Page 8 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“Hey Ryder, give me a minute. I’m almost done.”
Hunter sits behind his massive wooden desk and I take up a seat across from him, my back straight and feet firmly planted on the ground in case I need to move quickly. With that unknown sensation still tickling at my mind I can’t be too prepared. I sit patiently waiting for Hunter to finish whatever it is he’s doing on the papers in front of him. I have no desire to deal with paperwork and don’t bother asking what he’s working on.
He finally looks up at me and pushes the papers to the side. “There is way too much paperwork involved in this job.”
I nod in agreement. There’s probably more excess paper in our jobs since we like to keep everything off the computers and internet. One more way to keep our town hidden and off thegrid. Rule number one when living off the grid is; do not leave a digital footprint.
“Good thing you have two assistants to help with all that paperwork.”
Hunter glares at me and a slow smile spreads across his lips. “Did you just make a joke?”
“Joke, blatant observation. Same thing.”
Hunter chuckles under his breath, shaking his head at me. His ink black hair perfectly styled and coifed, barely shifts out of place. We’re similar in height and hair color but practically nothing else. I take far less time to maintain my hair, trimming it when needed but otherwise ignoring it. Where my brother is personable and chatty always smiling and friendly, I’m a little rougher around the edges. I lack the grace and fluidity of conversing he easily possesses. Fluffy words, long drawn-out explanations, and reading between the lines is pointless. Say what you mean, get to the point. Be precise and clear. That’s my motto.
“Have you spoken to Ginger today? Or yesterday?” he asks. Not sure what our little sister has to do with anything, other than her possibly finding traces of us on the internet somewhere.
“No. Why?” I reply. I did actually see her last night but we didn’t exactly “talk.” Words were exchanged in passing but nothing more.
“Something is going on with her and I can’t figure out what it is.”
Hunter leans forward and steeples his fingers together in concentration as he does on many occasions. I think he believes it makes him look more professional or commanding perhaps. Taking on the role of alpha and mayor at only twenty-five can be a daunting task for anyone. I think he’s managed it skillfully, far better at it than I would ever have been. Sometimes I get the impression he still doesn’t believe me when I say I don’t mindthat my younger brother became alpha over me. It was never meant to be me and we both know it. I think he still requires a little convincing every now and again.
“Did you ask her?” I inquire, because to me that would be the quickest way to find out.
“Of course I did. She said it was nothing. Which, in female speak, usually means it’s something. But I can’t prove it.”
“I could ask her if you like.”
I’m not the best at brotherly talks and emotions, but sometimes when I ask, she’s more willing to answer than beat around the bush. With Hunter, she can talk him in circles with her slyness. I don’t put up with that or understand half of it so it loses the appeal.
“Thanks, but that’s alright. I’m sure she’ll eventually tell us, or whatever it is will pass.” His hands relax on to his lap and he shrugs. Sometimes that’s all you can do with Ginger. She has her own agenda, and it isn’t always clear. It’s just best to let it run its course and deal with the aftermath when it inevitably arrives.
“I’m sure you’re right. I can keep an eye on her for the time being. See if she does anything odd.”
Although I may not understand everything my little sister does, I can tell when something is odd or out of the ordinary. Hunter nods and I make a mental note to track her down soon and check in on her.
“What else do you have to report? Anything new going on? Besides the elf,” he adds. We’ve already discussed him and made sure my deputy and anyone else we trust to keep an eye on the town knows of his presence.
Neither of us were able to get much out of Roman, other than lies. Elves are great at lies and deception. He wasn’t fooling us though, we know who sent him. Victor, the slimiest of them all. I scowl at the thought of the elves and their presence in myhometown. I only wish our rules pertaining to handling elves were stricter and less…pleasant. Elves don’t deserve pleasant.
In all the talk of Ginger’s odd behavior and elves, I almost forgot about the cabin last night.
“Nothing notable. I did however notice something strange last night.”
Hunter’s attention focuses on me, and I lift my chin in response. “And what would that be?” he asks.
“You weren’t at the cabin last night, were you?”
I want to make sure I wasn’t just spotting him cleaning it or preparing it for a visitor. Jumping to conclusions instead of seeking out logical explanations is not how I operate. If Hunter was in the cabin, then there’s nothing more to it. Mystery solved. It’s always best to rule out the obvious before seeking alternative explanations.
“No. I haven’t been to the cabin in weeks. Why?” His brow furrows with concern, as does mine now that I know it wasn’t him.
“I passed by there on a run last night and noticed a light on. Thought you might have been there for some reason.”
“No, it wasn’t me. Did you ask Ginger?” Hunter parrots my previous words back at me. But I know it wasn’t our sister.
“No. I saw her when I was in town for dinner last night, and she said she was going to her apartment to do some late-night work.”
