Page 43 of Hers to Call
“It’s only so far coincidences start to stretch,” Nate said after.
“Someone is coming after my mate, Nathan and I want to know who it is. Did you get a chance to check on Miranda and her mate?”
“Of course, Alpha. If we can find proof that it’s them, we can kick them out of town without the human authorities getting involved.”
Simon growled. “We should kick them out now.”
“Yes, well, it seems Charles Rossel has friends in high places. I got a call moments after I typed his name into the law enforcement database. He’s got family in government.”
He cursed. He hated dealing with the Feds, and avoided it at all cost. Though the humans left them alone generally, they’d written in laws that damn near strangled everything about their culture. Were they living free from human laws, he’d have ran the bear out the moment he saw them. But, the last thing he needed was a complaint launched against his town and an investigation from the oversight committee.
“Fine. I’ll stay within the lines.”
“Thank ya’ kindly,” was Nate’s response.
Simon ended the call and headed back to his house. Cali was in the kitchen with Becca putting ice on her wrist when he came in. She scowled at him. He smoothed his face, removing all traces of his anger. But as his mate, he was sure Calita could still feel it. He went over to a drawer and pulled out a pad and pencil. He put it on the table next to her. Becca moved, taking the ice with her.
“I want to know everything weird that’s been happening to you lately.”
“Well, bears are weird, so…” was her cheeky answer.
He grunted, conceding her point.
Her face cleared and she cupped his chin, a smile tilting her lips. It was a grimace really and he assumed she was trying to cheer him up. She ghosted a kiss across his lips and pushed the pad away.
“Did you ever find out who was shooting around the lake?” Calita whispered.
Becca turned around and frowned. “It happened at the lake? There are signs posted, the guests know there’s no weapons allowed anywhere near there.”
Cali raised her eyebrows. “Well, an arrow shot from across the lake, so obviously not everyone knows.”
***
She saw the look exchanged between Becca and Simon. “What am I missing?”
“I’m being overly cautious,” Simon murmured, his hands rubbing across her shoulders.
Her heart beat picked up. “You think someone did it on purpose, too?”
Hot scalding fear lurched through her. If she couldn’t be safe on Simon’s property, then…
He pulled her into his arms. “You’re safe here, baby.”
She nodded, though not fully believing him.
“Well thank the Creator none of the children were playing there,” Becca mentioned.
Oh God, what if one of the clan’s kids were hurt because she was around. She stood and rubbed her hands down her shorts. She hadn’t thought about bringing danger to someone else. Simon stood with her, shooting Becca a glare.
“Don’t worry about that, Cali.”
“I’m going to go lay down,” she whispered, feeling light headed.
Hours later she was sitting on the bed, barely paying attention to the old rerun on the television. Dinner had been a somber affair. She had a hard time getting out of her own head. The decision of whether she should go back to the hotel kept running through her mind. Would she be safer there? There were ranch hands and bears surrounding this house, logically she would be safer here. If only she could make her mind believe that. She looked up at a tap on the door. Simon leaned against the jamb, his eyes roving her face, studying her.
“Can I come in?”
She nodded and sat up straight, adjusting her gown. He sat on the end of the bed and trailed a hand across the fabric of the duvet.
