Chapter 7

Tom managed to swallow the hard lump that had suddenly lodged in his throat. He should have known Judy would bring this up at the nearest opportunity, even though he'd warned her to stay away. The 'wolf released a bitter, humorless laugh and shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me." Her voice had gone soft, coaxing, enticing. One of her hands rested over his. It was a gesture meant to be reassuring, but instead it sent his veins on fire. Quickly Tom jerked his hand out from under her touch. He thought, Should I tell her?

Uncertain, he forced himself to meet her gaze, which was full of concern. Hanson opened his mouth, but he closed it again as his ears picked up the sound of a dirt bike nearby. "You hear that?"

Hoffs tilted her head. "No, I— Wait, yes I do. He's coming this way."

Luckily, the street they were on had moderate traffic, so John didn't seem to notice them as he zoomed by. Tom exchanged glances with Judy, who put the car in Drive and pulled out into the stream of cars. They emerged a couple of cars behind the teenaged drug dealer, making sure he didn't know he was being tailed. Hoffs kept pace with the teen even when he quickly turned onto a side street and picked up speed.

"Whoa, take it easy, Jude," Tom said. "I think we're just supposed to follow him."

"Who cares? Besides, I need the collar. I had to give half of my last one to Ioki."

"He hasn't done anything!" Hanson protested.

"What about that drug deal you thought you saw?" she countered.

He relented. "Okay. Full speed ahead. Just don't try to kill me."

"Like what you did with Officer Dunnigan back when you were on patrol," she teased.

"How'd you know about that? It was months ago!"

Judy grinned. "I have my sources."

"Ioki told you what happened when we were tailing Wheckerly, didn't he?"

"You're no fun, Hanson." The little car hit a pothole and sent the two of htem up in the air. Tom yelped with surprise. "Cool it!" he cried when they landed. "I don't want to get arrested for speeding!"

"What do you mean 'you'? I'm the one driving!"

"You've been paired up with Ioki for too long! You're starting to drive like him!" Despite himself, he could feel a smile starting to form. Bickering with her like this helped to take his mind off the seriousness of the situation.

Suddenly Hoffs hit the brakes and sent her car skidding to a stop. Both of them were pitched forward, then jerked back into their seats due to the law of inertia. As Hanson unbuckled himself, he said, "Don't ever do that again." Unbeknownst to Judy, he'd been on the verge of changing. Could he shift at will, or was it just an adrenaline thing? Tom quickly pushed the thought aside; he'd have to try it on his own time . . . or he could take Bryant up on his offer. Confused, he shook his head to clear it.

"Hanson?" Judy's voice made him look up. She was outside the passenger door. "You coming?"

"Have you forgotten what happened the last time we tried following him on foot?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You're right. You never told me what's going on here, and how in Hades did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Vault into your side of the car from the opposite side without even grazing me!"

"I don't know," he replied truthfully. Hanson was still hoping he could keep his secret, well, secret, but he wasn't sure how he would if he kept showing off like that.

"Right," Judy said sarcastically. "I don't suppose being bitten had anything to do with it."

"Will you drop it?" he snapped.

She studied him for a few moments. Hanson found he didn't like the look in her eyes. Then Judy turned and started walking in John's direction. Tom uttered a low growl of frustration. Against his better judgment, he exited the car and followed Judy. If anything, he had to go after her, keep her safe. Who know what the other werewolves would do if they found the two snooping around?

The two undercovers stole across the dark street, following the teenager. Luckily, Bryant didn't seem to know he was being tailed. He was heading for a sorry-looking building, known on the streets as Hotel California. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." Apparently, whoever named it was a fan of the Eagles. Not that Hanson cared; the place was giving him a case of the creeps.

The door opened to reveal a man in what Tom judged to be in his mid to late twenties with short black hair and a thin, spear-shaped beard. He gave off some serious vibes. Immediately Tom felt like he should be the one giving the orders, that he himself was a lower-ranking wolf.

Where did that come from? Yet Tom had no doubt he was looking at the werewolf alpha. Just the aura alone was extremely powerful, and John was acting submissive, something he never would let show in the hallways at school. Straining his ears, Tom was able to hear what the two were saying.

"We might have a problem." That was John speaking.

"Oh? What kind of a problem?"

"You know that kid I accidentally turned? Tom Henderson?"

"Yes, I know. You shouldn't have lost control." The alpha's voice was smooth, almost oily, and surprisingly deep.

"I'm sorry about that, but I think he could make a valuable addition to our pack." At that, Hanson recoiled in horror. He didn't even want to be a werewolf, and now they wanted him in their pack! Swearing silently, he tuned back in when John continued, "The thing is, I've spotted him following me a few times around town. If he tells anyone—"

"He won't," the nameless alpha said confidently. "He's your supplier, right?"

"Yes. I already offered to help train him, to control his new side, but he refused."

"Don't worry. He'll come to us in time, young beta."

Tom could see John bristle at being called that. Suddenly, he didn't want to be there. In fact, he wanted to be anywhere but Hotel California. He tugged on Judy's jacket and hissed, "Come on. Let's go."

Silently, she crept after him. They made it to her car and pulled out, heading back to the chapel. Hanson, horrified, kept going over what he'd heard in his mind. He also came to a conclusion. If Bryant offered once more to help him with his wolf side, his answer would be yes.