Page 21 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

21

TABITHA

T he silver tracking device's display pulsed rhythmically and cast an eerie glow across Quinn's calculating features. Tabitha's heart thundered erratically in her chest, the silky fabric of her black cocktail dress suddenly feeling too tight. The device's screen showed two distinct dots - one shimmering gold that had to be Dominic's lion shifter signature, and a vibrant purple that matched her wild magic.

Tabitha exchanged a quick glance with Dominic. His jaw was set, his green eyes blazing with that righteous fire she'd come to admire. Even caught red-handed, he radiated authority in his crisp white button-up and tailored black dress pants.

"No point hiding now," Tabitha muttered, stepping out from the alcove. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor as she emerged into the private hallway. The music from the club thumped distantly through the walls, an oddly fitting backdrop to this confrontation.

Dominic moved beside her, his presence solid and reassuring. "Dr. Quinn, you and your associates are under arrest for illegal weapons manufacturing and conspiracy against the paranormal citizens of Saltwater Grove." His voice carried that familiar commanding tone.

Quinn's laughter echoed through the hallway, joined by chuckles from the four other Hunters emerging from the meeting room. "Oh, that's rich. The sheriff and his little witch think they're leaving here alive."

"Your devices won't work on us," Tabitha said, though her stomach churned at the array of weapons laid out on the table behind Quinn. She could feel her wild magic surging beneath her skin, ready to burst free.

"You sure about that, witch?" Quinn adjusted something on her device. The purple dot on the screen pulsed faster. "We've studied your kind extensively. Every strength, every weakness."

"Then you know how dangerous it is to corner us," Dominic growled, and Tabitha felt the heat radiating off him as his lion stirred close to the surface.

Quinn's smile never wavered. "Corner you? Sheriff, we've been waiting for you. Both of you. Who do you think made sure you found those abandoned labs?"

Tabitha's blood ran cold. All this time, they'd been playing right into the Hunters' hands. But as she felt Dominic inch closer to her, his shoulder brushing against hers, she knew they weren't going down without one hell of a fight.

Tabitha's wild magic rushed through her veins as Quinn raised her tracking device like a weapon. The other Hunters grabbed their gear, spreading out in the hallway.

"Ready to dance, Sheriff?" Tabitha called to Dominic, her hands already glowing with purple energy.

A deep growl rumbled beside her as Dominic's form rippled and changed. His dress shirt stretched and tore as golden fur erupted across his skin. Where the rigid sheriff had stood moments before, a massive lion now crouched, muscles coiled and ready to spring.

"Cute party trick," Quinn sneered, pressing a button on her device.

The air filled with electricity. Tabitha's magic spiked wildly, nearly slipping her control. She gritted her teeth, forcing it back into shape. "That the best you've got?"

Two Hunters charged forward with stun batons. Tabitha flung out her hands, purple energy wrapping around one Hunter and sending him flying into the wall. The other swung at her head, but Dominic's massive form intercepted, batting the Hunter aside with one enormous paw.

"Show off," Tabitha smirked, ducking under a blast from Quinn's weapon. Her wild magic responded to her excitement, pulsing in time with her racing heart.

A high-pitched whine filled the air. Dominic's ears flattened against his skull, but he didn't back down. He lunged at the Hunter wielding the sonic device, his powerful jaws clamping down on the man's arm. The device clattered to the floor.

"Behind you!" Tabitha called. She spun, throwing up a magical shield just as another Hunter fired his stun gun. The blast ricocheted off her barrier, taking out a chunk of wall instead.

Dominic's lion form pressed against her back, warm and solid. His tail brushed her leg as he faced off against Quinn and the remaining Hunters. Even in animal form, she could feel his protective intensity radiating off him.

"We make a pretty good team," Tabitha said, magic dancing between her fingers. "Though I still think you need to loosen up more."

Dominic's answering growl somehow managed to sound both exasperated and fond.

Quinn raised her tracking device again, adjusting some dial. "Let's see how well you work together when your magic goes haywire, witch."

The device pulsed. Tabitha's wild magic surged, but instead of fighting it, she let it flow naturally. To her surprise, it seemed to resonate with Dominic's presence beside her, growing stronger rather than more chaotic.

"Impossible," Quinn muttered as Tabitha's purple energy swirled around both her and Dominic, creating a protective dome.

"Guess you didn't study us quite as well as you thought," Tabitha smirked, gathering more power. "Ready for round two, handsome?"

Tabitha's wild magic charged through her veins as she watched Dominic's massive lion form tackle another Hunter to the ground. His muscles rippled under golden fur as he pinned the man down with his massive paws. The sight of him in action sent shivers down her spine.

"Damn, Sheriff. Where've you been hiding those moves?" she called out, purple energy frizzling around her fingers. Her magic seemed drawn to him, reaching out to wrap protectively around his form even as she dealt with her own opponents.

The remaining Hunters tried to circle them, but Tabitha felt stronger with Dominic at her back. Her wild magic, usually so chaotic, flowed smoothly when he was near. She couldn't help remembering how good he'd looked earlier in that crisp white shirt, all clean lines and controlled power. Now that control had given way to raw strength, and she found both equally appealing.

Quinn aimed her device again, but Tabitha was ready. Her magic lashed out, knocking the tracking device from Quinn's hands. It shattered against the wall in a shower of sparks.

"Not so tough without your toys, are you?" Tabitha smirked, gathering more power. The purple energy swirled around her and Dominic in a protective wave, their combined strength making it impenetrable.

Dominic's answering roar shook the walls as he launched himself at two Hunters trying to flank them. His powerful jaws clamped down on one Hunter's weapon while his tail swept the other's feet out from under him. The casual display of strength had Tabitha's heart racing.

"Impressive," she muttered, but couldn't hide her grin. Who knew the stringent sheriff could be such a badass?

With one final surge of combined power, they took down the remaining Hunters. Tabitha used her magic to bind them all securely while Dominic shifted back to human form. His shirt hung in tatters from his broad shoulders, giving her an excellent view of his muscled chest. She tried not to stare too obviously.

"Like what you see?" he asked, catching her looking. His voice was rough from the shift, and a knowing smirk played on his lips.

"Possibly," Tabitha replied, her magic still tingling pleasantly wherever it touched him. "Though I have to say, your lion form is pretty impressive too."

He pulled out his phone to call for backup, and Tabitha definitely didn't watch the way his muscles flexed as he moved. Much.

Tabitha kept her magic wrapped around the Hunters like glowing purple chains while they waited for backup. The distant thrum of club music vibrated through the walls of the private hallway, creating an oddly festive backdrop to their captives' sullen faces. Quinn in particular looked ready to spit nails, which only made Tabitha's smile wider.

"Your magic seems particularly responsive tonight," Dominic observed, his voice still laced with that delicious post-shift growl.

"Must be the company," she quipped, letting her gaze deliberately trail over his exposed chest. "Though I must say, this is a much better look than your usual buttoned-up sheriff style."

He shot her a look that was half exasperation, half heat. "Focus on keeping them contained."

"Oh please, I could do this in my sleep." Her wild magic pulsed in agreement, wrapping tighter around the Hunters when one tried to squirm free.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall as Connor and several other officers finally arrived. Tabitha bit back a groan when she spotted the spare uniform shirt in Connor's hands.

"Brought you a replacement, Sheriff," Connor called out, tossing the shirt to Dominic.

"Spoilsport," Tabitha muttered under her breath, earning a deep chuckle from Dominic as he shrugged into the fresh shirt.

They gave their statements while the officers processed the scene, detailing everything they'd overheard about the weapons and Quinn's involvement. Tabitha kept her magic active until each Hunter was properly cuffed and their weapons secured as evidence.

"Good work tonight," Dominic said as they watched Quinn being led away. His presence beside her radiated warmth and authority.

"Want to grab a drink and celebrate bringing down some bad guys?" She suggested with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I promise to behave. Mostly."

"How about back at my place?" He smiled, and Tabitha's heart skipped.

The engine of Dominic's classic Mustang purred as they cruised through the empty streets. Tabitha's wild magic still tingled, making the sequins on her black dress shimmer with residual purple energy. The leather seat was cool against her bare shoulders, and Dominic's body beside her radiated that delicious post-fight heat.

"Did you feel it too?" His eyes flickered to her briefly. "The way our energies connected?"

"Like nothing I've ever experienced." Tabitha shifted in her seat to face him better. "My wild magic usually fights everything, but with you it just... flowed."

"You're pretty incredible, you know that?" His voice dropped lower, sending shivers down her spine. "And absolutely gorgeous in that dress."

Heat bloomed in Tabitha's chest. She'd never seen this side of the usually rigid sheriff - all raw power and unguarded compliments. It was intoxicating.

"You're not so bad yourself, Sheriff." She trailed her finger appreciatively over his broad shoulders. "Especially when you let that lion out to play."

The engine revved as Dominic accelerated, and Tabitha couldn't help but grin at his response. Who knew the lawman could be so... primal?