The Mane Squeeze
Page 9

Too bad shed relied on others for what she could have easily done by herself.
Her daughter came forward, probably not wanting to shift back to human until she knew her mothers mood. As usual, she seemed to have the least amount of damage, which was typical since she took after her mother and knew, instinctively, how to hit fast and strong while avoiding any real injury to herself.
Behind her daughter was that useless boyfriend of hers. A plotting little fucker, always up to something.
No use complaining, though. He brought in money and that was something that made it easier to overlook his major flaws. She knew, though, watching him, that he was up to something again. That he was plotting again.
He stopped, staring back the way theyd come. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him, wondering what was going on in that dense head of his.
Closing her book, she said to her daughter now standing in front of her, Let me guessyou got your asses kicked by two freaks.
And when her daughters head quickly turned away, eyes gazing offshe knew she was right.
CHAPTER 3
Mind telling me what happened? The lion sounded gruff and angry when he spoke to Blayne, who Lock now knew was a wolfdog hybrid, but she didnt seem to notice the cats tone or to mind it.
Blayne grinned. Oh, no. I dont mind telling you!
Lock finished pulling on the hospital scrubs given to him by one of the nurses. He was grateful the medical center employed bears, because they had his size in stock. Nothing was quite as embarrassing as putting on pants that ended up looking like he was wearing knickerbockers. But as he pulled the green-colored shirt down his torso and shook his hair out of his eyes, he noticed that Blayne had yet to answer.
She was still smiling at the lion, while the lion and She-wolf sitting across the small waiting room near the front doors of the center were staring back.
Lock watched, fascinated, as the mutual staring went on for nearly a minute before the lion barked,
Well?
Blayne jumped, her smile fading. Well what?
Gold eyes turned to him and Lock shrugged. What did the cat expect him to do?
The She-wolf, Ronnie Lee Reedsaid in an annoying, almost singsong way, as if it was one single name,
ronnieleereedplaced her hand on the cats arm while asking the wolfdog, What happened, darlin?
We got jumped. Blayne paused, thought a moment. Actually, I got jumped. Then Gwenie got in the middle of it and it turned into a street fight, which was kind of fun because we havent been in the middle of one of those in a long time. Weve been trying to be less McFighty the last few years, she said to Lock. But it turned nasty fast, which really sucks, because I didnt actually doanything wrong to deserve getting slapped around. I mean a girl is minding her own business, trying to catch a squirrel, and then shes jumped for no good reason other than someones political agenda
Blayne abruptly stopped talking when the cat snarled at her.
Lock understood the cats frustration. It seemed he felt responsible for Gwen or Gwenie or whatever the hell the felines name was, and took it personally that shed been hurt. Still, there were better ways to handle a skittish wolfdog, and snarling at her wasnt it.
Dropping into the chair beside Blayne, Lock cringed when the plastic squealed in protest. Sure, the center may have scrubs and operating tables big enough for bears, but they hadnt planned far enough for their chairs.
But his reaction got Blayne to laugh a little, and he knew that would help.
See how they treat the grizzlies? he asked, smiling with her.
At least it didnt break.
Thanks. That makes me feel much better. She giggled a little more. Did you know the wolves that jumped you? he asked casually, but directly. He could tell that being direct with Blayne was important if he wanted direct back.
She shook her head, her smile again fading as she thought carefully on her answer. No, but
But?
Her brows pulled down and Lock could see that she was remembering the whole fight. Of course, he could remember the fight by simply looking at her face, arms, and feet. She had bruises and cuts, but none like Gwens wound. Meaning Gwen had pissed someone off. Although, it wasnt really a stretch for him to see how she could do that.
Earlier today we went down to the pier to hang out a bitwe used to go there every summer when we were youngerand there were lots of wolves. They may have locked on to us from there. The scents may have been the same, but Im not sure. She gave a frustrated little pout. Yeah. Im not sure.
Thats okay, Lock assured her.
But the She-wolf who jumped me, Blayne went on, she came after me like I fucked her father or something.
Lock snorted, then laughed. But youuhdidnt?
Her smile came and went and came back again so easily, even as she wiped blood out of her eye, that Lock found her interesting and very sweet. No. Im not into the older sugar daddy-younger girl thing. But Ive always had a father figure in my life. I call him Dad. So maybe that has a lot to do with why I can resist the temptation. I often go for unemployed losers my own age instead.
Would you know any of that Pack if you saw them again?
Maybe.