赤裸裸的滑稽故事

“We’ve gotten word back from packs in South America and Europe,” Clara reported, looking at her tablet. At the same time, Caleb typed something on his computer.

“And?” Caleb asked.

“South America reports suspicious activity and potential fae sightings. Europe hasn’t had any activity, but there was concern about a report from China. We have not heard back from any of the Asian packs.”

“Did the South American reports have any actual confirmed sightings or contact?”

“Nothing yet.”

Caleb sat back in his chair, thinking.

“Seems strange that they just pop up suddenly and decide to attack Winter,” Galen commented.

“Historically, the lands that belong to Winter were where one of the greatest battles with the fae took place,” Clare said. “It was where Alpha Geri chased Loki after he had destroyed the Viking villages Geri’s people had protected for many years.”

Galen listened to Clara with great interest.

“After the battle was over and the wolves had won, Alpha Geri and his pack tried to return to the people they had protected. But, by then, the Vikings that remained had paid a great price. Their greatest leaders and warriors were dead. Those who were left were filled with grief and fear.

“They no longer trusted the wolves; they saw them in the same light as the monsters who appeared among them and swallowed their people. So Alpha Geri resettled his pack near the site of the final battle as a way of always standing watch.”

Galen was at the edge of his seat.

“Let’s come back to the present,” Caleb sighed.

“Right, sorry…” Clara said with a blush of embarrassment._.

Galen frowned.

“You look like a sad puppy right now,” Caleb commented.

“What?” Galen asked.

“I can almost see your ears drooping, and your wagging tail has fallen to the floor,” he smiled. “Did you enjoy the story that much?”

Galen turned with a pout. Then, after Caleb laughed and looked back at his papers, Galen couldn’t help but reach a hand to the top of his head.

“What ears…” he whispered to himself.

Clara cleared her throat.

“I just mean that it seems like if there were any fae hold outs that managed to survive all these years, they would likely feel drawn there.”

“I suppose,” Caleb sighed. “But it feels a bit too… convenient. What about the rogues?”

“No movement,” Galen answered. “We have found several small groups, we are monitoring them, but they don’t seem to interact. In fact, they are actively avoiding each other.”

“Which is their normal behavior,” Caleb replied. “Rising up and organizing was a strange choice… keep monitoring. Let me know of any changes.”

Galen nodded, and he and Clara turned to leave.

“Galen, aren’t you forgetting a report?” Caleb called before he reached the door.

Galen sighed. He turned around as Clara gave him a look that said, ‘good luck’ and left the room.

“There have been no updates,” he said once the door had closed.

Caleb ground his teeth, and a low growl crept into his throat.

Galen eyed the laptop that sat next to his Alpha. But he was sure it was too late. There was no saving it from Caleb’s wrath now.

“How is it possible one man can avoid the eyes of Winter and Summer?!” Caleb shouted, slamming his fists on the desk but avoiding the laptop.

Galen took the chance and moved forward. He reached down and moved the laptop away from Caleb.

“I wasn’t going to throw it,” Caleb growled.

“We can never be too careful,” Galen smiled. “As far as Granger… I doubt he is one man without help.”

Caleb grunted in agreement.

“I think his scouts in Winter helped him initially, maybe even his family. Though I doubt they knew at the time what he had done.”

“I suspect the same,” Caleb sighed. “I think it’s most likely that those wolves at the hospital arguing with Saul were the ones that helped him escape. Believing he was attacked by our men.”

“Should we tell Winter?”

Caleb shook his head.

“They have their own investigation. Wyatt won’t like hearing that we are getting involved.”

“You were poisoned and injured; we have every right to investigate!” Galen growled.

“We also had every right to investigate my father’s death,” Caleb said.

Galen looked carefully at Caleb.

“Are you really willing to let it go?” he asked.

Caleb looked up.

“I’m not letting go,” he replied.

“I thought you told Ashleigh….”

“I won’t pursue it anymore. I won’t blame Wyatt… but I’m not letting go,” Caleb said. “One day, I will find out what happened to my father and who was responsible.”

“And if Alpha Wyatt is the one responsible?” Galen asked.

Caleb looked away.

“Go…” he said. “Find Granger.”

Galen left the room.

***

The drive home was almost entirely silent.

Ashleigh had suggested she drive her own car back home, but Axel said he didn’t trust her not to turn around and go back to Summer.

She tried to get him to talk to her about their parents again, but he simply turned on some music and ignored her.

They drove through the night, not even stopping to rest. By the time they reached Winter, the sun had barely risen.

Ashleigh crawled into her bed without a word to either of her parents.

She slept for several hours. When she woke, it was the middle of the afternoon, and she was surprised to find Corrine downstairs.

“Mom?” she called to her as she came down the stairs.

“Hello, darling,” Corrine smiled.

“What are you doing home right now?” Ashleigh asked.

Corrine smiled and then sat down in one of the chairs by the window.

“Your father and I agreed that I needed to take a little time to myself after the past few weeks,” she said. “I think Saul might have asked him to keep me away.”

Ashleigh felt a twinge of anxiety as she understood why Saul would make such a request.

“Still no luck in finding him?”

Corrine shook her head and clenched her jaw.

“No,” she said. “His scouts told us they helped him out of the north, but they didn’t know where he had gone once he was past the Center Lane. He could have gone further south or moved into the mountains.”

Corrine was furious. Her voice was angry as she spoke of the scouts.

“They didn’t know,” Ashleigh said softly.

“I know,” she said, “logically, I know. But as a mother… they helped the man responsible for the pain and suffering of my children get away.”

She clenched her jaw as the edges of her eyes gave off a soft glow.

“Hey,” Ashleigh said, smiling, “do you know what we never have done together?”

Corrine furrowed her brows.

“What?” she asked.

“We have never actually shared a hunt,” Ashleigh said. “You know, like when you corner a deer for the first shifters and see who can catch it? We’ve never done that.”

“Oh?” Corrine thought about it. “No, I guess we haven’t. The blizzard kept you longer in the mountains when you first shifted, and you missed yours.”

Ashleigh smiled, touching her mother’s shoulder gently.

“Granger will be found, Mother. And when he is, I think maybe it’s time we make up for that.”