Dominic leaned back in his chair, giving his full attention to his beta. If she heard something worth mentioning to the Tolstone beta, it must be important.
“I don’t know if it matters so much now that Wyatt’s under control, but she’s been hearing some talk about a plan to usurp you as Prime Alpha.”
Words likeusurpwere better left for the history books, right under the chapter that talked about kings and monarchs who battled for thrones in the medieval ages. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear in a conversation with his beta about Dominic’s place as Prime Alpha. Dominic was no king, but to hear that his town and authority might be threatened by some negligent alpha who couldn’t even keep his own pack under control made his body flush with anger. It was the exact fear that Hank had mentioned to him before, but he didn’t want to think it would ever really happen.
“What kind of plans?” Dominic rotated the cup in place on the table to burn off a little of that restless energy.
Hank shrugged his massive shoulders. “She didn’t know. Her main concern was if Wyatt did try to do anything, that she and Nolan Harlow would be left out of whatever punishment you had in mind for the pack.”
“Nolan? The doctor?” Dominic’s forehead creased with confusion. “Why her and Nolan? They’re not mated.”
“No, but she said that out of all the pack, they would be the first ones willing to leave Wyatt if something happened. From what I can tell, Nolan may be sweet on Kaelyn. They tend to spend a lot of time together. If I’m honest, the doctor may be handy to have in town. It’s been a while since we had a physician who specialized in shifter biology.”
That was more surprising to hear than the rumor that Wyatt was planning to take over Tolstone. Once a shifter was bound to a pack, it took an act of God to get them to abandon their commitments, not to mention the effort to sever the pack bond. “They would leave Wyatt?”
“Apparently, there’s been some drama in the pack.” Hank sounded rather pleased by the turn of events. “She said Wyatt used to look after them. It’s only when he started bringing in shifters like Brady and Nathan that he started acting weird. Missing pack meetings, disappearing on them for days or weeks, not being there when he’s needed—that sort of stuff we know already. She said it really put a dent in their loyalty. As far as she knew, only her and Nolan had talked about putting in a petition to stay in Tolstone if Wyatt moved on. But now, with all this mess and what she’s been hearing, she just doesn’t want to get caught in the crossfire. They don’t want to be guilty by association.”
Dominic could understand that. It wasn’t their fault that Wyatt had gone off the deep end and searched for power and prestige in places where he didn’t belong.
He nodded. “Pending an investigation into their true motives, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. They can stay if we find that they didn’t have anything to do with any of Wyatt’s plans.”
“I think as soon as Shane’s pack is here and settled, they’ll start to relax,” Hank said. “I won’t defend Nathan or Wyatt, but you know that’s the reason why the others have been acting out. The idea of having more shifters in town has everyone on edge. They don’t know if it’ll be another small, friendly pack like Gage’s or more trouble like Wyatt and his bunch.”
Dominic nodded and rotated his mug. “Yeah, I know. How’s that coming, by the way?”
The slight tension in Hank’s shoulders seemed to ease as they changed the subject to something more hopeful. “They’re a little delayed because of an issue with his work, but they’ll be here by the end of the month. I’ve been keeping in touch with Shane’s progress to make sure everything’s fine.”
“Good. I’d hate for…”
He paused as the mating bond within him hummed to life. Erica was near, but why? He stood from his chair and cast a wary glance toward Hank as he left the office without a word. The beta, confused, followed after him.
“I need to see Cole Spradley.” Her voice boomed from the front office of the station, laced with that anxiety he had been feeling that morning.
“He’s in a meeting at the—”
“I don’t care!” A loud bang echoed down the hall, like a fist hitting a tabletop. “I need to see him right now.”
“Is this an emergency?”
Cole entered the hall from the break room and completely bypassed Dominic on his way to Erica. The Prima Alpha slammed a hand on his chest to hold him back.
“Let me take—”
The older alpha didn’t let him finish. Cole pushed past him and hurried forward to see his daughter.
Erica stormed her way into the hall that was restricted to employees of the police station, nose red and slightly swollen,matching her eyes that were too beautiful to ever shed tears. Her chest heaved for air as her stare locked on to Cole.
Dominic was blasted by the array of emotions that unfolded through the mating bond. A bizarre mix of anger, agony, and a deep, penetrating sadness, like she had been wounded just by looking at the sheriff. He looked at Cole, who paled at the sight of his grief-stricken daughter. She watched him just as closely, examining his face, as if looking for something that she dreaded to find.
For a moment, they all observed the father and daughter, so spellbound by the scene that no one asked for an explanation. Dominic gave a short, almost imperceptible nod to his beta, who slowly backed away down the hall to wait.
Answering the call of his mate, he edged forward and took her arm. “Let’s go,” he told her gently.
As if snapping out of her stupor, Erica ripped free from his grasp, and he staggered back a step. This wasn’t some matter for the police or a crime that had been committed. This was something more.
It was then that Dominic knew what must have happened. Erica knew the truth about Cole Spradley. Somehow, his wolf sensed it through their bond, and it made perfect sense with her behavior.
“Maybe you two should go talk?” Dominic offered.
