Page 51 of Wolf Sacrificed

I swallowed and stood up straighter. I opened my mouth to say something, but he spoke up first.

“They think there was some sort of street fight, gang violence thing that bled into the wrong neighborhood.”

I cleared my throat. “This is part of what I told you about the other day. It’s really best if we keep the law and everyone else out of it.”

Sheriff Adam looked at my mom, who gave him a small smile. He clutched his hat to his breastbone tighter. “I told them that you had reported the car stolen a few days ago, and the people in the video were not you. The camera footage was not high enough quality for them to run any facial recognition software, so I think that should be the end of it. At least, I hope.”

The air whooshed out of my lungs, and I put my hand over my heart. “Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to us, keeping our secret and protecting us.”

He wiggled a finger in front of my face. “Don’t thank me just yet, Sloane. I don’t like lying for you. It’s not okay, and it goes against everything I stand for. I’m going to need some real answers and reasons for continuing to protect you.” He turned his attention to my mom. “I’m doing this out of a courtesy to your family only because I’ve known you for so long, and I know you are good people.”

The predicament that we were putting him in wasn’t ideal, and he was right. He was putting his job and reputation on the line for us.

“I’m sorry, Sheriff. Truly,” I said. “But you understand that we can’t have regular law enforcement involved. The more people poking around, the more likely someone inadvertently gets hurt.”

Or worse, killed, but I didn’t say that out loud.

I shifted my feet. “The alpha we are up against is unhinged. I honestly don’t know what he would do if he found out that humans were investigating and got in the way.”

That was the truth. I could guess, and I didn’t think it would be good. Alpha Dane had lost his mind, and he didn’t care who he hurt.

The sheriff put his hat back on. “That’s what your mother just finished telling me, too.” He put a hand on my mom’s shoulder. “She also told me about your father’s passing. I’m incredibly sorry. David was a good man.”

Mom’s bottom lip trembled before she put her hand over it. She nodded, her eyes misting over. “Thank you, Adam.”

He patted her shoulder. “You believe these people will come back here?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing I could tell him no. “Absolutely. It’s just a matter of when. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that no one else is included outside of our pack. I promise.”

The only thing I couldn’t control was Alpha Dane. No one here would hurt humans.

He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. “Is there anything my department can do to help?”

The offer was thoughtful of him. I truly appreciated him wanting to watch out for us.

“I can’t let you do that, Sheriff,” I said. “It’s dangerous, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to someone when they don’t know what they’re getting into.”

He exhaled and gave me a pained look. “I understand that. We’ve known each other for a long time. Your dad and I grew up together and were good friends. I might not know everything about what’s going on, and it’s a lot to understand. But I can’t let bad things happen to the people I care about. To people in my city and under my jurisdiction, it wouldn’t be right.”

I rubbed my hand over my heart. “It means a lot, really, but I don’t think we can let you help us.”

He chuckled. “I think you’re confused. I’m not asking. I’m telling. This whole county is under my jurisdiction. The threat isn’t only to your family but to the others living here as well. I’m not going to turn a blind eye. If this man is half as dangerous as you make him sound, then the residents of our town are already in danger. I swore an oath to protect, and that’s what I plan to do.”

Mom’s brow creased with worry. “Adam, Sloane may have shown you what we are, but I don’t think you truly understand what you’re getting into. People are dying. This is an all-out war.”

He clapped his hand on the back of my mom’s shoulder. “Did you forget that I served in Iraq, Kathleen? These men might have claws instead of guns, but I know what I’m getting into.”

Mom glanced over at me and shrugged.

We shouldn’t involve him. He was human and didn’t understand what wolves could do, but honestly, we needed all the help we could get. Maybe I could have him do a wiretap and some surveillance. There were probably other things he could do that would help but would keep him out of the real danger as best we could.

I crossed my arms. “I think there are a few things that maybe you could help us with, like if you could get us the wiretap on Alpha Dane on as many phones as you can that he owns. I don’t think you could reach out to the law enforcement there where he lives because I believe he may have them in his pocket in some way.”

Sheriff Adam nodded. “I believe you may be right about that. Unfortunately, there are some lawmen who can’t be trusted.”

My mom wrung her hands together as the worry lines deepened on her face. “Adam, I just don’t want to see you or anyone on your team get hurt. This is an extremely dangerous situation.”

He patted her hands as he laughed. “I think that is the very meaning of serve and protect. It’s my job, Kathleen.”

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