“Women’s intuition. When Sheri and I were talking about the case, we got to wondering why the woman felt so strongly that her husband was cheating on her and had the brilliant idea to check what she was up to. And that was it.”

  “Well, you did it.”

  “So what do we do with the information?” Elizabeth asked. “I mean, if we were hired to learn that the husband was cheating, but it was the wife instead, do we tell her what we know? Or just tell her that her husband isn’t cheating on her?”

  “We tell the spouse there’s absolutely no evidence of her husband cheating on her. If she wants, she can hire another investigator who will learn the same thing. In the meantime, we keep the file on hand, and if the husband ever comes in to hire us, we have the background evidence for it.”

  Just then a man with a trim beard and glasses walked into the agency. Elizabeth recognized him right away as the very husband they’d just been discussing. “How can we help you?”

  “I need to speak with a private investigator about a personal matter,” the man said.

  David introduced himself and took him into his office and shut the door. “I’m David Davis. What do you need me to look into?”

  “I believe you are familiar with my wife?” David didn’t indicate one way or another, but apparently he didn’t need to confirm. “I found this.” He handed David his bank statement. “I wondered what the retainer’s fee was for and learned it was for this office. Normally, I don’t bother with the finances. My wife handles all of that. But I was looking into the account because I had an overdraft and thought we had more in our checking account. I looked to see who the check was written to, and it was this agency. I’m sure your handling of a client’s case is confidential. So fine. I’ll just hire you to learn what it is she’s investigating.”

  David smiled. “Sorry, that’s not how it works.”

  The man smiled back. “No, huh? Then I’ll go to a different PI agency and learn the truth.”

  “Okay, I’m going to ask you a question, and you speculate all you want on why I’m asking the question. Are you cheating on your wife?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “Of course not. And you’ve proven I haven’t, haven’t you?”

  “I don’t disagree with that statement. And that’s all I can say about that.”

  “But she’s been cheating on me. She lies to me all the time. Says she’s out with her girlfriends, but when I run into them, they have no idea what I’m talking about when I ask how they enjoyed their ladies’ night out. She spends money on things I can’t account for. She dresses up to go out when she never dresses up normally, ever. The lack of intimacy between us—her lack of interest, not mine—is telling. If she’s trying to dig up some dirt about me that isn’t true, then it’s the end for us.”

  “I can’t counsel you one way or another, but I will tell you that we’ve decided to no longer pursue the case you reference due to lack of evidence.” David let the man infer what he would from that as well.

  The man sighed with relief and stood, and David stood too, shaking his hand. “Thanks. I feel better about this already.”

  Once he left, Elizabeth said, “I guess he can’t have this.” She waved around the folder with her findings on the wife.

  “Just file it with the client’s case. We can hold on to it. If he wants to hire us, we’ll have it on hand. But he already seems to be well aware of the truth, and it looks like he’s resolved to end things between them.”

  “Hopefully by divorce and not some other more drastic means,” Elizabeth said.

  That was the thing about marital relationships. The PIs never knew how something as simple as a private investigator’s report could affect an outcome. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

  An hour later, Cameron and Gavin came into the agency office, both smelling like a donkey.

  “Hey, I know what we smell like. It took a few tries, but we managed to wrangle that donkey back home. You’ll have to teach us again about lassoing an animal, though. I finally got it on the third try, but we definitely need more practice.” He turned to Elizabeth. “If David didn’t tell you already, he worked on a ranch in his youth to get away from his old man. And he learned to lasso horses and cows. It came in handy when he had to rope a runaway llama.”

  Elizabeth laughed.

  “I told you I would handle it,” David said, smiling.

  “Yeah, next time,” Cameron said, and he and Gavin headed home to wash and change clothes, their dress pants dusty and dirty and covered with grass stains.

  When Gavin and Cameron returned to the office, David asked, “Did you ever find that standard poodle that went missing?”

  “Yeah. Someone turned her in for a reward. I did an investigation of the individual who did and found he’d turned in a lot of dogs for reward money. There were all kinds of reports on him in the paper. So I handed the case over to the police,” Cameron said.

  “I never would have expected that,” Elizabeth said.

  “Good, at least maybe the guy will be held accountable,” David said.

  They worked for a few more hours, until they smelled the telltale scent of steaks grilling.

  Owen smiled. “Bet the steaks are courtesy of our jaguar billionaire relative. They must have gone out to get them.”

  “And I smell hot dogs grilling,” Cameron said. “The favorite food of our little ones.”

  “Hey, I’m off to meet up with Amelia,” Gavin said. “See you there.”

  “We’re coming too,” Owen and Cameron said, following David and Elizabeth out the door. It was time to celebrate.

  Chapter 28

  On their way to the barbecue, David got a call from Jimmy’s dad saying he didn’t have any issues with shifting right now, and he and his son wanted to come in and thank him for all he and Elizabeth had done.

  “Hey, we’re grilling out with a bunch of friends and family. Why don’t you join us? We’re on a lake, and you can go swimming too. And for a run later with us, if you think you would like to.” There was no better time to introduce them to the pack than when they were all together, including jaguars and wolves from Texas to Oregon to Canada.

  “We’d like that. What can we bring?” Mel asked.

  “Just yourselves. And have fun.”

  “My wife, Jane, is working at the hospital, but I’ll bring my son and daughter, Cass.”

  “Good. We’ll be just behind the agency building at the homes on the lake.”

  When David ended the call, he filled in Elizabeth about the new additions to the celebration.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful.”

  They walked up to the barbecue and were immediately pulled into the controlled chaos, Elizabeth visiting with all the people she didn’t know, everyone playing with the dogs and wearing them out, though when little Corey dropped his hot dog, Winston was there in a hurry to scarf it up. She hurried to fix Corey another before he had time to get upset about it.

  Jimmy, Mel, and Cass finally arrived at the party, bringing with them the most delicious-looking cake Elizabeth had ever seen—one of Mel’s very own.

  Sheri took Cass in hand to get her some food, while David and Elizabeth brought Jimmy and his dad to the office to speak privately.

  “I want to thank you,” Jimmy’s dad said, “for saving my life and my marriage. Of course, Jimmy had a big hand in that when he bit and turned me, but it renewed my wife’s interest in me. She knew I would continue to age as a human does, and she knew she couldn’t keep the marriage going because of it. She loved me, always had, and now? We’ve renewed our vows. Only this time, it will be forever.”

  “Yeah, I did something right for a change, huh, Dad?” Jimmy said, smiling at him.

  “You sure did. We just wanted to thank you, both of you, and I want to pay for your services.” He handed David a check. “I finally started a bakery out of my house, and my son is making deliveries and set up the website for my business. So I’m still working but for myself now and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “I’m so glad for that,” David said, Elizabeth agreeing.

  “I can’t tell you how glad I was to learn you’re like me. Newly turned. It helps knowing I’m not alone in this. I just had to adjust to the idea.”

  David nodded. “You always have a sounding board with us. We know what you’re going through, and we’re always happy to talk to you about it. You’ll be in good hands with your royal-wolf family, but if you ever have issues they can’t relate to, just gives us a call or drop by.”

  “Thanks. I sure appreciate that.”

  “Why don’t you come and meet everyone else? The big party we’re having includes jaguar shifters also.”

  Both Jimmy’s and his dad’s eyes widened.

  David led them back to the barbecue and began introducing them, though Jimmy had to go fill a plate with a steak and the works. Cass was already eating and talking with the little kids.

  “So you’re the one David and Elizabeth were trying to find,” Gavin said, shaking Mel’s hand. “Good to meet you.”

  “Our pack has just been for those of us who were turned and had been friends for a lifetime,” Cameron said, “but it’s been growing. Since you don’t have a pack, you and your family are welcome to join ours.”

  “We absolutely want to. My wife is working at the hospital tonight, but she told me to tell all of you she couldn’t be happier with the prospect of joining your pack,” Mel said.

  “Can we go swimming at your lake then?” Jimmy asked, plate in hand.

  David smiled. “Yeah, you can drop by anytime. And when we have fireworks for the Fourth of July, or other celebrations as a pack, you’re welcome to join us.”

  Jimmy looked at his dad and he nodded. “Do we need to pay membership dues or anything?”

  “No,” Cameron said. “We just help each other out when we can and enjoy the camaraderie with other wolves.”

  “It’s a deal. I’ll bring baked goods to the Fourth of July celebration,” Mel said.

  “Why don’t you help yourself to some food,” Owen told Mel. “And welcome to the pack.”

  Mel shook everyone’s hand and then he went to get some food, talking away to his son.

  Elizabeth chuckled. “For being just four male wolves and a she-wolf in the beginning when I first met you, your pack has grown exponentially.”

  “I’m so happy to be a part of it,” Sheri said, joining them.

  David would never tire of hearing how happy the pack made her. He hoped the same would be true for all their new members.

  “Oh, and my parents said they’re getting in tomorrow. I don’t know how long all your guests will stay, but they hoped to meet all the families and see jaguars in their fur coats too,” Sheri said.

  “Some of the jaguars might head home tomorrow for whatever assignments they have to handle with their agency, but Uncle Strom will hang around to visit with Candice and Owen a while longer. And the Andersons might too,” David said.

  “Oh, good. I’ll let my parents know that.”

  Several people who were done eating began going into the homes, and David wondered if they were getting ready to shift and run. He’d better eat in a hurry if so. But the next thing he knew, jaguars and wolves alike were leaving the houses, wearing bathing suits and heading for the lake.

  David grabbed a quick bite, and then he and Elizabeth returned to their home—and he was glad to call it theirs—to change into their swimsuits. Which led to them being sidetracked in the most pleasurable way, with hot kisses and snug hugs, before they raced each other to the door.

  Outside, the kids were swimming with a crowd of adults.

  David hadn’t expected to see jaguar babysitters, but Everett and Demetria loved playing with the kids, so they were keeping an eye on them while Faith and Cameron were still visiting with others on the shore.

  Then Jimmy and Cass joined in on the swimming fun, and finally Mel did too. It would be nice when their mom was free so she could get to know everyone and they could all get to know her.

  David and Elizabeth swam out a way and just treaded water, watching all the festivities. People were eating and drinking, someone had started some music, and others were swimming or just talking to each other.

  Finally, it was time to run. After that, they would build fires in their firepits and if anyone was still hungry, roast marshmallows or have s’mores, or snack on leftovers. But for now, everyone was headed for the houses for a run. All except the little ones, who were headed for bed with a promise of running as wolves before dawn—if they woke early enough.

  After a night of fun like this, David doubted they would wake that early.

  ***

  The run was going great. David and Elizabeth were way ahead of the wolves, red and white, and the jaguars, who were doing some exploring on their own, when Elizabeth heard the sound of a bear snuffling in the shrubs nearby. Undoubtedly, the delightful aroma of food cooking on the grills had called to the cinnamon black bear, and he was eager to join in on the party.

  She howled in warning, and David followed her howl with one of his own, a call to gather the pack to fight a menace.

  Suddenly, the sound of wolves and jaguars—all normally quiet predators—crashing through the brush indicated everyone was coming to Elizabeth’s and David’s aid, ready to take on whatever threat they faced.

  David and Elizabeth howled again to let their reinforcements know just where they were. And as the others joined them, they took off as one, wolves and jaguars running side by side, to hopefully make the bear realize once and for all he just wasn’t welcome on this side of the lake.

  They’d run about three miles when Elizabeth stopped and David returned to her. She licked his face. Some of the other wolves and a few of the jaguars continued on, but her intentions were clear. She wanted to return home to make love to her mate before they wore themselves out too much, and David was all for it.

  Once home, they both shifted and she said, as if they’d just been having a normal conversation and not chasing down a hungry predator, “And tomorrow I want to go to the garden shop bright and early in the morning before the agency is open.”

  “We can do that.”

  “We have all kinds of people who probably wouldn’t mind digging some holes.”

  David laughed and pulled her into his arms in the bedroom. “I can dig a hole.”

  “And with their help, it will be all done so we can be free to do more of this.” She kissed him soundly and he reciprocated in kind. “And this,” she added, grabbing his buttocks and squeezing.

  “Hmm, all right.” He moved her onto the bed.

  “And maybe some of this.” She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in tight.

  “Anything else?” he asked, grinding against her.

  She nipped his ear, and he yelped. “You’d better believe it.”

  This was the life Elizabeth had always looked forward to. She was glad she’d had more time to spend with her grandmother in the end, but this was her time as a mated wolf, hers and David’s, and she couldn’t be more thrilled as they worked each other into a sexual frenzy and fulfilled their other needs of loving and caring, loyalty and protectiveness.

  “I love you.” She would never be able to say it enough.

  “I love you,” David said, the reverence in his voice matching hers perfectly.

  ***

  David felt he was one of the luckiest wolves alive to have Elizabeth in his life again. She was helping him enjoy the job even more and made his life even better, chasing away the loneliness he had felt when they were so far apart, while his friends were all snuggled happily with their mates at night. She couldn’t have come at a better time, and he was glad their friends and extended families had not only helped to show Kintail and his people that the newly turned wolves couldn’t be beaten by his bullying, but had also helped free them from the danger posed by the rogue bear.

  For now, though, David concentrated on making love to his mate, Elizabeth, the woman he’d lost and brought home—to a place that was truly his home.

  After making love and napping for a while, they eventually heard the others return and conversations starting up again outside. David and Elizabeth finally dressed, though he was all for just staying in bed with her until morning.

  “We’ll regret it if we act like two old wolves who can’t get out of bed to visit with everyone, especially because some of them will be gone tomorrow. You know Leidolf’s leaving. He has a pack to run.”

  David sighed. “We are newly mated, not old wolves, and everyone will know the difference. But you’re right.” He smiled at her. “And then we can return to bed and more of this.”

  “Now you’re talking.”

  They headed out to visit with the wolves and jaguars, all talking about the exciting evening they’d had.

  “We don’t get a chance to chase off bears in Houston,” Uncle Strom said. “Man, that was a good run.”

  “That was a big black bear,” Gavin said, hugging Amelia close.

  Owen and Candice agreed. “More fodder for my stories,” she said.

  Slade and Sheri were sitting together on one of the stone benches, roasting marshmallows. “Do you think we chased him away for good?” Slade asked.

  “Only time will tell,” David said, hugging Elizabeth close. “This is really great, isn’t it?”

  “Family and friends?” Cameron said, kissing Faith. “You bet.”

  ***

  The next morning, Elizabeth and David headed to a garden center to pick out whatever she needed. She’d joked about having the others help, though if anyone was bored, they were more than welcome. What they hadn’t expected was for several wolves and jaguars to volunteer to go with them and help her pick out plants; she couldn’t have been more thrilled.