what they were saying, concentrating instead on a story that Elizabeth was telling a group of people.

But Lara turned to me and held out her hand. I stepped to her, and she introduced me to Dominick. "We met earlier," he said.

"Ah," I said. "Of course. Charcoal suit, you sat on my left towards the middle of the table."

"Yes," he said. "Good memory."

"I only remember because you seemed distracted."

"My apologies," he said. "I was listening intently, but I trust the alpha's judgment, so the meeting was simply a formality for me. Please fetch me a chair, though. I see a collection of them there. I hate to admit it, but I have a difficult hip."

"Of course," I said. "Alpha, I need a short moment of your time when you can spare it." I didn't wait for her to respond but found one of the chairs lined up on the edge of the field and fetched it for Dominick. When I provided it, he took it gracefully and settled in, then waved us off. Lara took my arm and pulled me away.

"What's up?"

Scarlett and Angel were talking animatedly to themselves, and I simply looked in that direction until Lara's gaze followed mine.

"Ah," she said. "It's about damned time."

"You knew?"

"Yes. I know all, little fox. Haven't you figured that out yet?"

"Of course, Alpha."

"What are they talking about?"

I found myself immediately listening to their conversation. "Kayaking," I said.

Lara stared at me intently. "I got you."

"What?"

"How good is your hearing, Michaela?"

"I don't know," I said. "Pretty good, I guess. Why do you ask?"

"So you can hear them talking from here?"

I glanced at her. "I told Angel to invite Scarlett kayaking next weekend. Look at their body language. What else could they be talking about?"

Lara frowned at me before watching the girls. "Oh, I see," she said. There was a commotion, and platters of food began appearing on the serving tables, Jeremy and Alan assisting Gia, Serena and Francesca. Francesca caught Angel talking to Scarlett then searched the field until she saw me with Lara.

"Why did you invite Angel down? We're going to be even further behind."

"She deserves to be here for this."

"Who knows what's going on?"

"Just the council. Everyone else knows something is up, and people are guessing, but no one is even close. The enforcers started a pool. Elisabeth is keeping me posted."

I laughed. "What are the choices?"

"Wedding announcement; Adjustments to the council; A change in the tithing percentages; An announcement we're annexing one of the neighboring packs, the Michigan Upper Peninsula being the most popular choice. Someone made a completely wild guess that I am abdicating as alpha to move to Bayfield."

"Are you?" I said it with a grin. "I know a fox with a nice home she would share."

"You'll have to wait for everyone else, if that's what you think the announcement is," she said, laughing. "There are others. Hmm. You're being banished. You're being made into an enforcer. I'm not sure what else. Not a single one is right."

I laughed. "An enforcer. Funny. Is there money involved?"

"Yes. Quite a bit now. Don't even think of getting involved."

"I could drop a hint to Angel."

She laughed. "And I could paddle your naked bottom in front of the rest of the pack."

"I haven't said a thing to anyone!" I said, rubbing my bottom worriedly. Lara smiled at me as if she was anticipating the moment.

Scarlett and Angel came up with plates of food for Lara and me. Angel had another glass of lemonade for me. "Angel, hang onto that," Lara said. "Michaela is going to fetch chairs."

She grinned at me. "Yes, alpha," I told her and retrieved four of the folding chairs, spreading them about.

Angel watched me dubiously for a minute, then I heard her ask Scarlett, "Does anyone know what the announcement is? And if not, is there a pool running?"

I set the chairs up and Lara sat in one. I took another and Angel handed me my plate. She and Scarlett scampered off. "Lara, I did not tell her. I absolutely did not tell her. Who is managing the pool?"

"Elisabeth," Lara said. "And if Angel guessed right, she won't want anyone else to hear."

Elisabeth wandered past, carrying a plate, and took one of the open chairs. "Lara, your little fox is in trouble."

"Angel is going to win the pool?"

"And Scarlett. They're both over themselves with the idea." Elisabeth glared at me.

"She didn't tell," Lara said. "Angel figured it out. The little fox was too quick to acquiesce to a demand from the alpha. No back talk or anything. Couple that with her being invited down separately from Michaela and it wasn't a stretch."

"They won't tell anyone else," Elisabeth said. "They won't want to share the pool."

"What's the most ridiculous guess?" I asked Elisabeth.

"That the entire pack is relocating to Bayfield," Elisabeth said. "Who could believe that one?" She said it lightly, but she was smirking at me when she said it.

"Some of us might want to believe it," I suggested. "But I know it's a dream that isn't going to happen." I turned to Lara. "How soon are you going to insist I move down here?"

"I'm not," she said. "It will be your decision. I felt out a few people about moving the pack, and there were a few who loved the idea, but we're just too heavily invested down here. I'm sorry. To be quite honest, I like it up there, too."

The woman Angel had said was Vivian Chandress walked across the field to us, taking the last free chair. Lara introduced us. She said something kind, I said I'd heard good things about her. She asked me what. I told her, "I believe the word used was 'brilliant'." She seemed to appreciate that.

Three move wolves joined us. I was introduced to Violet, Sexton and Wanda. Sexton and Wanda appeared to be married. They sat down in the grass, forming a rough circle with the chairs already here. Violet remained standing but was looking at me pointedly. I wondered if I had something in my teeth.

"You met Violet earlier," Vivian told me. "This afternoon, I believe."

I stared at Vivian for a moment. Vivian dropped her eyes to my chair. If I'd met Violet this afternoon, that must be she was council. I stood up and said, "Of course. My apologies. Violet, would you care for a seat? I was done eating but would be happy to retrieve drinks if anyone would like anything?"

Violet took my seat and asked for a soft drink. "No caffeine," she said. I got a chorus of requests, but none from Sexton and Wanda, and ran off to fill the order. When I got back I passed out the drinks then sat in the grass next to Lara.

"You know, I wonder if I could talk the council members into wearing a little pin or something so I can recognize you. Or maybe a little bell on your ankles."

Violet frowned at the suggestion. She snapped her fingers at me and said, "Fox. I would like more venison."

"Yes, ma'am," I said. I gave Lara a look though. They were treating me like a servant. She shrugged, and I put up with it, putting on a sweet face.

Mr. Berg caught me at the serving table. "They will push you harder before they back off."

"And you?"

"I do not play petty games. If I order you about, it will be for something more important than a slice of venison."

"Will she be happy with one slice?"

"I'd make it three."

"Thank you."

I returned with the plate of venison for Violet. She took it haughtily, and I decided I didn't like her.

"Little fox," Lara said. "Sit here, please." She pointed to the space in front of her. So I sat on the ground at her feet, and she possessively put her hand on my shoulder. I glanced up at her and smiled, leaning against her legs.

I paid attention to the conversation around us. Eric came up and whispered in Elisabeth's ear. I listened in. "Fifty bucks?" He asked. Paper exchanged hands. "You're challenging Lara so she can move to Bayfield," was his prediction.

"All right," she said. "You're in. That's very specific. If anyone got it half right, you'll have to share a portion."

"You're not going to write it down?"

"I only need to remember the winners, Eric. If you're right, I'll remember."

Around me, I saw the wolves were starting to finish eating, at about the same rate the pile of food became depleted. Angel and Scarlett wandered around, collecting plates from everyone. Scarlett crouched down next to me and whispered in my ear, "Did you tell her?"

"I wouldn't do that," I told her quietly. "I can't tell you what she told me any more than I can tell her what you told me. You should ask her. Are you coming kayaking?"

She hugged me. "Yes. And thank you."

"Don't go overboard. Make sure you both know what you're doing before you lose your heart more than you have. And the alpha already knew, by the way."

"She sees everything."

A male, his face vaguely familiar from the council meeting, stopped by. He complained about his beer being empty while looking pointedly at me. I started to get up, but Lara clamped a hand on my shoulder and asked Scarlett to make sure everyone had the drinks they wanted.

The male looked annoyed then turned away. I looked over my shoulder at Lara, and she said quietly, "Mine."

I laid my head on her leg. "Yours."

She felt nice.

Dusk began to settle in. Lara caressed my head. "We seem to have some pack business to conduct. Little fox, as you have so forcefully declared yourself as not pack, perhaps you can wait in our bedroom."

"All right," I said. "How long should I remain there?"

"When it is proper for you to return, someone will retrieve you. No eavesdropping, Michaela."

I got up, using her leg as a lever, and she squeezed my hand. I walked behind her, brushing my fingers through her hair, and headed straight for the house.

Rory stopped me. "I know you know what's going on," he said. "Tell me and I'll share the pot with you."

"Sorry, Rory. I may know, I may not. But if I know and told you, Lara would be very unhappy with me."

Scarlett and Angel were just finishing in the kitchen. "Angel, do you have your iPod? May I borrow it during the pack meeting they're having?"

"Sure." She pulled it out of her pocket and handed it over. "You know how to use it?"

"Yes. I'm not that old."

She laughed.

"You two better get outside.

"Is it true?" Angel asked. "It's just us, you can tell us."

"Angel, you are very clever, and I'm sure you understand when I tell you, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh my god, it's true!" She ran around the room, jumping in the air and pumping her fist, and I laughed watching her. She hugged Scarlett then they both hugged me.