Agent Walker gestured for James to follow. They disappeared into the office upstairs Beau used for book keeping.
Agent Corwin remained with me, flipping open a slim enchanted tablet and setting it between us on the metal prep counter.
“This recording is magically sealed,” he said. “Only authorized officers will have access. Do you understand?”
I nodded once. “Yeah.”
“Let’s begin. Walk me through what happened yesterday, starting from when Mr. Monroe left the premises,” Agent Corwin said.
I did. Every second. Every detail. From waking up alone and finding the note, to the pit that formed in my stomach.
And Callum calling to confirm a gas station attendant had seen James speeding toward the outskirts of town after filling up.
I even told him that by then, my bear was already clawing to the surface.
“He left because he thought it would keep us safe,” I said, my voice low. “That’s the kind of person he is. Selfless. Stupidly brave. He didn’t tell me where he was going, but I knew. Once I arrived at the gas station, I followed the scent.”
“His?” Corwin asked.
“James’ scent was faint, but I got lucky.”
Corwin scribbled something down with a silver-tipped pen. “You arrived before anyone else?”
I nodded. “They had him surrounded. Avery and his hired goons. James had just handed over an envelope. The final payment. I could smell blood in the air. Not his, not yet, but it was going that way fast.”
“And what did you do?” Agent Corwin asked.
I stared at the agent. “I shifted.”
I could still remember my bones breaking and my instinct taking over. I became rage wrapped in fur when I saw Avery and his goons circling James.
“Go on,” Corwin said with a nod.
I told him about the fight, not leaving any detail out.
“They didn’t stand a chance,” I said. “Not when the others arrived. Beau, Rowan, even Leo. Callum and the wolves were right behind.”
“Why do you think they were targeting Mr. Monroe?”
My spine stiffened. “Because he was the one paying his brother’s debt. Because he was vulnerable. Avery saw him as leverage.”
Corwin glanced up, something almost human softening in his eyes. “You sound angry.”
“I am angry,” I growled. “He should’ve never been in that situation. He’s been carrying this debt since his brother died. He’s been working himself to the bone, keeping it secret to protect everyone else. And what did he get for it? Threats. Blood. Pain.”
Corwin typed something into his tablet. “Understood.”
The interview lasted another twenty minutes. I answered every question, even the ones that made my stomach twist.
I didn’t care how I looked on paper. Angry, dangerous, possessive. I was all of those things. Especially when it came to James.
When Corwin finally shut off the tablet, I stood immediately. “We done?”
“For now.” He glanced toward the office where James was still inside with Idris. “He’s doing well.”
That didn’t ease the knot in my chest.
I left before I said something that would get me in trouble. Walked around to the side of the building, leaned against the bricks, and waited.
