The truth in his deep tone, the absolute determination in his otherworldly eyes sped her breath. He wanted forever, and he was giving everything he had.
To her.
She didn’t understand him, but against all logic, she believed him. Panic fluttered through her stomach. He deserved something she wasn’t sure she could give—wasn’t sure she could even identify.
Erik bounded out of the forest, his thick coat shifting over powerful muscles. Reaching the porch, his bones cracked as he stood on his hind legs, morphing into a man. “I caught the scent.”
Seth stilled. “Who was it?”
“Another Barnby. Fred, Frank’s brother.”
“There’s another Barnby?” Mia’s gut clenched.
Seth flashed his teeth. “Let’s go.”
Frank was safely in jail, although his brother was out there somewhere. Had he shot Benjamin? Why? Mia grabbed Seth’s arm. “No. We go and arrest him. He broke the law, and he’ll pay.” She needed to question him. Frank’s problem had been with Seth, so it didn’t make sense that Fred would shoot Benjamin, unless this had nothing to do with her. Who would want Ben dead and why?
Seth glanced at his brother, who was hurriedly yanking on clothes. “Get the truck. I’ll meet you in a second after I deal with my…mate.”
Erik nodded and ran toward the metal shop, not looking at her.
“You’re going todealwith me now?” Mia dropped her hands. She really didn’t want to shoot him, but the idea held merit at the moment.
“Yes.” Seth slipped her phone into his pocket. “I know you don’t understand any of this, and that isn’t your fault. But Erik and I need to strike swiftly and hard against the man who dared to shoot our Alpha. If we don’t, we’re all dead. We’ll face multiple challenges instantly, and there’s no way we’ll beat them all. We have to show that we’re prepared to defend and protect until our father is well.”
“These areyour people.” She shook her head. “You’re no more than—”
“Animals?” Seth stepped into her space. “Yeah. Now you’re getting it.”
“I don’t accept this.” Law was needed for order and fairness. Vigilante justice led to trouble…wolf or not. “I won’t follow these laws.”
Regret twisted his lip. “As theEnforcer, especially when the Alpha is down, it’s my job to make sure you do.”
The man standing before her went beyond Enforcer to pure Alpha, whether he admitted it or not. “Are you threatening a law enforcement officer, Volk?”
“Threat? No. Just stating facts tomy mate, darlin’.’” His tone lowered to a deadly softness. “Every move I’m about to make will be scrutinized for any weakness. As a way to take me, and thus my father, down.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not a weakness.”
“So long as you refrain from challenging me, you’re not.”
Anger spiraled heat into her face. “You going to go all Alpha on me, wolf?”
A veil shielded his eyes. “If I do, you’ll know it, Mia.”
The truck sprayed gravel as Erik slammed on the brakes. “Let’s go, Seth.”
“Just because you caught a scent doesn’t mean one of the Barnbys shot your father. You need facts, logic, and investigations to find enough evidence, and you can’t just go off in anger.” Mia stepped away. She really had to think about all of this. “I’m staying here.”
“No, you’re not.” Seth lunged.
Chapter29
Seth had too easily subdued Mia in the truck until they arrived at her cabin, and then he jumped out, still holding her. “I need you to trust me.”
Mia steeled her spine. “I do trust you, but we need evidence before we exact justice. If it was a Barnby brother, we can’t let a man get away with shooting your father, regardless of whether or not he’s a wolf shifter. We all live in the same jurisdiction, and the laws matter.”
Seth lowered his forehead to hers. “I know, but this is life or death. Please. Trust me.”
