“I know.” Fastening the top of his jeans, he reached for his shirt. “Get dressed. We’re going for a hike.”
Chapter 11
There was already a crowd surrounding the body when Amara and Nova sprinted up the path. Jud, the town coroner and resident mortician, knelt beside the corpse. His gloved hands moved swiftly and efficiently, gathering evidence.
Amara searched the scared, familiar faces for the sheriff. Finding him, she made a bee line through the crowd until she stood next to him. “Mac,” she breathed by way of greeting. He let out a startled huff when he saw her.
“Oh, Amara, it’s just you.” Mac sounded tired and weary. Given the circumstances, Amara didn’t blame him.
“What happened?” she asked, her keen eyes probing the scene. There had obviously been a struggle of some sort. And definitely more than this poor boy had been involved. The question though, was had it been wolf or human?
“Looks like a wolf attack,” the sheriff replied. “That’s the fourth one this month, Amara.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. His expression was one of hopelessness. “I don’t know how to fix this. We’ve sent out hunting parties. We’ve instigated a curfew. Thanks to you making the Mayor finally do his job, we now have a nightly neighborhood watch. And still, I’m getting calls in the middle of the night that there’s a body in the woods.”
She felt for him. Mac McDougal had been Strathford’s sheriff for the last fifteen years. He’d also been her father’s best friend. After her dad had died, Mac made it his mission to clear out the wolves in Strathford. For a while, he’d even succeeded. Then Amara and her friends got attacked and the wolf presence in town escalated to one or two attacks per year. Recently, however, things had gotten bad. Sightings or incidents were reported monthly. No one in Strathford felt safe anymore. A few of them had even moved. Most just hid behind their walls, praying no one they knew or cared about was the next victim. Her own mother was one of them. That was no way to live, Amara thought. And if she could, she was going to help put a stop to it.
“Who is he?”
Mac shook his head. “No idea. A hiker maybe. Wrong place, wrong time. Poor bastard.”
Amara frowned. Poor bastard indeed. “Thanks for calling me, Mac,” she said, patting his arm.
He nodded once. “I did have an ulterior motive,” he admitted, glancing sideways at her.
She raised a brow. “Oh?”
“You’re good with people, Mara. Just like your dad was, and your grandfather before him. Technically, that empty seat on the Council is yours.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, not sure she was following. “But what does that have to do with this?”
“I want you to be my deputy.” Surprise lit her face, but she said nothing. “I need you to help me keep the peace,” he continued. “People are antsy, they don’t know what to do. And the Mayor, well, he’s a bloody coward. He would rather plant his head in the sand and pretend nothing was happening than get out here at six in the morning to find out what’s going on. But you, you have your finger on the pulse of this town. You’re everyone’s favorite bartender. I could really use your help keeping the morale of this place up. It’s falling fast, and if it goes, any sense of law and order will go with it.”
Fear threaded its way through her veins. She knew he was right. How could he not be? People were scared. And when people were scared, they did stupid, crazy things. She couldn’t imagine a dead body in the woods would help that any.
She nodded. “Sure. Anything you need.”
“Great. Come by the station later. We’ll get everything set up.” The coroner beckoned him forward and he pulled away from her. After a few steps, he turned back, a grateful smile on his closed lips. “Thanks, Mara.”
“Any time.”
“What was that about?” Nova asked quietly, stepping into Mac’s empty spot.
“He wants to make me a cop.”
“No kidding?”
She frowned up at him. “What? Is that such a crazy idea?”
Nova raised his hands in surrender. “Not at all. It’s a good one, actually. I think you’ll be good at it. The people listen to you.”
“That’s exactly what Mac said.”
“Smart man.”
“Yeah. He is.” She watched silently as the coroner pointed and gestured over the body. Mac watched closely, nodding a few times and jotting notes down on his white notepad. “So, what really happened here?” she asked.
Nova’s features tightened into a tense mask. “Nate and Ian took a group on patrol last night. They were attacked. This one apparently didn’t make it.”
“Attacked? Is he one of yours?” Nova shook his head. Amara took a deep breath. “Is anyone else hurt?”
“Ian’s at the compound in the infirmary.” Though his voice was steady, she knew his control was balancing on the edge of a knife. “They aren’t sure he’s going to make it.”
The ball of dread in the pit of Amara’s stomach had started to form while they were in the woods. It had grown exponentially as Nova had recounted his conversation with Nate that morning on their drive back to the compound. And now, as she followed Nova down the street toward the small building the Pack used as a make-shift hospital, that little ball was a like a gremlin, tossing and turning inside her, just trying to get out.
Of all the people it could have been, Amara thought, why did it have to be sweet, quiet, sensible Ian? She felt a little guilty for thinking that way, but she’d come to adore the boy over the last couple weeks. He wasn’t all that much younger than her, and the two of them had become good friends during her time at the compound. She really didn’t want to see him lying there, hurt, when there was nothing she could do to stop it.
They were keeping Ian in a small room at the back of the house. It was a private room because Nemoy had demanded it, so it was one of the only areas divided by walls instead of curtains. Amara wondered how often they had to use this place for the kinds of injuries Ian had sustained. Often? She didn’t really want to think about it.
Nova placed his hand on the door knob and hesitated a moment or two, readying himself before going inside. She couldn’t imagine he was handling it any better than she was.
Ian lay in the twin-size bed in the center of the room. His face was bruised and, while it had definitely been wiped down, she could still see traces of dirt and dried blood on his skin. Tubes were coming out of his mouth and wrist, hooked into a machine that beeped with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Well, that was a good sign, at least.
Nate sat by Ian’s side, looking crestfallen. His face brightened somewhat when he caught sight of Nova and Amara.
Nova turned back to her. “Would you mind sitting with Ian for a bit? I need to speak with Nate.”
“Sure.” Taking his place, she squeezed Nate’s hand as she passed. He and Nova disappeared into the hallway. She could just make out their muffled voices. “Don’t worry,” she told Ian’s unconscious form. “We’ll take care of Nate for you.” Reaching out, she took Ian’s hand. “I think he’s a little worried. Nova is too, if you want to know the truth.”
Just then, the door opened again. Amara looked up and her mouth dropped open in surprise. Neveah stood just inside the doorway, looking just as astonished as Amara was. Her long fingers were white-knuckled around the cup of coffee she held. Her other hand brushed nervously down the folds of her long, wool skirt. She looked like she’d been crying.
“Oh. Amara.” Neveah searched for words, leaving Amara a little flustered herself. “I didn’t know you would be here. In fact, this is the last place I expected you to be.”
Amara bit her lip. Of course, Neveah would take a dig at her. She was only human, after all. “Ian is my friend. I wasn’t just going to leave him alone.”
“He isn’t alone.” Then, as if reconsidering, Neveah’s features softened and she looked almost apologetic. Amara thought she must be imagining things. Maybe the stress was getting to her
more than she thought. “But, I am glad he has a friend with him.” Neveah eyed Amara strangely. “Where is my son?”
“In the hall with Nate, last I checked.”
“Well he isn’t out there now.”
“Oh.” Amara made a mental note to kill Nova later. Damn him for leaving her alone with his mother. No one had ever made her feel so unwelcome in her life.
Neveah took a seat on the other side of Ian’s bed. The two women stared awkwardly at each other.
“I heard your sister has gotten herself involved with Kal Vann,” Neveah said finally. The words were innocent enough—if a bit insensitive—but her tone had a bite to it.
Amara suppressed a sigh. “He’s not the man I would have chosen for her, that’s for sure.”
“Oh?” Neveah asked, surveying Amara over her mug. “I would think you would like to have someone in on our little secret. Or do you like to feel special by being the only human we have let live with the information?”
Angry now, Amara shook her head. “Sadie doesn’t know anything about this. She thinks Nova is just the man I’m seeing. She doesn’t even know he and Kal know each other. I haven’t said anything.”
Neveah frowned into her coffee. “No?”
“No. And you know what? This needs to stop.” Amara could feel the tension rise from the other woman. She was sure nobody took that sort of a tone with her, even on their worst day—except maybe her sons—but she was getting all worked up and on a roll. She had started this thing. No sense in stopping now. “Look, I know you don’t like me. That much is clear. In fact, I am very well aware that you think I should be dead because I’m human and I know your secrets. But I’m not going to tell. I promised I wouldn’t, and I keep my word.
“You don’t have to like me, Neveah. But I love your son. And I care about the Pack. And I will keep your secret, even if it means that I have to figure out another way to get my little sister away from that bastard, Kal.”
A funny look filled Neveah’s guarded eyes at that moment, and Amara was startled to find that Nova’s mother no longer intimidated her. She was just another woman looking after the people that she loved. She didn’t have to like the fact that she considered Amara a threat, but she could respect it.
Neveah pursed her lips for a few moments. “Perhaps I have misjudged you, human. I thought for sure you would go singing from the rooftops, especially if your sister was involved. But I was wrong. And I do not make that statement lightly.”
Amara’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. That was probably the nicest thing Neveah had ever said to her. Even if she had called her ‘human.’ At least it was progress. “Well, Sadie never would have believed me, anyway. Humans that can turn into wolves? I hardly believed it myself. She’d think I was nuts and try to have me committed.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Neveah leaned back and just the ghost of a smile played over her lips. “You surprise me, human. And I am rarely surprised.”
Chapter 12
A few hours later, Amara parked her car outside of the police station and eased herself out of the vehicle. She stared up at building. She couldn’t believe it. She was going to be a cop. Okay, a deputy. But still. She was going to be a cop. Her dad would have been so proud.
Though she was nervous, she made herself take the necessary steps forward. With one shaking hand on the metal bar handle, she pulled the door open and stepped inside.
What she had expected was the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced station that she had experienced with her father when he was on the force when she was a child. What she got, however, was much, much different.
Though the air of tension was incredibly thick, enough so that she was sure that old cliché was applicable and she could cut it with a knife, there was hardly anybody around. Madge, the old receptionist who had probably been there for a hundred years, was drinking what was most likely her sixth cup of coffee that morning and pouring over a pile of crime scene photos. Alec, the only deputy the force still had, was nervously tapping his pencil against his desk and reading some kind of report. And Mac was locked up in his office, pacing back and forth across the tiny room.
Amara smiled at Madge as she passed, but the old battle ax hardly even looked up. The only indication she gave at all to acknowledge Amara’s presence was just the hint of a nod. Alec, on the other hand, looked up at her as if he were going to scream or cry or something. The small town of Strathford had received their share of dead bodies over the years, especially when it came to wolf attacks, but to be honest, those attacks were few and far between. Then a few years ago, long after Amara’s own attack, those deaths became more and more frequent. The stress appeared to have taken a toll on the law enforcement of the town. Was this seriously all that was left of the Strathford Police Department?
Amara offered Alec a small smile, then proceeded past him to knock on Mac’s closed door. The Sheriff stopped in his tracks and stared at her like a deer in the headlights. She stepped back to let him unlock and open the door.
“Amara,” Mac breathed. “I’m glad you came.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Honestly, I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Your father would be so proud.”
She took a deep breath. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be there, or didn’t appreciate the compliment. She did. But it also made her a little uncomfortable. Did she really want to be right in the middle of all of this, given all the secrets she was keeping for the Pack?
Either way, she and Nova had decided this was the best thing to do for everyone.
“So?” she asked, raising her arms to indicate the empty station. “Where do we start?”
“You did what?” Mitchell asked, staring at her as if she’d just sprouted two heads. If he squeezed the glass he was drying any tighter, he was going to break it.
A small smile crept across Amara’s lips. “I joined the police department.”
“But…” He stared incredulously at her. “But why?”
He seemed so perplexed, she wanted to laugh. “Because Mac asked me to. And, truthfully, they could use an extra set of hands.”
Zoe, who was building a Guinness for one of their regulars, nodded gravely. “Personally, I think it’s a great idea, Mara.”
Both she and Mitchell stared at her. “You do?” they asked in unison.
Though she looked a little stung by their surprise, Zoe squared her shoulders. “Yes, I do. You probably know more about the packs in this area than anyone. You basically got obsessed with them in high school after our…well, you know. You’re a great shot with a gun. And the department really is short-handed. Nobody wants to mess with more bodies, especially when they’re all people we know. I think it’s very brave of you to join. Your dad would be proud.”
That was unexpected, coming from Zoe especially. More than a little touched, heat rushed to Amara’s cheeks, and she was comforted by the red sheen that covered Zoe’s as well. “Thanks. Mac said the same thing. You really think he’d be proud of me?”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Of course, I do. The Mayor will probably be sending you flowers.”
Flowers. Amara frowned. “That reminds me. Have you heard about anybody sending me flowers lately?” Both of them stared at her. Zoe appeared to be annoyed by the question, while Mitch just seemed uncomfortable. Either way, neither of them seemed to know anything about it. Amara resisted the urge to scuff her toe against the floor. “It’s just that, that night after the watch, there was a big bouquet of red roses on my porch. No note. Any idea who they were from?” Both her friends shrugged, and Amara sighed. “Oh well. If you do hear anything, let me know, yeah?” They both nodded their agreement, but Amara couldn’t help but feel disconcerted. Was it her imagination, or had they both looked like they knew something?
Amara mentally shook herself. Maybe she needed a vacation or something. If she was becoming suspicious of the people she trusted most, perhaps it was all becoming too much for her.
Some
thing to think about, at least.
Chapter 13
Barely a week after Ian’s attack, Nova still hadn’t made any progress discovering the breach. He ran through the forest at break-neck speed, his paws pounding against the earth, sniffing the air as he went. He was searching for any alien scent, any sight, sound or smell that shouldn’t be on this side of the border. So far, he’d had no luck.
He knew they were out there. He could feel it. In the mental recesses of his brain, he could still hear Kal laughing at him, taunting him, promising there was no way to stop him. There was. He just had to find it.
Pausing, Nova stuck his nose to the base of a tree. A Valley wolf had been there, and recently. His keen eyes probed the darkness between the branches. It was barely late afternoon, but the sun had already set behind the trees, leaving an eerie glow in its wake.
There had been two more attacks in the last week. One was a border skirmish that had been easily controlled, but the other included a young boy that had been mauled by a wolf. Amara said the doctors told her he’d survive, but he could tell her new position as town deputy was taking its toll on her. She’d never been so close to it all before.
And now, it seemed the enemy was taking notice.
Nova was standing on the edge of the woods, hidden by shadow, a mere fifty feet from Amara’s little house. He could detect her scent on the trail, along with a few other human scents he recognized from his years watching the town, likely her neighbors. But, there were other, more foreign smells mixed in with the familiar that made Nova’s heart sink. The Valley Clan was watching Amara, possibly targeting her.
It made his blood boil.
Padding up the steps to Amara’s back door, he transformed back into a man. He felt the familiar itch and tingle of his bones changing shape, of his fur receding back into his skin. He stretched his jaw muscles as his snout once more contorted back into a human face. Usually, he would pull on the pants he kept stashed for just such occasions, but he was too worked up to bother.
Mountain Wolf Protectors Complete Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 16
