Fox Mate (Madison Wolves) Read online

  "It may not be that absolutely everyone in the pack is fond of you" Dominick went on to say. "But your approval rating is significantly higher than I would ever have guessed."

  "Approval rating?"

  "Ignore him," Lara said.

  "I couldn't possibly be so rude as to ignore a council member, Alpha," I said. "I am sure it is my responsibility to hang on every word he says. Please, Dominick, what approval rating?"

  "Nothing," Lara said. "Right, Dominick?" Lara squeezed my hand tightly and offered me a stern look.

  "I only meant that you seem to be very popular with at least eighty percent of the pack," Dominick said. "Maybe even more than eighty percent."

  "I'm sure that's due to my fine, fox coat," I said vainly. "Who could resist?"

  That earned me chuckles and a relieved look from Lara.

  "Of course, I think Violet is wondering about a fox fur stole." Violet was a member of the pack council. I found her to be stern, almost severe, and felt she approved of me.

  "How can you say such a thing?" Violet said. Then she took in my expression. "Oh. Humor. Ha ha."

  "I'm sorry, Violet," I said.

  Vivian leaned over to Violet and said quietly, "She's trying to cover up after finding out about the surveys. She uses humor when she's nervous." Vivian was another member of the council, but more important to me, she was my therapist; she knew things about me no one else knew.

  I tried not to glare at Vivian. She knew I could hear her. But she was right.

  "Quite all right," Violet said after a moment. "But to be clear, I think fox fur looks best when it is still worn by a breathing fox."

  I nodded my thanks to her. That was kindly said.

  "And how does my rating compare to the alpha's?" I asked with a glint in my eye.

  Dominick glanced at Lara before answering. "The alpha seems exceedingly popular of late as well."

  "Of late?"

  "Well, her popularity has been up and down in the past, but it has solidified significantly over the last year."

  "Was there a dip last year?" I asked. "Perhaps in the autumn." Last autumn was when it had appeared the pack was under attack from external forces; instead, it had been David, making a play to take the role of alpha away from Lara. I had thwarted him.

  "Yes," said Dominick. "But then a significant spike upwards. Then steady growth until an astronomical spike several weeks ago. That spike corresponds to a similar spike in your rating."

  "I suppose eliminating an outside threat could do that," I offered.

  "Perhaps," said Dominick. "But perhaps knowing the alpha's companion is so amazingly able to fend for herself had something to do with it as well." I had killed single-handled, and quite dramatically, two very powerful wolves with my silver knives.

  Lara wasn't happy with the turn of conversation. "Dominick," Lara said, almost a growl.

  "I hope her ratings won't suffer too badly in the future when I choose to hide behind the alpha and her enforcers rather than demonstrate my independence," I said. I was looking at Lara when I said it, and some of the tightness left the corners of her mouth.

  "The council doesn't make decisions based on approval ratings," Mr. Berg said. "I do hope the little fox won't, either."

  "The only approval rating that matters to me is the alpha's," I said.

  That took care of the rest of Lara's tension. I watched as she visibly relaxed.

  "If you don't make decisions based on approval ratings," I said. "Why track them?"

  "Prudence," said Mr. Berg. "It also gives us an indicator of when we may need to manage expectations better."

  "If there is a segment of the pack that is feeling particularly aggrieved," Vivian said, "we may find ways to mollify them."

  "During periods of low approval," Elisabeth added, "I used extra enforcers on the compound."

  "If your approval rating were low," Mr. Berg went on. "The council would be more likely to provide additional guidance, shall we say, over the alpha's choices."

  I smiled. "Thank you for explaining."

  The teenagers ate their own dinner, then several wandered back to our group to ask whether anyone needed anything. Most of the wolves took seconds. When Scarlett presented Lara with a fresh plate, there was a small chicken thigh waiting on it. Lara hadn't asked for it. I reached over and cut off half of it, leaving the rest for Lara.

  Lara glanced at me.

  "It tastes better from your plate," I said with a smirk.

  "Alpha," said Mr. Berg. "Are you going to tell us why we're all here?"

  "Of course," she said. "In about an hour."

  Vivian chuckled softly.

  "Michaela," he said. "Why are we all here tonight?" Lara stiffened next to me.

  "Because the alpha summoned us," I said. Lara immediately relaxed.

  Elisabeth bit off a laugh.

  "And," he said. "Why did the alpha summon us?"

  "I presume she has an announcement of some sort," I said. "Although perhaps she thought it was a pleasant day and wanted to share it with everyone."

  "Michaela," Mr. Berg said. "What do you know about tonight's announcement?"

  "The alpha has not specifically told me anything she hasn't told the rest of you," I said. "I could share the rumors I've heard."

  He started to open his mouth again. "Mr. Berg," I said. "Lara did not tell me why we're meeting. The first I heard there was to be this picnic was when two of my students asked me about it on Thursday. I have my own suspicions, but I would not share them without Lara's permission."

  At that, Mr. Berg smiled triumphantly.

  "Damn it!" I said. "I just got played." I had just admitted I was submissive to Lara, something I rarely admitted outside the bedroom.

  "Yes, honey, you did," said Lara. "But I love you for it."

  "She's going to-"

  Lara clamped her hand over my mouth. "I will paddle you, Little Fox," she said. "Think carefully before you speak further."

  She took her hand away and I looked up at her. "Would you really?"

  "Yes."

  "In public?"

  "Yes."

  "Even knowing you wouldn't get any for a month?"

  "Yes."

  If I had thought she was bluffing, I would have called her on it. I thought further then smiled. "That's fine," I said. "You're wrapped around my finger as badly as I'm wrapped around yours."

  "Isn't that the truth," Elisabeth agreed under her breath.

  Ava wandered by, collecting plates and replenishing drinks. I kicked my sandals off and curled my feet underneath me, cuddling into Lara. She put her arm around me. I felt warm and safe and very much at peace. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.

  "I love you, Lara," I said in front of everyone. I'd never done that before.

  "I love you too, Little Fox," she said. She kissed the top of my head.

  After that, I listened to the conversation. It remained fairly innocuous. Elisabeth talked to a few stragglers making wagers about the reason for the get together. With great amusement, I listened in on each of the predictions.

  Francesca stopped by, "How soon would you like us to light the bonfire?" she asked Lara.

  "Whenever you're ready," Lara said. But I was listening to her heartbeat, and it sped up. I realized she was nervous. I opened my eyes and looked up to her.

  "Are you all right?" I asked her quietly.

  "Yes," she said. She lowered her lips towards my ear then spoke so quietly even a wolf wouldn't have heard her. "You know the alpha can't divorce. And you know the alpha's mate can't publicly rebel. Are you sure, honey?"

  I leaned up and kissed her jaw, cuddling closer to her. She lifted my chin, turning my ear towards her, continuing to speak quietly. "After tonight, at least in public, you must always stand as one with me. If you can't do that, Michaela..."

  I shifted so I could nibble on her earlobe. "I can't give you pups," I said. "We will fight in private. And you will never be heavy-handed in public."

  "I can't
promise that last one," she told me, kissing my ear as cover for our conversation.

  I pressed my head into her, wrapping my arms around her, thinking about my response. Finally I pulled away, sitting up properly, but clasping her hand. "I love you, Lara," I said.

  "You already said that," Violet said.

  "Yes, I did. I'm sure I'll say it again, too."

  Lara squeezed my hand.

  "Oh look," I said. "Fire." Faces turned to see Francesca lighting the bonfire. Instead of one big bonfire, we actually had several medium fires, and Francesca lit them one after another. Having several medium fires allowed everyone to sit their preferred distance from the fires. It was a warm night, so I didn't imagine there would be competition for the closest seats.

  As a group, we got up and carried our chairs towards the fire. Lara and I sat down towards the end of the fires, facing our chairs along the length of the row of fires. Everyone would be able to take a seat and still see us. We could watch the fires as well as all the assembled wolves. Elisabeth set her chair next to ours. Everyone else gave us a little bit of room. Some people sat in lawn chairs; others sat on the grass. A few had blankets spread out. They all looked happy and comfortable.

  "Elisabeth," Lara said quietly. "Will you officiate tonight? Do a few stories or games before asking me to speak."

  "Nervous, sister?" she asked quietly.

  "Yes."

  "And you, Little Fox?" Elisabeth asked.

  "No."

  Elisabeth waited a little longer for people to settle before she stood up and strode in front of the fire.

  "Hello everyone," she said in a firm voice. "I bet you are all wondering why you're here tonight."

  "What's the pool up to, Elisabeth?" I heard a voice from the middle of the pack ask.

  Elisabeth laughed. "About half of you placed wagers," she said. "I haven't counted the total, but I've twice had to empty my bulging pockets. And yes, there is a winner. I hate to disappoint you, but the rumors I am challenging my sister for leadership of the pack are misplaced."

  There were some chuckles.

  "No one really bet on that, did they?" I asked loudly enough to be heard.

  "Yes," Elisabeth said. "A certain troublemaker did. I won't mention Eric's name."

  Eyes shifted around, looking for Eric, and it was clear where he was just by watching everyone turn towards him.

  "I wanted something no one else would pick," he said in defense. "At least if I'm right, I'll win the entire pot."

  There were chuckles and a few good-natured ribbings before Elisabeth took control back. "Well, you will all need to be patient for a while. The alpha has demanded entertainment from her loyal subjects." That earned more chuckles. "Who has a story?"

  Mr. Berg shifted slightly, and Elisabeth caught the movement out of her eye. She turned to him, and he nodded.

  "Ron Berg has a story," she said. "Councilor Berg?"

  The councilor rose from his chair, thanked Elisabeth, then waited for her to take her seat before he began talking. He told a story of Lara getting into trouble as a young girl. As soon as he started, Lara said, "Oh hell."

  I listened, rapt in attention, as I learned about Lara, in fur, getting chased by a Rottweiler through the neighborhoods of Madison with both of them being picked up by animal control. Mr. Berg told the story with a great deal of humor, and soon had the entire pack laughing at the escapade, including myself.

  "Of course, she wasn't wearing a dog collar," he said. "No tags. No dog license."

  "Oh god," she said again.

  "Luckily, some of the other kids had seen her run off in wolf form."

  "Probably the ones who dared me to taunt the Rottweiler in the first place!" Lara said.

  "So her mother, the alpha's mate, contacted animal control. She had to pay a fine for having an unregistered dog, but luckily, Lara hadn't bit anyone."

  I turned to her. "Did you enjoy your stint in a cage?"

  "No more than you enjoyed yours," she told me. As part of my subterfuge in last autumn's investigations, Lara and Elisabeth had stuffed me into a cage; I hadn't taken it kindly.

  Mr. Berg finished the story with a warning to the younger wolves before sitting back down, relinquishing the space to Elisabeth.

  "Who wants to go next?" Elisabeth asked.

  Vivian cleared her throat.

  "Oh bloody hell!" Lara said.

  Vivian got up, thanked Elisabeth, and told a story about Lara borrowing her mother's car when she was eleven. Lara tried to hide her head.

  "It seems Lara was upset because her mother wouldn't let her have? What was it, Alpha?" Vivian asked.

  "A pet hawk," Lara said. "All right? I wanted a pet hawk."

  "What were you going to do with a pet hawk?" Vivian asked her.

  Lara looked away.

  Vivian turned back to the assembled wolves. "I believe she expected to train the hawk. Something about pigeons."

  "The pigeons used to roost outside my bedroom window, and they would begin that infernal cooing at sunrise every damned morning," Lara said. "I was going to use the hawk to catch the pigeons."

  "Very resourceful," Vivian said. "So, undoubtedly suffering from a shortage of sleep, only getting nine hours a night instead of the eleven she wanted, Lara stole her mother's car, determined to drive to the pet store and buy a hawk. Alpha, I am pretty sure the pet stores don't sell hawks."

  "Now you tell me!" Lara said, earning some laughs.

  "But of course, she got lost. And didn't exactly know the traffic laws. How did that end, Alpha?" Vivian asked.

  "I got arrested," Lara said.

  "Another stay in a cage, Alpha?"

  "No," she said. "They hauled me to the police station. When I refused to tell them my name, they simply called the registered owner of the car. Mom and Dad both came down to pick me up."

  "What was the end result?" Vivian asked.

  "A hundred hours of community service," Lara said. "And another two hundred of pack service. And no one did a thing about the pigeons. They would still be there, but once I was alpha, I took care of them myself."

  "How did you do that?" I asked.

  "I make an annual gift to a local animal shelter under the agreement they make sure I never wake up to another cooing pigeon."

  "Alpha, how do they keep the pigeons away?"

  "They put up this damned plastic owl at one corner of the house and a plastic hawk at the opposite corner. It keeps the pigeons away. Every spring someone comes out and repaints them so they look fresh."

  The pack loved that story. Vivian sat back down and Lara said, "The next story better not feature the alpha."

  Elisabeth scanned the audience and called on Francesca.

  "As many of you know, I am Elisabeth's and Lara's aunt. They should call me Aunt Francesca and offer far more respect than they do, but I've learned not to expect too much from them."

  "This story better be about Elisabeth," Lara said with a growl.

  "Oh it is," Francesca said. She proceeded to tell a story about what a difficult baby Elisabeth could be, soon having the audience laughing loudly over a story involving Elisabeth's and Lara's father trying to change a set of diapers.

  "How did the story end?" Vivian asked.

  "Elisabeth ran into the room, took one look at the mess, and asked her father, 'would you like me to change her, Daddy?'" Francesca paused. "Oh, my mistake, I could have sworn it was Elisabeth who had been difficult, but now that I think about it, I guess it was Lara."

  She sat down. Elisabeth got up and asked, "Who is next?"

  "I am!" Lara said firmly, rising to her feet. "Story time is not embarrass-the-alpha time."

  "Maybe you shouldn't have made us wait to hear your announcement, Alpha," Vivian suggested.

  "I think she should make you wait longer," I piped in. "I bet there are a bunch more stories out there. Elisabeth hasn't told any yet."

  "Hush, you," Lara said. She turned to the assembled wolves and began talking. She talked abou
t duty to pack, looking to the future, the importance of teaching our young, and was still going on ten minutes later when I realized she was babbling. I hadn't been paying any attention to anyone else, but I finally glanced over at Elisabeth, and she was looking at me pointedly.

  Lara was nervous.

  When she started in on yet another version of duty to the pack, I stood up. I walked to her, took her hand, and said simply, "Yes, Lara, I will marry you."

  The assembled wolves immediately grew silent.

  Lara turned to me. I saw a tear in her eye.

  I suddenly wondered if she was filled with doubt. "If you still want me," I said more quietly.

  She stared into my face, and the tear began to slide down her cheek, and with it, my own smile. "Oh god," I said.

  I started to back away, but Lara reached out and pulled me into her arms, saying firmly, "Mine!"

  The wolves weren't sure what was going on. Neither was I anymore. Lara held me tightly, then whispered into my ear, "Yes, I want you. Fourth Saturday in August?"

  "Yes," I said back.

  Lara turned to address the wolves. "Fourth Saturday in August. Here."

  At that, the assembled wolves began to howl their pleasure. I buried one ear into Lara's chest, and she wrapped both her arms around my head, protecting my delicate hearing as best she could. She turned us so we could both see, me peeking out under her arm, and every single face was raised to the sky, howling, even that of the council members.

  The howling went on for a goodly while, at first all the voices together, but then it morphed, voices coming in and out, the low male voices shifting into the higher female voices, modulating up and down. I hadn't heard them do that before. I shrugged Lara's arms off my ears so I could hear for a moment, then wrapped her arms around my head again. They were still loud, even though it was very beautiful.

  The odd singing went on for a while, and then slowly voices began to drift out. As the sound grew to a manageable level for me, Lara stepped away from me, smiling at me, then she lifted her own face to the sky and began to howl, modulating her frequency. The other voices grew still, and only Lara was howling. She lowered her nose, still howling, and her gaze settled on Mr. Berg. He stood up, and the two of them howled together, shifting in and out, sometimes only Lara, sometimes only Mr. Berg, most of the time both of them.