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“Yeah, that sounds great. Maybe we can even convince Ryder to join us.”

Ginger snorts, “Good luck with that. I don’t think he’s run with anyone in decades. Man likes his alone time.”

Ryder is an extremely dedicated pack member and brother, but he tends to be more solitary at times, especially when he shifts and runs. We all participate, but Ryder always keeps his distance from the larger groups and to the furthest outskirts of our property. He has his reasons, I know, but I wish he would trust more in his pack, in me, to help him deal with hisdifficulties. Whatever they may be. I’ve tried to get him to speak about it in the past with no success. Unlikely that’ll change any time soon. He’s as set in his ways as I am.

Ginger gives me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before heading to her car. Waving over her shoulder, she picks up her pace, hopping over the door frame and sliding into her seat without opening it. Like many shifters, she’s tall, and her movements are graceful and swift. When she first bought the car, I questioned her comfort in such a compact vehicle, but she didn’t seem to have any problems with it.

I turn to walk down the street towards the ten-room motel only a block away. Snowberry is small, and all the shops and businesses line the four main streets, which form a circle, or square, to be specific, around a small park. Keeping everything neatly accessible within a two-block walking radius. As a wolf shifter, I’m particular to walking and running, so the short distance isn’t of any concern.

I pass by my father’s photography and art store,SnapShot, the only grocery store in town, and the famousDottie’s Drive-In Diner. I sigh in mourning for the loss of my burger and fries but keep walking to the motel catty-corner from the drive-up restaurant. Maybe this will be a quick in and out, and I can stop and pick up a burger to-go on my way back to the office.

The Vacancy sign flickers as I enter the motel lobby, where I’m instantly greeted by the twenty-year-old front desk attendant, Amanda. She’s a human with dark brown hair and tanned skin that I’ve known most of her life. She knows about the non-human world, her stepfather is a mere, and she has a half-breed younger brother. So she knows what I am and how things work around here.

“Hello, Mayor Evans. What can I do for you today?” she asks with a flirtatious bat of her lashes and a faint blush.

She’s ten years younger than me, which isn’t an issue considering how long we live in the non-human world, but she’s still a kid, just barely out of high school. I try to make my features more mature and professional, so she doesn’t think I’m interested. Leaning one elbow on the counter, I give her the most cordial smile I can muster.

“Hi, Amanda. I heard an elf checked in recently and was hoping to get some information on him.”

“Of course,” she chirps happily and pulls up his information on her computer screen. “He checked in about an hour ago under the name Roman, and he’s in room three.”

“Did he say what he was in town for or how long he was staying?”

She clicks on her computer again before answering. “He’s booked for the next two weeks. Didn’t say why he was here.”

Two weeks is a long time for an elf to be in town. Putting him here through the blood moon. I hoped she would tell me it was just for the night, and he was passing through nothing more. Many times, non-humans seek out areas or towns with larger non-human populations to stay in when traveling. No such luck with this one. It’s obvious he’s here on Vincent’s behalf.

Amanda turns to face me again. Perched on her tall stool, she sits straight and pulls her shoulders back, giving me a huge, wide smile.

I clear my throat and straighten my tie to give my hands something to do. Today, I chose a blue-patterned tie my mother gave me when I became mayor, which she says makes my ice-blue eyes pop. It’s not required for the mayor to wear a suit and tie every day, especially considering how casual and laid-back our town is, but I like it. Makes me feel authoritative, as if I deserve the position and might be doing it right.

“Thank you, Amanda. Is he in his room now?”

She nods animatedly. “Yes. Hasn’t left since he checked in.”

“Great. Thanks a bunch.”

I give her an appreciative nod, exiting the lobby without saying another word.

The motel is set up in one long line of single-story rooms down the side of the road, with parking spaces lined up in front of each door. There are a couple of cars in the lot. One is a black SUV that I know the elves favor, and it is parked right in front of room number three.

Now comes the hard part. Trying to be cordial without losing my temper and imposing my alpha power on the elf. Even not being a shifter, all non-human species feel our alpha power. It’s something embedded in all our DNA. Shifters have always been the protectors, guardians, and militia. The alpha having the ability to push others mentally to bend to our will is sometimes necessary to ensure our pack’s safety. Forcing the shocked, scared, and stubborn to do as we command to keep them out of the line of fire and out of harm’s way.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my natural instinct to command and bark out alpha orders before knocking on the door as gently as possible.

The male elf answers immediately, no doubt expecting my visit. He smirks, licks the pointed tip of one fang, and props a shoulder against the door frame, leaning to the side without a care. He’s so relaxed that he doesn’t even bother with a glamour. His pale gray skin and long, pointed ears lined with silver studs on full display. The black sclera of his eyes, drastically different from the white of humans.

He might be able to get away with his true form in the city thanks to cosplay and modern-day body modifications. But here? Here, the humans would freak out and stare. Anotherannoyance I don’t need to deal with since donning a glamour is as easy as a thought.

“Well, hello, Alpha—sorry, Mr. Mayor. I was wondering when you would show up. I didn’t think it would be this soon, but it saves me time.”

The male crosses his arms over his chest, his fingers lined with silver rings that glint in the light. Again, he grins at me, all cocky malice. Fucking elves, thinking they can do whatever the hell they want.

“How about you save me the time and headache and just leave now?” I suggest with just as cocky a smile.

He scoffs a laugh and shakes his head, his long black hair swaying with the movement. Tisking, he focuses his yellow irises on me with a faux look of contrition.

“Sorry, Sparky, no can do. I have business in town that I just can’t neglect.”