Page 18 of Wolves Always Bite

NelsonandTeaguesnickered.

"CallmeGage."

"Right,Gage.What’swith the feeling of doom?"

"Doyou know where the goblin got those boxes?"

“Like, sort of.”Jeremyrocked his hand back and forth. "Therewere a bunch of backroads involved.Butwe picked them up this morning, so the route is still pretty fresh in my head.Theplace was super sketchy though."

Gageleaned forward.Jeremyleaned back.Atleast he had some sense of self-preservation.

"Tellme,"Gagedemanded.

"Sure.Doyou have a map?Ileft my phone in the truck."

Teaguewaved his hand and the map from the dashboard fluttered over toJeremyand landed in his lap.

"Apaper map.Awesome, that's so old school.Mygrandparents like these too."

Gagescowled.Therest of us laughed.Theguy refused to use technology unless forced.Heliked to say he’d survived a millennium without it; he didn’t need to start now.

"Andthat whole moving things without touching them, super cool, dude.”Jeremyheld out his hand toTeagueto fist-bump.Teaguebrushed his fist quickly againstJeremy’s, when it was clear the human wasn’t going to lower his hand. “Ibet that was super helpful when you had to clean your room as a kid, hey?"

Jeremyunfolded the map and tilted his head from side to side.Hetraced his finger over the surface as he muttered to himself. "Yeah.That'sit.Somewherearound there.WillowLake.Ishould have remembered.That’swhere myBFFlives.”Hisforehead furrowed. “Butthe place wasn't actually in the town itself.Itwas an old house in the woods with a bunch of rundown tiny houses all around it.Thepeople weren’t friendly.Likeat all."Herubbed his chin. "Itwas like a cult or something.Definitelya weird vibe."

Gageopened his mouth but before he said anything,Teaguealready had his phone out.

"Supenetsays there is a wolf pack out that way."

Isaacgroaned.

Teaguesmirked as he pattedIsaac'sshoulder. "Don'tworry, buddy, we won't let them get you."

"Notall wolves are bad,”Gagesaid, probably for my benefit. “Butwhen packs go bad, it's bad for everyone.”

“Thelast one—"

“Teague, we really don't have to tell this story,"Isaacmuttered.

"Oh, butIhaven't heard it,"Jeremysaid.Hiseyes were bright with mischief.

"Theyput him in a stable and kept trying to ride him like a horse."

Jeremy'sforehead wrinkled. "Idon't get it."

"He'sa centaur."

"Holyshit."Hisgaze traveled over the length ofIsaac'sbody from head to foot, studying him too closely in my opinion.Jeremy’sfingers twitched like he wished he had his notebook and pen again. "That'sawesome."

Atwinge of…something…ran through me.Itwasnotjealousy.Ithadnothingto do withJeremy'sobvious awe at meeting another supe.Nope.Noneat all.Itwas just… hunger.Yeah.It'dbeen a few hours since breakfast.Wolfmetabolisms demanded a lot of calories, particularly when we shifted a lot or were healing.I’dgrab a handful of beef jerky when the meeting finished.I’dbe fine.

"So, what's the plan?"Gageasked.Asmuch as he was the leader of our little group, he usually wasn't one of those guys who dictated what everyone else should do.

"Iwant to takeJeremyto the city.CheckoutBabette'swarehouse or store or whatever and see if she has anything else we need to worry about."Ilooked atJeremy.Iprobably should have discussed this with him first. "Ifthat’s okay with you?”

Jeremynodded.

“AndIthinkJeremyshould stay with us for a bit until things cool down withBabette.Sheknows where he lives.Hewon't be safe there."