From Mack and Me: The Transporter's Favor, 3rd Edition - the Current Book-in-Formatting (March 5, 2026)
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I watched as Rohan twisted in its grip, and lashed out, again. This time, he caught the wolf in its other leg. He missed the knee, but it was a good hit, anyway, and he was still pulling away, tearing his shirt collar out of his captor’s grip, and running at the warrior holding his dog.
Cascade turned his head, and whined, and Rohan slowed, noting the long arms wrapped around the animal, the blaster protruding from under Cascade’s body.
“He’s okay?” and he stopped, as the wolf nuzzled the dog’s ear.
“Good dog,” it said, its words thick with teeth and gutturals.
Cascade whined, and licked its nose, before going limp, again.
Rohan stared at the dog and the wolf holding it.
“You won’t hurt him?”
And the warrior lifted his lip in a silent snarl. Rohan lifted his hands and took a step back.
“I meant no offense.”
“Your dog will be fine,” it said. “I will care for him.”
The relief on Rohan’s face was almost comical. When the wolf turned to carry Cascade into the airlock leading to the ship proper, the boy made to follow, and stopped at the rattle of the wolf squad raising its weapons.
“But…” he said, glancing back at them, and looking suddenly much younger as he gestured helplessly after his pet.
The wolf leader growled, and Rohan seemed to remember who he was supposed to be. I watched him age, as he straightened up and turned to face the wolf leader. The leader wasn’t impressed.
“I thought you had surrendered.”
Rohan glanced over his shoulder, but the door to the airlock had closed, and Cascade was lost to sight.
“It is my duty to protect my crew—even when they act foolishly.”
And now the wolf was amused.
“The dog is your crew?”
“Cascade is my friend.”
He stopped, turning his head as he caught the movement of the injured wolf warrior getting to its feet. I watched him pale, his blue eyes widening as the warrior got to its feet and flexed the leg he’d kicked out from under it. His throat moved as he swallowed against his fear, and his hands curled. I watched his feet shift, and knew he was preparing for an attack. The wolf turned its head towards him, but its leader spoke, dragging Rohan’s attention back.
“And what is the penalty for striking a superior?”
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It has to be one of my favorite scenes from the book, and just like that I want to spend more time with these characters and uncover more of their stories.
Coming soon: Mack and Me: The Transporter's Favor .
...and, now, it's back to the format.
Have a great evening out there, wherever and whenever you are.
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