Of course, that posed a problem if Hudson was lying to me. But why would he? He had to be richer than anyone out here could dream of being. Men like that didn't steal random dogs off of social media.
And your preferred time, Miss Adelaine?
The pup would probably make a mess overnight. I drummed my fingers on the desk and hoped no one called me at 3 am again. Any time after 8 in the morning is fine. Just send me a message when you're on your way, if you don't mind.
8 am it is. We will see you then.
I updated the status of the post, noting that the owner was likely found, and rubbed at the wound on my shoulder again. If the pup was so fierce, I wondered what his owner would be like.
Chapter 4
Hudson
I whipped on my most intimidating tie, the morning sun peeking above the horizon just beyond the city. No matter what, I would get through the ordeal that reared its ugly head this bright, chilly day. My son would be home. Whoever had been bitten would be treated with the medication Gabe had procured.
When all of this was said and done, it was entirely possible that my son would owe his life to his adopted uncle.
A brisk walk past Tommy's empty crib felt wrong. I paused, turned around, and went back to make sure everything was comfortable for him. His favorite bear, heavily chewed, sat comfortably against one corner. The top came down to lock, keeping him where he belonged when I was asleep. He was coming to an age where he'd need a larger bed, one appropriate for a toddler, but I hadn't been able to locate one I could lock or build a kennel around.
After all, I would think anyone would understand if they knew the boy. Look at the scrap he'd already gotten himself into; gotten all of us into. There were procedures, rituals, long respected and absolutely necessary to change a member of human society into one of ours. And he'd happily skipped off sideways, doing whatever he wanted.
I smoothed his blanket, glanced over my shoulder, then pulled it up to my nose and inhaled my son's scent. Puppies have an innocence, a newness to them that is so clear, so crisp. Like the first day of spring, they're filled with hope and dreams. My inner animal whined, confused as to why I hadn't already gotten my pup back. I held it in, refusing to cry in this absolute solitude.
Tommy would be home soon. That would have to do.
The blanket was replaced, tucked into the corners and left. I went down to the kitchen and snarled when a fork tapped one of my stoneware plates, spinning to face the intruder who dared-
"You always busy huffing baby blankets, Huds?" Gabe asked, poking his omelet. "There's one for you, too."
He sat comfortably at the breakfast dining table. The abandoned high chair caught my eye for a moment but I made my gaze settle on Gabe, instead. "You could've said you were breaking and entering this morning."
"Could've, should've, didn't," he said, pointing at the still-hot skillet with his fork. "Go eat so we can get a move on. You're not sensible when you're hungry."
"Okay, mom," I grouched, grabbing the pan, a plate, and flopping the ham and cheese omelet onto said plate. I stalked back to the table and flopped down beside him.
No coffee this morning, I noted, but orange juice instead. It was probably for the better. I didn't need caffeine to set my nerves on edge. I jangled enough already.
Gabe took his empty plate off to the sink and rinsed it off. "So, it's some kind of rescue organization? That's lucky. They probably won't sue for whoever he bit."
"You felt it, too?"
"Not as strong as you did, I'm sure," Gabe shrugged as he sat back down. "But strong enough. Lillian might've, too. She could drag us in front of a Meet."
"She won't."
"You don't know that."
I stuffed the last bite of omelet in my mouth and glared at him. "She won't. She's not going to risk her nephew. Besides, our contemporaries don't care what a single pack does to a single human."
"Always look on the bright side of life," Gabe answered me, singing the words.
My glare deepened. "If she does call a Meet of the local supernatural community, we'll deal with it then. You got the pills to reverse that human's transformation, anyway. We can present a rectified situation and that will make anyone happy."
"Except the dragons."
I rolled my eyes and took my plate off to join his. "The dragons are never happy about anything."
"They've been through a lot."
"Not as much as we have," I said, grabbing my coat and my keys.
Gabe snatched the keys and jingled them in my face. "Much more brooding, scary billionaire if you show up with a well-dressed, handsome driver-and-possible-lover attached to you."
I cringed. "We're cousins."
"She doesn't have to know that. Come on, ladies love a little guy-guy action, and you said she was hot."
"I said she was an attractive young woman in her late 20s, perhaps early 30s, and that she had steel in her eyes. I said that I was concerned she would sue us if her employee became ill, Gabriel," I growled.
We walked out the door together, him hooking an arm in mine. I scowled at him, but I didn't shove him away. If I were being honest with myself, which I wasn't, I had basically said that she was hot. She
