Page 19 of Cuffed By the Wolf

"Yes," I yell.

"She said the hotel was booked up."

That fucking festival. There's another hotel under construction. Won't be finished until the new year.

"There are a few families scattered about. She'll be fine," Evan says.

"I'll send a patrol car out there to make sure she's safe," I tell him.

"That will be mighty nice of you," Evan says. "Wait, you aren't nice."

"Evan, she's my employee. I'd like to make sure she makes it to work every day."

"If you say so, Sheriff. Oh, I heard you gave Everett a ticket for putting his hands on Sasha. Great call. I'd like to wring his neck for that shit."

"No one will put their hands on Sasha Walker," I growl.

Saying her first name makes my heart beat a million miles a minute.

"Safe travels, Evan." I slam the receiver down.

If one more man shows interest in Ms. Walker, I will wring their fucking neck.

Hopping up from my desk, I exit my office.

"Sanchez, I have to do a welfare check. Help Saunders with the phones. I'll be back later."

"Yes, Sheriff," he smirks, returning his attention to the computer.

Sliding my aviators over my eyes, I saunter into the garage. "Fitch, how's the detailing coming along?"

A half-smile kicks up at the corner of my mouth.

His head peeks out from the side of an SUV. "Good, Sheriff," he grunts.

He's dressed down in a white undershirt and tan uniform slacks.

"Sasha invited me to her place this evening. Figure I can take a look around while I'm there."

I move closer. I can feel a few other deputies watching me.

"It's so remote out there," he continues.

"Fitch," I grit out. "Do you like your job here?"

He stands to his full height of six feet and visibly swallows. "Yes, sir."

"Check out the camper and the grounds. Then you two can sit outside and talk," I growl.

My hand partially shifts — the change ripples up from my knuckles in seconds, human skin giving way to coarse gray fur, nails lengthening into black claws sharp enough to open a man to the bone. I place the shifted hand on his shoulder. Slow. Deliberate. Let him feel exactly what's resting there.

"Don't fucking think about touching her."

His brows lower and gold rings form around his brown pupils.

"Does your bear want to come out to play? We can do this after work," I tell him.

"Sheriff, I've never seen you behave this way over a woman."