Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

"In town, I have the say and the power to control pack members when necessary. Beyond town, it falls to pack rule."

Which was the basic setup of most packs. "But this murder happened in Dunedan itself, so why would they go to Remy rather than you?"

His smile was slightly bitter. "Because I am not well liked in this town."

I raised my eyebrows. "But they respect you. I saw that in the pub the other night."

He snorted softly. "They respect my previous achievements. They respect my fairness. They do not respect me."

"Because you're not a full-blood West-pack wolf."

"Yes. Packs tend to be very insular, and outsiders are not welcomed easily."

"That must have made your mother's life hell."

"It did. But my father was pack second, so no one said anything openly. My peers, however, showed no such restraint."

"Then why did you come back here?"

"Because I could no longer stay in Sydney."

"Why not?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you always this up front?"

"I think so. And if people refuse to answer, I find out other ways."

He grunted. "Why does that not surprise me?"

I restrained my grin. "Look, you're obviously a damn good cop with amazing instincts, and Mike said you had a stellar career in Sydney. So why come back here?"

He considered me for a moment, then said, "Two reasons. The first being the fact that my soul mate - who was also a cop - was killed in the line of duty."

And coming here was one hell of a good way to get away from every reminder of her. Part of me understood that, but at the same time, I didn't. Running from a situation never solved anything.

I didn't offer Harris the usual lines of sympathy, nor did I tell him that I was in the same position. His expression suggested neither comment would be welcome. And that I could totally understand. There was nothing - certainly no words - that could ever ease such a pain. It had to come from inside. From the desire to move on.

Do you want to move on? that voice whispered. Are you ready?

Yes. But again, the vision of the black car rolling over and over hit. But only if there's something - someone - to move on with.

I swallowed heavily and said, "And the second?"

"My mom was dying and had no one to look after her."

"What about your dad?"

"He died several years before. Heart attack."

Which was damn unusual for a wolf. He couldn't have been very fit.

He made a sharp sweeping movement with his hand. "Did you find anything else here?"

Meaning, obviously, that that line of questioning was over. "No."

"And I'm gathering you've left no fingerprints behind?" He didn't wait for my answer, simply added, "We've been ordered to preserve the scene, not investigate. The murder boys are due in tomorrow."

If his expression was anything to go by, he was hoping Landsbury's partner would make his appearance sooner rather than later. Which meant he'd been watching the house, even if I hadn't seen him.