he patrol the area around the rental cabins?” Penelope sat in a cozy overstuffed chair next to Cassie.
“Sometimes. Why?”
“Friday night, I walked one of the trails from the cabin and thought I heard his voice.”
“He was on duty so it could’ve been him. What did he say?”
“Basically, he told me to sit up.”
“Sit up?” Cassie’s nose wrinkled and her brows drew together. “That’s weird. Were you lying down?”
“Hunkered down. I fell trying to get away from an animal making terrible noise in the woods. Scared the daylights out of me.”
“It was probably Cybil. The old sow sounds like an elephant stampede whenever she gets out of her pen. Her owner lives on the border of the wolf sanctuary. Usually the sentinels round her up before she makes it this far.”
“Sentinels?”
“The Co-op’s security team.”
“Ah.” Penelope picked at the drop of glue stuck to the front of her blouse. “Well, I didn’t see a pig, but I did encounter a huge wolf.”
Cassie’s friendly expression blanked. “Can you describe him?”
“His coat looked like burnished gold, but really was a mix of warm, rich colors.” Penelope’s voice rose with excitement. “And his ears were absolutely delightful, like chocolate brownies with the edges dusted in white sugar. He was the sweetest thing. Didn’t growl or bark at me, and he followed me back to the cabin to make sure I got in safe.”
“He did, did he?” One of Cassie’s red brows arched.
“He won’t get into trouble, will he?” If the poor thing was put in heavy chains, forced to wear a muzzle or locked in a cage, Penelope would be heartbroken.
“No.” A smile broke the serious mask that had formed over Cassie’s features. “Our wolves aren’t punished for being curious or for helping someone, but I’ll need to talk with Tristan about the incident.”
“Why?”
Cassie tucked an errant curl behind her ear. “From your description, the wolf you described matches Tristan’s wolf.”
“So, Tristan was nearby?”
“Oh, yeah.” Cassie’s curls bounced with her little head nod.
“Why didn’t he answer when I called him? I could’ve been hurt and he didn’t come.”
“The wolf would’ve alerted him if you were in any danger. I can speak from a similar experience with my husband’s wolf.”
“I would’ve appreciated Tristan giving me a quick heads-up before sending his wolf to check on me. I nearly had a stroke before I realized the cutie wasn’t going to bite me.”
“Tristan probably had his hands full with Cybil.” Cassie brushed her hand across her lap, as if wiping away invisible crumbs. “I think he would’ve given you an explanation if that phone call had come two minutes later.”
“I wouldn’t mind meeting up with him again. I haven’t forgotten your warning, but he seems like a nice guy and someone fun to know. I could use some fun.”
“There’s always tomorrow night,” Cassie said cautiously.
“What’s happening tomorrow night?”
“Singles’ night at Taylor’s. It’s a family-friendly roadhouse on the outskirts of Maico. The steaks are fabulous.”
“Singles’ night.” Penelope’s voice unintentionally deadpanned.
“It’s not what you think.”
“I’m thinking everyone there will be looking for a hookup.”
“Some will, but it isn’t sleazy or creepy. And there’s no pressure to go home with anyone. It’s a great chance to meet some nice people and have a good time. There’s a band, a dance floor and excellent food. Come to think of it, that’s pretty much every night at Taylor’s.”
Penelope wasn’t a great fan of singles’ night at the bars in Atlanta, mostly because she was uncomfortable in crowds and didn’t appreciate drunken gropes from men who wouldn’t give her a second glance sober.
“Might be your only chance to meet up with Tristan. He’s always coming or going somewhere, but tomorrow night he’ll be at Taylor’s.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Penelope had always been too shy to attend singles’ events alone. But, if Tristan was there maybe she wouldn’t be alone for long.
A full moon on singles’ night, it wouldn’t be hard to find a partner for the evening. Tristan, weary of the primitive drive for sex a full moon triggered, just wanted to get it over.
In his twenties, he’d been more appreciative of the biological urge. Now, in his midthirties, he’d become too tired or too bored to care.
Still, he had to be careful about coupling with the same female too often or risk inspiring false hope about future possibilities. Though he was always upfront about his commitment to singlehood, some women considered it their mission to convert him to the ranks of the happily mated. In his family, happy and mated were an incongruent pairing.
He lifted a frosted beer mug to his lips. Cold, dark ale slid down his throat and plunked into his empty stomach. The gnawing clench didn’t ease and likely wouldn’t until the full moon passed.
“Hey, Tristan.” One of the she-wolves had broken away from her friends to sidle up to his table. A dark-haired beauty, her slightly upturned nose and pretty eyes spaced close together made her look exotic and mysterious.
“Sonia, you look lovely tonight.” He focused on her face rather than ogling the swells of her breasts popping out of the low-cut neckline. At least twelve years his junior, she didn’t appeal to him on a sexual level and it bothered him that some of the older males nearby were practically panting for her.
“Are you waiting for someone?” She-wolves didn’t flush from embarrassment and they definitely weren’t shy. But, Tristan heard the hitch in her breath as she waited for his response.
“Sorry, doll, I am.” He lied, knowing he wouldn’t bed her tonight or any night.
He hated that the process of selecting a moon-fuck partner had become so tedious and torturous. Some unmated wolfans had regular partners for the full-moon nights. The pair usually did not maintain a social relationship. They merely rendezvoused in the woods and took care of business as wolves. Tristan had considered doing the same, but hadn’t had the time to discuss a possible partnership with the limited, unmated she-wolves his age.
“Aww.” Sonia’s voice turned soft and seductive. “Mind if I keep you company while you
