The Alpha's Diversion

Werewolves?!

Cat.

A few nights later, Cat found herself with Jo at Bobby and Margo’s for a family dinner. She was thankful for the distraction. She had listlessly moved from one activity to another over the past few days, trying not to dwell on the Cory or Addis situations. It had been an impossible task.

Jo and Leo were outraged, although not surprised, by Cory’s actions, but both were also a bit incredulous that Addis and Jeb just happened to be nearby checking illegal traps. Cat found it strange too, especially since she hadn’t screamed for help. But she couldn’t come up with a better explanation for their presence.

With prodding from Jo, Cat related the tale to Bobby and Margo, both of whom were displeased.

“You should be taking this more seriously, Kitty Cat,” Bobby lectured. “Any man who would try to be physical after you already said you weren’t interested is a creep. You need to avoid him.”

Margo took a sip of her unsweet tea. “Bobby’s right. And my instincts tell me he waited to come onto you until you were out there alone. Bad news indeed!”

Jo was shaking her head in adamant agreement and giving Cat her “See, I told you so” look.

“I haven’t seen him and I’m not planning on it, guys, so you can stop worrying. He’s definitely off my friends list.”

“Good girl,” Bobby nodded his approval. He was one of few men who could get away with saying that to Cat. “If I’d been there, I’d have done just what that young man did. What was his name?”

“Addis.”

“That’s right. I’m glad somebody was there to knock some sense into Cory’s ass. Maybe he’ll stay away.”

“I thought it was weird they showed up when they did. But you know, there was something else odd. When Cory got mad at Addis for punching him, Addis called him a rogue. I had to look it up. It just seems like such an antiquated term to use.”

Bobby and Margo glanced nervously at each other.

“What?” Cat narrowed her eyes at them.

“How exactly did he use it? Like a title or as in roguish activity?” Margo prompted.

Cat thought back. “Like a title. He seemed offended about something.” She shrugged off the obvious. “Something besides his behavior with me. He said, ‘Don’t speak to me like that, rogue’ or something along those lines. It was just odd. And then he said something I couldn’t hear, but I could see Cory’s face. Whatever Addis said really scared him, and he nodded and left quickly.” Cat leaned back and shrugged, “And I haven’t seen him in town since.”

Bobby and Margo shared another knowing look, this time with Jo as well.

Cat set her fork down and huffed. “Alright, what are you guys hiding from me?”

Margo sighed, “We’re not hiding anything. It’s just a theory, and a pretty unbelievable one at that.”

“I still want to hear it.”

Margo rested her elbows on either side of her plate, her expressive, wide eyes focusing on Cat as she leaned forward. Cat stifled a laugh.

"Keep in mind, we’ve lived here for many years. There are a couple of communities fairly close to Moontrot that aren’t like your average town. It’s difficult to explain but they’re very closed off. No newcomers, private land but a lot of different families. That sort of thing. And there’s been sightings…” She left off, looking uncertainly at Cat, and trying to gauge her reaction.

“What kind of sightings, Margo?” Cat chuckled, unable to hide her amusement.

“Wolves.”

“Wolves?” Cat’s deflated tone reflected her disappointment. This was not what she’d expected.

“Yep,” Margo’s lips popped the word, her eyes alight as if it were an exciting revelation.

“And why is that weird? We live in the mountains of Colorado. Wolves belong here, right?”

Jo leaned forward, “We’ve seen them. They’re not normal wolves. They’re really big. And they act more intelligently than typical wolves. It’s hard to explain. But they’re different.”

Bobby continued, “And there’s more. There’s been tales of townspeople who have seen them shift into humans. Of course, some of those people weren’t reliable. Town drunks who passed out in bushes and such. But there’s been a few over the years that I would’ve sworn to their integrity. And they paid dearly for telling their unbelievable stories. What would entice someone to do that if it weren’t true?”

Cat didn’t have a good answer for that.

Rubbing her ear lobe, she wondered, “Interesting stories but…what does all that have to do with Addis and Cory?”

“Well,” Jo spoke quietly, as if someone dangerous may be listening, “according to lore, rogues are wolves that have been kicked out of their packs. Disgraced wolves, so to speak.”

Margo, Bobby, and Jo let a dramatic silence punctuate the end of the conversation.

Shoving the last of her roll in her mouth, Cat rolled her eyes. She’d wanted this dinner to be a distraction, and on that point, it had been wildly successful. None of this new information made any sense, and yet it wouldn’t be easily dismissed either.