Page 42 of Licence To Howl
Darling? Did she just call him darling or did he imagine it? He swallowed and blinked several times. Then he did as she’d ordered, his tired body barely managing the shift. He staggered up to his bare feet, wrapping the robe she handed him round his body. He looked across and realised that Dark Hair had also shifted back to human. ItwasMoretti after all.
‘Dark Hair?’ he asked.
Moretti’s eyes met his, crinkling at the corners as he smiled. ‘It’s a direct translation. My Jewish forebears chose the name Moretti to fit in to their new home when they moved to Rome hundreds of years ago. We all do what we can to adapt to new situations.’
‘I guess we do.’ And in more ways than one. Devereau glanced downwards. Moretti’s right leg was cut off at the knee. As if on cue, one of the other Lupo werewolves appeared and passed over an artificial limb. Moretti grinned at Devereau and bent down to strap it on to his stump while Scarlett moved back, allowing them a moment alone.
‘Is that a war wound?’ Devereau asked, wondering if he was being impolite for asking.
The alpha shook his head. ‘Motorbike accident. I was young and foolish.’ He shrugged. ‘But it could have been worse. I’ve adapted pretty well.’
Pretty well? In his human form and fully clothed, there had been no indication whatsoever. In his wolf form he was the most powerful supe that Devereau had ever come across.
‘You have indeed,’ Devereau told him, inclining his head in a show of respect and adding a wry smile.
‘That was a good showing, Signore Webb,’ Moretti told him. ‘And more than enough to keep the authorities off our backs for some months to come. They’ll be talking about this fight for a long time.’
‘I’m glad I could be of service,’ Devereau replied drily. His head throbbed and his limbs were aching all over. Even with his extended healing powers, he knew he would be limping for a few days at least.
‘You’ve been a good sport,’ Moretti said. ‘You’re the first werewolf who’s beaten me in many years.’
‘I didn’t beat you.’
‘You lasted the course. That’s a win for you as far as I’m concerned.’ Moretti smiled again. ‘See? I can be gracious when the situation calls for it.’
Devereau couldn’t stop himself from smiling back. ‘You know,’ he said, ‘you remind me of someone. I’ve only now realised who it is.’
Moretti nodded. ‘Christiano Ronaldo. I get that a lot.’
Devereau managed not to laugh. ‘That’s not who I was thinking of.’
The Italian quirked an eyebrow. ‘Who then?’
‘Lady Sullivan,’ Devereau told him. ‘She’s one of the four clan alphas in London. She –’
Moretti frowned. ‘I know of this woman. She has a reputation as …’ he waved his hands around as he searched for the right word. Then he glanced at one of werewolves on his right, barking something in Italian. The wolf blinked slowly before answering.
‘Ball breaker,’ he offered.
Moretti pulled a face.
‘Dragon lady?’ the wolf suggested.
He stroked his chin. ‘That is better. Yes. Dragon lady. A strong woman who takes no shit.’
‘What can I say?’ Devereau said. ‘You remind me of her.’
He grinned. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘I can accept that. This Lady Sullivan. Is she single?’
Uh … that was not what he’d been expecting Moretti to say. ‘I believe so. She’s quite a bit older than you though.’
‘She’s a woman, right? Not a cheese? Not a fine wine?’
Devereau scratched his head. ‘Yeah.’
‘Then, my man,’ Moretti said, clapping him on the shoulder, ‘it’s all good. Next time I am in London you will introduce us.’
Devereau could do nothing more than smile weakly and hope that the Italian government revoked Moretti’s passport before too long. Frankly he could think of nothing worse than Lady Sullivan believing that he was trying to set her up with an Italian werewolf thirty years her junior. The Sullivan alpha already disliked him enough as it was and Devereau was certainly no cupid. He couldn’t even get his own love life to where he wanted it to be. Not to mention that the thought of Moretti and Sullivan joining forces was enough to make the strongest of supes blanch. Those two together would be unstoppable.
