Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

“Sounds good. Siphon every drop out, so it looks like she stopped there and got lost. She was a hiker, so maybe she thought she could walk back and met with foul play. It’s snowing now. Any prints will be covered by morning.”

I smile. “It’s very true. I did make sure to drag her with blood dripping just in case.” The animals would have dragged her to a secluded spot.

“Great. Now let me get inside to the new chief of police.”

“Your mate?” I nod. “Awesome. It fits.” We shake goodbye, and the guys get to work.

Nothing can be done until morning, so I lock up and head to our room. After stripping down to my boxers, I put on some pajama pants just in case my sister wakes up. Maria rolls into my arms and snuggles down with me. It feels so damn good to get some sleep.

The sun is starting to rise when I hear my sister groan. I get up and go to her room. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit, but I’m sure it will pass. How’s Maria?”

“She’s still sleeping. Yesterday was pretty damn insane.”

“For sure.” The doorbell rings.

“Stay put.” I get up and head down. I can smell my parents outside, so I open the door and Max is with them. They all rush in, hugging me.

“Where’s my baby?”

“In bed. You got here fast.”

“We flew out as soon as we got off the phone with Aria. Florida’s too damn hot for us.”

“What about you, bro?”

“Same. I can’t leave you on your own without shit going wrong.”

“Right.”

Aria walks down the stairs holding onto Maria.

“So I heard you’re a full shifter too. Thank you,” Max says, pulling Maria in for a hug. I hold back my growl and snarl. I know they need to bond.

“I’m hungry. Turner’s trying to starve me. I didn’t even get any red meat last night. Maria’s greedy.” She winks. I roll my eyes.

“How about some coffee and some breakfast?”

“Yes. I need some coffee. Shit. We need to get to the resort. I’ve already cancelled any meetings, but we can leave at ten. It’s fine. Everything’s running smoothly.”

“I’m sure it is.”

My cell rings, and it’s Elliot. “He’s not in there. There’s a body, but it’s not his. Even with the charred flesh, I know he had a replacement inside.”

“In case his plans went awry. I’m on my way to the hotel in a bit. Where the hell could he go? It’s not like he can explain why there’s a dead body in his basement.”

“I’m going to have to cut breakfast short. I’ll take some toast and a coffee to go.”

“It’s fine. We can eat at the hotel.”

“You should stay here.”

“Did that work so well last time?”

“No, but my brother and father weren’t here. I don’t trust Anderson. He’s a sneaky fuckhead. He’s got to be coming after me.” I kiss my mate hard as hell. “Protect her with your life. I’m going to find this asshole and shoot him myself.”

“We will.”

I close my eyes and walk away before I take her with me. I rush into the garage, pulling out some hunting guns, and then open my trunk, staring at the CPR dummy in the back of my truck that will come in handy. I’m glad I didn’t drop it off. Running back into our bedroom, I pull out some of Maria’s clothes and a winter hat, and then I run out the back.

Once I pull out with the fake Maria, a bad feeling rolls up my spine. I hate the idea that someone could come after her, but I still drive onto the main road. I’m only a quarter mile from the house when a shot rings out. My truck window shatters, and I feel the dummy fall onto my shoulder. I pull over, and another shot rings out. I can hear it as clear as day and know the direction it came from.

I’m out of my vehicle after nudging the dummy off me. Rage soars through my bones, and my wolf feels the anger. If that had been my mate, she would have been dead. There are no words that will ever suffice to say how violent I feel. I shoot in the direction of the shot as I run for cover behind a large tree. Another shot rings out. My ears are perked up, listening to target my next shot. Smiling, I take the shot, seeing the top of that fuck’s head. I scalp the fucker and he falls hard, rolling down the hill. Sirens are going off, and it’s Officer Holden, who is a shifter as well. He jumps out with his gun.

“It’s me, Holden,” I call out.

“I see your vehicle.” He sees the body of the former chief on the slope, body slumped around a tree.

“What the fuck? He’s supposed to be dead at his house.”