Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

“I’m guessing the corpse you found is a decoy. That fucker came after my family last night, and I think he used the fire as a diversion to come after me.”

“I see. Shit. This is fucked up. I heard he found out about us.”

“Yes. Only some. Since you’re not mated, I don’t think he knew you were one.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m not injured. Just a little broken glass, but he was aiming for my mate—or who he thought was my mate.”

“Let me get the coroner over here. Luckily most of those in charge are shifters like us. There won’t be too many questions. Fucking humans can’t leave us alone.” I raise my brow. “Sorry. I didn’t mean your mate. It’s just people like him and the women and men who flirt with us. It’s as if they find us even more appealing than they should.”

“You’re right about that. It’s nuts.”

“Well, I’ll need to take your statement officially, just in case. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to stay here for a bit.”

“No problem, but I need to make a call.” I create some distance and then call my wife who’s frantic.

“I’m safe, but I need to talk to the police. Tomorrow you come in to talk to your new team. I love you. I’ll be home in an hour. I’m going to do my best to handle business from home today.”

“Are we safe now?”

“Yes. The threat has been eliminated, but I can’t guarantee if there’s any more. He blew up his house with all the physical evidence.”

“We’ll have to do a sweep of his tech.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I end the call and talk to Holden, who writes everything down. We’re almost done when the coroner arrives.

“This bastard? I have a dead body in my morgue that I was to believe was him.”

“Well, unless he has a twin, this asshole wanted me dead for the firing my father was in the process of handling when he was taken away with a family emergency.”

“I understand. Is this your truck?” He walks over to it. “Get photos,” he tells the crime scene tech that just arrived. “Fuck me. If this had been Maria…”

“I know. I had a sick feeling and thought it was a smart idea. Now I’m fucking sick to my stomach.”

“It was for the best. If he didn’t target her, you would have been the target. You’re smart for leaving her elsewhere, but is she safe there too?”

“Yes, my dad and brother are back and watching over her.”

“Good. Damn, they’ve put a lot on your plate since you’ve become Alpha.”

“I hope it’s over. I have a mate to spend my life with and a bunch of pups to make.”

“Your vehicle is going to need a new wheel too.”

“Along with a fuckton of body work. Do you want me to call in a tow?”

“Yeah, I don’t want Maria to see this.”

“Good. Do you need a ride back home?”

“No. I’ll just walk. I need the air right now.”

“Take it easy.”

“It’s about a five-minute walk.” I shake their hands and take my two unused guns with me and leave the one I used with them for any forensics they might need. The cold mountain air feels good in my lungs as I breathe in the chaos today. This has to be one of the most violent and intense weeks ever, and I hope to never have this experience again.

I step onto my property, and I barely get halfway to the house when Maria comes out running with a nervous smile on her face. She’s in my arms, legs wrapped around my waist and lips on mine. “You’re alive. I felt the tension, and we could hear the shots from here. They wanted to leave, but they couldn’t leave us unprotected.”

“That’s very smart of them. We’ll need a new truck, but I’m fine. And if you don’t stop rubbing up on me, I’m going to take you on the fucking steps.”

“I believe that’s our cue to leave,” my father says.

“No, please stay for the time being. I know you’ll have to make a statement. The press will be here soon, and there’s no true way to spin the story.”

“Good. Well, then, you’re just in time for breakfast. I was so nervous, I just kept cooking.”

“Don’t go upsetting your mother, or we’ll be having a feast all the time.”

“Wait, maybe you should. I’m a growing young man,” my brother says, snatching a piece of bacon off the plate. I snarl and grab one for myself.

We spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon talking about the wedding plans while I sneak in texts to my managers to check on the resort. So far there are no problems, but no one has seen my receptionist. I informed them that she hasn’t called in and that maybe someone should check her place, but I had no plans of leaving my home after nearly being killed.