Page 72 of Forbidden Moon
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LOU ARRIVED BEFOREthe other deputy, joined shortly afterward by Donna. Angry beyond words, Ben wanted to be there himself but couldn’t be spared at the moment. He felt responsible for what happened, as the plan to keep her safe came too late. Donna made sure Robyn was all right and helped her clean up a little before she answered Deputy Percer’s questions. Lou made sure the public, drawn here by the flashing lights, were kept away from the windows and sent on their way.
Once they loaded the assailant in the ambulance, Percer finished up the report with a shake of his head.
“I can’t imagine how you were able to take him down, Miss Vaughn. Self-defense classes normally teach how to escape, but you must have taken other training. Are you sure you aren’t injured?”
With a glance at Donna, Robyn answered the question.
“A woman has to know how to protect herself these days, and I’ve had some excellent teachers. I’m just a little sore and shaky, officer, and want to go home and rest.”
“All right, Miss. I have everything I need to file the report, and I recommend you press charges. Guys like him will probably strike again if they think they’re getting away with it. Here’s my card if you have any questions or concerns. Good day, now.”
Percer stepped outside to speak with Lou, leaving the women alone. Donna swept her packmate into a hug, and the tears began to flow. Robyn wasn’t injured or particularly upset, though shewasangry and fearful for her packmates. No one knew what the enemy truly wanted, and it hung over their heads like a tentacled malevolence. Where and how would they strike, who might be the next victim, and how could they put a stop to it?
Chapter 29
TACTICAL CENTER, TWENTYminutes later
Ben roared with barely controlled rage, his wolfdemandingthe grisly death of Robyn’s attacker. Oh, he wanted that too, but the bastard was in custody. He needed information, badly, including who masterminded this operation. Snarling and amber-eyed, he sent surging waves of Alpha power across the room, washing over the hapless Betas seated at the table.
Caleb and Oscar bared their necks in submission, wisely keeping silent as Ben struggled to regain his balance. No Alpha worth his salt stood calmly by while someone threatened his pack, and Ben had been inching closer to the precipice with each new incident. The near-assault on Robyn not only shocked them, it nearly pushed Ben over the edge. Caleb was about to text Evan for help in calming him down when Robyn and Lou arrived from the scene.
Ben met them inside the packhouse doors and asked Lou to wait while he spoke with Robyn. He escorted her to his office, leaving the door open as they took their seats. Ben remained behind his desk to avoid crowding her, though what hewantedto do was wrap her in a comforting hug. She might not be able to accept someone touching her, and he respected that.
Though often sassy and strong-willed, Robyn held a special place in Ben’s heart. Yes, she was an excellent Administrative Assistant for his business, but she was also Jonah’s best friend and co-worker and had filled the role of Triad Mate for Jack and William. Now, some filthy cretin dared to assault her, and Ben struggled with guilt. He and Sheppard simply hadn’t acted quickly enough to protect her.
“I’m so sorry, Robyn. I never considered they would try something like this. I’d end the bastard if I could get my hands on him.”
Robyn sincerely appreciated the words, especially coming from her Alpha, but refused to cry in front of him.
“Thank you, Ben. You don’t know how close I came to killing him myself. Look, no one is to blame, and at least some good came out of it. I have something to show you.”
Robyn opened her purse to pull out a folded piece of paper and handed it over with a triumphant smile. Ben opened it up to scan the contents, eyes wide. On it were copies of the assailant’s driver’s license, credit card, insurance information, and even a few family photos.
Ben grinned at her.
“Hmm... Neal Glaser. I assume you didn’t get this from the Sheriff.”
She shook her head.
“No. I grabbed Glaser’s wallet before Deputy Percer got there. The guy wore a wedding ring, and those photos look like his kids. This wasn’t some would-be rapist. I think he wanted to scare me or force me to shift in front of him. I probably got carried away, but I wasn’t about to let him touch me. Maybe the information will help us track his friends down.”
Ben grimaced, shaking his head.
