“Service dog,” I read aloud, recognizing it as a vest. “Are you serious?”
“It works,” he said defensively and Anna gave me an apologetic glance as she agreed with him.
“It does work,” she said, talking the vest from Trent and quickly attaching it to Liam. “We have documentation to back it up too.”
“Pretty clever,” Leah said admiringly, stroking the fur on Liam’s head.
“No petting service dogs,” I told her and she yanked her hand back guiltily as Liam shot me a wounded look. I shrugged, ignoring it as I said, “It’s true.” I saw Dad leaving the office and told them, “I’ll be right back.”
“Dad,” I called, drawing him to a stop. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure, Bunny, what you need?”
“Keep an eye on Dom for me?”
He blinked at me for a second before realizing I was serious. “Uh, okay, sure. Um, why?”
“He’s supposed to talk to Caleb,” I told him, unable to keep the worry out of my voice.
“Ahh,” Dad nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle them.” I opened my mouth, not sure I liked the idea of Dad handling two men who shifted into wolves, but when he nodded and told me not to worry, I did just that.
When I got to the car, Liam was curled up in the backseat, watching us. “Everything okay?” Leah asked, as she put the car into gear.
“Yeah, I just wanted to let him know where we were going and make sure I didn’t need to bring Monster.”
Leah paused, “Do you want to bring him?”
“Oh, no,” I said hurriedly. “Monster is fine, he’s playing with Dylan.”
When we got to the restaurant, Trent handed me the leash. “Keep a hold on him,” he told me and gave Liam a stern glance. “Remember your priorities.” Liam whimpered, lowering his head as his ears flicked back.
The restaurant didn’t question the fact that our service animal happened to be a wolf as Trent stared them down and it wasn’t long before we were seated.
I ordered an extra appetizer when Liam propped his head on my knee, his pleading puppy dog eyes giving Monster a run for his money.
“Sucker,” Trent mouthed when he heard me double the order and I flipped him the bird. A phone rang and we glanced at one another until Anna raised her phone. She glanced at the caller and her forehead wrinkled.
“I need to answer this,” she murmured, excusing herself as she swiped the front of the phone. She went to the entrance but didn’t exit the restaurant as Trent kept an eye and ear on her. His expression was distant and I had a feeling he was listening to her conversation. I didn’t call him on it because I was curious myself.
Not good, Trent broadcast along the Pack link and Liam’s ears came up, suddenly alert. Dom brushed against the bond link, reassuring himself I was fine, but didn’t ask anything, and I had the impression he was distracted.
“I need to go,” Anna said, reaching for her purse, but Trent snagged it before she could sling it over her shoulder. “Not now, Trent,” she admonished, her face tight with worry.
“I heard. Going alone after a newly shifted wolf with no pack ties is dumb.”
“They’re not positive he shifted,” she argued, not bothering to question how he knew. “He’s young and I understand what he’s going through.”
“Which means you think he did shift and the wolf is in control,” Trent replied coolly, not letting go of her purse. She studied him silently for a second, then slipped her hand in her purse, yanked out the keys and left him literally holding her purse.
She would have succeeded if Liam hadn’t darted out and clamped his teeth around her leg. She froze, not willing to test if he’d actually bite down.
“Not alone,” Trent ground out. “You’re not the fucking Lone Ranger.”
“If we send a search party out, it’ll freak him out,” she snapped, sounding absolutely sure.
“You speak from experience.”
“That’s not your concern,” she answered, pressing her lips together. “Right now, Zeke Daniels is running around loose, more wolf than man, and potentially dangerous.”
“I agree, but again, you don’t go alone,” Trent repeated, resolute.
Anna opened her mouth, ready to argue, when I spoke up. “I agree with him.” She snapped her mouth shut, glaring at me. “Hey, it doesn’t happen often, but occasionally he’s right.”
“Thanks,” Trent said dryly. “Your support is overwhelming.”
“Take Trent with you,” I continued and both of them stared at me. “Trent goes with you so if you need assistance he’ll be there,” Trent gave me a pointed stare and I rushed to finish, “And Liam will escort us back to the motel.”
Trent didn’t look too sure and I discreetly kicked Liam. Anytime now, kid, I muttered to him and his head popped up.
I can do this, he promised, looking so adorably determined I almost wanted to pet him and say, “Good boy.”