Howling Moon Part 16

"You held held Corrine?" Raphael looked at Cat now. His expression was incredulous. Corrine?" Raphael looked at Cat now. His expression was incredulous.

She shook her head. "I don't know what that means. I just couldn't let her change. So I didn't." Her voice faltered. Raphael's expression was too complex to read.

The silence in the parking lot deepened. Cat could hear the rustling of the leaves of nearby trees, the distant traffic. Most of all, she could hear Corrine's ragged breathing. Everyone was staring at Cat now. It made her skin crawl. She wanted to shout, "What?" "What?" but didn't dare. Apparently keeping Corrine from changing was significant. Why, she had no clue. but didn't dare. Apparently keeping Corrine from changing was significant. Why, she had no clue.

Raphael's gaze s.h.i.+fted back to Corrine. For just an instant Cat thought she saw a flicker of pity. It was gone before she could be sure. When he turned to Cat his expression was carefully neutral. When he spoke his voice was utterly calm. "You are not a pack member."

Cat didn't respond. It was simply the truth.

"You prevented a pack member from endangering herself, the pack, and our entire community," he continued.

She shrugged. "Yeah, well, after I provoked her in the first place, anyway."

Raphael acknowledged that with a slight nod. "There is is no provocation significant enough to excuse breaking the first rule. Corrine," she stirred, but didn't raise her head. "Tell us the first law." no provocation significant enough to excuse breaking the first rule. Corrine," she stirred, but didn't raise her head. "Tell us the first law."

A shudder wracked her body. Her voice was choked with tears. "Even should it cost you your life, you will never change where it might be seen by outsiders."

"Very good. I'm so so glad you've recovered your memory." glad you've recovered your memory."

Cat flinched. She detested Corrine, but she hated to see anyone humiliated. Corrine had been stripped of her pride, and her shoulders shook with silent sobs. Raphael turned his back on her in obvious dismissal. Cat was now the focus of his attention.

"The pack owes you a debt of grat.i.tude."

There were audible gasps throughout the parking lot.

"That's not necessary..." Cat began.

"Yes. It is." Raphael stated it as a simple fact. "What can we do to repay you?"

Cat fought to keep her jaw from dropping open. She'd expected to be judged and punished; to be humiliated like Corrine. But here he was offering her a reward. From the reaction of the collected werewolves Cat knew this interaction was incredibly important. Unfortunately, she had no idea what to do. She looked from face to face, seeking guidance. There was none to be had. Finally, her eyes lit on Holly. A possible solution occurred to her. "Fine. If you want to reward me, make them stop hara.s.sing Holly. She can't help what she is. It's not fair and it's not right."

Raphael stared at Cat for a long moment before he spoke. "Peter?"

The boy stepped out from the crowd. "Yes, sir?"

Raphael knew his next words were unnecessary. h.e.l.l, half of the pack was already here watching. Still, right now the formality was important. "Make sure everyone in the pack knows that henceforth to attack Holly is to attack me." me."

"Yes, Alpha." Peter answered.

"Holly," Raphael spoke gently but his voice was stern. "I want your word that you won't take advantage. I know it's tempting to get even."

Holly stood openmouthed, and it took her several tries before she could get the words out. "I won't, Alpha. I promise."

"Good." Raphael's eyes were there normal brown again. The light surrounding him had dimmed to nearly normal. "Corrine, if you had succeeded in changing what would the price have been?"

Corrine's response was a barely audible whisper. "I would've been brought before Wolven on charges."

"And?" Raphael pressed.

"I would've..." Her voice cracked. She couldn't, or wouldn't, continue.

"You would've been put down."

"Yes, Alpha."

"It appears you owe Ms. Turner your life. Don't you think you should thank her?" Raphael's voice was satin over steel.

Corrine raised her eyes to Cat's. There was no grat.i.tude there. Instead, Cat saw a deep and abiding hatred. Still, Corrine forced the hated words past her gritted teeth. "Thank you."

"Good." Raphael turned to the group, his gaze moving to each of Corrine's supporters in turn. "Rachel, Melissa, Robyn you are to report to the alpha female's office tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. A.M. sharp. Corrine, come with me." sharp. Corrine, come with me."

CAT WOKE TO the sound of insistent pounding on the front door. It was another wet, gray morning. A combination of rain and snow spattered against the windows in delicate counterpoint to the heavy beat of a fist on solid oak. Groaning, Cat rolled over to check the time. The red numbers of the alarm clock read six fifteen. Cat growled under her breath as she rolled out of bed. She grabbed her robe from the back of the chair and pulled it on. Her reflection in the vanity mirror looked like h.e.l.l, but whoever was downstairs would just have to take her as is. the sound of insistent pounding on the front door. It was another wet, gray morning. A combination of rain and snow spattered against the windows in delicate counterpoint to the heavy beat of a fist on solid oak. Groaning, Cat rolled over to check the time. The red numbers of the alarm clock read six fifteen. Cat growled under her breath as she rolled out of bed. She grabbed her robe from the back of the chair and pulled it on. Her reflection in the vanity mirror looked like h.e.l.l, but whoever was downstairs would just have to take her as is.

Cat pulled aside the drapes and lifted the window sash, sending snow scattering. A few of the flakes landed on the sleeve of her robe, leaving small dark spots as they melted.

"Who is it?" she called. "And what do you want?"

A figure appeared beneath the window. Michael Santiago. His nose was fully healed and perfectly straight Cat was glad. She'd been feeling very guilty about decking him.

Mike glared up at her. From the look and scent of him he was in a fine fury. "Get dressed and get your a.s.s down here!" he ordered. "I'm taking you to apologize to my mother. Maybe she'll be able to help you fix things with the rest of the pack."

"Screw you!" Cat wasn't particularly alert first thing out of bed. Still, she was d.a.m.ned if she was going to be ordered around like a storm trooper, certainly not by Michael. More to the point she hadn't done anything wrong and and she was due over at the hospital at eight to bid Ned and Violet good-bye. she was due over at the hospital at eight to bid Ned and Violet good-bye.

"My mother is the alpha female for this territory. Everyone listens to her. If you ever want them to accept you, you have have to submit." Michael was no longer shouting, but the condescending hiss he was using was no improvement. to submit." Michael was no longer shouting, but the condescending hiss he was using was no improvement.

"No," Cat answered. "I won't."

"Cat!" Michael took a deep breath. He appeared to be counting to ten. Michael took a deep breath. He appeared to be counting to ten.

Bully for him, Cat thought. She wasn't in a particularly good mood herself. She hadn't slept well at all, her mind whirling with too many thoughts, none of them good. Cat thought. She wasn't in a particularly good mood herself. She hadn't slept well at all, her mind whirling with too many thoughts, none of them good.

"Cat." Michael's tone was condescending. "If you don't make peace with the pack they're never going to accept us."

"Michael, I told you before," Cat fought to control her temper. "There is is no no us." us."

"Oh, that's right." Michael's face took on an ugly flush. "You're not ready. ready. It's It's too soon." too soon." He snarled up at her. "That's not the real reason though, is it?" He snarled up at her. "That's not the real reason though, is it?"

Cat's voice was cold and pitiless as a Siberian winter. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, really? Do you think I'm an idiot? That I didn't notice notice you coming home the other morning with you coming home the other morning with him?" him?"

Oh, h.e.l.l. Didn't Didn't that that just figure. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She just just figure. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She just hoped hoped this wasn't going to cause problems for Raphael. Of course it probably would. But either way, it was none of Mike's business and she this wasn't going to cause problems for Raphael. Of course it probably would. But either way, it was none of Mike's business and she wasn't wasn't going to discuss it with him. going to discuss it with him.

"Good-bye, Michael." She slammed the window shut and yanked the curtains closed, hands shaking with fury.

A moment later she heard a heavy bang and the tinkle of breaking gla.s.s. A car engine roared to life. By the time she'd raced downstairs and to the front door Michael had driven off. But he'd left a "calling card." The driver's side door of her rental car had been kicked in, its window shattered.

"That a.s.shole!"

Swearing heartily, she went into the house and pulled on a coat and shoes, then went out to the garage. A half hour later she was cold, wet, and utterly furious, but had managed to improvise a covering for the window using clear plastic garbage bags and duct tape.

s.h.i.+vering, she went inside, shedding her sodden clothes on the tile floor of the entry way. She was so cold. cold. What she wanted more than anything in the world right now was a mug of hot cocoa and a long, hot bath. As it was she barely had time for a quick shower. There was snow on the roads. She'd never driven in snow before. h.e.l.l, she was a California woman whose mother hated the cold. She'd never even What she wanted more than anything in the world right now was a mug of hot cocoa and a long, hot bath. As it was she barely had time for a quick shower. There was snow on the roads. She'd never driven in snow before. h.e.l.l, she was a California woman whose mother hated the cold. She'd never even seen seen snow until this trip. snow until this trip.

She set the water of the shower as hot as she dared and climbed inside, letting the water wash over her until the shaking subsided. She scrubbed quickly, shampooed her hair, and was out and drying off in a few minutes.

The phone was ringing as she climbed out of the shower. Rather than run through the house naked, she let the machine get it while she dried herself off and padded naked over to the dresser that held her clothes.

Jake Sanchez's voice came across the line. He sounded gruff, as always. "Cat, considering everything that has happened the past couple of days, I think it's best that you not work at the Joint anymore. I'll have Holly cut your final check and mail it to you."

Cat heard the click as he set down the phone.

She wasn't sure whether to be grateful or angry. The only good thing about the job had been working with Holly. But Raphael was probably going to be p.i.s.sed. She sighed as she pulled on her lacy undergarments and wished that just for a little while things would go the way she wanted them to. But, no, that wasn't going to happen. The pack was trying to drive her out of the territory. If anything, the tensions were likely to get worse.

Cat grabbed the warmest clothing she could find in her drawer, choosing a heavy cable-knit sweater in a vivid shade of red that put color in her cheeks and looked good with her particular shade of blonde. Black jeans were under it, and wooly socks that were covered by boots with thick fleece lining.

She brushed her teeth, blow-dried her hair, and did her makeup with brisk efficiency that left time for the drive.

Fat, heavy flakes of snow were falling in clumps from a sky that was almost a uniform shade of pewter. Thus far, they were melting when they hit the pavement, but the gra.s.s was already almost completely covered with a thick white blanket. The temperature was dropping rapidly. The cat in her sensed that the worst of the storm wouldn't hit for a couple of hours yet, giving Ned and Violet time to get well on their way.

s.h.i.+vering, she climbed behind the wheel of her rental car and turned on the engine. She wished wished she had a coat and gloves, and promised herself a shopping trip to buy some later today. She was sick to death of being constantly cold! she had a coat and gloves, and promised herself a shopping trip to buy some later today. She was sick to death of being constantly cold!

It wasn't a long drive to pack headquarters, but it was was nerve-wracking. People were skidding all over the place and Cat's knuckles were white where they gripped the steering wheel. She was deeply grateful to pull the car into an empty s.p.a.ce in the pack lot and get nerve-wracking. People were skidding all over the place and Cat's knuckles were white where they gripped the steering wheel. She was deeply grateful to pull the car into an empty s.p.a.ce in the pack lot and get out out without mishap. without mishap.

A short way across the parking lot Ned's Silverado was parked next to a familiar Jeep Cherokee. She heard muted voices talking. Ned was discussing the best route to take. She stopped, abruptly at the sound of Raphael's reply. He's here. He's here. Her stomach tightened with excitement. Her stomach tightened with excitement.

The two men stepped around the front of the truck. Raphael looked up, his eyes meeting hers, and smiled at her in a way that made her heart skip at least one beat.

He looked incredible this morning. The wind was teasing his hair, and snowflakes dusted the shoulders of his black leather biker jacket. Snug black jeans fit him like a second skin, tucked into the tops of black leather work boots. He wasn't wearing gloves. In fact, he looked as though he wasn't cold at all. Cat, on the other hand, felt like she'd turn into a Popsicle every time the wind hit her.

Morning, gorgeous.

Hi, Cat suddenly felt both happy and unaccountably shy. She hadn't been sure... After last night, she'd been...

Whether Raphael scented her emotions on the breeze, or was just amazingly perceptive, she wasn't sure. But somehow, he knew. He said something to Ned that Cat couldn't hear, then walked over to join her.

"Red's a good color for you," Raphael observed. "But you should probably be wearing a coat. You look like you're freezing."

"I am." She admitted. Her teeth weren't quite quite chattering, but they would be as soon as the next breeze hit. chattering, but they would be as soon as the next breeze hit.

"Here." Raphael slid out of his coat and held it open for her to put on.

"But you "

"I'm a wolf. I don't get get cold. At least not until it's well below zero." His amus.e.m.e.nt was obvious. "The coat is for show." cold. At least not until it's well below zero." His amus.e.m.e.nt was obvious. "The coat is for show."

She slid into the jacket gratefully. It was still warm from his body, and smelled of high-quality leather and the warm, musky scent of Raphael's skin. "Thanks."

"No problem." Sliding his arm around her waist, he led her across the lot to join the others. If he saw Betty's expression of shock, he chose to ignore it. "Violet's as cold-blooded as you are. She's already inside the truck with the heater cranked up full blast." When they were just outside the pa.s.senger door, Violet rolled down the window. "I'll give you two a little privacy," Raphael offered. "Besides, I have a couple of questions for Ned." He gave Cat a quick squeeze and was gone.

"Are you excited?" Cat asked her aunt.

"More nervous than anything else," Violet answered. "I hate hate driving in the snow, and it's no better being a pa.s.senger." driving in the snow, and it's no better being a pa.s.senger."

"I think you're going to miss the worst of it."

"I hope so!" Violet turned in her seat so she was facing Cat directly. Visibly gathering her courage, she looked her niece directly in the eye. "I'm glad to see you're getting along with him. Ned tells me that Raphael is a good man."

"Violet "

"Let me finish, dear," Violet scolded. "I know he's quite a bit older, but it doesn't matter. You need somebody you can count on, who can understand what you're going through." She gave a deep sigh. "I want you to be happy. I know it's hard to imagine that happening right now. Your parents' deaths are too fresh, and this..." Violet floundered, at a loss for words.

"Situation?"

"Yes, this situation situation is going to be all-consuming for a while. But you shouldn't go through it alone. Not if there's somebody willing to help you. Promise me you won't shut everybody out and try to do this by yourself." is going to be all-consuming for a while. But you shouldn't go through it alone. Not if there's somebody willing to help you. Promise me you won't shut everybody out and try to do this by yourself."

"Aunt Violet "

"I mean it, Catherine. Promise me. I know you've always been a bit of a loner even in a crowd. But this is too much for one person."

"I promise."

"Oh, and before I forget, the movers will be arriving to clear Ned's stuff out to storage on Thursday at one o'clock. Would you mind going up there and letting them in?"

"No problem."

She pulled a set of keys from her pocket and handed them to Cat through the open window. "Oh, good! Now give me a hug good-bye. We'll be back for Christmas to see what you've done with Ned's place. And don't you dare dare start crying! If you do, then I'll start. I always look like a prune when I cry." start crying! If you do, then I'll start. I always look like a prune when I cry."

Cat managed, barely, to hold her tears in check until after the tail lights of their truck had disappeared from view. It helped that Raphael was right there beside her, his arm around her. When they were well and truly gone he took her in his arms, holding her as she wept into his shoulder, only half listening to his gentle a.s.surances that everything was going to be all right.

A half-hour later, Cat was sitting across from Raphael at the table of the old-fas.h.i.+oned diner he'd taken her to for breakfast. The entire place was lit with neon, the walls peppered with nostalgic knickknacks, vintage gold records vying for attention with autographed pictures of Elvis, Frank, and Marilyn. A full-size vintage Harley sat on a platform suspended from the ceiling. A real jukebox and working pinball machines sat like jewels in the center of the room. The waiters and waitresses wore the old-fas.h.i.+oned diner-style uniforms, ornamented with dozens of b.u.t.tons with humorous slogans or pictures on them.

Raphael had driven them to the outskirts of Denver because, as he put it, "Most of the family the family doesn't travel outside of Boulder. We stand a good chance of actually being able to doesn't travel outside of Boulder. We stand a good chance of actually being able to talk talk here." here."

They each ordered hot coffee and the breakfast special. Once the beverages were poured, the waitress made a beeline to the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone in their corner of the half-empty restaurant.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Raphael reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small leather folder, not much bigger than a wallet. He set it on the table and pushed it across to her. "This is for you. One of the Wolven physicians came up with it at Charles's request."

"What is it?"

"Open it up and look."

Cat opened the folder. Inside were laminated cards that resembled those of a meal plan sponsored by one of the more famous fitness gurus. But almost all of the cards were for proteins and they specifically addressed game animals that she might catch on a hunt.

"There's a letter with directions on how to use them." Raphael stopped talking as the waitress once again approached to refill their coffee cups.