FREED

“What are you doing here, Jeff? The Covale City limits are that way.”

I shifted back into my wolf form, and I smirked through my snout, licking my chops as I fell back onto my haunches, exposing the ripple of my underbelly.

Agnes winced and withdrew, but Selina’s eyes blazed with interest. Her breath held as she waited for me to make my next move. All around me, the pack circled, biding their time until I offered my next command.

“Unlike some, Ernest, I’m not restricted to confines,” I taunted him telepathically. “My empire is far-flung.”

“That must be nice!” Ernest whiplashed, baring his teeth.

He was fighting the urge to shift himself, and I dared him with my eyes.

Do it! Give me a reason to tear you limb from limb!

“You’re on my property,” he spat. “You have no business here.”

“They are my business,” I said, nodding at the girls and the kid. “both girls are my employee.”

Ernest scoffed dubiously and looked toward the old man, but he had mysteriously vanished.

“Eugene?” he called ou