Page 75 of Reclaiming Home

Holden remained standing by the door. I was in tune enough with him to sense his wolf’s agitation at the situation. On the surface he was calm, unflappable. He’d had practice with this man, that much was certain.

Since Gerrell hadn’t actually asked a question, I sat down and looked at him expectantly.

“Right, uh, there have been some rumors going around.” He barely hid his annoyance at my silence. “Rusty Douglas was supplying a lot of methamphetamine in these parts, and the rumors are running wild now.”

Again, no question was asked, but I threw him a line. “I have no knowledge of the ‘amounts’ he might’ve been supplying and to whom, but based on the fact that his idiot betas haven’t made another appearance, I’m done with Rusty’s legacy.”

Gerrell stared at me in a way that told me he was trying to read me.

“I see. Well, these rumors come from informants we have in the county. They’re saying that Douglas’ betas went to another uh, I wouldn’t go as far as to call them a gang, but a group of criminals.”

I shrugged. “Like I said, I haven’t heard from them. We had the barn torn down and there’s no trace of meth on my property, as your deputies know, since they have been dealingwith everything with me. I don’t know how this relates to me or my pack.”

This time Holden cleared his throat. “The betas have been talking about wanting the house back. We’re thinking they’re trying to get these people to try something with them.”

Snorting, I said, “Let them try.”

Sheriff Gerrell hid his surprise a fraction of a second too late. “You’re that confident you’ll be able to defend your property?”

“My pack might be small, but if they want to underestimate us, they can come and try to see what happens. My pack and I have full rights to protect one another and our property, isn’t that right?” At the Sheriff’s nod, I continued, “I assume they’re mostly humans, this group?”

Again, Holden piped up. “It would seem so, yes. So we’re thinking likely armed. There’s no record of there being vampires or werewolves, other than some hangers on, maybe.”

“Well then I’m not worried.” I leveled the Sheriff with a look. “Anything else?”

He appeared slightly constipated suddenly. “No, I suppose there’s nothing else. Just keep an eye on things and let us know if you need help. Deputy Drumm says he has a good relationship with your pack, so I feel reassured that you and yours know to contact him with anything at all.”

“Oh, absolutely. Deputy Drumm is a good man and an excellent wolf.” The tiniest of flinches on Gerrell’s face told me volumes about how he viewed our kind. “He’s always welcome to my house.”

I got to my feet and held out my hand, this time squeezing him a bit more firmly than needed. Not enough to be threatening, but enough for the good Sheriff to realize I had clocked his posturing and wasn’t impressed.

Holden came to see me out and walked to my truck with me.

“So, he’s an asshole and a half, isn’t he?” I murmured, making him chuckle.

“Not going to deny that assessment.”

“How corrupt is he, exactly?” I asked even more quietly.

Holden’s eyes widened a bit before he schooled his expression. “Not sure. Definitely some.”

“Is this whole thing some sort of warning I should know about?”

“I’ve tried to figure it out, but I’m a wolf so he’s not telling me shit. If I learn something, I’ll let you know.” Then he seemed to remember something else. “Hey, so you know the pack I used to run with on occasion before you came to town?” I nodded, so he continued, “The Alpha, Jessie Ramirez, wanted to meet up with you whenever you can to get to know the other Alpha in the area. She’d come over to yours, but she just had a baby couple of weeks ago and her pack is a bit overly protective—her words, not mine.”

“I’ll let you know. Full moon is soon, so before that?”

“That should work. Let me know and I’ll set it up.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you later.” I had the strongest urge to leave my scent on Holden, which he must’ve seen in my expression.

He smiled and held out his hand which I took, then cupped his elbow with my other one.

“See you later, Alpha,” he replied, and this time there was a different weight on the honorific.

I beamed as I drove home. It felt like I was gaining a beta, officially, very soon.

Chapter Eighteen

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