Alpha Micah Black: Homecoming

Chapter19

And so, my little Jewel’s community service would only last for twenty hours. For two and a half weeks, she will help gather the books and lightly clean the tables and chairs. It wasn’t too difficult for her to do. But I chose to stick around. I wanted to be available…you know, just in case. Hey, I’m still new to this parenting stuff.

The smell of musty books and disinfectant alternated attacking my nostrils. And one flickering fluorescent light annoyed my peripheral vision. The monotony of silence could easily drive a sane person bonkers. If it weren’t for the shuffling of feet from the librarians… Yeah, I can’t handle boredom…well. I can’t do it. At least with my job, I can always find someone to interview for a new lead. Which reminds me, I need to contact Cerber-nerd or Demon about the flash drive or SD card I’m supposed to review.

March 6th, 6:16 PM, 1313 Scrimmage Drive, The Broken Badger Bar and Grille

I made arrangements with my favorite forensic minions to meet me here. Considering the time of day, Jewel and I could also have a decent meal. I’m a lousy cook. Leave it to me to burn boxed macaroni and cheese on my stovetop. I’m still trying to get the stink out of my nose. Woof. Anyhow, Jewel and I found a table. A few minutes later, Demi and Ray joined us.

“Good evening, Sergeant. Sergeant’s daughter,” Cerber-nerd greeted us in his usual professional manner. Jewel giggled and gave me a wide-eyed, funny face.

“You can tell him your name,” I whispered to her. “He’s cool. He works with me.”

“My name is Jewel Everlee Thor…Black,” she blurted out, then giggled.

“Black?!” I questioned my daughter. “What happened to Thorne?”

“I like Black better,” she sheepishly confessed. But her eyes still didn’t twinkle.

“Great… More paperwork,” I griped sarcastically to myself. “Jewel, meet Raymond Cornell and Demi Mason,” I said, pointing to each respectfully.

“Hi,” she whispered, waving at them.

Ray sat across from me and Demi sat opposite Jewel. Mrs. Fred came to the table to take our orders. Jewel and I ordered our usual and Ray and Demi ordered the more expensive item–a steak dinner. My wolf whimpered a little. The forensic minions, on average, make twice as much as detectives or ranked patrol officers. While Alice Moon, Mrs. Fred’s actual name, went to fetch the drinks, Raymond slipped me a small manilla envelope with the item I needed inside. I quickly placed it in my jacket pocket.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Luna Tiffeny at the register in the bar area. She had a fistful of receipts. I didn't know why, but I needed to talk to her.

“Hey, can you guys watch Jewel for me?” I asked my co-workers.

“Sure,” answered Ray, taking a sip of his drink that Alice dropped off.

“Be nice, Sergeant,” Demi stated, immediately picking up on what I was about to do.

“Huh?” Ray asked, confused. She gently elbowed him and pointed toward the bar. “Ah…”

“Don’t cause problems for them,” I instructed my mini-me. She nodded, agreeing, and I gave her a peck on her head as I stood up.

“Whoa, watch it there, Sergeant,” Alice said, carrying the tray with our food, after I nearly bumped into her.

“Whoops, sorry,” I mumbled my apology.

The Broken Badger’s office

I politely knocked on the partially opened door. I nervously rub my face and the back of my neck. The sweet alluring scent of orange blossom, soft musk, ginger, and another smell I still don’t recognize tickled my senses. Why am I attracted to her? I’m not her mate.

“Yes, who’s there?” she hollered out.

“Sergeant—” I squeaked, cleared my throat, and tried again, “Sergeant Black from Wolfdale City PD.”

“Enter,” the Badger’s owner instructed. However, her voice held some annoyance.

Proceed with caution, Mike. Proceed with MUCH caution.

Slowly stepping through the doorway, I held both hands up in surrender. Why does her scent drive my wolf crazy in the best way possible?

“Ms. Lowell,” I began my pitiful apology. “First, I want to apologize for how I’ve treated you lately. It was completely uncalled for and not professional from me.”

“Okay. That was a surprise I wasn’t expecting,” she answered, still slightly annoyed. But looking into her eyes, I notice a deep sadness. My chest tightened up. “So, what’s the next part of your little whatever this is supposed to be?”

“Right,” I silently muttered. I took a deep breath, and continued, “I don’t know what happened to your alpha, but I’d like to help you find him.”

“You’re serious?”

“Of course I am. I’m a police officer,” I rattled. “If I can use a pen and paper, I can jot down his description and put a BOLO* out for him.”

*(Be On the LookOut)

“Okay, I’ll give you his description,” she agreed, being amused with my offer. “He’s about your height, your build, same color hair, just the right amount of facial scruff, same color eyes, same kissable lips…”

With each detail of her lost alpha, she moved closer toward me. It’s wrong, but I secretly like this.

“Ahem,” I said, clearing my throat. “Anything else?”

“And he’s the biggest asshole on the entire planet,” she spat in her disgust.

“Noted. Biggest asshole,” I repeated, jotting everything down.

“You forgot ‘on the entire planet’, Sergeant,” she reminded me.

“Right, thanks,” I muttered, noting the correction. “On the entire planet… So, I’m not looking for Henry Cavill?”

“Correct, Sergeant. He’s no Henry Cavill,” she seductively repeated. Of course, not. No man or wolf, for that matter, could compare to the great Henry Cavill. “But he’s perfect for me.”

The next thing I knew, she and I were passionately kissing each other in a tight embrace. The longer it went, the more I didn’t want it to end. Here’s hoping her alpha doesn’t come barging in on us.

“I can’t do this, Ms. Lowell,” I breathlessly stated, reluctantly pulling her away. “You belong to someone else, not me.”

A sharp pain struck my heart briefly. But our lips met again and the pain mysteriously went away. We continued our kissing for a few more minutes until…

“SERGEANT!” I heard my little Jewel scream in terror.

I gently shoved Luna Tiffeny away and bolted out the door to find her. It was madness. Whatever caused Jewel to cry out startled the patrons and servers, too. When she saw me, she ran into my arms and cried hard. Her little body trembled, and I held on to her tighter.

“Shh, it’s okay. I’m here. I got you, now,” I reassured her, whispering into her hair.

I lifted her and carried her back to the table. Cerber-nerd’s face was pale and his eyes were wide with fright. Demi was no longer at the table. Her food sat cold on the plate. Where in the hell did she run off to? I didn’t have to wonder long about her whereabouts. She and George with other LEOs re-entered the bar and grille. They looked baffled.

“Would someone please tell me what the hell happened?” I inquired, raising my voice above the chaos.