Page 1 of Paws and Claws

1

DOMINIC

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the brick police station. Dominic stood at the front of the briefing room, his green eyes scanning the faces of his officers. The summer heat had already started to seep into the building despite the early hour, and the ancient air conditioning unit rattled in protest.

"Johnson, your report from last night's patrol was incomplete. I need every detail documented," Dominic rumbled.

Officer Johnson shifted in his metal folding chair. "It was just a minor incident, Sheriff."

"That's not the point." Dominic planted his hands on the podium. "Protocol exists for a reason. We need all of the information on record."

A few officers exchanged glances, and Dominic caught the subtle eye rolls. His lion stirred beneath his skin, but he kept his expression neutral. They might not appreciate his methods, but he'd sworn to protect Saltwater Grove. That meant doing things by the book.

Connor, his deputy sheriff, cleared his throat from his position near the door. "Sheriff's right. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around."

"Exactly." Dominic nodded to Connor before continuing. "Martinez, your speed trap placement yesterday was excellent. That's the kind of attention to detail I expect from everyone."

Officer Martinez straightened in her chair, pride evident in her posture. The small praise shifted the room's energy, and Dominic felt satisfaction rumble in his chest.

"Now, about the parking situation on Main Street..." Dominic picked up a stack of citations. "We've had seventeen violations in the past week. The two-hour limit exists to keep business flowing. I want increased patrols..."

A soft groan echoed from the back of the room.

"Something to add, Peterson?" Dominic's voice carried a hint of steel beneath its casual tone.

"No, sir." Peterson's face flushed red.

"Good. Because I'd hate to think any of my officers believe selective enforcement is acceptable." Dominic let his gaze sweep the room again. "The rules apply to everyone equally. That's what makes this town work."

Dominic shuffled his papers, his lion's heightened senses picking up the scent of stale coffee and fresh donuts. The sugar-sweet aroma reminded him he'd skipped breakfast again. He'd deal with that later - duty first.

"Now, about last night's incident on Maple and Fifth." He pulled out the accident report, his jaw tightening. "Three vehicles involved - a red sedan, blue pickup, and a silver SUV. All drivers reported experiencing sudden confusion right before impact."

Officer Chen raised his hand. "Were they drunk?"

"No alcohol or substances in their systems," Dominic replied, browsing over the report. "They described it as a 'fog rollingthrough their minds.' One minute they were driving normally, the next..." He spread his hands. "Complete disorientation."

"Witch magic?" Martinez's question carried a hint of worry.

"Most likely." The lion in Dominic's chest growled at the thought of someone manipulating innocent minds. "This has wild witch written all over it."

Peterson leaned forward. "But why make people crash? Seems pointless."

"Could be practice." Dominic's enhanced hearing picked up the subtle shift of bodies as his officers tensed. "Or a test run for something bigger. Either way, I want everyone on high alert. Watch for any unusual behavior, especially around intersections or high-traffic areas."

Connor spoke up from his position by the door. "What about the victims?"

"Minor injuries - bruises, whiplash. Mrs. Henderson's prize petunias took the worst hit." That earned a few chuckles, easing the tension in the room. "But next time we might not be so lucky."

Dominic's lion prowled beneath his skin, eager to hunt down this threat to their territory. He tamped down the urge to shift and track the scent himself. This needed to be handled properly.

He met each officer's gaze in turn. "We need to stay vigilant. Report any suspicious magical activity immediately."

Johnson raised his hand. "What exactly counts as suspicious?"

"Trust your instincts." Dominic's voice carried the weight of authority that came naturally to both man and beast. "But if you see anyone casting spells near traffic, that's definitely grounds for questioning."

The room filled with quiet laughter, but Dominic noticed they were all taking notes. Good. They might joke, but theyunderstood the severity of the situation. Wild witches were unpredictable at best, dangerous at worst.

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