Running Wild

between Pete and me, has been for years.”
    Ri wasn’t surprised to see that Pete had made it to the Starbucks before they did. Seamus didn’t understand how focused Pete was on him. Although Ri had begun to realize some of that was lust-driven—maybe most of it. Pete’s scent and demeanor indicated he was attached to Seamus. That was no doubt the missing piece of the puzzle. Pete couldn’t perceive Seamus as prey because he’d become emotionally attached.
    Ri got that. He was emotionally attached. What still surprised him was that a wolf was capable of such feelings.
When Pete lifted his gaze and caught sight of Ri, he stiffened up, scenting the air and trying to do it unobtrusively. A part of Ri wanted to ask, Hey, Pete, how’s the pack?
    That would be unwise, might mark him as a horse shifter when he didn’t want to be identified. After all, Pete could have heard of the twin horse shifters from his pack members. Ri chose to stay silent and let Seamus lead the conversation.
    Pete stood up, as if he wanted to embrace Seamus, but shook himself and stepped back, indicating a chair. Then he politely grabbed a third chair for Ri.
“Thanks for coming by,” Seamus said.
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” Pete sat again.
“So it seems.”
Pete cocked an eyebrow, blue gaze trying to figure out what Seamus knew and, more importantly, what he didn’t. “So, the farm, are you selling it?”
“Nope.” That Seamus sounded emphatic warmed Ri.
“You’re being foolish,” Pete stated. Ri’s gaze cut to Pete, their eyes locked. “What does your new boyfriend think about the farm?”
Ri tried not to be flustered by the boyfriend moniker. It didn’t mean anything, but Seamus was too irritated to notice Ri’s reaction. “I’m foolish,” Seamus repeated. “Why is that, Pete?”
“It’s not a safe area.” Pete nodded at Ri. “Ask your neighbor here.”
“It’s true that, like you, Ri doesn’t think it’s safe,” Seamus said. As Pete nodded knowingly, Seamus added, “Because of you .”
“Me?” This accusation took the wolf aback.
As Seamus opened his mouth to speak, it became crystal clear to Ri that he was going to tell Pete Ri thought he was a werewolf, so he cut him off. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Pete’s gaze became too penetrating, too intelligent. “What do you want to tell me, Seamus? Don’t let this one”—Pete seemed to imply there was something off with Ri—“control what you say.”
“I’m not controlling anything.”
“Just running?” Pete said mildly.
Ri froze. Pete knew what he was.
“What has Ri told you, Seamus?” Pete demanded.
But Seamus’s eyes narrowed, and the anger was flowing off him. “Running,” he repeated. “Why would you say that? Who are you, Pete?”
Pete altered his demeanor, trying to return to casual, to the big teddy bear of a guy who threatened no one, though he’d lost that persona for a while. He spread his hands. “I’m…me.”
“Well, that’s just so articulate, so informative. I can’t think of why I even asked the question if I was going to get such an answer.”
Pete grimaced. “Seamus, c’mon—”
“Fuck you.” Seamus stood, hands on the table as he leaned towards Pete. “Don’t ask me questions you want answers to and then feed me bullshit. Ri, let’s—”
Pete cut in. “Don’t go. I want to help you.”
“Help me with what?” Seamus asked, clearly frustrated.
Pete’s expression changed, face went blank like he was steeling himself for repercussions. He spoke in a low voice so only Seamus and Ri could hear. “As Ri has no doubt told you, I’m a wolf.”
Chapter Eight
    If Pete had hoped his confession would in some way disarm Seamus of his anger, he was wrong. Seamus stormed out of Starbucks, furious. He managed to say “Come on” to Ri, since he didn’t intend to leave the two supposed shifters together. Though God knows maybe that’s what they wanted.
    Maybe it was an elaborate hoax and they were screwing around with him. Seamus glanced back at Ri’s pale face and thought, No . Ri was no actor. Besides shifters existed, shifters were known to exist, if not in Winnipeg.
    Ri’s long legs brought him level with Seamus. “Where are we going?” “My place.” Seamus unlocked the car and indicated that Ri should get in. Ri glanced backwards and frowned. “He’s not following us.”
“No.” Thank God.
Ri shook his head and got in the car. When Seamus pulled into traffic, Ri
    said, “Does Pete know