Even if said displays were admittedly very effective.
Snowman studied Ali for a long moment, then seemed to come to some internal decision."Cottonmouth's been intercepting medical shipments for the past six months.Claims it's drug enforcement, but the supplies never make it to evidence lockup.They disappear into the black market instead."
Of course they did.Ali felt sick but not surprised.She'd known her stepfather was corrupt—she'd grown up watching him take bribes and abuse his authority.But profiting from medical supplies meant people were suffering, dying, while he lined his pockets.
"What kind of medical supplies?"she asked.
"Specialized medications for supernatural communities," Snowman explained."Lycanthrope insulin, banshee vocal cord treatments, troll metabolic stabilizers.Things that aren't available through normal medical channels."
"Because the government doesn't recognize supernatural medical needs," Ali said, pieces clicking into place."So you've created your own supply network."
"The Supernatural Truckers Alliance," Tim confirmed."We've been running medical supplies to communities that can't get help anywhere else for fifteen years.It's completely legal—we pay all the taxes, follow all the regulations.But Cottonmouth's been using his authority to shut us down anyway."
Ali's investigative instincts were screaming.This wasn't just a story about supernatural truckers—this was a story about systematic medical discrimination and government corruption.This story could make her career if she could document it properly.
It would also destroy any remaining relationship she had with Cottonmouth.Not that there was much left to destroy.
"What's in this shipment?"she asked.
Snowman gestured toward a stack of insulated containers."Lycanthrope insulin.There's a werewolf community in Montana that's been without medication for three weeks.If they don't get this shipment soon..."
"They'll lose control," Ali finished."Turn feral.Become the monsters everyone already thinks they are."
"And give Cottonmouth all the excuse he needs to shut down the entire network permanently," Tim said grimly.
Ali stared at the containers, thinking about the werewolf families who were counting on this delivery, the children who might not survive without proper medical care.Then she thought about Cottonmouth, sitting in his office counting bribes while people suffered.
And she thought about how he'd react when he found out she was not only documenting his corruption but doing it while mated to a cryptid.The disappointment, the rage, the inevitable lecture about throwing away her life for some "degenerate monster."
You know what?Good.Let him be disappointed.She was done trying to earn approval she'd never get anyway.
"I'm in," she said."Whatever you need me to do."
Tim studied her face with those intense dark eyes."This isn't a story anymore, Ali.This is real life.People could get hurt."
"People are already getting hurt."Ali lifted her camera."But maybe I can help make sure the right people are held accountable."
Tim's expression grew warmer and her heart fluttered with anticipation.But before he could respond, Snowman cleared his throat.
"If we're doing this, we need to move fast.Cottonmouth's got connections, and word travels."
"Snowman, load us up," Tim said."We've got a delivery to make."
As they watched the containers being loaded into Tim's trailer, Ali traced protection sigils on each container.Her magic sealed them against temperature fluctuations and tampering.
“Extra insurance,” she said when Tim raised an eyebrow.She was standing closer to him than strictly necessary.He radiated heat and a pine forest scent.She wanted to do increasingly inappropriate things to him.
"This is dangerous," he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear."Cottonmouth won't let us just drive away with this shipment."
"Then we'll have to be smarter than he is."Ali looked up at him, noting the way his pupils had dilated slightly."Besides, I know his methods.That could be useful."
Tim's hand settled on her lower back, a gentle touch that sent heat racing through her."Stay close to me.Whatever happens."
"Planning on it," Ali said, and was surprised by how much she meant it.
Ali scrolled through her camera roll while Tim secured the load, selecting the best shots from Moonbeam's and the supply depot.She took more around the truck and the area.She immediately uploaded the pictures to Instagram with quick captions: #SupernaturalTruckers #MedicalJustice #ConvoyForACause.
"By the way," Tim said as they climbed back into the truck, "my real name's Tim.Timothy McGraw.My parents had a sense of humor."
