Free Changing Times by Marilu Mann

was still reacting to the feel of
her under him, the scent and taste of her, the rapid heartbeat. Tony shook his
head then deliberately forced his mind back to his confrontation with Slade.
    Having Slade approach him in public like that meant that the
Turn Skins would be escalating their bid to reveal themselves in the human world.
Slade’s own admission that he wanted an accounting led Tony to believe there
would soon be more violence from the Turn Skins camp. For the most part, Slade
was still an unknown to him. Now might be a good time to find out just where
Slade had come from and what he’d done in the past.
    Tony did know that Slade had appeared on the scene after
Micah had left the pack, so that meant he’d come to the Turn Skins just over
two years ago. Curtis’ battle with cancer and the drugs he’d been taking had
caused his mental state to deteriorate rapidly, something unusual among
Shifters. According to the information Micah had given him, Slade had taken
advantage of that deterioration.
    Forcing Challenge fights with an ailing Pack leader wasn’t
unusual among the canines. At least that had been Tony’s experience with them.
He didn’t generally run with or pay a lot of attention to the wolves. Still,
knowing that someone had convinced Curtis to step down and had
instigated Challenge fights to see who would take his place as Alpha made Tony
wary. That someone had obviously been Slade.
    Now would be a good time to find out more about Malcolm
Slade and what exactly what his agenda was. He would concentrate on Slade for
now and forget about Dr. Carly Chambers.
    * * * * *
    Slade laughed as he watched the scene in the van. Surely
Tony was warning the little human to stay away from the “big bad wolf”. Slade’s
laugh was louder this time. “Big bad wolf, yeah, that’s me.”
    Carly Chambers. Slade smiled as he followed her on his
motorcycle, whistling the children’s nursery rhyme song about the big bad wolf
under his breath. Her scent was easy to trace. Almonds and honey led him right
to her door. He didn’t even bother claiming his wolf form for this one.
    After a suitable time lag he stepped into her backyard and
waved at her as she sat on her balcony drinking a cup of coffee—French vanilla
from the smell of it. Then he melted back into the hedge. He knew she couldn’t
see him now, but he could see her. Slade started whistling again, slightly
louder then allowing the sound to drift off. He knew she would report his
appearance to Pantera, which was exactly what he wanted. He wanted Tony Pantera
angry enough to attack.
    Tony was an unknown element. Slade wanted nothing to
interfere with his plans. Curtis had put the wheels in motion but Slade would
carry out the plans they had formulated. Fear equaled power. With fear on their
side, the Turn Skins could gain more power in New Orleans and become a force to
be reckoned with. He wasn’t going to allow this unknown element to screw up his
plans.
    Tony had fought with other members of the Turn Skins once
before. Those who had seen him fight said that he seemed to completely lose
control. Slade couldn’t afford to have Tony against him and he knew Tony would
never accept his rule. Tony was strong enough to lead all of the Turn Skins and
the unaligned shifters, he just didn’t seem to be interested in wielding that
kind of power. Tony had been in hiding much too long.
    It was time to blow the lid off their little game of
hide-and-seek with the public. It was definitely time for the cats to come out
to play with the rest of them or else get out of their way. Permanently. Slade
continued to laugh to himself as he walked down the street.

Chapter Five
     
    In spite of her promise, Carly hadn’t called Tony after
Slade’s appearance in her backyard. She was slightly shaken by the sense of
menace surrounding the man. Carly wasn’t sure what to think about Slade or Tony
or any of it. If Tony was delusional it seemed there were several people in