Chapter One
Zane
The fluorescent light above Zane Cross’s desk flickered, giving him a slight headache. A quick glance at his watch confirmed it was going to be a long day. It was barely ten o’clock in the morning.
He’d been up all night at the scene of a robbery, having responded directly to the call instead of staying home. His shift was just starting, and Zane was already beat. Served him right for being a bit of a control freak when it came to patrolling his beloved town of Salem.
His office door swung open, and Axel, the wolf pack’s alpha and Zane’s closest friend, waltzed in like he owned the place.
“Morning, Sheriff,” Axel greeted him, settling on one of the chairs framing his desk.
“It sure is morning,” Zane answered. He rubbed his hand across his face, trying to stifle a yawn but failed miserably. The scruff against his palm was a clear sign he hadn’t even taken the time to shave in the last few days. The pale blond stubble would have to go as soon as he found a free moment.
Zane couldn’t remember the last time he had a decent night’s sleep. He knew he needed rest and a couple of days off to restore his energy levels and stock up some patience. He also needed to spend a bit of time in his wolf form, gallivanting through the woods. That would definitely unwind and restore him to his usual high-level professionalism.
A series of odd break-ins had kept him busier than normal. Zane knew all the robberies were connected, but he couldn’t garner why or how yet. All he knew was that the same scent lingered in the air at each crime scene, but he hadn’t been able to chase down the culprit. They drove away in a vehicle, which took away his ability to track them.
Zane was good, but he wasn’t infallible.
“You look like hell,” Axel pointed out, no doubt sensing Zane’s exhaustion.
“I feel like it, too. As soon as I get the robbery’s paperwork settled, I might just take a few days up at my cabin.”
If there were no more. If he felt like the town would be safe. If none of his deputies called in sick.
“Good,” Axel nodded. “You need it. I won’t have my security officer and the town’s sheriff collapsing from fatigue.”
“I’m fine,” he grumbled by way of answer.
Zane was grateful that his friend supported his decision to take over the sheriff’s position. Traditionally speaking, that role should have gone to the wolf alpha, but Axel had no desire to police a pack and a whole town. Even if it was tiring work, Zane enjoyed it for the most part. It kept him busy, and he knew he had a knack for protecting and investigating. That was the wolf in him.
“Anything to report?” Axel asked.
The two men had these meetings a few times a month to keep each other abreast of any situations. Zane took care of the human side of town while Axel managed the wolf part of it. If there was any crossover, Zane made sure that the wolves were taken care of on the legal side. It was up to Axel to distribute pack justice.
“Apart from the break-ins, no. There was trouble with a couple of pups two nights ago. There were shifting in the woods behind the primary school, so we had some words.”
“Who? I’ll make sure to complete a home visit.”
Zane flipped open his notepad and rattled off the names of three young wolves. They wouldn’t be in any real trouble. No doubt, Axel would stop by and remind them that they weren’t to shift where humans could spot them.
“Do you need any noses on these robberies?” Axel asked.
For a few seconds, Zane considered taking his alpha up on the offer, but he thought better of it. This was a town matter, and it’d be dealt with as such.
“Nah, it’s all right.”
Betty, the officer on desk duty and member of the pack, knocked on the door and popped her head in.
“Hey, Sheriff, Alpha, I hate to bother you, but there is something up front that requires your attention.”
“Both of us?” Axel asked, curiosity piqued.
“Sure,” Betty answered with a shrug. “There’s a young boy here who wants to report a crime, but he says he’ll only talk to the sheriff.”
“I’ll stay put for now,” Axel said, taking out his phone.
That was weird. People didn’t typically walk in off the street to warn the police. Usually, those things happened via tip lines. Zane pushed back from his desk and followed Betty into the lobby.
The young boy, who on closer inspection was more of a teenager, kept looking over his shoulder. He stood by the high reception desk, shuffling nervously on his feet. His skin was ghostly pale, and his shock of red hair stuck out as if he’d lost a battle with his comb. Something was definitely wrong.
“What’s happening, kid?” Zane asked, crossing his arms. His hackles were raised way high.
That was the joy of being a wolf shifter and the sheriff. He could tell when a situation was gearing up to be messed up. And this one was sure to be a dozy, judging by the state the kid was in.
“Well…” The red-haired teen looked over his shoulder again, trying to see through the station’s large window.
“You being followed?”
All Zane got was a nod, the teen’s eyes still solidly on the door as if he were expecting someone to burst through and drag him away the second he opened his mouth.
“Who by? Are you in danger?”
The headshake the kid gave was hesitant.
Zane needed answers, and signs weren’t enough. He’d have a better chance understanding Lassie.
With a sigh, Zane leaned against the counter. Betty shot him a quizzical look. She was also a wolf shifter, and there was no doubt she was also sensing the boy was in some kind of trouble.
“How about you start with your name?” Betty’s tone was kind and soft. It was completely at odds with how fierce she was when things got hairy.
The boy’s shoulders slumped when Betty spoke to him. He kept his wide, scared eyes on her.
“Levi Griggs,” he answered. “I think my dad is going to kill some people.” The words came tumbling out in a panic. “You’ve got to stop him. I don’t want to have to hurt anyone.”
Chapter Two
Zane
Levi, the panicked teen, shuffled on his feet, his eyes trained on the ground. His words were heavy and they echoed loudly through the reception area of the sheriff’s station.
Zane exchanged another look with his deputy, Betty. No doubt curious about the odd exchange, Axel rounded the corner. Blessed with shifter hearing, the alpha had definitely heard the conversation.
“Why don’t you come into my office and chat.” Zane motioned for Levi to follow him, but the boy didn’t move.
“I don’t want to be in trouble,” he whispered to the white linoleum floor.
“You won’t be,” Zane assured him. The sheriff was fairly certain the kid was honest. Levi was a minor, and he was reporting the crime. Judging by the adrenaline and fear rolling off the kid, he hadn’t done anything. “Let’s talk,” Zane said, keeping his tone open and friendly.
Levi eyed the exit, his face a mask of worry and guilt. He shook himself and followed Zane down the long hallway into a small office. On nothing but pure instinct, Zane nodded to Axel, silently asking him to join him.