Wolf Watch (The Madison Wolves Book 8) (29 page)

"The wager is this," she said. "The edamame will be at least half gone by the time we arrive, and it is possible the only way we get any is because our mates have saved some for us."

"Elisabeth isn't my mate."

"You know what I mean."

"It doesn't count if everyone took one because Lara ordered them to."

She laughed. "Agreed."

She tugged on my arm, and we turned right. A moment later, everyone came in view. Lara and Elisabeth were standing together, and they had one of the edamame bowls.

"It so does not count if those two ate them all!"

Michaela chuckled. She led me to a line of tables. I saw the other bowl, and there were two lonely soybeans left.

"I win," Michaela announced

"Not if the other bowl is full. There were two bowls, and that bowl still has two left."

Michaela laughed. "You're a stickler." She tugged, and we turned to Lara and Elisabeth, who were watching us.

As we approached, Lara said, "We rescued the bowl or there wouldn't be any left, but if you've already had enough in the kitchen, we'll let these go."

I peered into the bowl.

Michaela said sweetly, "I'll make arrangements to have you here next week."

"Yes, Alpha," I said meekly.

The two wolves looked at us with puzzlement.

* * * *

The food was meat, meat, and more meat. Michaela handed me off to Elisabeth, who immediately latched onto my arm, and then she led me off to the side and handed me into a lawn chair, pulling up another one next to me. Lara and Michaela joined us, then several other wolves.

"Should we get in line?"

"Nope," said Elisabeth. "Wait."

A minute later, some of the teenagers stopped by with plates of food. But it was Kaylee who arrived with a plate for me. I recognized some of the dishes from Carly's. I smiled and thanked her.

"I can bring some of the other things, too," she said. "If you know what you want."

"I don't know what there is," I said. "I'll take a look myself if I'm still hungry after this."

"Okay," she said.

"This was thoughtful," I said, indicating the food.

No one commented, and I ate quietly. There was more than enough, and I was past full when I finished. I saw Michaela and Lara stealing from each other's plates, but when I offered some to Elisabeth, she politely declined.

Someone came around and took plates. Another someone came around and passed out more drinks. I accepted a bottle of water, leaning back in the chair and relaxing.

Michaela leaned over. "Everything is easier with a full tummy."

"Yeah," I said. "Especially when I know everyone else has a fully tummy."

Lara guffawed at that. "You're safe. You probably taste like tofu."

"Hey, I'm grass fed, just like your venison tonight."

She guffawed again.

I met a great many people. I didn't remember very many names. I felt bad about that; I was normally very good about it, but I just didn't have it in me to remember.

"All right," Michaela said, standing up. "It's time to get the games going."

"Games?"

"Yep. Come on. We're going to teach you the tennis ball game tonight."

Zoe and I didn't spend much time together for the next few weeks. She was still feeling very fragile after everything that had happened. I was going to give her space, but Michaela ordered her to attend Wednesday dinners every week, and so we kept getting tossed together.

The little fox wasn't even subtle.

S
lowly Zoe has been loosening up.

She has
declared me to be "utterly, completely magnificent" in fur, and she's been begging to be allowed a photo shoot. So far, I've held her off, but my resistance is crumbling.

But so is hers.

A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.

As of August 2014, Robin is the author of 19 novels, 3 novellas and 3 short stories.

Robin can be reached via email as
[email protected]
. Robin's web site is
http://www.robin-roseau.com
.

Wolf Watch

Copyright
2014 by Robin Roseau

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

* * *

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