Brotherhood of the Wolf

Chapter 3.2: Twenty Questions

"You really think it's simply a coincidence that I ended up at a university where my boss is another wolf?" I ask, wondering how this is my life right now.

Stumped by which flavor of syrup to choose for his pancakes, Clayton shrugs. "It's certainly possible." Picking blueberry, he continues. "Listen. We needed an anthropologist, which you are. And you needed a job. I looked at all of the hiring documents and everything appears to have gone through the same process it always does. So is this situation unlikely? Yes. But is it impossible? Obviously not."

Having nothing else to go on, I must agree. At least for now. But there's something else.

"You must have had your suspicions, though. Otherwise why make that odd comment at our meeting yesterday about wanting to confirm something?" I ask, hoping to get clarity on the remark that has nagged at me since.

"I did wonder what type of person would specifically ask for a house with a contained basement," he says. "Plus you were a bit too keen to be moved in before the full moon. But as soon as I stepped into my office in your presence, I knew".

So I pretty much outed myself as a wolf even before getting here. Great.

"Was us running together last night also part of your plan?" I ask, slowly losing my appetite at these revelations.

Still chewing, he nods.

"How could you be sure that I would go with you instead of ripping apart one of my neighbors, huh? Since you made sure that I couldn't stay safely out of the moonlight, that is. You probably tinkered with my car, as well."

Clayton puts down his fork and wipes his mouth with the napkin before putting up his hand, palm facing me.

"Now there's no need for hysterics so please don't blow things out of proportion. And while I may have made a suggestion to Audra about which house to assign you, I promise there was no malice involved."

I can feel my blood pressure rising by the second.

"No malice?" I ask through gritted teeth. "My chains were in the inoperable car I had to leave in front of your building and all I had was an inside bathroom to lock myself in. Do you know what could have happened if you hadn't distracted me or if I chose not to follow you?"

He laughs. But when I don't join in, his expression falls. "You're being serious? Does that mean you're not in control when you hunt?"

"I never hunt. Period."

His eyes widen. "What? How is that possible?"

"My parents didn't allow it," I say sheepishly, only now realizing that this was probably not the norm.

"But what about the rest of your pack? Didn't they teach you? Look out for you?"

"I didn't have anyone else," I say. "They were my pack."

"I've never heard of such a thing. Wolves need strong social bonds. And we need to hunt," he says, incredulous at my admission. "Why would anyone ignore their most basic instincts?"

I don't have an answer for him. Not one that I'd willingly share with a practical stranger, that is. Because no matter how handsome or rich he may be, this man's assumptions about what I should or should not be doing are starting to annoy me.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I think it's time for me to go," I say, balling up my napkin and throwing it on the table next to my half empty plate. I hadn't even gotten around to the fresh mango and blackberries.

But Clayton grabs my hand before I get up. His touch is hot, his demeanor assertive, but not demanding.

"No, wait. I'm sorry. I had no right to be so judgmental. Please stay and finish breakfast," he says, his tone also completely changed.