Page 55 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

Julia's eyes widen at my tone and I can feel her bristling at the command, but she doesn't back down.

"Adrian, I have a job to do."

"And my job is to protect you," I counter, my voice rougher than intended. The mere thought of her heading back toward danger makes my wolf snarl. "Silverine has the entire Draak clan to care for her. Let them do it."

Before she can argue further, Bobby Chemko approaches, his usually cheerful face grim. His wolf is showing in the iridescent way his pupils are shining a golden sheen, but he is otherwise under control.

I don't miss that he nods respectfully to Julia before turning to me.

"Sheriff Wolfsbane, the firefighter crew put out the fire. Thankfully, no one was injured.”

“What do you mean, no one was injured?” I growl. “My mate is here, coughing up a storm and the Draak Matriarch is over there, being loaded into an ambulance. Someone could have died!”

Chemko blanches at my words, but I don’t care. This thief just made a big mistake by putting Julia in danger. This is personal now.

“I’m sorry, Sheriff,” Chemko blurts out. “I only meant we’re lucky to have no serious injury. It looks like the fire started in a storage room at the back of the building.”

He hesitates, glancing to Julia before looking back at me, visibly uncomfortable.

"Go ahead," I order. "Tell us everything you know. I have no secrets to keep from Julia."

Another moment later, he nods.

“The fire was hot enough to melt stone.”

I pause, locking gazes with Deputy Chemko. I understand what he says, but I can't leave it unsaid.

“We’ll know if there’s traces of accelerant in a few days, but so far, we’re not picking up any smell.” Bobby Chemko shakes his head andlooks down on the ground, then back at me with a hard gaze. "There's only one thing that burns that hot without accelerant."

"Dragonfire," I finish for him, the implications settling like lead in my stomach.

I look across the lawn to where Percy stands with Seraphina as Silverine is being tended by paramedics. From the far side of the building, a tall and broad figure runs up to them. Kraxon, Percy’s brother, looks down on Silverine with concern.

My gut pinches as I look at him and suspicion grows inside me. A dark, ugly suspicion. Percy's head turns, his dragon senses picking up on our conversation despite the distance.

I know I can’t put this conversation off any longer. If we don’t find accelerant in the fire, it means the thief is a dragon. And there's only one dragon with both motive and opportunity for that theft.

Kraxon. Percy's own twin brother, looking the picture of concern at Silverine’s feet.

Bobby shifts uncomfortably, following my gaze.

"Our bet is still the highest for the tiara, but we haven’t heard anything back from the auction site."

"The countdown ends tonight," Julia murmurs beside me, her mind working through the implications just as mine is. “You know what that means?”

"The thief will make their move," I agree. "Bobby, double the security at all exits from the property. No one leaves and no one enters with us knowing. And get Maya to check if anyone is missing."

"Already on it, boss." Bobby nods.

He's a good soldier. I know I can count on him.

Bobby takes that as his cue to leave, backing away with a quick nod. When he's gone, Julia turns to face me, exhaustion written across her soot-smudged features.

“I’m bringing you home now.” I can barely think straight in my need to protect her, to make sure she’s safe. And the manor is not safe. Not anymore. Not until I catch that thief.

“Adrian, I can’t just leave,” she protests. “I don’t even know if Courtney made it out alright. I’ll be fine. I just need a few minutes to recover.”

I can't resist anymore. My wolf surges forward, and I cup her face in my hands, bringing my lips down to hers in a desperate kiss that conveys everything words cannot. She tastes of honey and smoke and life. So much life.