Page 14 of An Alpha's Commitment

But... it was a risk I didn't need to take. I didn't need someone reporting a wolf sighting in the district. Foxes were common here, but not wolves. A sighting would create a hue and cry, and a level of observation we shifters didn't need.

Not this time, I told my wolf, but soon. I'd check the calendar when I returned to the office and if the full moon wasn't soon enough, I might take a run tonight.

I found the motorcycle in the shed, and took off down the track on that. The track had been recently graded, so it wasn't too bumpy, and the fresh air rushing past my face was exhilarating. So much better than being captive indoors.

I found Johnson out in the back paddock. He was dealing with a branch that had fallen across the boundary fence. He'd already sawn it in half and was repairing the broken wires of the electric fence when I got there.

"Hey, Talius," Johnson looked up from where he was crouched twisting wires through an electrical insulator.

"Hey, Johnson. Another one of these trees down again?"

"Yeah. Happens every time there's a decent wind."

I heard the pop of his joints as he stood up, and he groaned and rubbed his hip.

"Why don't you get Agelius out here doing some of this?" I suggested. "You're not getting any younger and he's more than capable. Put those young muscles to work."

Johnson's mouth pinched and he glared. "I'm not ready for the nursing home yet, Talius."

"No, but when you are we'll have to build one on-site. Can't imagine the humans would be too happy with a wolf running down the hallways of their nursing home every full moon. Seriously though, bring Agelius out here. You could probably bring Isca too. He's interested in farm work and we need to make sure to pass on the knowledge to the next generation."

Johnson shrugged. "Jeez. How to make a guy feel old. But yeah, okay, guess you're right. I should do that. I do feel my age some days."

He gingerly knelt back down and resumed patching the fence.

"What can I help you with?" I asked.

Johnson waved a hand further along. "There's a section over there that needs a wire reconnected," he told me, "if you want to fix that."

I got to work. The day was heating up, the early morning chill of the air dispelled by the strength of the southern hemisphere sun. It wasn't long before perspiration was dripping down my back.

After a while, Johnson mumbled something to himself, settling back on his heels and checking his work.

"I presume you didn't just come out here to help me fix a fence you know I can manage on my own," he said. "Trying to escape the office?"

"A bit of that," I admitted, twisting the wires together. I looked across at him. "I really needed to get some fresh air."

Johnson nodded like he understood. "Yeah," he said quietly, "I'm feeling it too... less than a week 'til the full moon."

I thought for a bit, then I said, "Isca's going to join us for the run this month."

Johnson's hands stilled, and his green eyes met mine. His brow wrinkled.

"Do you think that's safe?"

"I think we can make it safe. Who's joining us for the run this month?"

"That I know of... only Lucius' pack, though of course they'll probably bring friends."

"They're decent wolves," I noted. Then I added, "Has anyone been out to Isca's old pack house recently?"

Johnson wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he looked up at me. He shook his head. "Not since the time we went looking for Isca."

"Mmm. I wonder if we should send someone to check it out."

Johnson raised a bushy eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"

"Just to see who's there, if anyone. I wouldn't like to be surprised by Zarbius returning here and us not knowing about it."

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