The razor-sharp doubts slicing through her insides had to be hidden from everyone, including Seth. Even as she shoved them down, that tiny voice in the back of her head whispered that she’d failed. Not only had she lost her mind after fatally shooting Delaney in front of her mother, but she’d also recently been fooled by one of the worst murderers in Washington state history: Sheriff Pete Maxwell, her mentor and a man she’d trusted. A lump dropped into her stomach.
“You okay?” Seth asked, his predatory gaze missing nothing.
“Of course.” She put her shoulders back and glanced at her watch. “I’m due in Seattle tomorrow and need to get organized today. Do you mind dropping me back off at the cabin?”
“Not at all.” Seth’s expression was unreadable, which was a talent she wished she could learn. No doubt he wasn’t happy she planned to leave Lost Lake each day and drive the couple of hours to Seattle, but he didn’t understand the demons driving her. How could he?
Dr. Sharon cleared her throat. “Um, as your doctor, I feel I should at least speak to you. I don’t want to interfere, but...”
Mia turned toward the doctor, who had to be five foot tall, at best. “What’s going on?”
Dr. Sharon blinked. “There’s talk. I know it’s soon, but there’s talk in town that you’re still living in the cabin and not with our Alpha.” She held up a gnarled hand before Mia could protest. “I know you’ve only dated—if that—for weeks. But you’re the Alpha’s mate, and traditions matter to the pack.” She shuffled worn tennis shoes. “Although I know there are humans in town, as well, so...”
“Not for long,” Seth said quietly.
Mia jolted. “What does that mean?”
“The hotel is closing, and all humans are being bought out of any property they own.” Seth’s jaw looked granite-hard. “After recent events, I’ve decided that Lost Lake will be inhabited by wolf shifters or mates only.”
Mia sucked in air. “That’s crazy.”
The rock-hard angles in his rugged face didn’t soften. “No, it’s not. If we’re really going to try and give the kids some freedom, we have to protect our home. Pete should’ve never been allowed access to any of us.”
At the mention of Pete’s name, Mia’s gut clenched. “What about my family?” She wouldn’t cast out her mother or Aunt Dotty.
“They’re grandfathered in,” Seth said.
Apparently, his word was law.
Mia’s chin lifted.
His eyelids half-lowered. Then his phone buzzed, and he tugged it from his back pocket without breaking eye contact.
Her breath heated, and her lungs seized. She couldn’t look away from his stubborn jawline, even if she wanted to do so.
“Volk,” Seth answered, the phone to his ear. He listened, and while no expression crossed his face, heated waves rolled off him with an intensity that sped up Mia’s heart rate. “Understood. We’ll drive out there immediately.” He disconnected.
“What?” Mia breathed, her instincts flaring hot and sharp.
Seth’s jaw somehow hardened even more. “The body of a woman was found by Lost Asylum earlier today.”
Her vision wavered. “By the building?” Even as she asked, she knew the answer. Somehow, she just knew.
“No.” Seth shoved his phone back into his pocket. “She was found in the dumpster out back.”
Chapter2
Nobody in his entire life had ever accused Seth of being reactionary. He was a predator at heart, and he had the patience to strategize and execute necessary plans for his people, be they logical or bloody. But as he stood in the rain behind crime scene tape, he considered a new approach. He clocked the area around them beyond what anybody could see, searching for threats to his mate. Only animals inhabited the forest right now, so he kept his gaze on Mia.
She let the rain drench her as darkness fell, looking small and fragile next to the tall dumpster. Her light jeans, tennis shoes, and red sweater bore water splotches, and her thick brown hair curled down her back from the rain. Her features were delicate in her pale face, her green eyes somber. He was now done with letting human officers keep him away from her via sopping wet crime scene tape.
They’d mated, and she was his. He’d burn the world down before he allowed her to be hurt—whether she understood that or not.
As if sensing his mood, Mia lifted her chin and leaned over to quietly say something to the state police officer to her right. The woman was stocky and strong, and at least six inches taller than Mia, with a badge clipped at her belt and a gun strapped to her thigh. She turned flat brown eyes his way and then nodded.
Mia gestured Seth over, casting the two patrol officers a worried look. Apparently, she was afraid Seth might take off their heads.
Smart girl.
