Page 25 of Kin of the Wolf

“You are local and understand our problems.” Minato waved toward the parking lot, and I was positive he’d seen the various news stories of late.

“That is true.”

“Today you proved you are a good neighbor and have the power to protect people. You not only have the power but youuseit.”

Since my last potion had worn off, that was true, but my magic taking over had been the reason for my intervention at their store, not a conscious decision.

“We would like to payyouto protect us,” Minato said as his wife nodded firmly.

“I’m afraid I already have a job.”

Duncan leaned out of the maintenance shed, holding boxes of doggie bags. “Do you want the green ones or the black ones that turn into little mitts?”

“A glamorous and fulfilling job,” I told Minato as I pointed to the black bags and made a shooing motion toward the path and the dog clean-up station.

“We understand you are busy, but your services are greatly needed by the community. Should you agree, we know other businessowners like us, and we might be able to scrape together extra money to make patrolling the neighborhood worth your time.” Minato hesitated. “We would, of course, need you to defend us from the Savagers. In order to amass funds for you, we would need to stop paying Augustus.”

“Look, you don’t have to pay me, okay? I’ll try to figure out something to help you. I’ll talk to the pack leader.”

“If you protect us from Augustus and his cronies, we will insist on paying you.”

“That’s not necessary. You shouldn’t have topayanyone for protection. Most werewolves just want to be left alone to lead their lives and hunt during the full moon. They’re not supposed to be like the mafia.”

“Anything you could do would be greatly appreciated.” Minato nodded to me before returning to the car.

As they drove away, Duncan joined me. “Your cousins disappeared from my senses as soon as I finished with the bags and glared menacingly into the woods.”

“You’rethe person the local business owners should be hiring for protection.”

“I don’t have a superhero cape.”

“My blanket is still in your van.” I looked toward the woods, having a feeling that Duncan’s presence was the only reason my cousins hadn’t attacked. I also worried about leaving the premises. As often as they were coming by, they had to be biding their time and waiting for a chance to sneak into my apartment and look for the case. I would have to take it with me every time I went somewhere.

“Are you going to try to stop your cousins from extorting the populace?” Duncan must have caught some of the conversation.

“I’ll talk to Lorenzo. I’ve been meaning to go up to see Mom anyway.”

“Didn’t you say he forbade your cousins from pestering you?”

“Yeah.”

“They don’t seem to be listening.”

“I’ve noticed. I was away from the pack for so long that I don’t know how many alphas have come and gone over the years, but it sounds like Lorenzo is mostly in the position because he’s my mother’s mate, and she’s always been a strong female leader for our people. It also sounds like my cousins have challenged Lorenzo, or they’ve at least been posturing, and don’t fully respect him.”

“It sounds to me like they need to be driven out of the pack.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone strong enough to do that.” Alone, I was a match for Augustus, but he had a lot of allies.

“I would behappyto drive them out.” Duncan’s eyelids drooped halfway, a feral vibe emanating from him. When he wasn’t smiling and being deliberately goofy, he was a little scary.

“You’re not a part of the Savagers. They won’t listen to you.” Despite my words, the thought of unleashing Duncan on my cousins made me wistful, but I doubted the family politics would allow that as a solution. Duncan hadalreadythumped my cousins, and that hadn’t improved their behavior.

“I wasn’t going to drive them out bytalkingto them,” he said.

“You’ve already kicked their asses, and they’re still here.”

“They’re not fast learners, are they?”

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