chapter 11

Loch had come into the house unnoticed, and was standing in the arched entryway to the living room, his face dark with anger.

Portia's face went pale. Outside. Now, he snapped. Portia swallowed hard, then turned and stalked out of the house without a word.

The sheriff nodded at the widow. I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Timmons, he said, and turned and walked out, and Ginger followed him, her heart frozen in her chest. What the hell was happening here? Portia was quickly climbing into her patrol car when the sheriff barked at her, to get back here now! She froze and sat there for a second as if contemplating the idea of ignoring him, then she slowly climbed out and walked over to where he stood, her face sullen.

He glanced at Ginger. What are you doing here? Portia said that you wanted me to investigate… she saw Portia frantically gesturing at her as if begging her to be quiet. Obviously, Portia had lied when she'd said the sheriff wanted Ginger at the scene.

The sheriff turned to Portia. Are you crazy? You thought you'd get away with going behind my back like that? Portia didn't answer, staring sullenly at the ground. We all know what happened with Mr. Timmons. There was absolutely no need to humiliate that woman and her family like that. You brought Ginger here to stir up trouble and make her look like the bad guy – at that family's expense.

I didn't say anything to the family, Ginger said hastily. I just said that it appears that he collapsed and died of a heart attack. Which is true. Mostly. I mean, there was a Young man in the room with him when he collapsed, and they were, uh…

I can imagine, the sheriff said darkly.

He turned back to Portia. I should be out dealing with a missing professor, and preventing Jax from starting a war with the Panther Nation. Instead, I'm here dealing with your childish and completely unacceptable behavior. Unacceptable! Portia hissed. I'll tell you what's unacceptable! She's a red wolf, you're gray! You can't.

The sheriff let out a low, warning growl, and his eyes glowed amber with rage.

Portia wilted, shrinking back. You can't treat me like this. You know who my aunt is, she muttered weakly. I'll quit, that's what I'll do.

Resignation accepted. Ginger, come with me. He turned on his heel and walked away, with Ginger quickly following him.

Portia's wails of protest filled the air. You can't do this! You'll hear from my aunt! You'll hear from the council! she shouted.

Ginger and the sheriff climbed into the patrol car. Ginger had to hug herself to keep her hands from shaking.

The sheriff pulled out of the parking lot. I apologize for that. And for this morning. I owe you an explanation, he said. Portia...her family has been trying to arrange a marriage between us for ages, for political reasons. Their family is very wealthy, mine has plenty of connections and influence in this area of the state. I made it obvious to them that she wasn't my fated mate, but they kept pushing. A year ago, I took her out on a couple of dates, and then I broke it off. She didn't take it well. She managed to get herself hired at the sheriff's department by having her aunt pressure the Mayor, and she's constantly trying to meddle in my personal life.

who's her aunt? A member of the Shifter Council.

oh. Good lord. The seven member council oversaw all matters concerning the various werewolf packs in Florida. Each area of the state had a representative. Every state had a council, and their word superseded that of the Alpha, if they felt that an Alpha was acting against the interests of his pack. Don't worry about it. The real issue is…what happened between us last night. He was breathing hard, and Ginger stared at him. He looked disheveled, his hair rumpled and a twig caught in his hair. She reached out and plucked it from his hair without thinking, and he let out a low groan at the feel of her fingers.

Did you shift and run in the woods before you came here? she asked him.

He rubbed at his face with one hand, the other hand clenching the wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white.

I had to, he groaned. I ran for hours. I felt like I was burning up. Like I was going to explode.

She stared at him. What, exactly, is going on with you? last night, at the club…I scared myself.

you scared me too. And that wolf who made a pass at me outside the club.

His eyes blazed angrily at the mention of it, and he took a deep breath, and then pulled over to the side of the road. I've never reacted like that before with anyone. I've taken plenty of women to that club before, and I didn't care who else played with them. Who they fooled around with. But You...the thought of any other wolf laying his paws on you, any man touching you…it literally made me crazy.

Ginger's heart leaped to her throat, choking her. Loch wanted her. And he didn't want any other man to even come near her.

I wasn't going to fool around with anyone else, Ginger said. I only want you. As soon as she said it, she bit her lip. She hadn't even realized she was going to say it, hadn't even realized that she meant it, until she heard herself saying those words.

I mean...

He took another deep breath, clearly struggling for control. We need to go out to the dig site right now and deal with the missing professor. Can we talk about it after that? Please? The normally dominant Alpha was begging her, in a low, sexy growl.

Ginger's panties suddenly were soaked with the juices of her desire. She squirmed in her seat and bit her lip. She could feel desire pulsing between her legs and jolting through her body.

Yes, she said huskily. We can talk about it whenever you want.

Good God, woman. You have no idea the effect you have on me. Can you try not to talk in that sexy voice?

Umm… she lowered her voice to a comical bass pitch. Is that better?

He threw back his head and laughed. Much better. They drove to the dig site, where several patrol cars were parked. Jax was standing with a group of deputies, glaring at Montgomery. Montgomery was pacing back and forth like an Angry cat. A dozen other panther shifters were milling about, and they were clearly angry.

Sheriff, Jax said. There are ATV tracks leading from the site into the woods. We were waiting for you before we followed the tracks.

The sheriff nodded. He glanced at Montgomery. We'd appreciate it if you'd accompany us, Montgomery. To ensure that we don't accidentally encroach on your territory. Jax glowered, looking as if he were about to argue, but then his shoulders sank in defeat and he shrugged angrily. Fine, he muttered.

I'll be back, the sheriff said to Ginger. Wait here for me. She nodded her assent.

The men all strode to the edge of the wood, and then shed their clothes, leaving them in piles. She watched as they shifted, sinking on all fours, snouts lengthening, fur sprouting, tails lashing, and then dashed into the woods.

The students were milling around uncertainly, not sure what to do. Some of them sat inside a tent they'd set up, drinking bottles of water and muttering among themselves.

About half an hour later, the shifters returned, shifting quickly and changing back into their clothes. The panther shifters left immediately, headed into the woods, and the sheriff and his deputies trotted over to where Ginger sat inside the tent with the students.

The ATV tracks lead into panther nation territory, Loch said. Unfortunately we have no authority there.

The students let out a chorus of protest. We need to find the professor! they murdered him! that's not fair! I'm going to go back to speak to Montgomery tomorrow to see if I can convince him to let us come onto their territory, after he's had a chance to calm down, Loch said, shooting Jax a dark look. Jax scowled at the ground. Clearly, Jax had exchanged words with the leader of the Panther Nation, and clearly, it had not been well received. Does he admits they murdered him?" Brenda eyes glittering with tears.