Fox Run by Robin Roseau Read Free Book Online

went on the alert, scanning the street with me.
    "What is it?" she asked quickly and quietly. "I don't see it."
    "Wolf," I said. "The place reeks of wolf."
    Lara immediately relaxed. "Of course it does. This is my cousin's restaurant. That is the scent of pack, Michaela. You are safe here. Is the wolf scent that odious to you?"
    I backed up one more step, still wary. "It's primal, Lara. The scent of danger." I shook my head, trying to clear my nostrils.
    "Do we need to go somewhere else?"
    I shifted my gaze to her. "Please come here, Lara."
    She nodded, releasing the door, and walked over to me warily, clearly taking care to avoid frightening me further. When she drew close, I stepped into her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around me. I inhaled deeply.
    "Tell me again, Lara."
    "You are safe with me, Michaela." I inhaled deeply, and she reassured me I was safe with her.
    I inhaled once more, then looked up at her. "I am sorry. You are going to think you are out with a were rabbit."
    She laughed. "Any relation to Brer Rabbit?"
    "Distant cousins."
    "Better now?"
    I shoved my face into her neck and took one more deep breath. "Yes." I pulled away and strode towards the door. Lara beat me to it, barely, and held the door for me. I stepped through, then waited, looking around.
    To a human visitor, the restaurant might look like any other Japanese sushi restaurant. To the right was a bar area. Past the bar were two Teppanyaki tables. To the left was a sushi bar, and past it, the kitchen area. In between were traditional tables. The decor was Japanese.
    The staff were all wolves.
    The restaurant was full. But seated at the bar, I recognized David talking to a female wolf. At the sushi bar I saw Eric. He appeared to be alone. I turned to Lara. "Your enforcers arrived ahead of us?"
    She nodded. "New custom, until the current difficulties are resolved."
    "So it's not me from whom you need protection?"
    She grinned. "Perhaps."
    The hostess returned from seating her latest guests. "Hello, Alpha," she said quietly. "Your table is ready."
    "Thank you, Mara," she said. Lara took my arm, and we followed Mara to a table in the corner. She stood aside, waiting for us to sit.
    I expected Lara to take the corner where she could most easily watch the entire room. Instead, she gestured to the table, allowing me first choice. I took the corner, and I think she expected it. Lara sat down opposite me.
    I looked around the restaurant once more before looking back at Lara. She was studying me. "Are you all right now?"
    "You look like you're thinking about eating me," I told her.
    "I am." Her voice was suddenly low and husky.
    I knew it! said my fox. I shoved back in the chair, trying to put distance between us. Then her look and her voice registered in me, and I ran the words through my head again.
    "Oh god," I said, burying my face in my hands. I could feel the blush all the way to the roots of my hair. "I walked into that."
    She chuckled. "Yes, you did."
    I looked at her through my fingers. "Were you really?"
    "I wasn't until you mentioned it. But I am now."
    I lowered my hands and considered her. She was beautiful, of course she was. I could definitely do worse. If, you know, it wasn't for the whole wolves eat foxes thing. And not the good kind of eating. I smiled reluctantly.
    Someone, a wolf, rushed up to our table, and I almost flew against the window to my right trying to get away. He stopped, holding his hands out in a warding off gesture, stopping short of the table.
    "You are safe, Michaela," Lara said gently. "This is Hiraku, my cousin."
    I looked at the man. For a wolf, he was small. Compact perhaps is a better word. And he was Japanese. I looked between him and Lara and said, "I can see the family resemblance."
    Hiraku bowed briefly. "Most miss it. Lara has my sense of humor."
    I smiled. This may be the gentlest wolf I'd ever met. I settled back properly in my chair. "I apologize for my response."
    He bowed briefly. "I am the one to