Page 6 of Mates for the Rejected Wolf

I’m not the only one who bares my teeth at this. We want themgone. The Nightshade Hunters no longer belong in Iron Mountain. The sooner we can get them far away from here, and all the residents that live here, the better. Then we can begin to rectify the mistakes they have left behind help get those addicted off drugs.

“So, what does that mean we can do?” I ask, because it doesn’t seem like anyone else is going to. “What are we allowed to do according to Sheriff Smart?”

Echo grits his teeth, which is a clear sign that I’m not going to like this. “We have to keep an eye out and report back what we find. The police want to know the names and locations of everyone involved in this drug ring.”

“The Nightshade Hunters,” I erupt. The police just want to use us like drug sniffing dogs. What a bunch of bullshit. I feel like a freaking pressure cooker that’s about to explode.

Echo puts his hands up to keep me from saying anything else. I have no choice but to obey since he’s the alpha and his rule is law. “We have to follow what Sheriff Smart wants. I trust her and believe she knows what she’s doing. Once we know who is involved in all of this, we can plan our next moves.”

“What about the drugs, though? Are we just going to let more of that happen while we’re running around keeping an eye out?” Thank God someone else has the guts to speak up.

I look up to find it’s Jace making his opinion known. Jace and I don’t exactly run in the same circles, but I have always had respect for him.

Echo opens his mouth, but closes it before he says anything. He pauses thoughtfully and it’s almost like we can see the cogs spinning in his brain as he tries to figure out the best course of action.

“I don’t want any more drug deals to take place,” he admits. “But I don’t think we can get too involved in what’s happening at the moment. Like I said, Sheriff Smart has a plan, and just because it’s a slower one doesn’t mean it won’t work.”

That causes an explosion of arguments. No one is happy about all of this, but I know this is the way things are going to go because Echo has deemed it so. His word is final. It’s irritating, but I suppose it’s gotten us this far so I can’t complain too much.

* * *

We’ve been toldto be on watch and report back, but as I’m exploring the strip mall along Main Street, I don’t think I’m going to be able to contain myself if I do come across a drug deal. I think it’s fucked up that the Nightshade Hunters have been allowing kids to get mixed up in something so disgusting. Do they not feel guilt? Especially now that someone has died?

If I don’t calm down, I’m going to lose my shit. That’s the last thing I want to do. Even though I could punch any of those fuckers in their face.

“Slane? Is that you?”

A hand rests on my shoulder and I spin to see an all too familiar face. One I haven’t seen in a while. Despite her father being one of the pack elders, she’s never with any of the Iron Mountain wolves, and I’m not too sure why. There is a reason, I just can’t remember it right now.

“Fern, hey.” I envelop her in a hug, loving the way she fits snuggly in my arms. She’s always been hot, but now she’s grown into a sexy woman. I don’t want to let her go. “It’s good to see you. What are you up to?”

“Oh, just getting groceries.” She points to the store beside us. “Nothing too exciting after another long day. What about you?”

“Oh, I’m on patrol duty.” I laugh a little awkwardly. “Echo has given me a job to keep an eye on everything happening in this area of town with the Nightshade Hunters.”

Her expression darkens and I spot an anger withing her that matches my own. I didn’t know she would care so much since she’s never at any of the pack meetings or anything. She’s distanced herself over the years, which isn’t the easiest thing to do, but she managed it.

“I am sosickof nothing being done about this,” she spits out through gritted teeth, only riling me back up all over again. “Why can’t we just get rid of the other pack? The Nightshade Hunters are just a disease killing this town.”

“I agree. I want them gone as well. I don’t think anyone is acting fast enough.”

She bites down on her bottom lip, looking pensive. Like she’s hiding something from me, keeping some info to herself.

“What do you think we should do?” I ask her, intrigued to hear her answer.

“I think we need toact,” she insists. “It won’t take much to find out where all the distribution points are, and then we can find out who the street dealers are. Since we alreadyknowfor a fact that they have done something wrong, I don’t see the issue. Punish them, banish them, whatever, just get them out of here.”

I can’t stop the bright smile from spreading across my face. Where I felt like the Iron Mountain pack meeting sucked all the energy out of me, speaking with Fern has the opposite effect. I feel more fired up than ever before.

“Hey, you know, you should come on duty with me,” I suggest. “I bet you would be the best dead-beat sniffer in the whole town.”

She laughs along with me, but shakes her head. “I can’t, Slane. I already have a job and Brian needs me there. I work for the tour company out on the lake. Plus, I don’t think my dad wants me involved with the pack…”

“Lake Antoine?” I ask in shock. “But that means…”

“That I was the one who found Todd Smith in the lake?” she finishes for me. “Yep, you’re right about that, which is what fires me up even more about this. Idowant to help, but I also have to work. I’ll keep watch in that area and see what I can find. I can always report back to you if you give me your number.”

I give her my cell phone number, wanting to work alongside her even if she doesn’t feel the same way I do. I would definitely like it if she wanted to go on a date or something like that. Being with a different woman all the time has been getting boring for me. I kind of want something more these days. For Fern, I might break my dating ban, because there really could be more there.

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