Page 31

A couple of days later there’s a news report regarding the disappearance of Ben and his friends. Behind the reporter are the cabin ruins. We made sure everything was in there, even Ivy’s vomit. Her blood and secretions are the only ones they can trace with DNA. Since we’re werewolves, they wouldn’t even know where to begin to test our DNA. And even if they traced anything back to Ivy, she could come forward about her abuse and trafficking, which would answer for why they found her DNA near the cabin. Over the last several years, numerous adults have come forward, reporting the horrors they went through years prior, bringing to light the endless business of human trafficking. Her admission wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.

Ivy’s been on edge, afraid they’ll find a connection to us. To her. Since Ben is gone, she wants to forget everything and start fresh. Although she has been doing it for a while now, some part of Ben and his sick mind creeps in.

The one thing I can be thankful for is our relationship. Ivy hasn’t changed toward me. After witnessing my savagery, I thought she’d recoil from my touch or rebuff me as her mate, but she’s done the opposite. Removing Ben and his friends from this world has her loving me more, and not just physically, although this beautiful woman’s sex drive is comparable to mine. Every room has featured our sexual exploits, and my mate’s flexibility allows for ways beyond imaginable.

Kyle has walked in on us a few times while I have her bent over, cursing himself before leaving. Ivy and I laugh. You’d think the dumbass would learn by now. Mind-link or listen to my little sprite singing her praises of me.

We’re cuddling in bed, watching the news. Ivy’s hand is on my thigh, giving it a slight squeeze as the reporter mentions the remains of five people have been found. The newscaster talks about the gruesome murders, mentioning the nature of the decapitations.

“What are you thinking, Ivy?”

Her head turns to me.

“Not much. Just worried they’ll make a connection to us.”

“Impossible. Everything was torched. If they find DNA, it would be a mile away where we parked, and even there, we singed the area when we left.”

“He’s a government official. They’re not going to let this drop.”

“They’ll have no choice. With a lack of suspects, motive, and evidence, it will become a cold case.”

“What if they come to talk to us? Someone must know about the encounter Ben had here.”

I pull her onto my lap to straddle my thighs and brush my thumb over her nipple.

“My guess is the only ones who knew were his vile friends. If by chance he said something to others, then let them come here and we’ll be as truthful as possible. He tried to rape you and was thrown off the property.”

“Which makes us suspects, because there’s motive.”

The head of my cock dampens from her swollen lips, and I slip inside her. She catches her breath, lets it out slowly, and lifts up again.

“We’ll worry about it if there’s something to worry about, which there won’t be.”

In a smooth motion, I place her on her back and settle between her thighs.

“Right now, I want to fuck the thoughts right out of your pretty little head.”

Ivy’s fears come true. The authorities arrive at the campgrounds asking for me. Tibald lets me know he’s put them in a cabin that’s currently awaiting a cleaning for new arrivals, so they’ll be away from prying ears. I change out of my sweaty clothes and head over there. On my way, Ivy waves to me, jogging over.

“Are you going down to the cabins? I thought I’d help out there.”

I stop in my tracks, and she spins to face me.

“Why don’t you go to the garden center? I heard Sybil is playing catchup with all the ripened fruits and vegetables.”

She places her hands on her hips.

“You heard, did you? Out of curiosity, who would report to you regarding Sybil?”

My little sprite can detect when I’m lying. Granted, I suck at it, but she’s in tune to my nature. It also doesn’t help I’m glancing over her head to make sure no one is coming this way.

“Ivy. I’m Alpha.”

“And I’m your mate. Don’t lie to me, Larc. Alpha or not, we have an agreement, which is we only speak the truth.”

“Dammit, Ivy. There’s no time for an argument. Just do as I say, and I’ll explain later.”

I side-step her and she steps in front of me.

“Explain now. It should only take a minute.”

My hand swipes down my face.

“Fine. The authorities are here about Ben.”

She steps back with a gasp, placing her hand over her mouth.

“I knew it.”

“This is why you need to start listening to me. You’re going to be all freaked out, which will make matters worse.”

Ivy looks in the direction of where the cabins are, but we’re far enough to not be seen. She’s visibly shaken by the news. I capture her in my arms from behind and kiss her head.

“Little sprite. Everything will be fine. We have to think and act smart. That’s all.”

“They must suspect something.”

We rock back and forth.

“There’s nothing to suspect. The authorities must follow up on every lead possible. Obviously, they heard about the altercation and are investigating it. Nothing more.”

I kiss her temple.

“I gotta head to the cabins. Please go and help Sybil.”

She kisses me on the cheek, nods, and jogs off in the opposite direction.

Once out of sight, I head down and enter the cabin Tibald put them in. Inside, I find two men, and a woman who is walking around and opening cabinets.

I ask.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

The woman closes a cabinet like she was caught snooping, and the men turn toward me as one of them says.

“Are you Larc?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Detective Cooper.”

He points to the other man.

“This is Detective Murphy.”

Then gestures to the woman.

“And that is Detective Monroe. Have you heard about the murders of Ben Conway and his friends?”

“Yes. What does that have to do with me?”

Cooper gestures to the couch and asks.

“Shall we take a seat?”

I cross my arms over my chest.

“No, I’m good.”

Cooper eyes the other two and continues.

“We were informed Mr. Conway and his buddies paid to stay at a cabin here. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“And there was an altercation, and they were kicked off your property?”

Cooper is cocky and I don’t like him. I’m getting a vibe he’s still proving himself after years on the force. He hasn’t stopped sizing me up or glaring at me. If I could bet money on it, I’d guess he has some sick sexual tendencies himself. After years of doing my job, I can detect and smell the rotten stench of predators. Those who feed on the weak. I’d love to find out if I’m right.

“Should my attorney be present?”

He folds his arms over his chest and sarcastically says.

“I don’t know. Did you do something wrong?”

Dick!

I mind-link Tibald and tell him to get the pack attorney, Monica Keating. It’s a good thing we’re werewolves, because it takes about a minute to get from one place to the next, provided no one is in the area.

“The only thing I’ve done wrong is not ask you for your badges before allowing this conversation to continue.”

“Oh, so you’d like to see our identifications?”

“Yeah, I would.”

They come forward, showing their badges and ID cards, and Cooper remains a few feet in front of me. His eyes narrow, while I’m checking out the other IDs. This guy’s fishing for something. I’d much rather deal with professional law enforcement than those with an agenda.

As I hand Cooper his ID, he reiterates.

“So, did Mr. Conway and you have an altercation?”

Monica comes in as he asks, and she rebuts the statement.

“Don’t answer that yet.”

They look at her.

“I’m Ms. Keating, Larc’s attorney. May I ask what this meeting is about?”

The muscle in Cooper’s jaw tightens. This fucker is in way over his head. Keating will eat him for breakfast, and not just because she’s a werewolf, but because she’s that damn good. Top in her class, she siphons knowledge like a sponge. She has a photographic memory.

Cooper explains their visit to her, and Monica says.

“I’ll let this line of questioning continue for now, but step lightly, Detective. For some reason, you have a hostile demeanor, which isn’t appreciated. If you’d like Larc to answer your questions, I’d suggest you change your behavior.”

He moves over to her.

“Or maybe I end this visit now and bring him to the station for further questioning?”

Monica gets in his space and she towers over him.

“Or maybe I contact your boss and report you for disobedience? I’m sure he’ll appreciate one of his detectives aggressively treating a civilian poorly, especially one who works with the FBI.”

They choke in a breath.

“Yes, that’s right. Larc works with the FBI, so I’d suggest you bring it down a notch.”

“What kind of work?”

Her chilly tone stops him from proceeding.

“It’s classified. Way above your pay grade.”

Monica glares at Cooper until he backs down.

“Larc is willing to answer whatever questions he can as long as you’re willing to drop the attitude.”

The other two detectives suppress a laugh, while Cooper hisses and then nods. “Good.”

She turns to me.

“Larc, you may proceed.”

“Mr. Conway did book a cabin. When he showed up, he assaulted one of my employees who was cleaning the cabin at the time, so we kicked him and his friends off the property.”

Cooper takes out a notepad for the first time.

“And the name of this employee?”

Fuck!

I’m trying to keep Ivy away from all of this. She’s so freaked out that she might accidentally say something wrong…and her visible fear won’t go unnoticed.

Larc, are you willing to answer him?

If possible, I’d like to leave Ivy out of this.

I don’t know if we can. She’s the one Conway assaulted, so they’re going to want to talk to her.

Isn’t there anything you can do or threaten them with?

Maybe if something is said or done, I can use it to deflect the focus from her, but for now, no.

I blurt out.

“Ivy Stewart.”

Cooper’s eyes widen as if it isn’t the first time he’s heard her name. The bastard knows exactly who she is, and he’s not getting his claws into her.

Cooper clears his throat.

“Well, we’d like to talk to her.”

I glance at Detectives Murphy and Monroe, who haven’t said a word.

“Could you two please excuse us?”

He asks, “Why?”

I decide to stroke his ego a bit.

“It’s of a sensitive nature, and since you appear to be the one in charge, I’d like to talk in private.”

Cooper gives them the okay, and they step out. My eyes meet Monica’s.

“I’d appreciate it if you could give us a minute.”

She presses her lips together, raises a brow at Cooper, and then leaves. It’s just me and this piece of shit left in the room. His heartbeat speeds up, and beads of sweat appear along his hairline. I’m ending this once and for all. If he doesn’t want the world to know about his demented actions, he’ll drop it and not question Ivy. I step forward, closing the distance between us. Cooper nonchalantly walks behind the chair to block my advancement. He knows I caught him.

“You’re a werewolf.”

“And you’re a sick fuck.”

His hands grip the top of the chair.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Do you really want me to tell you? Or would you like me to do so in front of your colleagues? I’ve been dealing with repulsive people like you for years. I can sniff your kind out. Your demons are louder than others.”

He swallows hard, so I proceed.

“Since you already know Ivy, and you were friends with Ben, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I have to say.”

“I’m not comfortable being alone with you.”

“Tough shit! You either listen and agree or I’ll bring in the FBI, and the investigation will no longer be about Ben’s death but your disgusting secrets.”

“You don’t have any proof.”

I let out a brief laugh.

“Ivy. She’s proof enough. She’ll be able to reveal everything.”

“I never met her.”

Shrugging, I continue.

“I’m guessing you did. And if you didn’t, it’s no biggie. A little white lie to stop a scumbag like you from hurting anyone else is fine by me.”

“If you lie to the authorities, you’ll lose everything.”

“Oh, they’ll never know it’s a lie. By the time Ivy and I are done with you, you’ll be so knee-deep in your own shit they won’t believe or care what you have to say.”

The back of his hand swipes across his forehead.

“What do you want?”

“That’s a good boy.”