The Mating(78)

“Why didn’t you simply tell Kane?”

“Because I wasn’t supposed to be in his office and I didn’t want to mention that picture again. He’s been in a good mood lately and I don’t want to spoil it.”

“Okay... But if you’re not supposed to be in his office, then stay out of his office. I don’t want to have to cover for you again. Find that report and put it back.”

“It already is. I snuck back in while you were eating and slipped it under some files. He’ll think he missed it somehow.”

Elise nodded, but had a funny feeling about the whole incident.





*****





It turned out that everyone wanted to go for a walk, except Marla and Carrie. Leaving them at the house, the rest headed towards the woods in a loose pack formation, the other couples instinctively walking behind Kane. Elise was one step back and to the right of him. John came along next, followed by Helen, then Giselle and Franz, while Rose and Daniel brought up the rear. Elise glanced back once or twice, wanting to talk to Rose, but the present formation didn’t allow for it.

As they entered the tree line, a sound came from the left and in a blur of movement, Kane and John positioned themselves protectively in front of the others, muscles tense and senses alert. It took less than a second for them to identify the source and realize there was no danger. As the two men visibly relaxed their stance, Julia and Thomas emerged from the brush.

“Hi there!” Julia called out. “Great night to be out, isn’t it?”

Kane nodded in acknowledgement, but looked inquiringly at Thomas. “Your first night back on patrol?”

“Yeah, just the immediate area, nothing too far from home yet.” Thomas looked down at Julia who was holding his arm. “And she insisted on coming along.”

Julia grinned. “After last time, I don’t want you out of my sight.” Thomas rolled his eyes, but none the less, looked pleased at the extra attention he was receiving.

“Anything to report?” John inquired.

“Nope. All’s quiet. You folks are heading out for a run?” Thomas surveyed the group.

Helen piped up. “Some of them are running, but I, for one, am planning a leisurely stroll.”

“Well, have fun. It was a long shift, so we’re heading home.” As they turned to go, Thomas accidentally brushed against Elise, then froze in his tracks, a rumbling emitting from his throat. His sudden stop tugged on Julia’s arm causing her to bounce back against him and in turn he bumped into Elise, who stumbled and half fell to the ground.

Thomas spun around, growling low and threatening, his eyes narrowed. In a flash, Kane had him by the throat, his hand like a vice-grip, while the other was swung back, preparing to strike. A low growl ripped from his chest and he looked on the verge of changing forms. Julia screamed and Elise scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as she quickly took in the scene before her. Unthinkingly, she rushed forward, shoving herself between the two men.

“Kane, no! It was an accident! I’m all right.” Elise grabbed Kane’s arm. The others around them stood frozen, possibly from shock or possibly because Kane was the Alpha. It was his right to discipline the members as he saw fit. John took half a step forward, but then stopped as Kane snarled even louder. Realizing she was the only one who might be able to defuse the situation, Elise reached for Kane’s face, trying to force him to look at her. “Kane, listen to me! No harm was done. Let him go!” He blinked twice and as her message sank in, he began to relax, slowly releasing Thomas. The other man stepped back and swallowed hard but continued to sniff the air, shifting his eyes nervously over the crowd and peering into the woods behind them.

Julia hugged Thomas’ arm and looked nervously at Kane. Elise placed her hands firmly on Kane’s shoulders and took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart. Stepping in front of an angry Alpha was not the smartest move to make, but she’d reacted to the situation as instinctively as Kane had done. Slowly, she slid her hands down to his chest, rubbing them soothingly over the muscled surface. “It was an accident. You didn’t mean to knock me down, did you, Thomas? And you weren’t growling at any of us, were you?’

Thomas still looked a bit disoriented, but nodded in agreement. “No. Sorry. It’s just that I...I suddenly scented something and it triggered a memory. For a moment I could have sworn I was back in that clearing where Ryne shot me.” He sniffed the air again, searching for the source, before focusing on Elise again. He took a half step forward and sniffed again, a puzzled expression forming on his tanned face. “That’s strange. It’s coming from you.”