Chapter 7

• ~Foxy~
• Following the meeting, I’m almost skipping into the house as I bring in loads of groceries. I kiss my mother on the cheek, who’s cooking in the kitchen, and she smiles in response. I can’t believe Alpha Crestwood was so nice. My parents are going to be so excited to have these fresh groceries to get us through a few weeks.
• Passing her some ham from the bag, she smiles when she sees the meat, smelling it like it’s the best thing she’s ever seen.
• “This will go well with dinner.”
• “You seem cheerful, dear,” my mother says as she gives me a taste of the sauce she’s making.
• “Yummy. Looks good. Mom, look. I have groceries to last us almost the entire month. Maybe we can make one of your delicious Derby pies later. I got all the stuff we need.”
• When my father steps into the room, he looks furious. I should have known to call ahead, but I was just so excited.
• Grabbing my arm, he yells, “Frances Wilder, did you steal these?”
• “What? No Daddy. How can you think that? These are from the Alpha.”
• “Jones. He’s returned? Oh, no.” My mother starts weeping and falls into my father’s arms. “Baby, how could you?”
• “You think I turned tricks for that fat bastard?”
• I can’t believe they instantly thought that. Do my parents think I’m some sort of whore or something?
• “Wow. Thanks for believing in me.”
• “We didn’t mean it that way, and you know it. It’s not like you’ve been keeping yourself out of trouble, young lady.”
• “Oh, my gosh, Dad. I can’t believe you think I’d whore myself to that fat fuck. I have more self-respect than that.”
• “Don’t you talk to me that way! I’m still your father, Francis Marie! You will watch your mouth in our home.”
• “Well, just so you know, the new Alpha gave me money to buy them. Jones is dead.”
• “Dead?” my father asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.
• “Yes. Alpha Crestwood is from the Florida—”
• “Girl! Did you prostitute yourself for him? Tell me that damn truth! First a strip club, now this!”
• “What? No. Stop! Would you just listen to me?” I shout, frustrated they are not hearing me out. I know I’m a screw up, but damn. I didn’t think they thought I was a whore.
• Stepping in behind me, Damon walks in with the rest of the groceries with Father’s medication, handing it to him. They are old friends, so he couldn’t have come in at a better time.
• “She’s telling the truth, General. The Alpha sent me with her to get the items you needed. A lot of things are going to be changing in the pack in the coming weeks. It’s a new Blue Moon era.”
• “What? Does the new Alpha plan to go straight and run this place clean?” my father asked, clearly shaken by the news.
• Shaking his head at my father, he says, “No, General. He just wants to work to help our people. He’s mafia, not just some small-time moonshine gangsters. Ambrose believes in family and taking care of his own.”
• “Well, I’ve done some bad things in my day, so I can’t judge him. But at least Jones is gone, and a real leadership family is in charge. I’ve worked with the Crestwood clan back in my warrior days. I assume he’s the son of the old leader. The Don.”
• “Yes, General. Ambrose is the Don now and his father is thinking of retiring. Unfortunately, his grandfather is still the Godfather.”
• “I hear that old man isn’t the most upstanding shifter,” my father grunts.
• “Well, time will tell. Hoping his grandfather keeps his business in Italy and out of our clan’s business.”
• My mother walks over to me, grabbing my cheeks. “Baby, did anyone touch you?”
• “No, Mom. He was nice to me. After the meeting, Alpha sent his warriors, like Damon, to take some of us who had been struggling to the stores to get what we needed. Alpha Crestwood paid for everything, and they even sent food down to the homeless encampments.”
• “Well, he seems like an honorable man. Let’s just hope he’s not a—”
• “Wolf in sheep’s clothing,” I say with a giggle.
• Shaking her head, she gives me a playful smile. “Those silly stories your mother left you. No wonder you like books so much.”
• “Eh, she reads smut,” my father grumbles. “Nothing but dirty romance novels.”
• “Well, at least she’s not sleeping around, William.” Damon laughs. “She just reads about it in books now. I didn’t think we would ever get her through high school if it wasn’t for those books she reads.”
• Rolling my eyes, I know what he’s implying. I was a wild child through my teen years. I was sleeping around, doing drugs, and whatever other mischief I could muster up. So much so that I even got put in the Blue Moon jail more times than I care to admit. Usually for stealing shiny things from the locals. I sort of have a problem with taking things that shine. That’s still a bit of a problem, but I’m working on it. I sure don’t want to end up in jail again. It’s scary there when I’m the smallest one in the place.
• Since I started to dance, I cleaned up my act. Dance is everything to me, except the fact that I couldn’t get a job doing anything but in a strip club. It’s not like a fox shifter with a tail can be a hit on Broadway or work in the ballet.
• My dream, above all else, is to be in the Alpha’s elite forces, just like my father. He was one of the top ranks in the tribe. Let’s face it, I can’t become one, but a girl can dream. The chance of me taking over would be one in a billion. I know that if given a chance, I could really turn this wolf pack around. I swear, as sure as my tail is fluffy, one day I will.
• While helping my mother cook dinner, Damon tells my father all the things that Alpha Crestwood has planned for us. He seems like a smart man and has been working hard behind the scenes. He may be good for the pack, but the fact remains, he’s a Don. A mafia leader who’s probably more dangerous than any human kingpin could imagine. But damn, I can’t keep my mind off him and those sexy blue eyes.
• Shaking me from my thoughts, my mother says, “Foxy! Stir that pot. It’s boiling over. I’ll get that ham from the oven.”
• “Sorry, Mom.”
• Looking over her shoulder to see if the men are listening, she whispers, “So, is he handsome?”
• “Mom, really? You old cougar.”
• “Well, is he?”
• “He’s… gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone like him before. He commands a room, and he smells so good.”
• “Humm… Smells good, huh?”
• “Mom, stop.” I laugh.
• “What? Is it wrong for a mother to want her daughter to settle down with a nice young man?”
• “I don’t even know him. Besides, no Alpha is going to want a puny little fox girl who moonlights as a stripper.”
• “Never know. He may have a fox kink.”
• My eyes shoot over at her. “Mom. Really?”
• “What? He must have your fur ruffled because you’ve been daydreaming ever since you walked into this house.”
• “He’s just hot, is all. Stop putting thoughts in my head.”
• Pulling some of the pots off the stove, she nudged my arm. “Never hurts to get in good with the Alpha. Especially before the other bitch dogs start sniffing around his den.”
• Giving a chuckle, I can’t help but laugh at my mom. She’s such a hoot. I know I get my smart mouth from her.
• “Let’s eat!” she announces happily.
• Hum? Maybe my mother is onto something. Note to self... Get in good with the Alpha.