US, not you. His words buoyed me up, but I still barely noticed the forest we passed through on the way to the stream. I couldn’t miss the change in mood and inhabitants, however, when we stepped out into what had been a scene of revelry half an hour earlier.
The children were gone along with most of Wolfie’s pack mates. And the fun-loving werewolf leader himself had lost all hint of frivolity. Instead, he stood grim-faced and rock-solid, facing down a furious Lupe.
“...trespassing.” Lupe was dressed and human in form but was thoroughly wolf in aspect as she spat out the end of what must have been a ringing indictment of Wolfie’s presence on her land.
“As you’re well aware,” Wolfie answered, voice mild, “this property is yours in human terms but is located within my territory in every w
