Pacific Northwest Werebears(85)

“No, and I’m not going to. I decided that until you two were settled, there was no reason to involve her,” he said formally.

“Chicken shit,” she muttered.

Wyatt thought that was pretty funny, he broke out into a barking laugh.

“Oh great and mighty Alpha, I’m going to have to remember that for Cage,” he quipped.

“So when is Cage going to take over? I’m sure his uncle would be happy to retire,” Dax asked.

“Well, Uncle John said whenever Cage was ready, they would have the formal ceremony. I think he’s waiting until we have this mess figured out. And waiting until he has Sophie tied to him in every way. The life of an alpha’s mate can be daunting. I mean bears are pretty easygoing, unlike you high drama cats. There are the usual disputes to mediate among family, nothing too serious. But still it’s a lot of work and added stress,” Wyatt said.

“Can’t really deny that, although I should kick your ass for saying it out loud,” Dax warned.

“Hmph, go ahead and try it,” Wyatt egged him on.

“For pete’s sake,” Mackenzie moaned in the back seat.

The bantering continued as they made their way up the mountain. Pulling up to a number of trucks parked along the road, the three shifters got out and started towards the semi-trucks lined up waiting their turn to be loaded.

“Yo, Jake!” Wyatt called out to their foreman.

Seeing them, the foreman spoke to someone close by him and then turned to walk towards them. As he got closer, he stopped when he didn’t recognize Dax or Mackenzie.

“Don’t worry, Jake, they aren’t from any government agency,” Wyatt laughed.

“Whew, sorry about that folks. I don’t do well when the pencil pushers show up. Coming up here aggravatin’ me.”

“I understand, I’m Dax and this is my sister Mackenzie. We are family friends of the Rochons,” Dax explained.

“Well then, nice to meet you both,” Jake said, offering a hand for them to shake.

“I thought I’d show them around a bit. They’ve never seen an operation like this. Don’t mind us, we’ll stay out of your way,” Wyatt promised.

“Sounds good, we’re busy today. Trees are coming fast and clean, just the way I like it,” he said, tipping his hat to them before turning back the direction he’d come.

Wyatt gave them both a nod and they all started walking around the cars and machines near the road.

Coming up to a large machine that looked a bulldozer but with a forked blade on the front, Mackenzie stopped. She turned to look at the machine, her cat growling in her head, urging her closer. She strode forward scenting the air as she went, something was familiar. Moving through the layers of sawdust, sap and fresh earth, she smelled something else. Something dirty, unwashed, something she had smelled before.

“Dax!” Mackenzie called out, turning to see her brother running towards her. Dax took in the golden eyes and went straight towards the large machine.

Coming up behind them, Wyatt said, “That’s a brush piling cat, scoops up the slash, the junk left on the ground after a cut.”

“I smell him,” Mackenzie said, knowing Wyatt could see her cat in her eyes.

“Me too, Tony has been here,” Dax warned.

Wyatt got down close to the tracks and scanned over the area. “Get Jake for me, will ya?” Not taking his eyes off where he was looking. Not sure what he was looking for, he examined every part separately.

Dax called out to Jake and waved him over. Jake ran up, “What’s up boss?”

“Help me go over this, look for anything wrong or out of place. I have a bad feeling,” he offered as explanation.

The two went over it, top to bottom, finally Wyatt called out, “Here, the hydraulic line is cut. We’d never have seen it this far under.”

“Son of a bitch!” Jake called out.

“At least this wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Wyatt offered some solace. He was mad someone touched their gear again too. But this kind of sabotage didn’t get anyone killed.

Once Wyatt arranged with Jake to have the equipment fixed, he called into to Cage to let him know that Tony was still around.

Pulling into the base camp, the three left the truck and headed towards the office. As they approached, the door slammed open and Conner stomped down the steps. Catching site of Mackenzie he came to a halt and sucked in a lung full of air. Taking a few steps closer, he scented again. His eyes were shining and without a word, he turned and headed for his Jeep. They watched as he peeled out and didn’t look back.

Sighing, Mackenzie turned to her brother and said, “I think I’m going to head back to the cabin. Can you catch a ride with Cage?”