Chapter Eight – Some Answers and More Questions

They were all quiet on their way back since there were other wolves present and what they had to say to each other required a private space. Vince expected Theodore to have more trust in Ryder’s pack now since the alpha had saved them all. On the other hand, he needed to take into account Pembroke’s pride, which must have taken a serious hit after the night’s events. With Cassandra gone, one piece of the puzzle would remain beyond their reach. While Vince still had no idea about what the runes were trying to tell them, he believed that there must have been more information that could have been extracted from the witch.

However, since the witch in question had been too rabid to reason with, it was good that she was gone. Hopefully, they’d decipher the sense of the runes by themselves, without a dangerous clairvoyant breathing down their necks.

He stole a quick glance at Theodore, and then another at Jack. For good measure, he had chosen to walk between the two of them, because there was a chance the wolf and the clairvoyant might end up at each other’s throats before they even had the slightest chance to figure out what their bond was supposed to mean.

Jack half-wished, half-feared, that it involved butt sex. Vince couldn’t blame the guy. Someone without one speck of experience with having sex with a man, no, with having sex at all, had now been thrown into a situation that required nerves of steel and a very flexible body.

Vince felt a wave of tenderness wash over him as he observed Jack from the corner of one eye. Theodore called him a field mouse, and now that Vince was watching him more closely, the nickname suited him. For all the anger and annoying arrogance Theodore projected, his giving the city clairvoyant a nickname gave him away.

Theodore Pembroke wanted Jack. Regardless of his need for revenge, regardless of the pain he must have carried with him for a long time.

“Is there something on my face?” Jack asked. And then, right away, without waiting for a reply, “Isn’t it strange how well I can see in the dark? I hope I’m not turning into a wolf.”

“What would be so bad about turning into a wolf?” Theodore growled from his place on Vince’s other side.

“Well, for starters, I dislike the idea of having to lick my own balls,” Jack replied, completely unperturbed by Theodore’s obvious display of aggression.

Another growl – very much expected – followed.

“Wolves aren’t dogs.”

“Do you lick your own balls or not?” Jack asked. “You obviously can.”

Vince had to bite his bottom lip hard so he didn’t burst into laughter, adding more insult to this new injury. He had an inkling Pembroke wouldn’t like it one bit.

“You should answer Jack’s question,” he suggested, trying his hardest to make his voice sound only ordinarily concerned for the flow of conversation and nothing more.

“Yes,” Theodore replied, although he sounded at least partially embarrassed. “It’s a natural behavior. It also brings comfort.”

“I knew it,” Jack said, his triumphant tone making Vince worry that Theodore might just pop a blood vessel if their little talk continued in the same vein. “Ball licker.”

Vince had to block Theodore from reaching Jack. The clairvoyant, like the little prick he was, didn’t stop laughing.

“Jack, I may be a guardian, and I swore to protect you, but you need to help me a little here. I can’t restrain an alpha for long.”

“I get it, I get it,” Jack agreed. “But admit it. It was funny to make Theo admit he likes licking his own balls.”

“A little,” Vince said as he pushed the angry alpha he was holding back to his place.

“We’re here,” their guide announced. If the young wolf had any opinions about the strange conversation between his pack’s guests, he was keeping them to himself. His face betrayed nothing.

Vince took the reins since he didn’t count on either Pembroke or Jack to be able to forget their little squabble and behave appropriately.

“Thank you. We’ll find our way from here.”

***