Seth stood there with the blood of his mother’s killer staining the dirt red. There might not be peace, but there would be justice.
When he’d heard Mia’s panicked voice over the phone, he’d nearly lost his mind. Everything had become clear in that second. There was only Mia and getting to her. At the thought, Seth turned and started back the way he’d come, leaving the bastard alone and dead in the woods. A nearby pack of wolves, just animals, had heard his call and would come eat the corpse until there was nothing left.
It was a fitting end for a monster.
Seth ducked his head and ran, letting the forest fly by on either side of him. How badly was Mia hurt? She’d been alive and moving, so it couldn’t be too bad. Leaping across the porch, he slid in blood to reach her, gentling himself instantly before touching her. “How bad?”
She held her hand over her right thigh, blood oozing between her fingers. Shock glistened through her eyes. “Shot once. I think the bullet is still in there.”
He leaned down and lifted her, holding her tight. “You’ll be okay.” She had to be. She was his life.
She slid her arm over his shoulder. “You’re naked, Seth.”
Like that mattered. “We really have to stop getting you shot.” He tried for levity, but his voice came out a deadly growl.
She snuggled into his chest, her cheek against his heart. “I knew you’d come for me.”
“Then why didn’t you wait before attacking the psycho holding a gun?” He stalked outside to her car.
“Just doing my job,” she said, her voice slurring.
Yeah, they’d have to figure that out later. For now, he needed to get his mate to a doctor.
Again.
Chapter39
One week after being shot again, Mia sat on the back porch of Seth’s house as kids played water sports on the lawn and people milled around colorful picnic tables laden with too much food. At least half of the town, wolf and human, had gathered to celebrate Seth taking over Volk Mining. Half of the house was still burned, but bright tarps covered the damage.
Gena sat quietly in her chair next to Mia, a glass of lemonade in her hand. “I don’t know about being around this many people.”
Dotty snorted from Mia’s other side. “It’s okay, Gena. We can leave anytime you want.”
Gena’s expression smoothed out. “Okay. Just knowing that makes me feel better.”
Dotty sighed, looking out at the forest. “I’m still so sad about Pete being killed in that hunting accident. Poor Pete.”
“I know,” Mia said. The coroner had helped to cover up what had really happened to Pete, and the town was sad but satisfied with the explanation of a hunting accident.
Gena sipped her drink. “I don’t think the sheriff should shack up with the local mine owner. Just saying. Are you thinking of running for sheriff?”
“I don’t know,” Mia murmured. How could she? She knew too many of the town’s secrets, and she never wanted to be part of another coverup. Hiding Pete’s death had been hard enough on her. Yet she wanted to be a cop again.
Dotty eyed her. “You’re not planning on going back to DC, are you?”
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “I was hired as a shrink in Seattle, but there’s a case I’ve been asked to consult about.” She caught a glimpse of Seth’s frown before he could hide it. Even though he was across the lawn, playing darts with members of the pack, his hearing was that of a wolf. Of course, he’d heard everything.
She lifted her chin. “I haven’t decided.” There hadn’t been another murder, but this killer wouldn’t stop. And she had to know if this killer was Delaney’s partner, or if it was somebody new.
Seth turned and faced her head-on across the distance, his eyes a warning of deep blue. A shiver wound through her entire body, landing in several interesting places along the way.
Dotty sighed. “That is one fine man.”
“He’s more than that,” Mia said honestly.
Gena patted her good leg. “More than fine. Yes. Totally hot.”
Seth’s ears turned red.
