Page 34 of Taming the Wicked Wolf

“I’m good, it just looks different from what I expected.” She wanders over to the small seating area in the lobby, picking through the magazines on the table.

I leave her, going to the front desk where Meredith is sitting with her glasses perched on her nose, eyeing the computer screen to her left.

She was always nice to me when I would visit, but something changed since then. Her blue eyes drift over as she pulls her glasses down, giving me a fake customer service smile.

“Emilia.”

“I’m here to see Sheriff Reynolds about the man Kyle brought in, it must have been close to ten minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry, Emilia, I’m not allowed to speak about an active investigation. I cannot confirm nor deny that Deputy Evers brought anyone in.”

I sigh, looking over at Carly Beth, who is ready and waiting for me to give her some sort of signal. Instead, I take a couple ofsteps to my right and lean over the counter, gaining a full view of the sheriff’s office window.

My former father-in-law is in there looming over Silas while Kyle stands beside him, a faithful watchdog. Of course, they’re going to make the most of it. There’s under 3000 people in Moonstone Ridge, and zero crime.

“For fuck’s sake.” I roll my eyes and adjust my purse on my shoulder, “Do it, Carly Beth.”

“Hey,” Meredith leaps into action as I push past the small waist high gate and make my way towards the office, “You can’t go back there. Sheriff Reynolds!”

The sheriff looks out the window, his brows furrowing as he rushes out of his office, blocking the door with his wide frame. He’s gone a bit more gray since I’ve seen him last, with a few more creases worn around his eyes, but he still looks just like an older version of Chase.

“Emilia.” He says.

“Has he been charged?” I ask, gesturing towards Silas who is trying his best not to watch me from the window.

“No, I’m waiting for a few statements from witnesses.” Sheriff Reynolds folds his arms over his chest.

“Like me? I was there, Bill. Silas was protecting me.”

“Protecting you from what?”

I grit my teeth and fish out the small tracking device from my purse, holding it between us, “From your son.”

“From Chase? I wouldn’t be throwing accusations around like that, especially since?—”

“Sir, I think you’re going to want to see this,” Meredith calls from behind me.

Sheriff Reynolds glares at me, then walks over to watch the video. Carly Beth’s video. The family resemblance is striking, it only takes a few seconds before he turns the exact shade that Chase did when Silas revealed his true self. He looks over,focusing on the small device in my hand, then grabs the phone from the desk, punching in a number.

“Let ‘em go.” He says, holding the headset to his ear, “and get Chase down here. I need to have a few words with my son.”

The door to his office opens, and I turn to see Silas sauntering towards me, a cocky grin stretching across his face as he rubs at the skin on his wrists.

“Why didn’t you leave? You could have teleported.”

“I would never abandon you.” Silas brushes his fingers through my hair, then leans down and kisses my forehead.

I breathe out a sigh, turn towards Sheriff Reynolds, “By the way, I would like to file a police report.”

SIXTEEN

Emilia

The whole dayhas me feeling pent up, my fire is still there beneath my skin, bright and resolute. Not unlike when you slam two ice coffees before noon, but maybe that’s my personal experience. It doesn’t help that Silas has been quiet since we dropped Carly Beth off at her car.

He barely said a word on the drive back home. He remained lost in thought while watching the heart of the town pass us by.

Poppy greets us when we get home, first doing an elaborate little dance for Silas before she finally recognizes that I still exist. I’m not a jealous woman by any means, but sometimes she tests me.

---