Marie Harte - Foxy Lady

They had to make the funniest sight. A man, a wolf, a cougar and an eagle. Sounded like the beginning of a very bad joke.

Grady rumbled, “No offense, Ty, but what the hell are you doing taking a mate? When did you have the time? I just saw you on Sunday and you were happily single, or am I wrong?” He studied Ty like a bug under a microscope.

Monty scoffed. “Come on, Grady. You know he’s always had it bad for Julia. Never could take his eyes off her in school.”

Ty answered, “Shut up, Monty. You were too busy staying out of school—suspended—to know jack shit about me then.”

“Yep,” Monty continued. “Used to moon over her like a strung-up calf needing its momma. Julia, look at meeee.”

The tension remained high, but the burst of humor lightened it.

Then Monty’s smile left him. “Ty, you sure not calling in the wolf pack was a wise idea? Gray wolves are good for something, you know. We take Hunter business very seriously.”

“Normally I’d say yes. But I want Shifters I can trust on this. And no offense, but your pack is trying to gut one another half the time. I’m never sure who’s even in charge anymore.”

“You have a point. And no offense taken. They’re not my pack any longer.” Monty smiled at Grady. “I’m a pussy now, haven’t you heard?”

Overhead, Sean sputtered with laughter.

Grady glared at Monty. “I hate that,” he muttered and glanced up at Sean. “Shut it, bird, before I have chicken for dinner.”

Sean didn’t bat an eye. “Chicken for dinner? Please. I could slice you from tooth to tail with one swipe of my talons. Hell, my wingspan is longer than your entire body…you big pussy.” He ruffled his feathers, a shot of bird laughter Ty shared.

Grady interrupted. “A bunch of comedians. A fur ball and a featherbrain. Now how about we get back to rescuing Meghan?”

Ty added, “And Jason. Looks like the outsider needs help as well. I shouldn’t be surprised Ned turned on his own son, but I am.”

“How do you know the kid’s not in on it?” Monty asked.

“Instinct. He would do anything for Meghan. I don’t buy him hurting her.” He frowned.

The wind whipped, and the clouds covered the moon. Black night filled the sky.

“Now,” Ty ordered.

Sean flew to land on top of the roof over the room, their lookout, while Grady and Monty darted up the stairway and stopped, waiting on either side of the outside hall, just out of sight around the corner from the room.

Ty made as much noise as possible as he walked up the stairway, past Grady and Monty, down the hallway and halted at the door. He deliberately put himself at risk to distract the Hunters.

He banged on the door. “Hey! Williams! I’m here to talk.” He fingered the gun tucked into his back.

The door swung open to reveal a long barrel pointed right at him. The man he didn’t recognize stood with Ned Williams Jr. Junior? What the hell?

“Roderick. Finally,” Ned said with a grim smile.

Ty had been expecting the senior Williams. “Where’s your dad?”

The other man holding the rifle motioned for him to enter and get down. “He’s around. On your face, hands spread wide.”

Ty slowly laid down and stretched out his arms on either side of him.

Ned grabbed Ty’s gun and patted him down. He also kneed Ty in the side and in the small of his back.

“Fuck,” Ty swore.

“Not too close, Junior,” the man warned. “Roderick, you even blink wrong, I’ll shoot you.”

Closer, closer. Come on, asshole.

Ned leaned down again.

Ty tensed, already moving when the rifle cracked. A slug entered his calf, the burn like fire across his leg. But it didn’t stop him. His arm shot out and wrapped around Ned’s neck.

Ty squeezed hard. “I’ll break it.”

The man with the rifle shrugged. “Cost of doing business. Hunter’s loss.”

“Uncle Gil!” Ned gurgled, pulling at Ty’s tightening forearm.

“We told you to go home. Your daddy warned you not to follow, but you wouldn’t listen. And now this. At least die with dignity, Junior.” Gil shook his head. Just as he tightened his finger on the trigger, a huge mountain lion jumped through the open door and slammed into him.

The round entered the wall an inch above Ty’s head.

Grady roared and clamped his mouth over Gil’s neck while Gil fought to stab Grady with a knife he’d pulled out of his boot. He managed to plunge the knife into Grady’s side before Monty arrived. The wolf quickly assessed the situation, hooked his teeth into Gil’s hand and bit hard.

Gil yelled out in pain and continued to fight.

Ned, however, stood frozen in Ty’s grip, no longer protesting his lack of oxygen.

“Where is he?” Ty asked.

Ned didn’t answer, still staring in shock at the gory scene taking place in front of him. Grady hissed as he gnawed through flesh to bone, ripping Gil’s neck clean out. Monty spat out Gil’s hand that now lay several feet from Gil’s dead body.

“Your fucking father. Where is he?” Ty snarled.

“Not here. You won’t find him before he kills all you freaks,” Ned spat. “So much for your big plan, Uncle Gil. Gil Williams, the great Hunter, is fucking dead. ” Ned laughed hysterically.

Ty applied enough pressure to knock Ned unconscious. He grabbed the gun Ned had taken from him and hurried through the door to the adjoining room. A corner of the floor looked ragged and broken, and he wondered if that’s how Ned Sr. had managed to leave the room without detection. Jason sagged in his chair, but Meghan screamed around her gag and fought to break free of her ropes.

After quickly untying her, Ty hugged her tight. “It’s okay, Meghan. I’ve got you.”

She struggled against him, and it took him a moment to hear her. When he did, he felt the blood drain from his face.

“He’s going after Julia. Ned Sr. and four other Hunters are going to kill her. Kill her and skin her. A new trophy for his wall.”

Gabby paced, unnerving Julia. “I don’t know. They told us to stay here. Maybe if we give them more time they’ll call.”

Julia scowled. “It’s been a half hour. And we’re just supposed to do what Ty says? Why? Because he’s a man and we’re women?”

Gabby’s wry smile boosted Julia’s confidence.

“Look, you stay here in case he calls back. I’m going to shift and sniff out anything I can. The motel where they’re keeping Meghan is only a short distance from here.”

“Just be careful.” Gabby hugged her then resumed her pacing.

“Always.”

Julia quickly stripped off her clothing and let her animal spirit take over. She embraced the call of her fox and trotted out the back door Gabby held open. And froze in place.

There, at the base of the steps, stood Ned Williams Sr., a pistol aimed right at her.

“Yessirree. I knew you’d shift soon as you felt safe. Been waiting for hours, though. What with your menfolk gone, I swore you’d hightail it out of here sooner.” He stepped forward and Julia growled as she backed up into the building. Ned Sr. stopped inside the back door and included Gabby in the conversation. “Gabby, glad to see you. Makes this a lot easier. Julia, you change back right now. Slow-like, or I’ll put a bullet in her brain.” He aimed the gun at Gabby.

With no choice, Julia turned human once more. She stood tall in front of Ned Sr., wishing she wore more than skin, especially when four more men entered behind him. Two of them looked Ned Sr.’s age, but the other two were younger, larger, and seemed more threatening.