Page 40 of A World Enough

“Look, I’m a tracker. I know how these people’s minds work. You’re being good enough to take me to the wolf planet, and in the meantime, I pledge myself to keep you safe,” Brogan said firmly.

“I don’t need anyone to look after me.”

“You really are stubborn, aren’t you? I’m going watch out for you, so just get used to it.”

Camber’s eyes lit up with fire, and in turn Brogan’s body lit a fire in her. Her incisors elongated, and a burning low down in her stomach ached for Camber. She wanted to bite and lick, and Camber’s scent was filling her senses.

“Brogan?” Camber touched her shoulder. “Brogan? Why have your eyes turned yellow?”

“What?” Brogan said more harshly than she meant.

Camber had noticed her, yes, but luckily, she didn’t seem to know what her yellow eyes meant. This was just a stupid attraction. Camber couldn’t get away from her quickly enough.

But she felt attached to Camber already. Enough to want to keep her safe. The rest…she just hadn’t been with another in too long.

“Calm down. Have the showgirls distracted you?” Camber said.

“No, and why did you think showgirls—what if I liked men?”

Camber laughed but said no more.

“Are you saying you judge a book by its cover? I could love men,” Brogan said firmly.

“It’s not about your cover—it’s an energy thing. Besides, I know the way wolf society works. It’s not about gender, it’s dominant and submissive. Do I lie?”

“Just find another way, will you?” Brogan said with extreme annoyance.

Camber sighed heavily. She led them out of the busy line for elevators and over to the side windows that looked out over the moon.

Camber took out her small computer pad.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m recoding my translator so I can talk directly to Ziggy. She’s always moving around the gaming tables. You look at the nice view.”

Brogan growled low in her throat. Camber was annoying her more and more now. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way about?

But she did walk the few steps over to the windows and take a moment to enjoy a sight she would never have seen in her normal life on Earth. She watched as what she assumed were maintenance people walked around on the ground, to and from some surface buildings.

They were wearing a lighter, more streamlined suit than she was used to seeing Earth astronauts wear. Although they were in the clear atmospheric roofing structure that enclosed the moon, they must have to wear safety gear to do their jobs.

Brogan had the urge for her wolf to run on the dusty grey surface below her. But she was also terrified of the inky, never-ending blackness, punctuated by pinpricks of suns so very far away.

She wondered if any of those pinpricks of light were her own sun, and if she would ever get back home.

Brogan’s attention was torn from the space outside to Camber’s voice.

“Ziggy, we need another way to get down, it’s too crowded…Yeah, okay…I’ll let you know.”

Brogan walked the few steps towards Camber. “So?”

“We can use the staff elevator. Ziggy’s unlocked the door and elevators. The staff are being told on their internal communications that two people are coming down, so they don’t cause a fuss if they see strangers in the staff areas.”

Brogan gave her a fake smile. “Ziggy’s thought of just everything.”

“What have you got against someone you haven’t ever met?” Camber said.

“I can picture her. Flashy shiny suit, glamourous.”