“Well, that’s different,” he said. “Why did you do that?”
He considered it and said, “Oh. That was smart. I think. Your wolf might be able to keep you safe. Maybe. Thus, keeping everyone safe. Maybe for long enough. I have plans for the Singer. Hopefully they turn out better this time.”
When Sherwood didn’t respond, Coyote said, “You could think of the kitten as a reward and an apology—”
Sherwood grunted.
Coyote looked at Sherwood’s hands, cradling the tired, dying kitten and said, in an oddly gentle voice, “—to him. If you make him your familiar, you will live and so will he. I owe him.”
“I don’t know how to do that,” said Sherwood, knowing it was capitulation. Witchcraft. He was uncomfortable about how much of his willingness to do this thing—and anything that touched on witchcraft repulsed him to the bone—was because he did not want the kitten to die. It was important to him that it survive what was done to it.
I know how, said the wolf in a voice very like the one Coyote had just used.
“Touch and go,” Adam said to Mercy as they got into the car. “Lots of broken bones, some of them half-healed incorrectly. Lots of superficial and not so superficial damage. Minor skull fracture. Dehydrated and starving. They have him on IVs and have treated everything they can treat. It’s up to him now.”
“They thought it was us who had tortured the kitten,” said Sherwood to change the subject. He wasn’t as certain as Coyote had sounded that the kitten would make it. Coyote wasn’t the sort of being who inspired a lot of trust.
Mercy looked over the back of the seat at Sherwood, but it was Adam who spoke. “Until a lady in the waiting room recognized me and got so excited. Sometimes the publicity can be useful.”
Adam’s distaste for being a celebrity colored his voice.
“There will be headlines,” suggested Sherwood. “Werewolves rescue tortured kitten.”
Adam flashed Sherwood a grin in the rearview mirror. “Spotlight will be on you this time. That useful lady took a picture when you kissed the kitten’s nose.”
Sherwood snorted. “I posed for her.”
“Sure, you did, softy,” Adam said in dry tones. “That photo will be all over the social media sites by morning.”
“Werewolf contemplates dinner,” said Sherwood. “Dinner contemplates werewolf back.”
Mercy gave him an uncertain look.
She was right, it wasn’t like Sherwood to play verbal games. Coyote must be contagious.
Sherwood closed his eyes. If he concentrated, he could feel the little cat’s weakened heartbeat.
“I hope he makes it,” Sherwood said. He should have been worried because his survival could depend upon the little creature living. But he that wasn’t why he was worried.
It’s a survivor, his wolf told him with something near affection. Like us.
Patricia Briggs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series and has written twenty-eight novels to date; she is currently writing novel number twenty-nine. She has short stories in several anthologies, as well as a series of comic books and graphic novels based on her Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series.
To learn more, go to: https://www.patriciabriggs.com/
To Our Readers
By L. J. Hachmeister
Thank you so much for purchasing this anthology. 70% of book sale profits are donated to Lifeline Puppy Rescue, a no-kill shelter for puppies in Brighton, Colorado. Each $20 raised means that one puppy is saved from a kill shelter or other dangerous situations. So, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for helping us share great stories and save lives.
A special note—this anthology would not be possible if it weren’t for each of these authors contributing a short story. I’d like to thank each one of them, but most of all, Sam Knight. Sam is the associate editor on this project and did the majority of edits on “Instinct.” He’s not only a fantastic editor and author, but also a good friend. Thanks, Sam!
I hope that after each story you give your own furry, scaly, and/or feathered friend a hug, for they are truly the ones that, in the end, rescue us.
Copyright © 2023 by Source 7 Productions, LLC
www.triorion.com
First Edition
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events, and situations portrayed in this book are products of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Cover art by Alessandra Pisano – www.alesspisano.com
Design by Nicole Peschel – Source 7 Productions, LLC
Executive Editor – L. J. Hachmeister — www.triorion.com
Associate Editor – Sam Knight — www.knightwritingpress.com
Published by Source 7 Productions, LLC Lakewood, CO