The truck was behind the Humvee, so she went to it. She fumbled with the door until she got it open. There wasn't really room for three werewolves and her, but they managed somehow. She shut the door, turned the key, and waited with numb patience until warmth started filling the cab.
It was only then that she realized that the wolf sitting on the bench seat next to her was Bran. Charles took shotgun, and Asil settled on the passenger floor and closed his eyes. Bran curled up against her and put his muzzle on her thigh. He was shivering now and again-and she didn't think it was the cold that was bothering him.
When the truck was blowing hot air, she pulled off her gloves and held her fingers against the heater vent until she could feel them-and then untied her boots and took them and her wet socks off, too. There were puddles of water under her feet, but the melted snow had warmed, so she didn't mind it too much. She stuffed all of her discards behind the seat.
Backing the truck down the narrow road was miserable. The road rose and fell, so half the time she couldn't see it out her rear window and had to depend upon the side mirrors. By the time she was driving forward down the road, her hands were shaking with stress, sweat ran down her back-but the truck was still in one piece.
The cab smelled like warm, wet fur; the clock on the dash said it was three in the morning, and her toes ached and throbbed as they warmed up at last.
She'd driven for about a half hour when a gray Suburban, coming up the opposite way, flashed its lights at her and stopped. Even though they were on the highway, she stopped beside it and rolled her window down. She hadn't seen another car all night, so she decided not to worry about traffic.
The windows of the other SUV were dark, so the only person she could see was Tag in the driver's seat. He frowned at her, "Bran told me to gather a few of the pack for a cleanup. Everyone okay?"
It took her a moment to realize how Bran had told him. She glanced around at her comrades, none of whom looked okay to her. "What did Bran tell you?" Her voice was tired and slurred.
Tag's frown deepened, but he answered her. "That there are two dead bodies up there, a witch and a wolf. We're to gather up everything and do a general cleanup."
Anna nodded. "The Humvee is at the top of the road. We left the keys in it. I suppose Asil has a vehicle somewhere, but I don't know where it is."
Tag's face went still for a moment as if he were listening to something she couldn't hear. He gave her a little smile and tapped his temple a couple of times. "Bran does. We'll bring them back. Are you all right to drive back?"
It was a good question, and she wasn't sure if she was lying when she told him, "Yes."
"All right." The sound of his motor changed as he shifted it into gear, but he didn't drive off or roll up the window. Instead, he said hesitantly, "Something happened...I felt such..."
"Witch," said Anna firmly-and truthfully as far as it went.
If Bran wanted everyone to know about what Asil's witch had done to him, he could tell them himself. She rolled up her window and started down the road again.
She'd been worried she wouldn't be able to find Charles's house, but she made it just fine. It looked snug and safe covered with a new fall of snow.
She let them all into the house and staggered off to the bathroom, then the bedroom. She stripped off her filthy and wet clothes, then crawled under the covers in her underwear. She fell asleep while the three wolves were sorting out how they were going to fit on the bed with her.
"Is she all right?" his father asked.
Charles closed his eyes and listened. All he could tell was that the bond between him and his mate was strong and solid. He couldn't tell yet what their bond would mean, what gifts it would bring. His ears, though, told him she was singing.
"She'll do," he said.
Asil raised his cup of tea in salute. Like his father, Asil was freshly showered and dressed in an extra pair of sweats.
A car drove up his road and parked in front of the house.
"My car," said Asil, not bothering to get up.
Sage opened the door without knocking and peered cautiously through the opening. When she saw Bran, she stomped snow off her feet and came inside. "Someone needs to shovel," she told Charles. " 'Sil, I brought your car, and you can have it back if you'll drop me off at my place."
"Cleanup finished?" Bran asked mildly.
Sage nodded. "Tag says it is. He took Charles's truck to the crematorium to take care of the bodies. He told me to let you know the wolf will be scattered the usual place, and he's got four pounds of salt to mix with the witch's ashes. He'll bring the results to your house for disposal."
"Very good," Bran said. "Thank you."
While Sage had been speaking, Asil had gathered his dishes and taken them to the kitchen. "I'll head out with Sage." He took a deep breath, then bowed formally to Bran. "About the things I did not tell you-I'll expect your visit in the next few days."
Sage drew in a sharp breath, but Bran let out a sigh. "You're a little old for a spanking. I don't have anything to tell you that you don't already know"-he raised an eyebrow-"unless you have another witch or something worse after you that might endanger the pack? No? Then go home and get some rest, old friend." He took a sip of tea, and then said, "I hope this means you'll quit asking me to kill you. It gives me indigestion."
Asil smiled. "I expect I'll continue to give you indigestion-but probably not for that reason. At least not for a while yet." He turned to Charles and gave him the same formal bow. "Thank you for your help."
Charles tipped his head behind him toward the bathroom where the shower was still running. "Anna killed the witch."
Asil's smile grew sly. "I'll have to thank her properly, then."
Charles gazed coolly into his eyes. "You just do that."
Asil threw back his head and laughed. He took Sage by the shoulder and walked her out, stepping barefoot into the snow without a wince.
After the car drove off, Bran said, "You'll still have trouble with that one-but he won't mean it anymore. I think I'll head home, too. Leah will be concerned."
Charles shrugged off Asil-he was more worried about other matters. "Are you sure? You are welcome to stay here for a while more." d never forget that Other, the berserker who lurked underneath his father's easygoing facade.
His da smiled, but it only emphasized the haunted look in his eyes. "I'm fine. Take care of your mate-and let me know when you'd like to make things official. I'd like to get her formally linked with the pack as soon as possible. This week is the full moon."