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Dirty Laundry

Epilogue

By Roofles

Days later, Thanksgiving weekend… after the raid.

After the fires died down.

After the waters stopped flooding the underground passages.

Several days had past since that fateful night. And now, finally, they could hold their holiday, a holiday about two strange groups joining together in order to help, coexist and try to make tomorrow a better day. Or at least, that was the hope.

And in the end, that’s all they had. Was hope. Hope that tomorrow a cop wouldn’t pull a gun on a wolf just walking down a street. That the politicians wouldn’t accuse them all as being “the same” or comparing one stray lone criminal, possibly a tiger, and say that they “all are like this.”

That, maybe, tomorrow… will be a better day.

And Alan was going to make sure of that at the doghouse on the thus dubbed “Wolf Street” that Reese owned and the Elysium pack, the remnants of it anyways, had moved in and that those, who decided to stay, could enjoy the holiday.

Together.

Alan was running around as if his pants were on fire trying to get everything made for all their new… guests. Over the past month, several of Reese’s old “friends” had shown up and taken control of the street he’d only recently found out that Reese had owned!

The human was a bit flabbergasted, to say the least.

Despite the two, officially, being together now there were always something or other the wolf seemed to be keeping from Alan. Usually for the humans safety. Though he didn’t like it, Alan understood. It was part of the unspoken deal they had between the two in order to make this relationship work. Some things didn’t need to be said. Because, at the end of the day, Alan knew… Reese loved him. Even if the wolf had never said the words.

Because… there was another wolf in his life who had said as such. That he loved him. Nearly every single day… but in the end, twenty years later, that wolf hadn’t loved him. Hadn’t loved him enough. And that pain was still there, even a year later after finding out about him. About PB. Knowing he was alive and yet…

There were days Alan would lock himself in the basement, not talking and just calling out of work. Having a blue day so the rest weren’t so gray. Dealing with his own shit and not wanting to burden the wolf with it as he checked the temperature of the turkey he’d made. One of three, to be exact.

Three turkeys for this holiday. Cooking was always a good distraction and during these colder months, Alan worked inside more than outside being the only one in the house, basically, not covered in fur!

When Alan had agreed to cook Thanksgiving for everyone, he had just assumed it would just be for the dogs! Sure, Reese had been sweet enough to buy everything, but fuck, Alan did not trust that wolf cooking anything by himself after last years “no whiskers” fiasco. Reese worked the grill, Alan did everything else.

And the three turkeys were just the start! That didn’t even count for all the side dishes that still needed to be finished! He had just been lucky enough that during the last summer they’d installed another oven in order to keep up with the demand.

Having an actual cook in the house had been a game changer for most the canines who had just lived off canned foods.

Each turkey had been overflowingly stuffed to the point they looked as if they’d crapped themselves; something Alan found hilariously amusing but no one else did (it might’ve been the stress talking though, finding out about all their guests coming over...). Along with the turkeys, and stuffing’s, there were several side dishes from different kinds of casseroles ranging from green bean to sweet potatoes topped with toasted pecans. Seven different kind of potatoes dishes were already out on the outside tables, from mashed to whole to sliced and even fried. Along with those were several sweet potatoes to go along with them!

And that, still, wasn’t enough as Alan began giving orders from the kitchen to get all the dishes out onto the back tables.

Pots were boiling, vegetables were cut, and others were being pulled out from underneath the broiler.

Muffin, the blue heeler, turned his nose up at the brussels sprouts Alan finished season off before sending the canine out back to add it to the ever-growing stockpile of food being made. He was sweating and needed to change his shirt but the time he turned off the last stove top.

He had done it. An achievement he was sure no one else in this damned house could do.

Alan doubted the creamed spinach or glazed carrots would get eaten… but he didn’t know what else to do! There were so many people showing up, more and more as the morning turned to afternoon and became evening. The sun was already setting and still, people were showing up it seemed.

Those from out of state, those from around the city; dogs and wolves alike that Alan was forced to greet at the door half the time. Despite the… guards, around the block, most weren’t exactly the friendly type. Falling into “soldier mode” as Alan put it. No talks, no smiles and despite his efforts, no laughs.

The hell were the kind of people Reese hung out with and knew? He didn’t even know the wolf had friends, outside the dogs, and here he was meeting new people.

And the two separate groups, dogs and wolves, did not get along. There were several growls and more than once Alan had to warn them to “cut that shit out” or he’d sick Reese on them. Most obeyed at the threat of the Alpha getting involved. Some had questioned Alan but Barreth, a wolf who stuck close by, made sure that didn’t go too far.

More than one wolf had been tossed out, only to scurry back in with a tucked tail after apologizing. It was a mess. Even Alan’s family weren’t this chaotic, well, mostly.

He didn’t talk with his family anymore…

The one thing Alan was sure of though, the thing he was counting on, was that everyone could at least agree on were the gravies. Gravies with an S. Alan had made up chicken, turkey, pork and beef gravies to go along with the pot roast he was currently pulling out of the slow cooker. Each gravy had been made in a soup kitchen sized pot and he just hoped it would be enough.

Full bellies were happy bellies as he’d learned with the canines.

He had just been thankful that he’d had training to cook for such a small army of people. Reese had bought him dozens of different kitchenware over the past year to help handle the tangled mess that were the dogs; every single tool was out and plugged in and running to make sure everyone was fed.

Despite what they said about it, Alan knew there were plenty of cooked vegetables the canines, wolves and dogs alike, could eat. Such as the stuffed bell peppers that timer had just gone off for!

“Move, move, MOVE!” Alan ended up shouting at Brigsby, the golden retriever, who came into sniff at one of the many gravy boats set up on a tray underneath the counter to be taken out. “Service!” Alan just called, putting on the oven mitts and pulling the stuffed bell peppers out.

He turned around and the human nearly dropped the tray as he jumped, doing a quick circus bit to catch the stuffed peppers before they fell off the tray.

“Fuck.” Alan cursed, looking away and trying not to focus on the fact he was still jumping to these predators sneaking up on him.

“Uh… how can I help?” Barreth asked, the large wolf needing to duck his head down under the counter. His pointed muzzle and large head was far more intimidating than if he’d just walked around to help out. He was in a loose-fitting shirt and, for a second, Alan had almost thought he was HIS wolf before realizing it wasn’t.

The two were nearly identical in the wrong light.

“Oh, uh, sure just, uh, one moment!” The human stammered, getting flustered as his cheeks burned hotly at thinking this wolf was someone else. There were so many wolves showing up, and no matter what anyone else said, most of them looked alike!

Unknowingly to Alan, several of the wolves that had joined up with Vicky’s pack had been just that, brothers, and sisters. To her credit, Vicky had party and played herself to an early grave… but during those rare moments of sanity, she gave into the grief and tracked down those she knew. Bribing or paying off others at the manor, at the time under Bale’s control, in order to track them all down. To try and get them out of the pack to some kind of freedom.

Her idea of freedom however meant at a bottle of, well, anything. Pills. Rum. Drugs. Didn’t really matter, at least they were free to party and play.

One reason why pack’s control who the members could and couldn’t be with, breed with, was for fear of risking mixing the genetic pools. When your mate was picked and chosen for you, there was no risk ever of being accidentally, say, related to them.

With how few wolves there were left, let alone in the big city, it wasn’t uncommon to be related to each other. Even if it was by distant cousins.

It was one of the many headaches to come in the future for Reese to have to sort out and deal with.

“Could you, please, take this out, please, to the side tables, please.” Alan was shaking slightly, mostly in embarrassment as he rambled on unable to meet the face of the wolf who walked around into the kitchen entrance, inadvertently trapping the smaller human in the kitchen.

“Of course, Alpha-mate.” Barreth just said and, comically enough, the wolf carefully moved the stuffed peppers from the hot metal tray they were on to another cool one with a human sized, and thus, tiny pair of tongs that he carefully picked up after and walked outside with.

“Alpha-mate?” Alan just frowned at that. “The fuck does that even mean?”

“That Reese is banging you,” Logan pointed out and the other human jumped.

“How the hell did you get behind me?” Alan held his chest, leaning against the counter before getting on Logan for it. It usually were only predators that made him jump. He didn’t know why this human had triggered his flight response. “When did you even get here?” He demanded to know before swatting at Logan’s hand as he tried to taste the dishes.

Logan was as bad as the dogs had been!

“I’ve always been here,” Logan used one hand to make spooky fingers in front of Alan’s face. “I’m a ghoooooost,” and he slipped out, dodging away from the other human with a playful laugh. He winced though and even Alan noticed it. “Okay, not ready yet for that.” Logan muttered bitterly under his breath before moving out of the kitchen and into the living room.

It was hard to keep correcting the mask he wore around so many people like this. It was even harder around people like Alan, who reminded him of what he used to have…

All three of the sofas had been pushed against the far wall, under the TV, allowing room for people to come in and out of the back door that was wide open. Which they were. Logan had troubles slipping outside without bumping into someone, not wanting his stitches to open up by accident.

Once he slipped through the throng of people, he managed to make it to the back yard… only to frown at the lot.

The expanse of grass the dogs had tended and cared for, built a fence around and claimed as their own… was covered in people.

Logan was an expert in dealing with small groups and crowds. People he knew. People he knew how to act around, what to say and how to use that against them, if need be of course. Clubbing, bar hopping, walking through an office… This? Not this. The mass of furry bodies before him was somewhat… unsettling.

Brown, black, silver, and gray furred wolves stood before him. Logan even saw some that were salt and pepper color mixed into the group. Dogs as well had been brought in. Logan could only figure they were from out of the city, maybe out of state.

Reese must’ve called in the reserved to make the announcement. That he was taking over as, proper, Alpha and that they could either get in line, follow and obey or fuck off. It was clear, if they had shown up, everyone here had no problem with that. Reese defiantly had a presence about him that was unmistakable not to notice.

He, might’ve, bitten off more than he could chew though.

The one thing that stood out, painfully obvious, was the divide between the two groups of people he’d called in.

Dogs were on the left; wolves were on the right. Each group keeping to themselves while glancing at the other. Some were muttering, others clearly were looking to pick a fight and, other than those drooling over the food, it was clear this was just one big mess waiting to happen. Neither of the two sides were so much as talking. More… growling at the other.

And, to the dogs credit, there were a few there that looked like they could tango with a wolf or two and still manage to come out on top. Who the hell were all these people, Logan wanted to know. The detective inside was itching to find out.

“I swear if someone asks who gets to eat in what order…” Logan stepped onto the back patio. It was cement. The dogs had lined out even slabs of cement to create a nice patio for the BBQs to rest on. They were forgotten, though, pushed off to the side to make room for a beverage bar.

If Logan wasn’t on like a half dozen painkillers he’d have grabbed a drink, or five, despite his rule about not drinking around predators.

Dividing the massive yard in two, and thus the two different groups, was a table. A very large table, numerous tables in fact that had been pushed up against each other with benches and chairs set up along the lengths of them. Piles of food sat in the middle of the table with a couple of wolves standing nearby to keep people from digging in before it was time.

They literally had guards to watch the food. Yeah, this all had bad news written all over it. Logan was sure Reese would divide the wolves and dogs once this night was over, giving them each their own territory and trying to work on keeping all those in command of said areas under a tight leash. It was going to be a lot of work.

Something Logan was hoping not to stick around to see.

“The fuck are they thinking…” Logan just muttered bitterly before putting on a fake smile and joining the party.

Several of the wolves had fared as well as Logan had. Bandaged and wrapped up like mummies; okay, some had it far worse than the human did. Several had broken limbs and had casts over their legs or arms or both. Some had slings and all of them, literally all of them, were still dressed in their fancy ass suits making Logan want to vomit.

Every wolf here was still trying to make a good appearance, showing up even injured, for the new Alpha to be. They were well dressed, wearing ties and were all holding that pompous air about them as they stood up just slightly taller than was comfortable. Even now, they were fighting for a place in the new pack, where they stood. The pecking order of things. It wouldn’t be long before an actual fist fight broke out at this rate.

Of course, that would wait.

Wait for Reese to make an appearance. No point in fighting without the Alpha watching the show. Logan could only figure that was why he wasn’t here yet mentally preparing himself for the shit show that was sure to follow.

And Logan had a hand in it… reuniting them all, this pack, and forming a gang of their own. He was a freaking police officer and here he was working with wolves.

“If you could see me now, huh, Robbie?” Logan just sighed, shaking his head as he looked over at the dogs.

Now, on the other side of the table, was a different scene altogether. Though dressed nicely, like in church clothes, the canines had bright colorful outfits on and looked far more casual for wear. Or at least, Logan thought that was what they had been going for.

From Togo the husky to Hunter the German Shepherd or Dodge the dalmatian, it was clear how uncomfortable they were with wolves so close by. There was a coyote standing nearby, between the dogs and wolves, and he looked ready for a fight. A maned wolf stood nearby with a rather short Mexican wolf on his other side as a golden jackal kept a hand inside his jacket, most likely on his gun.

Everyone just itching for a fight.

Wolves and dogs did not get along. Let alone the other mixed canine’s species hanging out with the dogs, away from the wolves.

Reese had been the one exception to the rule.

Logan wondered if this was like the first Thanksgiving. Humans on one side, the “beast men” on the other as they had been dubbed back in history. He’d laugh if he didn’t know how serious this situation was. Someone could drop a pin and hear it in the unsettling silence that had set over the two separate groups.

Logan had half a mind to call this off before Alan came outside with a steaming hot tray of assorted glazed hams.

“Hot, hot, hot!” Alan cursed as he ran over to the table holding the colorful pan practically over his head before setting it down on the table. “Fuck, that is hot!” He cursed louder, pulling off the mittens and blowing on his fingers. “The hell do they make oven mitts that DON’T freaking work!”

Almost everyone had stopped to look at Alan’s antics, watching him run out with the food. It was hard to see if they were interested in the Alpha-mate or if they were interested in the food he seemingly kept bringing out for them.

Some were sure he was hired help, like they probably assumed Logan was. Why else would a human be here? Logan would be happy to correct them on the matter, however if a single one laid a hand on Alan…

Alan was focusing on the dishes, counting them out and making sure everything was placed as good as it was going too. Focused intently to make sure everything was as perfect as they could be, seemingly unaware of everyone’s attention on him. It was hard to sit, let alone feed this many people and Alan was pushing his limits! He adjusted a few of the place settings and the ugly turkey, made of different color twigs, in the center of the table he’d bought from the dollar store at the last minute.

Then he began plating the glazed ham out and using the juices to soak everything in a nice platter, keeping it nice and moist. Thick linen hand towels had been placed over the bread basket to keep it all warmed and still, Alan was double checking in case he needed to nuke something real quick.

“Damn, that looks good.” Logan was the one to say loudly, walking over first. No one else had dared approach the human, either of them, and Logan had to figure that was thanks to Reese. The wolf had probably made very strict instructions on the matter, warning them against ruining this for Alan. Under pain of death. A lot of pain, Logan was sure.

The problem was, that didn’t exactly encourage the two separate groups in shaking hands with each other.

“Should I like, make the cranberry sauce pour out of it’s neck,” Alan gestured at the fake bird. Logan gave him a look. “What? I don’t know what to do to make this any less awkward!” The human hissed the word, yell whispering them practically as a child would do when he didn’t want to get heard but didn’t know how to control the volume of their voice. “Would that, like, be offensive? Or what if I like, stuff a pig?” Logan was somewhat at a loss for words. “Or would that be a little on the nose?”

“To the wolves or to the pig?” Logan just chuckled softly though, shaking his head.

“I thought maybe making a few crass jokes would cut the tension,” Alan rolled his eyes as he offered it up weakly with a shrug. “Stuffing on the shitter, again.” He said again, the same joke, about all three turkeys shitting out loads of stuffing. “Nothing. Not even a freaking crack of a smile!” Alan was annoyed.

Annoyed not that all these wolves were encroaching on their home but that no one had laughed at the poor joke.

“I, for one, thought it was very amusing.” Logan just smiled though. Lying his ass off, but smiling anyways.

“You weren’t even here for that!” Alan pointed out.

“Wasn’t I?” Logan just said all spooky like as he moved past him and looked towards the wolves. Several were still watching him, and the rest quickly did as well as Logan let out a sharp, quick whistle. Every canine ear in the vicinity lifted at that. “Hey, Dom! We need a second opinion over here. Getting your furry ass in gear.” He said far more Boston than he’d ever be. Logan snapped his finger a few times up in the air before pointing down at the spot next to them.

The crowd of wolves shifted and moved before a brown furry face managed to push their way out. Running over, Domino quickly joined him. Logan knew Domino had been waiting this entire time to but couldn’t until Logan called for him. Reese had been very strict about “playing nice” and no one wanted to get on the new Alpha’s bad side.

Reese’s reputation precedes him.

Wolves might act like feral, wild predators of the night but in the end they were just more… angry looking dogs at the end of the day. All wanting to obey, play along, if a bit more violently than the dogs Logan worked with at the station.

“Dom. Alan has a question to ask.” Logan said, stepping aside and giving Alan the spotlight. Which Alan absolutely hated, freezing up on the spot. And something Logan knew very much so. He couldn’t help teasing the human, even now.

“I have to ask?” Alan yelled whispered again staring at Logan as if he’d sprouted a second head. The human, to his credit, had tried to say it far more subtly than before, even going so far as to lift up a hand to block Dom’s side out. It was clear the wolf could hear him though. The human tried not to stare at this new wolf he’d only ever seen, or met, once and just stammered a bit as every eye was now on him.

“Of course you do! In front of everyone!” Logan just said, far louder than needed. Alan looked pale, well more pale than he normally did growing up in the North West.

“Uh…” Alan droned out that one word for longer than Logan thought was physically possible without needing to take a breath.

“No? Okay then,” Logan turned towards the dogs. “Clem! Get your furry rear over here. We need a third opinion on this!” Logan hadn’t waited for either of the two to manage a word to each other before pulling the boxer into the mix.

Clem came jogging over with a confused look.

“What’s up?” Clem just asked but Logan made a face, gasping loudly as he pulled back seemingly shocked by the simple question.

“You can’t answer either! Oh no! What the hell are we to do?” Logan said already spinning back around to face the wolves. “I guess we’ll have to ask someone else then,” and Logan repeated this. Over and over again, the human repeated it.

He called Barreth over followed up with Togo before getting Hart to join them, who he was very surprised to still see both alive and in the pack, followed quickly up with Charles, Togo’s human. One after another until half the freaking party was standing right there, in the middle of the yard, together trying to answer the one question.

A question Logan didn’t even know what it was for anymore! That hadn’t been the point. If they couldn’t break the ice then Logan would take a freaking sledgehammer to it. Let everyone be awkward together!

“We could divide the stuffing up,” someone offered and got a nod from a fellow dog. Everyone, everyone there were discussing how to serve the food up once Reese arrived.

“Make sure there are plenty of gravy boats! Don’t want to fight over them.” A wolf pointed out and several agreed with him. They nodded along, scratching their chins as they talked like a bunch of old farts around the beer keg.

“Got to have them gravy boats!”

“The ham smells sooooo good!” A wolf drooled and it was a dog who told him to keep his hands off. The two ended up laughing, agree that they should try to sneak a piece anyways but never daring too.

It was still awkward and Logan could cut the tension with a dull knife; still it was better than the shit that had been happening earlier. Fights would break out, Logan was sure. Those who were really trying to brown nose Reese would step in though and stop it.

It would be the best way to weed out those who would cause trouble for the pack in the future. The best way to pick those who could be trusted to be in charge with this very strange pack and it’s rules. Reese would have to make an example, for sure, from anyone who dared touch the humans… but until that happened, the others could take care of the mess.

Barreth, to his credit, was handling the new found position of leadership, under the Alpha of course, far better than Logan had thought he would. It probably gave him purpose again… the wolf had been the head bouncer at the club and had been the one to give the official check off for the human, allowing him to stick around and not be buried like so many others had.

With the tension, forcibly, broken Logan bid farewell to Alan with a silent wave as the human was swarmed by wolves asking him questions and sniffing at him in curiosity. No one dared to touch Alan despite several wanting too. Barraged with questions Logan just laughed as Alan called him back. Several of the wolves flat out asking how he could possible be the Alpha’s mate.

Only for Barreth, and Clem, to step in and put them in their place quickly.

“Sorry,” Logan mouthed as he stepped away from Alan. He’d have to be apologizing for the following year for that dirty trick. Tucking his hands in his pocket, Logan made his way back inside.

It was for the best this way. Despite what others might think, or want, a wolf pack needed a hierarchy. There had to be those above others. And you needed to respect them. Barreth was making a good name for himself and Dom was quickly catching up, not about to fall behind.

“I was here first!” Dom had growled at Barreth who just laughed in his face.

“Watch me.” Barreth just said pulling a wolf who had gotten up in Alan’s face and tossing him across the yard. Dom, who was injured, had begun watching the food to make sure no one else got any bright ideas.

Dom exchanged a glance with Logan.

Logan gave a single nod to the wolf watching the food before ducking back inside and taking a sharp right, down the hall and up the stairs onto the second floor. To his surprise Salt and Pepper, Vicky’s two goons, were sitting on the upstairs sofa playing on the small TV.

“No, fuck, bro you got to JUMP over it!” Salt was trying to teach his larger brother how to play a game Logan recalled when he was a kid.

“Which button is the jump.” Pepper just growled back moving his controller wildly while trying to get the character to obey his commands. His large hands could barely hold the small plastic thing and Logan was sure the wolf was crushing it in his fingers.

“A.” Logan pointed out and the two gave him a look. There was that uncomfortable moment where the two wolves sniffed him, even clearly knowing who he was, before turning back towards the screen and dismissing him the next second.

That seemed to be the A-OK to pass them by. Logan walked around the couch instead of walking in front of the wolves, not wanting to have to risk the good vibes going on. He reached the ladder and began crawling up through the skylight onto the roof.

“Which one is the A button…?” Logan could distinctly hear Pepper ask before he got up on the roof and shut the window behind him.

“They seem to be having fun.” Reese muttered bitterly from the balcony he and Clem had built on the roof. He was lazing back on the sofa looking down below at the crowd of wolves, crowding his human. One of his fangs were showing and it wasn’t in a happy smile. It was clear Reese was trying not to charge down there and rip them all off of Alan. Like Logan, Reese knew certain lines needed to be drawn and he was watching the crowd closely for those who he could trust. “You didn’t have to toss Alan underneath the bus, you know.” Reese growled.

“I know.” Logan just nodded, walking over to the railing, and resting against it. A nice breeze blew and he took it in. It mostly smelled like the wolf nearby and Logan gave him a grimace. “Those two seem to be having… fun?” Logan brought up instead, talking about Salt and Pepper below.

“They didn’t even know what Plumber brothers were.” Reese snorted, shaking his head. “How fucked up is that…” Reese chewed on the bitter thought before spitting to the side. It didn’t remove the foul taste in his mouth. “Didn’t even have a childhood…”

“Well… maybe not, but now they do?” Logan offered instead as he turned back towards the party down below. “A lot of them don’t know what it’s like not having to fight for your food…” He added watching the wolves below closely. “Or what security even means…”

“Wolves do. In a pack.” Reese just stated with a frown.

“I was talking about the dogs,” Logan couldn’t help the smile play across his face as he glanced back at Reese. “You took them in. Gave them a pack. You gave them that security, that safety they never knew. Never had…” He trailed off. “They don’t know how to cope with these new people in their lives. Are they being replaced? Is Reese going to get rid of me? They must be thinking that right now. Do they need to make a name for themselves? They don’t want to end up back on the streets…”

Reese snorted at that, with a small shake of his head.

“Like I’d ever toss any of them out…” The wolf only muttered darkly.

Logan was sure Reese believed that. He also knew the dogs down below, like the wolves, didn’t know that. It was hard enough to be around the wolf without pissing your pants let alone trying to figure out what was going through that thick head of his. Reese was a good Alpha but he couldn’t lead with fear alone, there had to be more to that.

To this pack.

Or it’d just end up like all the others…

“Did you succeed in what you had planned?” Reese voice was low, and a soft growl escaped his lips. Logan tried to hide the shiver that ran down his spine, being called out like that.

“My plan…” Logan took a second. “No. Mikhail got away. I don’t even know where that coward ran off too this time…” Logan looked down below, seeing Domino talking to Alan and Clem openly now. “But, I guess, some things worked out in the end? He seems so… happy, here.”

Reese wasn’t looking at the party, he was watching Logan very carefully. The wolf sniffed the air, watching his face as the human stood with his back to him. Reese put away the gun he’d pulled out, stashing it once more.

Maybe another night, not tonight though…

“Too bad.” Logan said and one of Reese’s ears flicked. “I thought you’d shoot this time…” The human voice was soft as he spoke, crossing his arms on the railing as he looked down at the party below. “But, I guess, we don’t get off so easily, huh?”

Reese just snorted in reply.

“Don’t worry, I don’t plan to do anything that’d hurt Alan… Or Clem… Or Dom…” Logan sighed. “Or Barreth. Fuck, when did I have so many people I… what? Cared about?” Logan frowned at the thought. “The docks will still be running, even after all this.” Logan brought up work.

That’s what he did. When things were getting too personal, even now, he brought up work. It was a good distraction from it all.

Reese ear flicked but he didn’t say anything.

“The city will still be going. The sun will still rise and set… nothing really has changed, has it?” Logan said wistfully. “SO much has happened and yet… nothing, really, happened? Everything is going to be the same tomorrow. Predators will still get a bad rep, even if the mayor DOES put the new bill to reduce taxes on meat products it won’t really change things. Sure it’ll make it easier for carnivores in the city and state but like… it won’t change people’s views. Everything we did won’t really change… anything.”

Logan’s fist tightened, cursing at his own weakness. For not finishing off Mikhail. Had he held back that day? When he fought the tiger was he, maybe subconsciously, still holding back… not wanting to kill him despite it all? It was a question he couldn’t answer and something he’d have to live with.

“You’re still alive.” Reese was the one to point out and it was Logan’s turn to snort a laugh at that.

“That seems more like a curse than a blessing, at times…” Logan looked back at the wolf and his mask slipped away and, for once maybe, he felt he could set it aside. Hopefully, he wouldn’t need to pick it back up, again. Not yet, anyways. “I don’t know if I’m afraid of the future… or afraid that I… have one?” Logan shook his head. “I wish I smoked. I need one right about now.”

The wolf sat up and for a second Logan thought Reese was about to hand him one, only for the wolf to pull out a beer bottle from a hidden cooler and pop the top of it off with a dull nail.

“Sit the fuck down, pup. It’s freezing.” Reese growled and motioned towards the sofa next to him, the wolf even moved one of his legs. Only one though. Logan had to carefully sit around the other as Reese passed him the beer without looking. “Honestly. You freaking hairless apes are going to be the death of me.”

“Nah,” Logan just rested back, trying to hide the wince as he adjusted his position, so he wasn’t pressing against the stitching in his side. “We’re the thing that make you get up in the morning.” Logan took a drink and tried not to gag. “Fuck, that’s disgusting.”

“Pale ale, Clem got me into it.” Reese just said grabbing another for himself. “This is also from his stash… don’t tell him.”

Logan had to chuckle at that as he clinked the bottle against Reese’s before taking another drink. “Deal.” And the two drank, looking out over the party.

Everyone had spread out rather than crowd in on the human. Barreth and Dom were there with Clem watching out for Alan as they all began discussing where everyone was going to sit. It was a little forced, making the dogs sit with the wolves and the wolves sit with the dogs. It was a whole mess that the two were glad to stay out of.

“I was never good with family…” Logan just frowned looking down at the lot of them. “After my brother was, you know, eaten… it kind of makes it hard to see… anyone, like that… again.” Logan looked down at his drink.

Reese didn’t stop him, so he just continued.

“Mikhail. I don’t know what to think of it all. It’s kind of hard to like, relationship? When your ex tries to eat you.” Logan laughed, taking another drink.

“Dom seems to like you.” Reese pointed out and it was clear the wolf was asking, in a round about way, if Logan returned the feelings.

“I… don’t know…” Logan paused, feeling the cold glass in his fingers. “I was stabbed. And like, that? It barely felt that bad. It hurt. Fuck, it hurt. But like… whatever?” Logan shrugged. “Why is a relationship so much… harder?”

Reese chuckled at that, taking a drink for himself. “You think I can answer that? I’m surprised the pup is still with me, especially after all this…”

“Sorry, about that. For this. Bringing it all up…” Logan rubbed the back of his neck, still not looking over at the wolf.

“It was bound to happen. Sooner rather than later. You’re good at that, I noticed.” Reese glanced over at the human. “Picking at things people want left alone. Forcing them, forcing others… to see it. What people want to forget, to ignore. Bringing it to the light of day.” Reese shrugged. “This… Mikhail, probably knew that. That you have this habit of just picking at things people want to be left the fuck alone,” Reese laughed. It was a heavy sound that made his chest shake.

“Yeah… maybe…” Logan had pulled out his phone, looking at the blank screen. “What if there’s someone even I can get through too…” He thumbed over the screen at his own reflection. He still had a bandage underneath one of his eyes where’d he’d been socked in the face.

“I assume this is about the other cat.” Reese sat up, moving his other leg off the sofa. “I’m terrible with people.” He just stated with a deep-set frown. “You think I know anything about cats? Big cats!” And he shook his head, laughing once more.

“Yeah, that was dumb of me.” Logan sighed, putting the phone away. “Clem’s a bottom.” Logan just said, maybe to change the subject and it was Reese’s turn jump.

“You’re shitting me.”

“Nope.” Logan did crack a smile. “I mean, it’s kind of obvious if you think about it. All bark, no bite? That’s our Clem…” Logan smiled thinking of that dumb dog. “Only thing he bites is a pillow.”

And Reese snorted a laugh at that.

“I owe Togo twenty bucks, damn…” And the two sat there for another good ten minutes in silence.

Reese was the first of the two to get up. He didn’t say anything at first, just stashing the empty bottle away before heading over towards the ladder.

“Look. There’s an extra room… opened up.” Reese said, awkward as fuck and Logan tried not to laugh at the wolf that offered him a hand in kindness. “If you need a place. To stay. For now. Well, before someone else grabs it. I’m used to your stink at least.” And Reese left it at that, not even waiting for an answer before sliding down the ladder and heading out to join the party.

Logan chuckled lightly, swirling the beer around in the bottle as he looked down at the party. He watched Reese come out and everyone quickly jumped into position, standing up once more before their new Alpha of this very strange pack of canines, with a few humans mixed in for good measure.

Reese barked at them, telling them to “quit that shit” and walked over to join up with Alan. It took a couple of minutes for the wolves to relax after that, joining in as they had before. Some still tried to show off for their new Alpha, Reese ignored the lot of them.

Only once they realized Reese wasn’t interested in marking down the totem pole that was a wolf pack hierarchy tonight, they began to chill out and enjoy the food that was quickly served up. All these different canines sitting down and enjoying a dinner together… It was a strange sight and Logan wouldn’t have believed it if he didn’t see it.

Barreth and Dom were sure to put down anyone that did act up. Hell, they both had been bouncers at Vicky’s old club. It came natural to the two of them.

“Lilith would be proud…” Logan smiled, looking down at the two wolves. Then at the brown furred wolf. He was hanging out a lot with Clem these days. That made Logan smile.

The human didn’t need Dom. Hell, he didn’t need anyone really in the end. Dom was a guy who did though. He needed to be needed and after the raid, Clem had been the one asking for help with things. Coming to the wolf, to both their surprise, in order to keep things in check with the “new members” of the pack.

Dom hadn’t wanted to go but Logan insisted, the human needed peace for a change and time to recover. He was slowly but surely pushing the two together. Creating artificial issues the two needed to tackle and handle it together. And it didn’t take long for Clem to show some interest… Dom would always keep looking at Logan though.

And the human had to look away.

He refused to make eye contact until the wolf got it. And Domino would go chasing after Clem again…

They’d make a cute couple, if it ever did work.

Logan wasn’t sure what to do in that regard. He’d never had a future until that day he woke up, after the raid. He was alive when he shouldn’t be. He’d never thought about a future before. What to do with his life after it all.

He knew several of the wolves had left after the raid. Those that had survived the attack on the black market that is; apparently more did than Logan had thought would. Still, a lot of them couldn’t just up and leave their old lifestyle for yet another Alpha. Some fell into place while others just drifted away in the following days after licking their wounds.

No one had openly challenge Reese. Everyone seeming to know that it was him or the road. And several chose the road instead.

Logan was sure they’d turn up on the news sooner or later. Dead or arrested. That type of lifestyle only ever ended one of two ways. Sadly, usually the former rather than the latter. People didn’t have a habit of asking a wolf to stop. They had a habit of shooting first.

Carnivores really couldn’t catch a break.

Logan flipped out his phone, looking at his new messages. He hadn’t gotten any…

Despite messaging Sloan several times and trying to call him, the lion had only sent him a single message.

“Your services aren’t required anymore, Mr. Smith.” And that was that.

He’d been fired.

Logan wanted to laugh and instead, he’d curled up in bed and tried not to cry.

At least Sloan was alive…? Logan wasn’t sure how to feel about it. The lion had saved his life! And he… couldn’t even pick up a phone call? Logan hoped things would be okay for him, unsure what was going to happen now that The Market had been shut down.

News of the attack on the sewers had been little to none, favorably weighed down and extinguished to be replaced by the new football game that was supposed to take place that weekend. Everyone who was in the know, knew what that small news article and report had been about. Such a small thing reported in order to hide the massive storm that was to come.

Without the market, predators would be seeking their meat… elsewhere. And it was only a matter of time until the blood hit the streets. Scavengers would move in trying to fill the empty hole left behind but there wasn’t much gain with the market shut down.

The sheeple didn’t need to know that, no. Give them football, give them beer, talk about politics that didn’t matter, which actress got a boob job… keep living in their pretend little world and try not to notice the predator that got on the bus with you.

Ignorance was bliss for the masses.

The mayor had returned, saying she’d just been on sick leave for the holidays and she was feeling much better. She’d begun pushing through a new campaign for lowering taxes on predatory aimed bills; an ironic statement as said bills targeted predators. It was already receiving a heavy backlash but after waking up surrounded by wolves, that had saved your life, it was the least she could do.

And Logan would make sure she pushed the bill through. It would be the least she could do…

Police Chief Barnard hadn’t said anything about it to Clem or Logan after mysteriously returning to work after being separated from the two. He even ended up giving them several weeks of paid time off to recuperate after it all and was “looking forward to their return.”

Logan and Clem both had planned on quitting on the spot. Until Reese showed up and said otherwise.

“You both screwed me over, now you got to pay.” And by pay, the wolf meant continue working for the police and covering their tracks for them the best they could.

Logan was sure that was a… good thing? That the wolf hadn’t shot him tonight or snapped his neck back then. It was hard to say. At least he’d still be partnering up with Clem. Neither of the two had explained to Hugo or Cooper what had fully happened and the two were just glad they were okay, not pressing it any further.

Everyone seemed like they had secrets to hide and things they wanted to just forget about. To bury away…

“Maybe tomorrow will be better…” Logan wanted to hope, for it was all he could do even if he knew it would be the same rotting city he’d be going back too.

Before Logan could head back down to the party, his phone rang. He took a second, hoping it was Sloan only to recognize the other feline’s number.

“Bosch. Glad to see you’re still alive and kicking.” Logan said in a cheery voice, feeling good to hear from the jaguar for a change. “I was worried,” he said catching himself off guard by the honest, sincere statement.

The jaguar paused on the other line, as if unsure he heard Logan properly.

“Did you need something?” Logan added on to cut the tension between the two.

“Seems the case is the same for you.” Bosch agreed with the sentiment shared though. “I see the mayor is safely back in the city.”

“You going to hook up again?” Logan laughed.

“That was a one time thing, kid. Don’t get cocky.” Bosch did chuckle though. “No. My work as her personal bodyguard didn’t pan out so she’s looking elsewhere. I hear maybe… into wolves?” The jaguar inquired but Logan knew this game and wasn’t about to play along.

“Glad you checked in.” Logan glanced back at the party. He wasn’t about to tell the feline where he was at right now. “Was worried. Didn’t hear from you for a couple days… thought the worst.”

“Well, things are bit… crazy, here. But good, overall… good.” Logan nodded at that as if to reassure himself rather than the jaguar. “You?” Bosch asked, unsure if they were familiar enough yet to ask about their personal lives.

Logan knew so very little about Bosch. Other than the fact the jaguar had saved his life and helped train and prepared him for facing the market… Hell, it had been Bosch’s idea to use the wolf and lions against each other. The jaguar had seemingly inadvertently set so many things into motion.

“Things are going.” Logan agreed leaving it open ended. Bosch was beginning to smell a bit fishy… he was still glad he was okay though. Logan would’ve been dead a long time ago if it wasn’t thanks to the jaguar. He just wasn’t sure what the feline had to gain for saving his life, risking so much for the human.

“It’s going.” Bosch reply was simple as always. “I had a proposition for you, Logan…”

“Dare I ask?” Logan just chuckled.

“It’s in regard to our mutual friend,” Bosch said using the key words to talk about Mikhail. Logan paused at that, something Bosch had been hoping for. “It’s a job offer, of sorts. A position has opened up on my… staff, and I want your expertise in on it. When you’re feeling better, of course.”

Logan looked back down at the party.

“It’ll help find us find him, again, I assure you.” Bosch just said and Logan was about to take it when the nearby window opened once more leading to the makeshift balcony Clem and Reese had installed during the summer.

“Logan?” Alan asked before pausing, seeing he was on the phone. “Oh, sorry. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t run off.” The human smiled, laughing softly. “I’ll give you some privacy,” and he ducked back down. “Hurry though! The food is going fast!” The human just called.

Logan watched him go. He reminded him so much of Robbie it hurt. It hurt to look at Alan. To see that dorky face. That smile… it was so much like his kid brother, Logan wanted to just hug Alan every time he saw him.

“Logan?” Bosch asked after he hadn’t replied.

“I’ll have to get back to you on that, Bosch. I got a family thing going on.” Logan just said. “Hit me up another day.” And with that, turned his phone off before following after the human and back down to the party.

Now that the food was being served, everyone seemed to have relax. Food could truly bring people together and when you were about to pass out from a food coma, there wasn’t much fight you could put up.

“Did you drug the turkey?” Logan joked to Alan and several of the wolves nearby looked at the two quickly.

“What! No! It has that sleepy stuff in it, not my fault.” Alan just blushed, covering his face as he was put in the spotlight once more. “Besides! What did you bring to Thanksgiving, huh, Logan?”

“I brought my pretty face.” Logan just replied with a cheeky smile. “Also a can of cranberry sauce.” He shrugged. “Not Thanksgiving without the stuff.”

“Oh, oh, oh we can stuff it in the turkey! Be like blood and guts pouring out,” Alan just smiled and Logan couldn’t resist the chance too.

There was far too much food for Logan to even try to sample each and every thing that had been made. The apple and sage looked good, the pumpkin squash had all been devoured by the time Logan had come down to the party. There was plenty of the broccoli salad left but who wanted that?

Near the end of the table were several large pots filled to the brim with soup. A portly wolf in an apron was serving out portions, keeping everything controlled so one canine didn’t end up running away with the whole thing.

“We’ll have the cream of mushroom, two portions!” Alan just smiled, getting a bowl for Logan as well as some French bread someone else had brought out. It was warm and buttery and fit perfect in the bowls provided for them.

“Thanks, I already ate.” Logan lied.

“Like hell you did,” Clem said coming over to check on the two. Domino shortly joined them. He gave Logan a nod who returned it with a smile. “You havin’ a good time, Alan pup?” The boxer made sure to ask as he sniffed the human over. His nose wrinkled. “Freaking wolves stink.” He grumbled.

He got a growl from the chef and so the four quickly moved away after Alan apologized on Clem’s behalf. In a way, Alan’s good nature and kind heart worked in their favor to ease the building tension.

Reese showed up and any animosity the chef had for them was quickly diminished and he shirked in on himself, serving up the food without another word.

“Pup. Clem. Dom… Logan.” Reese said looking between the lot and focusing on him. He seemed surprised Logan had stuck around as long as he had.

“I have to check out, if I want to leave.” Logan rolled his eyes. “This place is like a prison.”

“We’re going to fix that now that things are okay.” Alan assured him, not wanting Logan to go so soon. It was nice to talk to another human, as messed as that might come off. Logan might tease him but he also had his back, helping out with all these new comers. “Right, Reese? It’s… over, right?”

“Yes. It’s over.” Reese just smiled softly, giving him a single nod.

“For now.” Logan pointed out as he took a rather large bite of the French bread. Reese growled at him but Logan ignored it. “This is really good. You bake?”

“No, those are all store bought.” Alan just smiled, blushing once more. “Just don’t let anyone know. I try to come off perfect,” he made a joke but the wolf standing nearby wagged his tail at that.

“Yes, yes you are.” Reese agreed and before the two could get in on it Logan, with a roll of his eyes, excused himself.

“I saw a dessert table over here.” Logan was already moving towards the cart that had been brought out, only to be intercepted by Domino.

“Can we… talk?” Domino asked and Logan could actually feel his body cringe from the simple question.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get some… space.” Logan just said gesturing towards the side, near the fence. Domino nodded and the two headed over there while Logan was thinking about the pastries he wanted to try; hopefully there would be some left! “So?”

“I want to break up.” Domino was the one to jump on taking Logan aback.

“Oh?” Logan took a second before seeing it. He could see it in Domino’s eyes. And, in a way, that made this so much worse. “Oh…” He said and the wolf couldn’t meet his eyes as he looked away.

“You’re great and all, but like, you know. Wolf. Human. Doesn’t work out.” Domino tried to say. Throwing one flimsy excuse after another. “We had a good run. It was fun. We can still be friends.” Domino listed one thing off after another as if he’d read and rehearsed everything online.

“Right.” Logan smiled though, trying to offer a helping hand. “I don’t need you.” Logan just stated and Domino shut up. The wolf’s muzzle snapped shut and he let out a pitiful whine, looking away. “I love you, Domino. But I’m not… in love with you.” Logan tried to let him down gently.

He knew the wolf wouldn’t move on as fast as a human could. Logan knew he had caused this. Hell, in a sick way he’d been betting on it. The fact Domino had fallen for him had saved his life. As messed up as that was, Logan was here today thanks to Domino.

And the human gave him a big, strong hug despite how it hurt to do so. Both physically and emotionally.

“I don’t need you, Dom.” Logan said again, pulling back and looking into the wolf’s face. He reached up to touch, to pet the side of that healing muzzle. The left side of his muzzle had a chunk of cheek missing and an empty space where a fang had been from where Mikhail had punched him.

“I know…” Dom said so softly, it only came out as a whine. “I know you never needed me.” The wolf went on. “You… never did. I was the one who… I won’t be able to forget you.”

“I know.” Logan said softly. “And I’m the one that’s sorry for that… but I don’t regret it.”

Domino’s ears perked up, his eyes looking up at the human.

“I never once, ever regretted meeting you.” Logan smiled then and, for possibly the first time, Domino was able to see it. A genuine smile from the human who had discarded his mask. “Plus, you were a lot of fun in the sack.” Logan chuckled and Domino wagged his tail at that. “But.”

“But?” Domino dared to ask.

“There is someone who needs you…” Logan let go of his face, looking over towards the crowd. Domino followed his gaze.

There, in the middle of the yard, stood a boxer looking back and forth as if waiting for someone. He had two plates in hand, two beers in the other and was trying not to drop anything as he stood there waiting.

“Clem?” Domino frowned at the human.

“You know he’s the bestest dog this side of the Rocky Mountains?” Logan just said with a cheeky smile. “He’s also my best friend…” Logan took a moment on that. “I… he’s a good guy, Dom. He needs someone strong. Someone capable. Clem’s a lot of bark but he needs someone with the bite.”

“Logan…” Domino tried to say, to argue. It was obvious what the human had been doing trying to set the two up like this. It didn’t make it any easier.

“I think he’d be a good man for you, Dom. As you’re friend. I mean that.” Logan said honestly, looking back at the wolf. Domino hesitated, unsure what to say. It was as if Logan was a different man standing before him. Open, vulnerable, exposed like this… not that cocky friendly playboy at the club he had met. Yet, someone capable that didn’t… didn’t need him.

“Yeah…” Domino finally said as if admitting the finality of their pseudo-relationship was over. “Do you plan to stick around?” Domino dared to ask, ask this Logan who was being open and honest with him.

“…I don’t know.” Logan just said looking down at the grass. “I don’t know what I want…”

“You could, though.” Domino offered. “I mean, I’m sure someone can fit you in.” The wolf said in a snarky remark.

“Hah hah, I got it.” Logan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, maybe. It also looks like we’ll need to play police as well.” Domino frowned at the word he’d used but didn’t argue as Logan pointed out the boxer standing there.

Two wolves had moved in on the lone canine, probably looking to challenge Clem for his place in the pack. Domino quickly ran over to defuse the situation and even put one of the two in their place as he snarled at the other, saving Clem who had frozen up on the spot being confronted like that.

“Yeah, they’ll be good for each other.” Logan smiled before pulling out his phone. Walking along the fence line he began searching for a number, looking through before finding the one in mind.

The phone rang a couple of times as the human ducked away from the party, hiding behind the green house. It might’ve been a Saturday night, but Logan knew someone would pick up and sure enough, someone did…

“Kincaid Enterprises… This is Mona speaking.” The lioness on the other line said.

“Hi, yes. My name is Logan Smith and I’m looking for a job…”

….

…

The End of Dirty Laundry

To be continued in the final book of the series, Broken Pieces.