A loud, sharp metallicCLANG.
Trigger darted toward the window. “What the hell was that—?”
Sheriff Tate’s radio crackled.
A deputy shouted:
“Sheriff! Movement on the north side! Suspect—possible suspects—multiple shadows—moving fast toward Main Street! It’s not just one person!”
Wolf grabbed his weapon, eyes blazing. “Everyone move.”
But before he stepped out of the room, he turned back to me, gripping my chin gently, forcing my eyes to stay on his.
“You’re not alone,” he said. “Not for one second.”
I nodded, breath trembling.
His thumb brushed my cheek.
Then he was gone.
And the war for Eagle River had officially begun.
31
Wolf
The hallway exploded into motion the second that deputy’s voice came through the radio.
Trigger moved first.
Havoc right behind him.
Saint already calling up live drone feeds.
Sheriff Tate barking for units to converge on Main Street.
But I only focused on one thing.
Nora.
She stood frozen near the bed, clutching the scarf like it was the only thing tethering her to the ground. Her knuckles were white, her breathing shallow, but her eyes—steady, locked onto me—held something fierce beneath the fear.
I crossed the room in two strides.
“You’re going with Sheriff Tate,” I said, grabbing her coat with one hand and shrugging it over her shoulders. “He’ll take you to the county office. That’s the safest place right now.”
“No,” Nora whispered.
I froze. “Nora—”
“No.” Her hand curled into my shirt, gripping hard. “Don’t send me away.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“It feels like it.”
I swallowed, hating—hating—that she was right.
