Page 115 of Forbidden Moon
Tucker walked over to where his deputies were keeping watch over the men, kneeling on the rocky ground wearing defiant expressions.
“You boys are in a heap of trouble right now. Anyone care to explain why you attacked peace-loving, unarmed folks on their own property?”
Forty-one angry voices began shouting at once, silently encouraged by Jack and Evan.
“Damn perverts should die!”
“It ain’t natural!”
“They’re a danger to our children!”
“Kill the queers!”
“A bullet is better than they deserve!”
Things went downhill from there as the tirade became more heated, fed by expletive-filled invective able to turn the sheriff’s hair gray—if it hadn’t been already. It took a while, but when they finally got the men settled down, Sheriff Tucker approached a sullen, twitchy, and strangely silent Russell.
“Looks like you’re involved in this up to your neck, Mr. Hook. Did you honestly think the Foresters would get away with murdering innocent people? What do you have to say for yourself?”
Russell nervously glanced around at the ones he knew to be shapeshifters, seeing if they would try to prevent him from talking. Evan wound him up, fanning the flames of his fear and loathing until wild-eyed and shouting at the sheriff.
“They aren’t innocent or even human! They can turn into wolves—I saw it with my own eyes. Kill them! Kill them before they come after us and our children. No one is safe! Shoot before it’s too late. Listen to me, THEY AREN’T HUMAN!”
Tucker scowled at the ridiculous claims, wondering what the man was playing at. Russell’s men looked at him slack-jawed, confused by the strange utterances coming from their erstwhile leader. Wolf people? Had he lost his mind? It took three deputies to handcuff Hook and stuff him into the back of a cruiser, alternately weeping, issuing threats, and calling on God to smite the aliens. Lou, Jack, and Evan took Tucker aside to explain.
“When the wolves got close enough, one of them knocked Hook to the ground before somebody shot it. He was so frightened he pissed himself and apparently took a dive off the deep end. I’ve never seen anyone lose it that way. I suspect he was already halfway there, and then his mind snapped.”
Tucker shook his head again.
“I’ll have to order a psych eval and find a safe place to put him. The whole lot of them face charges of trespassing, endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon, not to mention a federal hate crime. I know you’re off duty today, Lou, but I could use some extra help processing this bunch and getting a start on the paperwork. I’m also going to need to speak with Mr. Blair tomorrow. Have him call me.”
It was almost noon before the attackers were hauled away, allowing the pack to deal with their dead and wounded. It would take hours more before this traumatic episode finally concluded.
Chapter 44
WITH BEN IN THE INFIRMARY, the attack’s aftermath fell on the capable shoulders of his Seconds. While Nolan made sure the wounded were fed and resting, Ash dealt with their dead. Scooter, as a Second-in-training, served as a liaison between Gladstone and the members of other packs who’d been part of their defense forces. Caleb, Oscar, and Artem began the arduous job of dismantling the combined security team and taking stock of their equipment.
Nearly everyone else gathered near the packhouse or outside the infirmary, seeking comfort, listening for news, and helping out where needed. The kitchen staff tried to get everyone fed in the crowded dining area, eventually setting up a self-serve buffet. Linda Kilburn and the daycare staff eased the crunch considerably by taking most of the children and their parents to the meadow for some outdoor playtime.
Aside from a general feeling of relief, every face bore the mark of poorly hidden distress over the injured under Doctor Follett’s care. Ben’s absence was keenly felt, and no one knew the exact status of his condition. Furtive glances, whispered expressions of concern, and scents laced with disquiet were the marks of a pack devoted to their Alpha. No one would rest easy until they knew for themselves he was all right.
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CITING A FAMILY EMERGENCY, Douglas Blair placed the country club into the hands of capable managers and led his entire family on a nerve-wracking, two-hour drive to Gladstone. He, Anita, Connor, Avary, and their mates were in the lead car. Following behind were Meredith, Drew, and their four children. Anita had contacted Nolan by phone on Saturday, asking to be informed if something should happen to her sons, their mates, or her grandchildren.
