Page 39 of Last But Not Leashed

“You don’t run from her when she’s pissy, do you?”

“When she’s pissy, it’s because I’ve earned her ire, thus deserve her tearing into me.”

“Okay. I can see why she’d get stuck on you, then. It takes a lot of courage to stand firm when she’s angry.”

“It does?” I could think of a handful of times lately I’d annoyed her just to see what she’d do.

“Fair warning, son. Her ma’s got enough elf in her you’ll be on the menu if you hurt our baby girl.”

Before I’d contracted lycanthropy, I’d been an oddity with my unusually high percentage of pure human. When I’d undergone my evaluation, the CDC had been a little too interested in my high percentage of humanity than my parents had been comfortable with.

Lycanthropy typically rewrote and erased standard human DNA.

Such was not the case with me; I’d lost a single percentage of pure human upon infection, and my genetics hadn’t changed post shift. I was as much of a freak as an elf.

In retrospect, my maintained humanity might be to blame for my unique fur color. If I volunteered to undergo additional evaluations, I wouldn’t need the bounty money. The CDC would pay well for the right to poke and prod at me to figure out how I ticked.

Ethel being part elf wasn’t a problem for me, although I was concerned about their reputation of eating whatever crossed their path and pissed them off.

“How much elf is she?”

“Ethel? She’s a quarter, roughly.”

“One of Ethel’s grandparents is a full elf?”

“Yep.”

“That explains a lot. Ethel looks like a full human. Doesn’t her mother have lycanthropy?”

“Lucky roll of the dice; her ma turned out human enough to catch the virus. Of all the brats, Ethel’s got the most elf in her. It’s a good thing you’re a lycanthrope. You’ll survive—probably.”

“I had no idea she’s part elf.”

“Most don’t. They just figure our baby girl’s a powder keg set to blow.”

“Huh.”

“No such worry for you, son?”

“I’ve never noticed. Doesn’t matter to me, either.” Something crashed in the other room, and I winced, hoping Ethel emerged unscathed. “Much.”

“Well, don’t you worry. You won’t need bail. Come along. I’ll show you to the bathroom so you can get changed, then we’ll go have a look for some intel on that lycanthrope attack so you don’t have any distractions. I figure that’s what brought you two over?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m here to get paid off in advance for marrying an elf. I make decent money, but I don’t make the sort of money needed for a good house for lycanthropes, puppies, or elves.”

“Elves don’t tend to do a lot of property damage. Usually.” Ethel’s uncle hesitated, then he sighed. “Who the hell am I kidding? Good lord, no wonder she wants you. You’re so practical it’s downright frightening, and she likes practical.”

My father thought my practical nature was a birth defect, but after hearing Ethel liked it, I’d make a point of informing my family, loudly, I was perfect as I was. I’d enjoy it. “Good to know.”

“Come along. This way. Forgive the clutter. Missy lost her temper, and when she loses her temper, the brave lycanthropes hide in their rooms until she’s less murderous. Missy’s been working the horses a lot, and she’s trailed mud everywhere. It’ll keep my brother busy once she cools off. The place needed an overhaul anyway. Hasn’t been painted in at least ten years.” Ethel’s uncle crossed the foyer and waited for me at the start of a hallway.

I cast a doubtful look at the chandelier. “I see.”

“Ah, that. Ethel’s pappy tried to charm her ma into a better mood. He got tangled in the chandelier by his britches.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“Only if you annoy Missy, which I doubt. Us Frankwell men have a tendency to put our feet into our mouths at the worst times. I bet Missy got upset because our baby girl was upset the lycanthrope bitch who hurt you cooperated. I heard some nonsense about a big gun and decided I didn’t want to know anything else.”