Fox Run (5 page)

I looked around the airplane. The seats were leather, and everything looked tight and pristine.

"You are a fox. I have never met one before," June said. "Are you given to a queasy stomach?"

"I have been known to eat mice, voles, frogs, and the occasional cricket when it chirps in an especially annoying fashion."

She smiled.

"And is it true what they say about foxes?"

"Yes, it is. We're very, very good in bed."

"I'm sure the alpha will be pleased to discover that for herself," Eric said from the back seat. I found myself blushing furiously. I turned back to Eric and gave him a rude gesture. He smiled sweetly.

"I hadn't heard that particular rumor," June said, barely maintaining a straight face. "I was more wondering about curiosity."

"Yes, that rumor is true, too. Right behind the in bed one."

"Then perhaps you would like to learn about the aircraft?"

* * * *

She let me fly! I hadn't had that much fun in a long time.

Travel time was under two hours. We landed at Dane County airport to find a limousine waiting for me. Eric handed me inside then climbed into the front seat. Fifteen minutes later found us pulling into the circle of a large manor home on the outskirts of Madison. Eric handed me back out and led me into the remarkable home.

I gaped. To one little fox, this was all rather overwhelming.

Eric led me upstairs and to the right. "If you step through here," Eric said with a gesture. "You may freshen up. This is to be your room, and there is a connecting bathroom. When you are ready, I will bring you to the alpha."

I nodded my thanks and closed the door in his face. It took me only a few minutes to freshen up and change my shoes, and when I was done, Eric was waiting for me in the hall. He nodded and smiled then led the way back downstairs and to a doorway. I glanced inside and found a library. Eric gestured, and I stepped inside.

Lara was sitting in a chair, reading a book, but as soon as I stepped in, she closed it and stood, turning to me. She offered a radiant smile before crossing the room to take my hands. "Thank you so much for joining me, Michaela."

"Thank you for inviting me," I replied, wary. She had said this was nothing more than it appeared, and Eric had implied the same thing, but I didn't believe either of them. The alpha wolf was not going to slum it with the little fox. It was inconceivable. The little fox wasn't very happy about being in the wolf den, either. I felt alert to the point of jumpy, my ears twitching at every little unfamiliar noise.

And I couldn't smell a thing, the scent of wolf overlaying everything. I didn't like that at all.

Lara was talking, asking me something. I didn't catch it, my head swiveling around so much, searching the room for danger and escape routes.

"Honey," she said. "Michaela."

I pulled my attention back to her.

"You are practically trembling. You are safe with me, Michaela." That was very difficult to believe. I searched her face for any sign of guile, but all I read was concern.

She was a very good actress. That was it. She must have been a very good actress.

My voice caught in my throat. "What do you want with me, Lara?"

"Oh, little fox," she said with warmth. "Only your company. Why is that so difficult for you to believe?"

I looked away for a moment then turned back to face her, looking up into her eyes. She still held my hands. I offered a small smile. "Were you taking me to dinner first, or was there something else on your agenda?"

"Dinner. Come." She hooked my arm in hers, clasping my hands to hold it there, and led me from the library and to the front door. I looked around on the way but saw no one.

"Where is everyone?"

"Around," she said.

We stepped outside, and the limousine was still waiting for us. Lara held the door for me then climbed in after me. As soon as the door was closed and we were both settled, the car began rolling forward.

"Would you care for something to drink?" Lara asked me.

I looked around the space. There was a smoky glass partition between us and the driver. It was closed, offering Lara and me a modicum of privacy. I sat in the back seat facing forward, with Lara across from me. She gestured to her right, and there was a small bar available.

"Water would be nice," I replied.

Lara opened a little refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water, handing one to me.

I gestured. "This is very ostentatious," I said. "Just like your house. And the airplane."

She shrugged. "It's what I've always known."

"Do you usually go to such lengths for a simple date?"

"No," she replied. "I haven't been on a date of any sort in several years." I cocked my head, hoping for a greater explanation. "Before, I was subject to my father's rule."

"The old alpha?"

"Yes. He did not approve of my choice in dates."

"He didn't like foxes?"

Lara laughed. "He had quaint notions about boys and girls."

"And since then?" I asked.

"Since then, I have been busy consolidating my position."

I could understand that. "And now? While facing an outside challenger?"

"I decided that there would never be a perfect time. I am the alpha, but I am also a woman. I want to live my life the way I choose, not having my choices dictated to me by others."

"Well then," I said drily. "We have found something in common."

She frowned. "You could have said 'no', Michaela."

"Oh, I didn't mean that," I told her, sorry for my comment. I smiled. "Part of me is happy to be here with you."

"Part of you?" she asked.

"The part that isn't terrified of the big bad wolf."

She looked pain. "I wish you wouldn't be afraid of me. I wish you would think of me as your protector. I promise you, you are safe with me."

"We'll see," I said. "Perhaps I'll still be alive in the morning."

"You distrust me so much?" she asked, and I could tell I had hurt her again.

I looked out the window, speaking softly. "There is an old wolf custom," I said. "Perhaps you have heard of it."

"Perhaps," she said. "What is it called?"

I turned and stared directly into her eyes. "Fox. Hunt."

Her face immediately filled with horror. "Oh Michaela. No. Absolutely not."

I looked back out the window. "Ply the fox with food. Perhaps spirits. The food will slow her down. The spirits will dull her mind. Invite her for a run. Then do what comes naturally. Chase. Kill."

"No, Michaela," she said again. "No."

"Perhaps your pack would be impressed with your ruthlessness. Perhaps you have guests that would be pleased with the entertainment. Foxes have become rare. Perhaps you could cement an alliance against your challenger."

"Do you really believe I have so little honor, Michaela?"

I faced her. "Perhaps words said to a fox do not matter to a wolf. Perhaps you wish to teach the little fox a lesson for biting you. A permanent lesson, perhaps."

Her eyes grew sharp. "If this is what you believe, why are you even here?"

"I didn't say I believed it," I told her. "Perhaps this is something else entirely. Perhaps you are simply waiting to see who in your pack takes offense at my presence. Are you painting a target on my back, Lara?"

"No." She said it firmly, and I could sense she was growing angry.

I shrugged. "I am not being very cunning," I admitted. "If I were being cunning, I would not admit my fears. I would hide them, but be wary." I looked straight into her eyes. "I am hoping you will find a way to put my fears to rest. I am hoping I am wrong. I am hoping this is exactly what you say this is. But how can I believe it, Lara? A wolf dating a fox? Seriously?"

"You are safe with me, Michaela," Lara said. "I hope you will give me the time to prove it to you."

"I am sorry I have offended you, Lara."

"I am sorry you are so frightened, Michaela." She glanced out the window. "We are almost there. Will you humor me with something?"

"All right," I said.

"I am going to come sit next to you," she said. Then she got up and slipped to my side of the cavernous car, pressed against me. We turned a corner and came to a stop. Lara pressed a button in the ceiling and said, "Give us a minute, Alan."

"I am going to touch you," she said.

"In what fashion?" I asked.

She smiled. "A very innocent fashion."

"All right."

And then I sat very still as the big bad wolf put her arm around my shoulder, pulling me tightly against her. She turning slightly to face me while keeping me pulled against her, and her far hand reached across to caress my face. I sat very still, willing myself not to move, willing not to run from the clutches of the wolf.

"Lara," I started to say.

"Just another moment, Michaela." Then she pulled my head against her chest. "Breath deeply."

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with her scent. She smelled her own unique smell of wolf and woman.

"Again, Michaela."

I took another deep breath, pressing my face against her, breathing her in.

"That is the scent of safety, Michaela. The scent of protection. Around that scent, you are safe. Always safe."

My emotions grew rampant, my heart beating strongly. She was all wolf, but she was also all woman. I'd never been held by someone as strong as she was. It was terrible and wonderful at the same time. I looked through my eyelashes up into her face. She was looking down at me with a kind expression.

"Safe, Michaela," she said. "I absolutely promise."

I buried my face in her chest and took one more deep breath, holding it for a moment, then pulled away. I smiled and nodded.

Lara tapped on the window, and it opened from outside. She slipped out, then held her hand for me. I let her hand me out of the car. She wrapped my arm in hers again, and I looked around.

I didn't recognize where we were, but I didn't know Madison very well. I avoided large towns, after all. We were standing on the sidewalk in front of some sort of clothing boutique. Lara turned us to the left and we began walking.

She had long legs. She was walking casually, but I was forced to scramble to keep up. She shortened her steps, and that was more comfortable. She patted my hand, and somehow it was meant to be soothing, not condescending. When I glanced at her, she was watching me. We smiled at each other; her smile warm, mine nervous.

"You're beautiful," she said. "I absolutely love your hair."

My smile grew warmer. I loved my hair, too. I reached up with my free hand and gave it a casual flip. "You won't find hair like this on a wolf."

She laughed lightly. "So true. Your fox is beautiful, too."

"You didn't get the best look," I said. "As I recall, I spent most of the time dangling from your grip. Was I heavy?"

"Not at first. I was happy when I could set you down. I really am very sorry about that."

"It's done. Don't do it again."

"No promises, little fox," she said.

I brought us to a stop. "Not good enough, Lara."

"Little fox, I promise to remember you don't like it."

"And I promise to do my best to bite your hand off if you ever do it again."

She laughed. "Fair enough." She got us moving again.

"Lara," I said quietly. "I have never been more terrified or more embarrassed."

"I'm sorry, Michaela. You still haven't forgiven me?"

This time she brought us to a stop, and I realized we had arrived at the restaurant.

"We have some bad history, and our races have even more bad history. If this is all exactly what you say it is, Lara, it will take time to erase both of those. I am here. I am trying. But to say I am unaware of history would be a lie."

"Fair enough," she said. "Shall we enter, little fox?"

I nodded, and we stepped to the door. As soon as she opened it, the scent of fish, rice, and vinegar wafted out. And surrounding it all: wolf.

I immediately whimpered and pulled away from her, stepping backwards rapidly, my gaze dashing around, searching for danger and evaluating my escape routes. Seeing my reaction, Lara immediately went on the alert, scanning the street with me.

"What is it?" she asked quickly and quietly. "I don't see it."

"Wolf," I said. "The place reeks of wolf."

Lara immediately relaxed. "Of course it does. This is my cousin's restaurant. That is the scent of pack, Michaela. You are safe here. Is the wolf scent that odious to you?"

I backed up one more step, still wary. "It's primal, Lara. The scent of danger." I shook my head, trying to clear my nostrils.

"Do we need to go somewhere else?"

I shifted my gaze to her. "Please come here, Lara."

She nodded, releasing the door, and walked over to me warily, clearly taking care to avoid frightening me further. When she drew close, I stepped into her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around me. I inhaled deeply.

"Tell me again, Lara."

"You are safe with me, Michaela." I inhaled deeply, and she reassured me I was safe with her.

I inhaled once more, then looked up at her. "I am sorry. You are going to think you are out with a were rabbit."

She laughed. "Any relation to Brer Rabbit?"

"Distant cousins."

"Better now?"

I shoved my face into her neck and took one more deep breath. "Yes." I pulled away and strode towards the door. Lara beat me to it, barely, and held the door for me. I stepped through, then waited, looking around.

To a human visitor, the restaurant might look like any other Japanese sushi restaurant. To the right was a bar area. Past the bar were two Teppanyaki tables. To the left was a sushi bar, and past it, the kitchen area. In between were traditional tables. The decor was Japanese.

The staff were all wolves.

The restaurant was full. But seated at the bar, I recognized David talking to a female wolf. At the sushi bar I saw Eric. He appeared to be alone. I turned to Lara. "Your enforcers arrived ahead of us?"

She nodded. "New custom, until the current difficulties are resolved."

"So it's not me from whom you need protection?"