Luna came over and licked my hand. Hey magic man, we’re going to grab our clothes and put them on.
“You guys okay?” I asked.
Tara gave me a wolfish smile. Yeah, we heal fast. Thanks for asking, though.
They walked to the back door and changed into their human forms. Both Michael and I watched appreciatively as they left the building and searched for their clothes. I turned to Michael. “Why did you go through all this? You could’ve just asked a girl out for a movie or something. I’m sure with CU here, you guys could’ve found some werewolf girls.”
Michael shook his head. “This was all Anthony’s idea. He said the girls weren’t interested in enlightened vegans anymore and they wouldn’t date us.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said,” Justin chimed in. “Ryan was having a hard time meeting girls at CU, so we figured it was because they didn’t like us.”
I looked at their skinny forms. Ryan was the most emaciated with less than no muscle. “Hmm,” I said. “Have you ever considered that maybe vegan isn’t the way to go for meat eaters?”
Michael nodded. “Yeah, I know. Anthony wanted to make some sort of political statement. I thought it was stupid.” He glanced at the others and then back at me. “I’ve been eating meat when I wasn’t with the pack.”
“You cheated?” Ryan stared at Michael. “That’ll get you kicked out.”
Brandon looked at Michael. He had been the last to wake up. “I’ll tell Anthony.”
“Be my guest,” I said. “He’s outside on the road; what’s left of him.”
The female werewolves came back in the Quonset hut. They had dressed and looked beautiful despite the adventure. “How are we going to wake up the Commerce City Wolfpack?” Tara asked. In her human form, she had dark brown hair and brass eyes. She wore a mini skirt and a clingy knit blouse that hid none of her curves. Having seen her naked, I had to appreciate her form, but I only really had eyes for Luna. She wore jeans and a Warren Zevon t-shirt. Her skin was mostly covered with fur, and she had cut the jeans so her tail poked out. Despite her shifting problems, she was very lovely, and I told her so.
She smiled and gave me a kiss. “Does anyone here have caffeinated drinks?”
Michael nodded. “We just have Red Bull, though.”
“That’ll work.” We walked over to a table and chairs that the Boulder Five had set up. Against the wall, we found a case of Red Bull. I handed one to each of the ladies. “Be sure to shake it up and spray it on the Commerce City Wolfpack.
As I shook the Red Bull and aimed it at Red Masterson, Jessica, and the rest of the pack, I couldn’t help but wonder how weird my life had become. I was faced with a serious dilemma: should I call the Niwot cops about Anthony? Would they arrest Michael, who had in the end saved us? What about all the felony assaults? The attempted rape? The kidnapping? The felony theft of the Vespa? Never mind what the Commerce City Wolfpack had as warrants.
Red woke up fast with a little Red Bull. I quickly explained what happened and how Michael and the others had helped us. He actually laughed and grinned as Justin and Ryan prostrated themselves before him. “Okay, no harm, no foul,” Red said. He looked at Michael. “Looking for a new pack? We could use a wizard.”
Michael nodded. “I live on the southwest side of Boulder, so yeah, it wouldn’t be too difficult to make the meetings.”
“You’re pretty hot for a guy with a man bun.” Jessica looked Michael up and down. “You’re going to have to get a real ride like a Harley, if you’re going to join up with us.”
Michael nodded. “Already got a hog. It’s a little old, but it works.”
Jessica grinned with one of her wolfish smiles. “Stay back, ladies. He’s mine.”
We rode back to Commerce City, with a brief detour to southwest Boulder so Michael could pick up his Harley. I had ridden with Red and was mighty glad to see my Toyota 4Runner again. The Denver werewolves were happy to get a ride in the SUV, with the exception of Tara. She took a liking to Red and wanted to ride pillion with him. He didn’t object.
It was almost seven when we got back to Trader Vic’s. The Denver werewolves had already cleaned up most of the mess and Alaric was there, sporting an armbrace. I walked in, and he grinned when he saw the female werewolves and almost had a fit when Red walked through the door. I quickly explained what had happened and he and the other weres were mollified. Tom Ulfhednar, the manager of Trader Vic’s looked annoyed at Michael, but was pleased when Michael offered to set up ward runes that would keep out the miscreants. I insisted that he perform his magic while I was around to take notes.
The entire Commerce City Wolfpack were invited to steak dinners at Trader Vic’s as a thank you. Red took them up on it and found himself sitting with Alaric on one side and Tara on the other. Red’s second-in-command, Jessica, sat beside Michael. She looked as if he had bewitched her. I knew better.
I offered to take Luna to a fancy restaurant, but she wanted to eat at Trader Vic’s, so we got a semi-private table and ordered food. I ordered the house draft ale, Full Moon, and pondered the entire adventure.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Luna picked up some fries
