Page 50 of Wolf Sacrificed

The bright sun beat down on us. It would be setting soon, and we’d lose its warmth.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever stop being on edge.” I picked up her hand and threaded our fingers together. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I never doubted you. I just worry about you and don’t want you to get hurt.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but I turned and put a finger over her lips. Then I moved my hand and gave her a soft kiss.

“Let me finish, please. It’s important for me to get this out,” I said.

She gave me a soft smile and nodded.

I pushed some wet hair from her face. “You are stronger than you know and stronger than I give you credit for. It was my mistake. This war is going to get more dangerous by the day, and I can’t hold you back.”

Her eyes darted back and forth like she was searching my face for something.

I touched my forehead to hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I’m scared of what more is to come with this war. But you were right to reach out to Alpha Charles, even if it didn’t go as we hoped.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “Do you think anyone will survive?”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Maybe. It depends on how fast they can run before the pack deploys the wolfsbane. The only way to survive at that point is to submit. Alpha Charles might be a fool, but I can’t see him going for that.”

The brush rustled, and we both jumped to our feet. I handed Sloane her clothes first before trying to get mine on. She had just slipped the oversized shirt over her head when Mark shoved through the branches.

He had his eyes covered. “Are you decent?”

Sloane leaned forward and swatted him. “Relax.”

He slowly moved his hand from his face. “I hate to ruin your fun. But Sherriff Adam is here. They tracked the car you left behind back to us, and he says they have video of you, Chance, a few other guys, and your boyfriend fighting on the street. He has more questions.”

Seventeen

Sloane

The closer we got to the house, the more my stomach turned. The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the sky.

How was I going to talk my way out of this one? I didn’t have long to think of a plan.

Mom stood in the front yard, arms crossed over her chest while talking to Sheriff Adam. Sheriff Adam took a step back when he saw us coming. He gulped, and his hand went to the gun holster at his hip.

He was still jumpy, understandably so. It wasn’t every day that humans saw a man turn into a wolf.

I touched Lincoln’s arm. “Hey, go ahead inside. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

He hesitated before nodding. “Reach out if you need me.”

I sighed. “You know I will.”

I really hoped that I didn’t need him. I had no idea what I was going to say to the sheriff, but lies would only dig us into a deeper hole. We needed to make sure that the FBI and other agencies stayed out of our way. The best bet for that was Sheriff Adam.

Lincoln’s footfalls thumped up the stairs, and the screen door clanged against the frame as he disappeared inside. Mark followed behind me until we stood right in front of the sheriff.

I waved my hand awkwardly and gave him a toothy smile. “Sheriff Adam, how can we help you?”

He appraised me then glanced to the door. “I received a call this afternoon about some disturbing footage and one of your vehicles that was involved in an accident. Sloane the local law enforcement in that city is involved and I believe they are calling in the FBI.”

I didn’t miss the way he dragged his gaze over me like he was looking for injuries. Thank goodness I’d had a chance to shift so I didn’t look like a walking horror-movie victim. It was time to do damage control and find out what the other departments had already pieced together.

I ran my fingers through my wet, snarled hair. “What exactly did they say?”

Sheriff Adam opened and shut his mouth before taking his hat off and looking at the ground. “They sent me the footage from several doorbell cameras and were asking about the car that was left at the scene. It is one that is registered to your father.”

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