Jaguar (The Madison Wolves Book 12) Read online

  "Elisabeth?" Michaela asked.

  "Carissa," said Elisabeth, "What species is your flight crew?"

  "Two humans," Carissa replied. "They are flight crew only. Must they vacate your territory?"

  "No," Elisabeth replied. "Unless you need them nearby, we can loan them a home in Bayfield for their stay, or they may take one of the vehicles and fend for themselves."

  "They'll appreciate the vehicle," Carissa said. "If you don't mind."

  "That's why we brought it," Elisabeth said. "With your permission, Angel and Eric can see to your luggage."

  "Of course," Carissa replied. "That is most kind. Anika and Joanna can help."

  "I would prefer to keep my laptop with me," I said over my shoulder. Anika nodded, and I didn't worry about it. But a minute later, the young enforcer stepped to my side.

  "Ms. Delacroix?" she said. "I believe this is yours."

  I turned to her and smiled. She was holding my laptop case, and I accepted it from her. "Thank you, Monique."

  "You're welcome."

  The dynamics remained interesting. By and large, I stood back and watched the interactions. They were... confusing.

  Excepting the humans, Michaela was clearly physically the weakest person here. But she seemed to be so in charge of events.

  But then she deferred to her enforcers, and at least for a time, Elisabeth was in charge. She directed where she wanted everyone to sit, but then it was clear there was a point of contention.

  Me.

  I could practically see the gears whirring in the wolf's head. She was clearly counting, and she didn't like the total.

  There were plenty of vehicles, and I didn't see the problem. But then she began dispatching wolves to the cars, each to be driven by one of the enforcers. And I looked at how the remaining enforcers were clustered around the werefox.

  I sidled to Elisabeth. "I'm causing difficulty for you."

  "Of course not."

  "Is it a long ride?"

  "Fifteen minutes or so."

  "Then place me where you must, Head Enforcer. I will not be offended."

  "You're at least as big as I am," Elisabeth said. "I can't imagine you want to ride in back of one of the SUVs."

  I laughed. "I'm bigger."

  She shook her head. "Michaela did this to me on purpose. I can't ask either alpha to ride in the rear seat. I certainly can't put Carissa back there. And I can't put an enforcer back there and expect her to do her job, but I don't know how to put Lara, Michaela, and Carissa in one car without one of them taking the front seat and Serena in the back."

  I chuckled.

  We'd both turned to watch Lara and Michaela talking with Carissa, and it was obvious when Michaela cocked her head. I was sure she'd heard Elisabeth say her name.

  "She heard everything you just said, didn't she?"

  And then darned, but if Michaela didn't look directly at me and nod.

  "That little shit," Elisabeth said. "She's laughing at me."

  "I believe she is," I observed. "And I believe Carissa may be as well. Look. Lara doesn't have a clue why they're laughing."

  Elisabeth growled and stared at Michaela, but the little fox simply returned her attention to her conversation, leaving Elisabeth to deal with security.

  "She never leaves this crap to me," Elisabeth said. "She fights me on everything. And she picks today to leave it to me?"

  I laughed again. "Would you care for a suggestion?"

  "I would love one."

  "Let the fox drive one of the cars and put Carissa in the front passenger seat."

  "You're not serious."

  "Can't she drive?"

  "Of course she can. It's just that we haven't let her drive in, oh, two years or so."

  "She flew one of the aircraft to New Orleans, I believe someone said. Why is this any different?"

  "She flew the Bonanza."

  "Yes?"

  "Lara flew the Seneca."

  I laughed. "And flying the Seneca carries more prestige than the lowly Bonanza."

  "Frankly, yes," Elisabeth said. "What the hell? It will do Lara good to let her wife drive her around. I don't think it has ever happened."

  "Never?"

  "Not in a car, no," she said. "I think we'll do just that." And then she stepped forward to direct everyone where she wanted them. Michaela smirked and then walked around one of the cars and bumped Karen from the driver's seat. I could tell the dour enforcer was surprised, but she didn't say a word.

  I found myself riding in a car driven by, to my surprise, the young enforcer with Portia in the passenger seat. Elisabeth and I rode in the second seat. A minute or two later, we were rolling forward.

  Elisabeth looked amazingly tense, her back straight and lips tight.

  "May I ask a question?"

  "Of course."

  "Why are you so uptight?"

  "Are you seriously asking that?"

  "Carissa told me what you did for her." Elisabeth didn't say anything, but she nodded her nose to our driver, and I in turn nodded understanding. Monique must not know. "Your petite alpha walks on water, as far as Carissa is concerned." Elisabeth said nothing. "If Carissa intended ill to your pack, there is little you could do to stop her. You know that, don't you?"

  "I know," Elisabeth said, her tone crisp.

  "I'll tell you something else. She told me if I were ever in a position of choosing loyalty between her or Michaela, I should pick Michaela."

  At that, Elisabeth's head snapped left to face me.

  "In reality, I don't know if I could do that, but I wouldn't want to return to her and tell her I had acted against your pack, either. And so I rest comfortable knowing I'll never need to make such a decision."

  Elisabeth said nothing for a moment, then without removing her gaze from me, she said, "Monique, are you listening to the conversation?"

  "I'm trying not to," said the young enforcer.

  "What would you say to our guest, if you were prompted to speak plainly."

  "Head enforcer," the girl began.

  "Speak plainly, Monique," Elisabeth repeated, and I detected warmth in her voice.

  "Ms. Delacroix, we are forever vigilant," said the girl. "The vampire may not be the threat. But she brings attention. I do not know how to separate fact from fiction regarding vampires, but I wonder if she is vulnerable outside her territory. I wonder if she has enemies. I wonder if she is too strong to attack while in New Orleans, but perhaps not quite so strong while here."

  No one said anything, but Monique continued after a moment. "And two years ago, I know Michaela was kidnapped. I didn't know whom, but suddenly the alpha and half the enforcers were gone, and when they came back, Michaela was with them. But everyone was weird for a few months after that. Something big happened."

  She glanced over her shoulder at me for only a moment then resumed speaking. "And now I have at least an idea of what was going on. One of Carissa's enemies kidnapped our alpha. I don't understand why, and I don't know why Carissa would feel indebted. Guilty, perhaps, if Michaela came between her and her enemies, but that's not the same, is it?"

  I turned back to Elisabeth. I had the full truth. Clearly most of the pack did not, although I presumed the older enforcers all did.

  "Monique," Elisabeth said. "Do the enforcer students talk about this?"

  "You told us not to," Monique said. Then she looked over her shoulder again, just an instant.

  "You can talk and keep your eyes on the road, Monique," Elisabeth said.

  "I'm sorry, Head Enforcer."

  "No one in this vehicle would be hurt in an accident, but deer can surprise anyone. Do you want to pay the insurance deductible if that happens?"

  "No, Head Enforcer."

  "Good. You were going to say something else?"

  "If anyone is talking about it, they don't do it with me. They think I'm a goody two shoes."

  Elisabeth laughed, and I smiled. "There are reasons you are the one who learned what you learned, Moniqu
e. You know what I'm talking about."

  "Yes, Head Enforcer."

  "And there are reasons I'm willing to allow you to overhear this conversation."

  "I won't let you down, Elisabeth."

  "I know you won't. Monique, I can't explain more than I have, but regardless of whatever conclusions you reach this weekend, you absolutely will not talk about them with anyone."

  "Of course not, Head Enforcer."

  "Michaela was not kidnapped by one of Carissa's enemies, but she did perform an important service for the vampire. If it is deemed you should know more than that, Lara or Michaela will tell you themselves."

  "Of course, Head Enforcer. You told me to speak plainly."

  "So I did. Anna, what do you think of our most promising student?"

  "I think you wish you had ten more of her."

  "Oh that is absolutely true," Elisabeth said.

  Seated in front of me, I watched Monique squirm in her seat and sit just a little straighter.

  "Monique, I am changing your assignment for this weekend. I hope you don't mind."

  "Of course not, Head Enforcer."

  "Anna, our property here is confusing. We're buying more as we can, but the borders are not clear. While with the rest of us, at the lodge, or immediately in sight of the lodge, you are free to roam. If you wish to roam more widely than that, please take Monique with you. She knows the borders. I don't do this to watch you, and I hope you aren't offended."

  "Of course not." She had assigned a youngster to me, one who would be no threat at all if I had nefarious plans, and I wondered if that was part of a message. I decided to take her words at face value. "Did you just invite me to shift into fur?"

  "If you wish. I am fairly certain the alphas will invite a run. I do not know how often you prefer to feel your fur."

  "I would like that. I admit: I am glad there is no snow."

  "You do not care for snow?"

  "I am unaccustomed. It has been several years, and I would prefer growing acclimatized before enjoying the full experience." I laughed. "Carissa implied Michaela might invite me swimming."

  "In the lake?" asked Monique. Elisabeth shifted in her seat, and I think perhaps she had assumed the young enforcer should have realized she was no longer a participant in the conversation. "Oh, it's really, really cold. It's cold to us. It's cold in the summer. I can't imagine how someone from New Orleans would view it in November."

  "We put the kayaks away for the season," Elisabeth said. "Michaela goes into a funk for two weeks every year, although there will still be icebergs floating in the bay when she takes her kayak out of storage."

  "Perhaps we will receive an invitation for the summer," I said. "I've never been kayaking. Do they make them to my size?"

  Elisabeth eyed me carefully. "You would want to bring your own wet suit. I think you're even bigger than Eric. But yes, we have a few kayaks to your size."

  "I'm sure I don't need a wet suit."

  "Michaela won't let you go without one," Monique said. "Even in the summer, it's really cold. Rory almost died."

  "What?"

  "He flipped," Elisabeth said. "He and my predecessor. It was years ago, our first outing up here with Michaela, long before she became an official member of the pack." Elisabeth shook her head. "Michaela was amazing. She saved both their lives."

  "That little thing."

  "That little thing," Elisabeth said. "I was the second most experienced kayaker on that trip, and in spite of our differences, I couldn't have helped. Anna, there are reasons this pack treats that little fox the way we do."

  "I know about some of those reasons," I said. I flicked my eyes to Monique and raised an eyebrow.

  Elisabeth turned her head back and forth, just once, a very small gesture, and so I nodded just as fractionally. "The truth is, before Michaela, Lara was a good alpha, but she was walking a balance, and not everyone was satisfied. Michaela makes Lara a better alpha, and Michaela directly adds a spirit to the pack that wouldn't exist without her. There are still holdouts who would prefer a male alpha."

  "Assholes," Monique muttered from the front seat.

  "Enforcer!" Elisabeth said firmly. "Unless drawn into the conversation, this is your opportunity to listen and learn."

  "I'm sorry, Head Enforcer," Monique replied contritely. "I hope I didn't offend you, Ms. Delacroix."

  "While I appreciate the sentiment you just relayed," Elisabeth continued, "one or two of those 'assholes', as you say, are on the council. Comments like that from such a young enforcer could easily result in political problems for your alpha."

  "I'm sorry, Head Enforcer."

  "Listen and learn, Monique. You could easily be the one sitting where I am someday, holding a discussion with a guest to the pack. Now, we're almost there. Be prepared for the convoy to stop. Michaela likes to show off the sign Lara built for her."

  "Yes, Head Enforcer."

  "Anna, what do you think about our young driver's comment?"

  "I don't think she got it right," I said. Elisabeth flashed a ghost of a smile to me. "If I were to make such a comment, which I couldn't possibly, I believe a far more accurate comment would have been along the way of 'misogynistic assholes'."

  "Quite so," said Elisabeth. "Did you hear that, Monique?"

  "What was that word?"

  "Misogynistic," I repeated. "A misogynist is someone who believes a woman's place is in the kitchen."

  Monique repeated the word a couple of times. "Am I saying it correctly?"

  "You are," I replied. "Young enforcer, I would counsel caution in the use of that word for the sort of reasons your head enforcer has already stated. I can get away with use of that word, but in the wrong ears, it can engender a harsh response. Enforcers, especially young enforcers, must tread carefully where politics are involved."

  Monique nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Delacroix," she said. "You were right, Elisabeth." We turned a corner, and then as predicted, our convoy came to a stop.

  We appeared to be in what could be considered the middle of nowhere. Outside our windows, the world was grey and dreary. There were trees not far from the road, but they were bare of all but a few brown leaves. The grasses in the ditch were brown and withered. I didn't see a single home. The paved road we had just left looked like the sort that saw little traffic, and the gravel road far less.

  "All right, Monique," Elisabeth said. "From past experience, I suspect you know what is happening in the vehicle immediately in front of us. Why don't you explain to our guest?"

  Monique paused then said, "Michaela likes to stop here. This represents the edge of our land." She pointed to the right. "Bayfield is five miles that way." She paused. "Normally, Michaela and Lara sit where you and Elisabeth are sitting, and she would hold Lara's hand while explaining how this land represents a sort of pre-wedding present. Lara loved Michaela so much, and Michaela's heart was breaking when she had to leave Bayfield to live with us near Madison, and so Lara bought this land so we could come here." Monique pointed. "The first time they came, that sign was the only indicator this was now our land."

  "So this is Michaela's land?" I asked.

  "It's pack land," Elisabeth said. "Lara bought it and donated it to the pack, but she did it for Michaela. And now it's Michaela's word that is law here."

  "She built the lodge and all the houses," said Monique.

  "Lara?"

  "Michaela," Monique said. "But she lets all of us help. Scarlett designed them though."

  "Who is Scarlett?"

  "You've met Angel," Elisabeth said. "Scarlett is her mate. She is a gifted architect, although for the larger structures, she works with her employer."

  "But they're her designs," Monique said, and I could hear the pride.

  "She's a friend?" I asked.

  "Yeah. She's older than me, of course, but yes. We've become friends. She's helped me a lot."

  "Will I meet her this weekend?" I asked.

  "Yes," Elisabeth said. "Probably in about five mi
nutes.

  I took another look at the sign. It was a good, wooden sign, and it glistened. "It looks new."

  "Michaela's students give it a fresh coat of paint every summer," Elisabeth explained. "Monique, I've never asked. Do you know whose idea that was? I presume Angel's."

  Monique didn't answer immediately.

  "Oh," Elisabeth said gently. "It was yours." Monique nodded fractionally.

  "Please don't tell," Monique said, turning around to look at Elisabeth. "We all do it together."

  "Monique," Elisabeth said. "Maybe I didn't know. But do you really think Michaela doesn't know?"

  "She knows everything."

  Elisabeth laughed. "That's right. But there's something I do know. Michaela is deeply touched by the gesture."

  Monique didn't respond to that, but a moment later, the convoy began moving again. "Conduct the tour, Monique," Elisabeth said. "You may be brief and leave details to the alpha."

  It was a short drive from the entrance. We drove past several picturesque buildings. "Those are bunkhouses," Monique explained. "It's where the students stay when we come up, but this weekend, some of the enforcers are out here."

  A moment later, she said, "This is one of our picnic areas." That was a gesture to the left. "This is our primary classroom when we're up here; we do a lot of field work. And it's also a good place for athletic games."

  I looked. It was just a field, but there was a cluster of picnic tables and a large, open shelter.

  "The tables are easy to build," Monique added. "But I had fun helping to roof the shelter."

  The girl's pride was evident.

  "You're learning more reasons why the pack treats Michaela the way we do," Elisabeth said in a low tone. At that, I nodded.

  "And this is the lodge," Monique said as we came to a stop.

  "There isn't much parking," I observed.

  "There's more parking near the bunkhouses," Monique said. "And a large field closer to the entrance. Michaela says we don't come up here to look at an army of cars."

  "I suppose you don't." I looked at the lodge. "It's beautiful and fits the setting perfectly."

  Around us, people were getting out of their cars, but Elisabeth said, "Monique, please gather Ember and Cassie, if they look free, and see to the luggage. Work with the humans to place everything in the right rooms."