Page 29 of The Wolf Professor

He smiled ruefully. “Sure, your alpha doesn’t immediately jump out.” He hesitated. “Your mom never mentioned anything… about who sired you?”

“She told me that she was rutted mercilessly that night. By more than one wolf. You can see why I am not an avid supporter of the ruts.”

Benjy’s brows flew up. “She said that, did she? Why am I not surprised? Angelika would make it look that way.” He huffed out a big breath. “There’s always another side to every story.”

Max found himself suddenly disoriented, like the earth had shifted on its axis. “Is there something I should know, Benjy?”

Benjy shook his head, his big shoulders slumping. “Gah, promised Janine I wouldn’t discuss your mom. Now’s not the time. If you want to talk more, you have my number.”

Max blinked. “Right. Sure. I—thanks, Benjy, and for tonight. I—I really did enjoy it.”

“Surprised by that, are you?”

Max couldn’t help a grimace. “I have some rather vivid memories of when you used to dunk my hair in engine oil.”

“Yeah, okay, agreed, I was a bully. But your fucking hair was always so clean. It smelled of fucking apples. You’ve done good though, Cuz. We’re all pretty proud of you here.”

“So you, er, tell folks in Motham, that you’re related to me?”

“We don’t broadcast it. We’ll leave that to you, when you overcome your embarrassment of pack.” His lips curled in a sardonic smile and Max felt a dull color suffusing his cheeks. “Call me when you’re ready. We’ll have that chat.”

And with another smack on the back, Benjy turned and strode away.

Max stood rocking on his heels, watching his cousin’s bulky silhouette return to the fire, to the laughter, the camaraderie of pack. And it suddenly hit him like a punch to the gut, what it meant to have pack around you.

To have family who had each other’s back.

Brushing the thought aside, Max heaved in a breath and glanced up. Even through the hazy rim of pollution, the moon was full, he realized with a jolt.

Could this have something to do with the irresistible attraction he felt toward Charlie? Full moon madness?

But what if… all these fantasies he’d had from the moment she stepped into his life. What if it was more than his wolf making a bloody nuisance of itself?

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Benjy’s strange comment about his mom had rattled him. He was not superstitious about the full moon. And he wasn’t ever going to fall in love. He’d known that for a long time.

He shook himself. Made his way toward the hover cab he’d called, seeing its taillights blinking as it descended. Soon he’d be back in his civilized house in the best part of Motham. He’d work for a while to calm his jangled nerves.

But maybe he’d wait up until Charlie got back.

He’d sleep better knowing she’d made it home safely.

CHAPTER 11

Charlie didn’t have a clue where she was. She’d lost range on her cell, and the Muber app had disappeared off the screen. She turned on her heels, deciding to walk back toward Tod’s house.

Her scalp prickling, she broke into a trot, hiding her purse under her coat. This wasn’t a good part of town to be a woman walking alone. Ahumanwoman, especially…

She nearly jumped out of her skin as a car pulled up beside her. “Are you looking for a ride?”

Charlie took a step back from the curb, keeping her distance as she asked, “Are you a Muber?”

“Sure am.”

She craned her neck. The car’s darkened interior made it hard to decipher the species, but she could see they were smiling, could make out the glint of big square teeth. “Just dropped someone and saw you there.” The face was broad-boned, with a wide bridge to its snubby nose. Its face seemed friendly enough, and on the dash was what looked like an official Muber card with a photo.

And yet… Something was off.

“I…. think I might wait for the next one, thanks anyway,” Charlie said, backing away.

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