Chapter 31 31
I surveyed my surroundings. The picture window looked out into a backyard filled with toys, both for human children and wolf pups. I noticed a full grown wolf watching me from the shade of a pink play house. He didn’t move so I think it would be safe to assume he didn’t view me as a threat. Wrapped around the room was a huge sectional couch. In the large space in the middle of the room toys were scattered across the area rug. The Dancer children were playing fetch with a couple of fluffy white wolf cubs. Their giggling when the pups brought back the balls filled the air. Lisa Lobo waved from the kitchen. I started for the kitchen which was only a feet few from where I was standing, yet, I managed to stumble on a toy thanks to a twitch in my foot. I pretended I was knelling to pick it up instead of letting anyone know that I still didn’t have complete control of my faculties.
“Ever wonder what the humans would say if they knew the toys they give to their precious little purse pooches were invented for werewolf pups?” I held up the hard rubber keys that closely resembled the toy keys for human babies. As I rounded the corner into the kitchen I noticed the back door had a doggy door in it. Or should I say a wolfy door?
Lisa smiled as she put cookies on a tray already loaded up with tea and coffee. “I think they would be more shocked by our existence then the fact that their four legged babies could share toys with our babies half the time.” She carried the tray into the family and set it on the coffee table before turning her gaze on the pups. “You know the rules. If you want a snack you have to be two legged.”
The bigger pup ran over to the table and snagged a cookie before running away as fast as his four legs could carry him. The small one was fast on his heels, grabbing him by the hind leg and growling. When he dropped the cookie with a yelp, she grabbed it and dove under the couch to eat it. Both the Dancer children started laughing at their antics.
Lisa let out a growl. She looked fierce glaring out the pup. I knew she had passed the century mark a few years back but, werewolves age slower than humans. Her short hair was still dark and her face was just beginning to show wrinkles. Her dark eyes were narrowed as she glared. The pup rolled over and showed her his belly. The other pup crawled out from under the couch and stood beside Lisa with her tail wagging as she looked at what I assumed was her brother. Lisa trained her glare on her. “You think he’s the only one in trouble here? I want both of you two legged right now.”
The two pups changed before she finished talking. They both appeared to be around five with shockingly red hair and pale skin covered in freckles.
“I’m sorry Grammars. I just really wanted a cookie.” The boy said with guilt written on his face.
“You know the rules stupid. No grabbing food off the table with your teeth.” His sister clearly thought she was in charge of rule enforcement.
“Oh yeah? Well you know you aren’t supposed to steal food or call others names, Stupid. That was my cookie!”
“Enough! Both of you. You both broke the rules. You both will be spending two minutes in time out. But first I want you to meet our guests.” She turned towards me first. “Austin, Annie this is Nicole Pearson and Connor Echols.” She turned them around to see Tristan who had been watching everything with a quiet intensely from the corner. “And this is your cousin Tristan Smith. Now, both of you to the time out stools.” She pointed to the little stools along the wall that had time out written on them. When they sat pouting with their arms crossed she set the timer on the shelf over the stools.
“Who do the Bobbsey twins belong to?” Only redheads I could think of were Vera and Abby. I knew Vera was married to a wizard, which ruled her out. They could be Abby’s, but, I hadn’t gotten her scent off them.
“They are Thomas’. ” She saw my surprise and laughed. “He married a girl from a pack out in
Washington State. They have their mother’s coloring and their daddy’s knack for getting into trouble. Part of me will be relieved when they start school next year. Or at least let them run around outside again.” She waved a hand towards the Dancer children. “Have you been properly introduced to our other guests yet?”
“No we haven’t.” I squatted down so I was close to eye level with them and held out my hand little boy Dancer. “Hi! I’m Cole.” I pointed over my shoulder to the boys. “That’s Tristan and Connor. What’s your name?”
He wrapped his arm around his little sister before he timidly took my hand. “I’m Sage. She’s Magnolia.” Magnolia couldn’t shake hands due to her chewing on both of her hands. Sage pulled his sister back from me. Maybe it was because I was a vampire and he knew a vampire killed his parents. Or it could have something to do with stranger danger I guess. However, when Connor knelt down beside them, Sage abandoned his sister to give my partner a hug.
“Hey little man. You like it here?” Connor got a quick hug before Sage returned to guarding his sister.
“Yeah. They got puppies.” Sage answered around the thumb he had popped into his mouth.
Lisa looked Tristan over with a critical eye before extending her hand to him. “I’m your aunt Lisa. I’m married to your uncle Matthew. We met once but, you were still in diapers so you probably don’t remember me. You were so cute with your little tow head.”
Tristan hesitantly shook her hand. “’I’m sorry I don’t remember you. But it’s nice to meet you now. I’ll remember you this time I promise.”
Lisa smiled and pulled him into a hug. “Welcome home.”