Thank you all for your kind words and support. I should change my user name to Tickled Pink because that's how I feel whenever I read the comments. I'm not sure what I appreciate more: the people who care enough to write constructive criticism or the people who defend me! I hope this story continues to entertain and tantalize the reading masses!
CricketMuse
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The next afternoon Gareth found Kiera working on her laptop in the kitchen. Her white cat, Bianca, got up from her perch in the window to rub up against him in greeting.
"Is there coffee?" he asked as he dropped into one of the dinette chairs.
"There was coffee, but that was a couple hours ago. There's tea now."
"Iced or hot?"
Kiera looked up at her friend. "Sweet iced tea, but I can make hot if you want."
"No, iced is good. Is there anything to eat?"
"Chicken salad or smoked turkey, there's some provolone cheese too. Do you want me to make you a sandwich?"
"I think I can handle it," Gareth stated while going to the fridge.
The clickety-clack of the keyboard continued while Gareth made his lunch. He moved around the kitchen with the familiarity that comes with long friendship. Minutes later he had a chicken salad sandwich, dill pickle and a large glass of tea. He sat back down at the table and was instantly surrounded by Bianca and Felix, Kiera's orange tabby.
"No begging, go lay down," he admonished.
Again looking up Kiera said, "They're cats, they don't take orders. How's your sandwich?"
"Good."
"And you slept alright?"
"Always. I heard you moving around a bit though."
"Yeah I tried to get more sleep, but gave up around eight. I debated between catching up on my DVR and getting some paperwork done. Responsibility won this time," she said with a smile. "Speaking of which did you call work?"
Wrinkling his nose Gareth replied, "I left a message before I went to sleep. In case anyone asks I had food poisoning. You see, I was up all night vomiting, but if they really needed me I could drag myself off my deathbed for work. Strangely no one called."
"Gross. Can't your lies be more pleasant like you had to drive up to take your Mom to the doctor or something that doesn't involve throwing up?"
"Listen to me, love, if you want to sell a lie you better make it big and unquestionable. No one wants details about food poisoning."
Nodding she agreed, "True enough, I don't even want to hear the make believe details."
Gareth finished his lunch and refilled both of their glasses. "So about last night…"
"That's right! I need you to give me a ride to the bar on your way home. I left my car there and it's pretty out of the way for the others to come get me."
"Aren't your car keys in your purse?"
"Shit."
Last night they discovered her purse had not made it home with them. Fortunately Gareth had a house key, but they both knew Kiera would have broken through a window instead of driving back to the restaurant. They also knew that it was only a matter of time before she would have to go back despite her desire to do otherwise. Gareth could have mentioned he had plans to go back on Saturday, but didn't. Despite her aversion she needed to face what happened and who they had met.
She compressed her lips and leaned back in her chair. "There's a spare set of keys at the bar. I'll get my purse later, but I don't want to think about it right now."
"Why not? I mean it was one of those life changing experiences, like coming out to my parents or getting drunk and waking up in San Francisco with a man whose name I didn't remember. That was, by the way, totally awesome.
"That was the same weekend," Kiera laughed. "Your parents called me sobbing about you calling them from a bar and telling them you're gay and then disappearing for two days. They called the police for Pete's sake! I had to assure them you'd come back and that you could date men and still be a lawyer."
"I miss college," he snickered.
They recounted some of the more outrageous times they spent in college: the parties, the late nights, the last minute miracle essays and all the things that brought them closer as friends. Gareth knew she was uncomfortable about last night and let the subject go. They kept the conversation light and avoided any darker or more serious topics. Gareth knew the werewolf conversation was simply postponed until Kiera felt less threatened by the situation. She was at her most stubborn when she felt at a disadvantage and meeting something more unnatural than her was a definite disadvantage.
After an hour of reminiscing Gareth announced he was going to take a shower and then would drive her to the bar. Kiera used the time to finalize some budgeting paperwork and change for the evening. She put on a burgundy tank top and blue jeans, styled her hair and brushed her teeth. Unfortunately for Gareth he had to wear the same clothes from the previous day which he made a point to bemoan.
"I look like a slob," he complained as they got in his car.
"Don't worry, Gare-bear, no one is looking," Kiera retorted and stuck out her tongue.
He dropped her off in front of the bar with a kiss and a promise to stop by later. Kiera looked up at the sign that always made her smile, "A Typical Oasis." The place was her pride and joy and anything but typical. The front door opened and there stood one of her friends, Amber.
"I saw you in arms of a beast," she said simply.
Kiera's smile fell off her face.
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Grayson's day was packed full of the usual responsibilities. He resolved some pack disputes, oversaw the redecorating of their dance club, Moonlight, completed some paperwork and sent an email out to the surrounding packs about the attack. It pained him to mention the few details they had about the attack, but he had hopes that one of them would have some information. Each pack worked like an independent nation, but there was still an information network in place. It kept packs that shared boundaries from stepping on each other's toes and aware if any disturbances threatened their way of life. Still, any aggression that exposed a possible weakness within a pack could open the doors to additional attacks. Grayson had beefed up security within the city limits and sent out additional border guards. His initiative went a long way to assure the pack that everything was under control. Derek was released from the infirmary, though still showed signs of healing, and Grayson offered him the enemy's corpse. Derek wasted no time in gorging on what he could before sharing with the rest of the pack. A kill was a kill after all and nothing went to waste. Lena expressed the activity was beneficial for Derek. He was relatively new to the pack and was still establishing position.
Relieved of his most pressing concerns, Grayson sat alone in the security room. Even though he had a set of monitors in his suite he preferred to stay close by. That was until the door opened.
"And they called it puppy lo-ove!"
The booming voice belonged to Alistair, Beta of the pack and mate of Lena. He was one of the few who would dare mock Grayson, but was wise enough to do it in private.
"Shut the door you ass," Grayson grumbled. He had almost thought the previous night's strangeness would pass by unmentioned.
"Yes, Sir," Alistair mock saluted. "I just wanted to confirm some of the additional security measures we're putting in place and ask who you want to send after the girl."
Grayson looked quizzically at his friend. "Lena and I agreed not to put a watch on the humans. They seemed sincere in their promise to keep quiet. In fact, she said Gareth was coming back on his own cognizance and that you were having dinner with him on Saturday. We have no further interest in the woman."
Alistair sensed the lie in that statement, but was wise enough not to point it out. "True enough, but we still need to send someone to her."
"Explain yourself."
Smiling Alistair said, "We have the center of her world, the portal to her feminine being, that which will answer all her mysteries in our possession."
"Explain yourself without the obscurity," Gray growled.
Tsking Alistair stood and opened the door, "Temper, temper, Chief. I meant she left her handbag behind and I'm sure the little lady will want it back ASAP."
Gray stared at the bag hanging from the tips of Alistair's fingers. It was nondescript black, small sized and brought back everything he'd suppressed throughout the day. Not special, but special. It was a loose end and an open door to possibility.
"Consequently," Alistair was saying, "I'm having a background check run on her. You know, just to make sure she is who and what she says she is."
"That's unnecessary," Gray replied. "Kiera was just an innocent bystander last night who unwittingly stumbled into our world."
"Quite the change in tune, my lord Alpha," Alistair noted with a sly smile. "The pack has been buzzing with rumors of your shouting at the little 'innocent bystander' and following her around like she was making off with the silver."
Alistair fell silent at Gray's dark scowl. Tweaking his Alpha's temper was only fun when he wouldn't face retribution. From what his love confided the little human stirred up some strong feelings in their mighty Alpha. Known as a firm, but fair leader who had exemplary control over his temper, Gary's outbursts yesterday were singular indeed. Lena worried about the distraction, but as a red blooded mail Alistair was more amused by the possible development. A werewolf and human connection was not unheard of, but certainly rare among the higher ranking wolves. And it was unheard of an Alpha pursuing a paranormal. Sometimes witches were welcomed by the pack as advisors, but never considered as a romantic possibility.
