The lead enforcer—a stocky wolf named Kane—had sneered. “Lines change, Hale. Maybe it’s time you accepted that.”
Rune had stepped closer, letting his alpha presence fill the space between them. “The only thing that’s going to change is your current location if you don’t move. Now.”
They’d retreated, but not before Kane had made a point of sniffing the air, his eyes glinting with intrigue. “Interesting scents around here lately.”
The implied threat had taken every ounce of Rune’s control not to shift and rip the wolf’s throat out on the spot.
Now, hours later, his protective instincts were still simmering at dangerous levels. Electra had no idea she was living in a hostile environment, and he couldn’t exactly explain that her new home sat squarely between two wolf shifter packs locked in a territorial dispute without revealing secrets he wasn’t ready to share yet.
Even though she saw right through the safety ordinance excuse this morning.
Her sharp wit had cut through his carefully rehearsed speech like a blade through silk. The woman was too perceptive for her own good, and the way she’d challenged his authority had sent heat racing through his veins.
“How very authoritative of you.”
The memory of those words, delivered with that slight smirk, made his wolf rumble with approval even as it frustrated him. She wasn’t intimidated by his alpha presence—if anything, she seemed fascinated by it.
He needed answers. And he knew exactly who to call.
Rune searched for Gerri Wilder’s contact online and grabbed his phone. The phone rang twice before her familiar voice filled the line, warm and knowing in a way that immediately put him on edge.
“Sheriff Hale,” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice. “I was wondering when you’d reach out.”
“Cut the act, Gerri.” His voice carried the controlled bite of an Alpha who’d reached the end of his patience. “What exactly were you thinking placing Electra on my land? Right on the border with Birch’s territory?”
“Oh my.” Her tone turned innocent, which only made Rune’s suspicion deepen. “Is there a problem now? I thought it was perfect at the time—isolated, peaceful, exactly what a burned-out writer needs to reignite her creative spark.”
“Peaceful.” The word came out flat. “You put a human woman directly in disputed pack territory between two rival Alphas, and you call it peaceful?”
“Now, Sheriff, I’m sure you don’t think I was stirring the pot. I simply found a lovely cabin that was available and suited Ms. Calloway’s needs perfectly.”
The woman’s ability to play innocent while orchestrating chaos was legendary among shifter circles. Rune pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache building behind his eyes.
“Don’t play games with me, Gerri. You know exactly what kind of position this puts me in.”
“Do I?” Her voice carried that maddening hint of amusement. “And what position might that be?”
Rune’s free hand clenched into a fist. He wanted to tell her that Electra was his mate, that her meddling had just complicated his life beyond measure, but something held him back. The admission felt too raw, too vulnerable to voice aloud.
“She’s in danger,” he said instead. “Birch’s wolves are already sniffing around the area.”
“Oh, I’m sure a capable Alpha like yourself can handle any... complications that might arise.”
The casual way she dismissed his concerns made his wolf snarl. “This isn’t a game, Gerri. That woman could get hurt.”
“Mmm.” The sound was thoughtful and considering. “You seem quite concerned about Ms. Calloway’s welfare. More concerned than one might expect for a simple new resident.”
Damn. She already knows.
Of course she knew. Gerri Wilder had a reputation for orchestrating fated mate encounters with surgical precision.
“I protect everyone in my territory,” Rune said carefully.
“Of course you do.” Her agreement was far too cheerful. “Though it’s wonderful to see you taking such a personal interest in someone’s safety. Your mother would have been so pleased.”
The mention of his mother hit unexpectedly hard, and Rune’s control slipped enough to let genuine emotion bleed into his voice. “Leave my mother out of this.”
“She wanted you to be happy, you know. To find love and have a family. She used to worry that you’d let duty consume you entirely.”
