by Ciara Graves
“That’s not how it works here,” she informed us briskly. “If anyone wishes to challenge me for alpha then let them come. I have fought plenty of times before. I will not falter now.”
Considering we were here to help her find her husband’s killer, she wasn't as cooperative as I’d like.
Iris nudged me then nodded to the door, signaling we should leave. “Thank you for your time,” she told Jenella as we stood. “If you think of anything else, I’ll leave our cards with your guards. Please call us if you need to. Again, we’re sorry for your loss.”
“You should know,” she said as we reached the door, “if I find the killer before you do, there will be nothing left of him.”
“I would urge you not to commit a revenge killing,” I stated. “If we trace it back to you, we will have no choice, but to arrest you for it.”
“Feds,” she scoffed. “You think because you walk around with a badge you’re untouchable.” She stood, the fire glowing behind her, giving her a nightmarish appearance as she snarled. “You are in werewolf territory now. Remember that. In less than two weeks, this place will no longer be safe for you or your kind. And if the killer is within these borders, we will hunt him down and tear him apart. If you get in my way, I will take you down too. No one will ever find your bodies. Trust me.”
Iris stiffened.
“Is that a threat?” I asked, sounding bored.
“You take it however you please,” she replied. “I trust you two can see yourselves out.”
“Rafael,” Iris said as she tugged on my arm, “let’s go.”
I left Jenella with a warning that if she or her pack made a move against us, they’d be sorry for it, then followed Iris out of the house. The tension rose in our wake, and when we were back at the SUV, every set of eyes outside that house watched us.
“What did you two do?” Todd asked once we were safe inside and driving away.
“Pissed off the beta, apparently,” I muttered. “Do we have time to speak to the other two alphas?”
“You going to piss them off, too?” Todd asked, his voice strained.
“Not intentionally, but if they refuse to cooperate, this investigation is going to get messy really quick,” I warned him.
I wanted to talk with Iris alone about what Jenella told us—or rather, what she didn’t—but it would have to wait until we weren’t around Todd. Probably after we got to our hotel room tonight. Until we were finished with our inquiry, we were going to be staying in this sector. After Jenella’s threat, the pressure was even higher now to get out of here before the full moon hit and this place was crawling with bloodthirsty werewolves.
Todd informed us we were heading to the home of Colton MacGallan next, alpha for the Nightshade Furs.
The ride to his house was silent, all of us seemingly lost in our own thoughts.
I was busy wondering what secret Jenella refused to tell us. It was obvious she lied about Jaxton telling her everything in their relationship. Now the question was to figure out what it was and if it gave her motive to have her own husband killed. We were on a slippery slope already, and I saw this just getting worse the deeper we dove into this case.
Colton MacGallan’s home was not as large as the Sawyer residence, but it was still impressive. It was also swarming with werewolves and guards. Understandable. If one alpha could be murdered in his home, it made sense the others would be wary. I’d have been a lot more interested in them as suspects if they didn’t feel their lives were in danger.
We were let inside where Colton was embroiled in a heated argument with another werewolf.
They snarled more than they talked until the werewolf guard escorting us cleared his throat. “Sir, Feds here to speak to you about Jaxton Sawyer.”
Colton turned to us with a fierce growl, eyes glowing, but he calmed when he saw we were already here. He tugged on his sports coat and smoothed a hand through his ruffled sand-colored hair. “Ah, nice of you to show them in,” he muttered. “Colton MacGallan.”
He held out a hand as we introduced ourselves, offered us drinks.
We declined and took the seats he motioned us to in the dining room. The werewolf he’d been arguing with stayed right by his side, though he glowered at the back of Colton’s head every now and then, shifting on his feet as if he wanted to be anywhere but at the side of his alpha.
Colton poured himself a large glass of whiskey and sipped on it as he tapped his fingers on the table.
“So, Jaxton Sawyer,” he finally said. “What do you want to know about him?”
I was too busy keeping a close eye on the beta who was shifting uneasily on his feet, so Iris beat me to the punch.
“What was your relationship like with him?” she asked. “Did you get along?”
“I would say so,” he answered simply. “I’m an easy wolf to get on with.”
“And has it always been that way?”
The beta’s eyes narrowed just a hint, and he glanced toward the door, his hands twitching at his sides. Suddenly he leaned down and whispered something to Colton who growled in reply and shoved him away.
“Go then and see to it, Henry” he snapped, and his beta hurried out of the room. “Apologies. There was an issue this morning amongst several of my pack.”
“Sorry to hear that,” I said. “What was it, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Colton swirled the ice around in his glass, and the presence of how many werewolves were in this house pressed in around me suddenly. “Several young pups got into a spat with a few of the Silver Howlers this morning. Henry is seeing to their punishment, so they understand the seriousness of consequences at a tumultuous time like this.”
“Punishment?” Iris asked sounding concerned.
“Nothing to worry about, I assure you,” Colton said. “Now, where were we?”
To say I was uncomfortable with not fully understanding what exactly his punishment entailed was putting it lightly. But if I interfered too much in pack laws, I’d get my ass thrown out of Sector 18 and be answering to Nor about why I could no longer investigate this murder.
All the same, I made a note to check on Henry at a time when Colton wasn’t around, to see if the beta had anything different to tell us.
As for our questions, Colton answered all of them casually, making certain to tell us how saddened he was for the Silver Howlers.
“We’ve gotten along for so many years,” he went on, “it truly hurts to have them believe I would be behind this attack.”
“And what about the Silent Eyes?” I asked. “Do you think they could have ordered the hit?”
“I will not speak ill of the other alpha,” he said.
I sighed.
He raised a brow. “Problem?”
“You lasted longer than Jenella did, that’s all,” I told him.
“Lasted? I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
“With answering our questions truthfully. If you have reason to believe Rubella Aldusa had anything to do with the hit against Sawyer, you would do well to speak up now,” I informed him.
Colton met me glare for glare, clanking the ice in his glass. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied. “Now, I do believe I have other matters to attend to, so if you two will excuse me, my guards will see you out.” He rose, buttoned his jacket, and left out the rear door.
Iris and I had no choice but to leave as the guards moved in behind us. Once we were back in the SUV, Todd told us we were on our way to see the last alpha.
Iris shook her head. “Funny how many veiled threats we’ve received today.”
“Oh, you noticed those too,” I muttered. “Todd, did you not explain to the alphas that assisting us in the investigation is a good thing?”
“The packs run different than normal society,” he replied without turning around. “They have their own laws, their own way of dealing with issues. The only reason we were called in is because there’s fear of a turf war breaking out.”
/> “And do you think that’s why this happened?” I pushed. “To start a turf war?”
“Honestly? I can’t say. All I know is, it’s been decades since the packs have been this riled up about a death.”
“What do you mean?” Iris asked.
Todd rubbed his forehead as if fighting a headache. “Just that alphas get killed all the time, but usually there’s a challenge involved. It’s the manner he was killed that has everyone on edge. This wasn’t a direct challenge for the right to take over the pack.” He turned all the way around as he added, “It was a challenge to all the packs about how they run this sector, proving to them they’re not as strong or as safe as they all believe.”
“Is that what you think?” I asked. The theory roused my curiosity, to say the least.
“All I know is, whoever did it just proved how vulnerable the largest pack was under the rule of Jaxton Sawyer. The other pack leaders could be next if they aren’t careful.” Then he turned back around, and the vehicle fell silent.
That look in his eyes. That was not grief. Not at that very brief moment.
No, it was a very different emotion, almost smugness. Was he planning on challenging Jenella to be alpha?
Iris hadn’t seemed to have noticed, so I dropped it for now. We had one more alpha to interview, and I was determined to get through a full conversation with complete answers before we were told to leave. Or else.
The home of Rubella Aldusa, alpha of the Silent Eyes, was a very large wood cabin set back in the woods on top of a hill. Several fields of wildflowers stretched out around the drive leading up to it. Only four werewolves were posted outside. At least, that I could see.
“Should we take note she doesn’t seem so worried?” Iris asked me quietly.
“Not sure yet,” I said as her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. “Nor.”
“Go ahead and tell him what we know so far. Probably just making sure we’re alive,” I told her. “I’ll at least make sure we can get in the door here.”
She answered her phone and walked around to the far side of the SUV as I headed for the front porch.
The guard at the door asked me for my badge, and I showed it to him, glancing around for any sight of other guards. He handed my badge back and told me to follow him. Once inside, I admired how open the home was. But as we neared a corridor to the right, I paused. At least twenty werewolves, all armed and several already shifted into their massive wolf forms, stood outside an open doorway.
Voices drifted out, but they were too muffled for me to hear.
The guard led me down the crowded hall. Other guards shuffled to move out of our way, but their gazes never left the open doorway. It explained why there were no guards outside.
But why were they all crammed in the hall?
Then I heard another voice and stopped dead in my tracks.
“All I’m asking is if you were involved in any way with Jaxton Sawyer. I have to check you off my list of suspects as I do with everyone I talk to. Just answer the question, so I can move on.” There was a heavy silence followed by Mercy’s heavy sigh. “You’re pissing me off, Rubella. Just tell me the truth.”
“I will not be spoken to in such a harsh manner,” the werewolf I assumed was Rubella replied harshly. “You are lucky you were even allowed in my home.”
I stood out in the hall, waiting out the tense exchange. Though the doorway was open, I was not in their sights. Yet.
“You hired me, you idiot,” Mercy yelled. “If you don’t want me snooping around, then maybe you should just let the Feds deal with the murderer instead.”
“You can do your job without insulting me. I am alpha of the Silent Eyes, and you will treat me with respect. For your information, it was Colton’s idea to put the bounty out. His idea to call Damian about bringing you in. Not mine.”
There was a stream of curses. Mercy’s colorful vocabulary.
Rubella crossed her arms. “That bastard. He does not deserve our money.”
“I’ll be sure to let him know after you answer me.” Mercy’s voice was cold. Another vivid guttural curse followed.
I shook my head. My time with Mercy might’ve been short, but I knew firsthand, she had a temper. This alpha was probably getting close to hitting that danger zone. I moved closer, so I could see into the room and assist the guards if need be, in case this situation turned ugly.
“Listen, you bloody furball,” Mercy snapped, “all I want is for you to answer my damned question.”
“Why would I have hired you if I was the one who committed the murder?”
“You just told me it was Colton’s idea to hire me,” she replied quietly. Dangerously quiet.
She took a half step closer to Rubella, and every single guard in the room and in the hallway tensed.
A chorus of growling followed.
Mercy rolled her eyes but stopped in her tracks. “I want to find who killed Jaxton Sawyer, so I can stop a war. You can either help me or you can’t. But I’m telling you right now, if you keep refusing to tell me the truth, then I’m going to keep circling back to you as my prime suspect.”
I held my breath, waiting for Rubella to throw Mercy out, but then she swiped at her eyes and the guards relaxed.
“I get it,” Mercy said quietly. “He meant a lot to you.”
“Of course, he did,” Rubella replied on a breath. “He was the strongest of us. He was my mentor for a time after this burden was placed on my shoulders. I loved him. As so many others did.”
A few of the werewolves around me seemed uncomfortable with her admission.
Rubella was an alpha in her own right. To say she cared for another that much was borderline turning her back on her current pack, betraying them in a way. Made her look weak. This day just kept getting better and better.
“No,” Rubella said suddenly, fiercely. “No, I was not involved with anything to do with Jaxton Sawyer, aside from usual business in town and the meetings of the alphas. And I can’t think of anyone who would kill Jaxton. The packs had no disputes. At least none I knew of.”
“And you’re sure Colton felt the same?” Mercy asked.
“To the best of my knowledge, yes,” she said, but then frowned. “Although—no, I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Nothing could be something,” Mercy said.
Damn, if she hadn’t been a bounty hunter, she’d have made a fine Fed. Something told me she would not take that as a compliment.
“Two weeks ago, Colton left Sector 18.”
“For how long?” Mercy asked.
That happened to be the very question running through my head.
“Four days. Usually, if an alpha leaves the territory, you inform the others, in case there’s a problem while the alpha is away. An extra precaution to keep the peace,” Rubella explained. “But he was just gone one day, and then he returned without a word as to where he’d been.”
Did that have anything to do with why Henry was so nervous?
The story Colton fed us about some young werewolves getting into trouble smelled like a lie. Thanks to Mercy, I had another piece of the puzzle that pointed away from her involvement in the murder.
I should’ve taken my cue then and left without speaking to Rubella, come back another day, but just like a few nights ago when I’d been watching Mercy from the street, it was like she was pulled toward me.
Our gazes locked, and she cursed loudly.
A figure stepped up beside her protectively.
I growled low at the sight of the vampire by her side. Again.
“Mercy,” I said, noticing every set of eyes on us. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Chapter 7
Mercy
How long had Rafael been standing there? I’d expected to see him around at some point, especially after Bowen told me about crossing paths with him and Iris in the Wailing Siren. I’d also hoped to avoid him.
The first thought to cross my mind was to ask him why he called me just to hang
up. The second was to accuse him of not coming to check on me in person instead of going to the Underground and asking around. But this was not the time or place, so I simply looked at him, waiting for him to make the next move.
“You two know each other?” Rubella asked, her brow quirked.
“Something like that,” Rafael replied. “We worked together on a case not too long ago.”
“The bounty hunter and a Fed? My, that must be an interesting story.”
“One that’ll have to wait,” I said quickly. “Thank you for speaking with me, Rubella, but it appears you have another guest. I’ll see you around.”
As I walked toward the door, every guard moved with me. Clearly not about to trust me alone with their alpha for a second. Colton and Rubella were the ones who put the bounty out and requested me. You think they’d have a little more trust, but apparently not. What she said toyed with me. That it had been Colton’s idea to contact Damian. Rubella had no love for my boss, but why would she not want the killer found in order to stop fights from breaking out?
There were plenty of secrets here, and I was just getting started with uncovering them.
Bowen fell in step behind me, tugging on his baseball cap and sunglasses. The day was barely overcast enough for him to be out for a few minutes here and there, but too long and he would burn to death.
I moved past Rafael, and the heat coming off him sent me right back to the night in his apartment. A flush washed over me, and I walked away even quicker.
If he was here, his partner probably was too. I asked the closest werewolf where the back door was. I was not about to walk my happy ass right in front of any more Feds. I might be here for legal reasons but drawing attention to myself was not part of the plan.
Yet, at least.
We just stepped out onto the back porch, winter storm clouds moving in over the trees and bringing with it a crisp, freezing wind, when Rafael called my name.
“Can we talk for a second?” he asked, stepping outside with us.
