I shook my head.
“The grandfather of the councilman’s daughter who was impregnated by Marshall. He pushed for the law as soon as he found out his granddaughter was running around with the Black Ridge rogues.”
“So, they’ve been working relentless trying to keep the shifters away from this town.”
“And from his granddaughter,” Draven added.
“It’s tragic really how it ended for them. They lost the one person they were trying to protect,” I said.
At that moment, the lawyer came running back through the crowd. He yanked open the door and jumped inside, then slammed the door behind him.
“Good Lord!” he exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “Those journalists are just chomping at the bit for a story.”
“No one’s going to talk. We’ll just have to let them speculate. What’s the word on Jayce?”
The lawyer smiled. “They’re going to release him. They couldn’t pin the manslaughter charge on him and they have nothing else that’s concrete to keep him on. But…he’ll have to cooperate with the investigators. They may need him later on to testify.”
“Testify for what and against who? Marshall is dead,” Draven stated.
“Marshall’s wolves were arrested too and they’re talking. The cops wouldn’t say who it was, but I think they’ve connected at least one other councilman to the rogues.”
Draven appeared surprised. “Another councilman? Really?”
“Yes. And that pool is so small, I could probably narrow it down myself to one or two men. So, do you agree to cooperate? And do you think Jayce will too? That means he can’t run. The both of you have to sign papers giving your word that you won’t leave the state.”
Draven nodded. “Yeah, we’ll do it. It’s not like we’re going anywhere. The Timber Rock shifters don’t run.”
“Alright. The journalists don’t look like they’ll be leaving anytime soon, but we’re going to have to go back inside.”
“Let’s do this. Let’s get my cousin out of jail. I’m growing impatient. I’m sure his mate is too.” Draven looked at me and grinned.
“I’m beyond ready to see Jayce.”
I grabbed the bag with spare clothes and we exited the SUV.
I was prepared for the onslaught of reporters and journalist. As a paralegal, I dealt with them often. Even when the journalist in Green Bay found out I was engaged to one of the richest bachelors in the city, and who also happened to be the man that had announced his interest in running in the upcoming elections, I had gotten intrusive phone calls and requests to interview me. What I wasn’t prepared for were the questions this particular mob of reporters were spitting at us.
“Draven Pembroke, are you the alpha of the shifter pack here in Arrow Lake?”
“Is Lakely’s Law still in effect?”
“Mr. Chase, what charges are being brought against Mr. Pembroke?”
“Mr. Chase, are you a shifter?”
“Ma’am, were you romantically involved with both men at the time the fight broke out between them?
As the mob persisted, I felt my face redden as the questions became more personal.
“Hey Lady, can you give us your name? How long have you been living in Arrow Lake?”
“What’s it like to date a shifter?”
“Has Mr. Pembroke always been a violent man?”
“Is it true that shifters fight to the death over their mates?
“Jayce Pembroke has a criminal record with the court. Do you think his run-ins with cops when he was a teenager will be used against him in this case?
To my surprise, Eddie pulled up in a red pickup truck, parked haphazardly, and came to meet us on the sidewalk.
“Thanks for coming out,” Draven yelled over the noise. “I don’t think they’re going to give us any problems, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“No problem. I just heard what happened this morning,” Eddie replied.
Finally, we reached the lobby of the jail and I let go of the breath I was holding.
“You have got to be kidding me?” I breathed.
“No, that’s what we deal with here every few months or so when a story breaks out about us shifters. It’s best to just ignore the questions. Let them speculate. They’ll disappear soon.”
“Let’s just hope so,” I said, rubbing my arms as a chill crept up my spine.
The releasing process took longer than I thought. Mr. Chase, the lawyer, was walking back and forth in the lobby, rubbing his forehead. Eddie had gone outside in an attempt to get the media to calm down and leave. Draven was seated calmly, but that didn’t stop the two security guards from eyeing him like a hawk. Either they felt threatened by him or didn’t like him, but the tension in the room was thick as mud. Everyone in this town had history, it seemed. Both good and bad. Yet, Arrow Lake was a charming place to live. If things had been different and I’d just been an innocent tourist just driving through, I probably wouldn’t have noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Draven rose from his seat suddenly and his nose flared. He must have sensed that Jayce was getting closer because the door was opened and there he was. I was just as excited to see him and I was suddenly flooded with a surge of emotions. I stood up from the chair, but before I could take a step in his direction, his long legs ate up the distance between us. He came to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Are you alright?”
I nodded. “Yes, and I should be asking you that question.”
He smiled. “I’m fine.”
“I hated that you had to stay overnight here.”
“I’ve spent the night in jail before. I was a pre-teen basket case until my grandpa whipped me into shape. But that was years ago. Everything still looks the same though. Same old cinder block walls. Same old straw mattresses.” He was making light of the situation, but I could see a tinge of sadness in his eyes.
“I’m glad you’re out now.”
Unable to help myself, I threaded my fingers through his unruly hair. I wanted to kiss him and hold him and never let go. He took my hand and rubbed gently at the mate mark on my wrist.
“I thought you would leave after…”
“I’m still here,” I whispered.
“Violet, I’m sorry. I…” he started.
“I understand,” I stated, firmly. “Please don’t explain. Not here.”
His gaze met mine and then his attention shifted to my lips.
Our moment was cut short when a cop came out and handed Jayce some papers. Draven was nearby and they shared a brief glance.
“Thank you,” Jayce said.
“Don’t mention it. Let’s get out of here, cousin, before we become fodder for the tabloids,” Draven commented.
We filed out of the jail, stirring up the nosy mob again.
“Whoa,” Jayce exclaimed.
“Yeah, you’re famous, cousin,” Draven joked.
I held my forearm up to prevent the camera flashes from blinding me. This time, Draven’s men jumped out of the truck, clearing a path for the alpha and entourage to get through. We made it to the SUV where Jayce held the door open for me.
“Violet! Is that you?”
I froze on the spot. I just couldn’t believe that I was hearing a very familiar voice calling out to me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
VIOLET
I spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice.
“Violet?”
I looked out into the crowd and confirmed my worst nightmare. It was Donovan, shouting in the crowd like a frantic person.
What was he doing here?
Donovan fought his way to the front of the line but didn’t make it within three feet of me. The shifters blocked his path.
“You know him?” Jayce asked.
I nodded. “My ex,” I mumbled.
“Violet!” Donovan called. “Let me through, you idiots. That’s my fiancée.”
I closed my eyes
briefly and breathed outward for a few seconds, but when I peeled my eyes open, Donovan was still there.
Jayce tapped on the shoulder of one of the shifters and whispered something. They let Donovan through while continuing to hold back the frenzy of journalists snapping pictures and asking questions.
“I’ve been calling you every day, all week. What the heck are you doing in this town…here?”
“I took a vacation. I told you I would.”
“Out here? Who’s this guy?” He looked Jayce up and down which seemed sort of weird. Jayce stood a good seven inches taller than him.
“The question of the day is why are you here? How’d you find me?”
Donovan’s gaze shifted from Jayce to Draven who was standing behind me. He frowned. “Look, can we at least go somewhere and talk? I don’t know who the heck these people are.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I stated without hesitation. “How did you find me?”
“Your cell phone records. I still get the bill, remember? I thought you went out to your dad’s lake house to think about what we discussed and how we could make us work, but I couldn’t believe it when I saw that you’d gone out of the state.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Let’s get this straight. You got my cell phone records and tracked me?”
“I told the cops I thought you were missing and they wouldn’t do anything because they didn’t suspect foul play,” he shrieked. “You made me look like an idiot, Violet. You should’ve just told me where you were.”
“I made you look like an idiot? Whatever. I’m a grown woman and it’s my prerogative if I want to enjoy a vacation. I don’t need to tell you where I am.”
“Well, I told your dad where you are, but he’s in London at the moment. He gave me permission to come get you until he could catch the next flight out,” Donovan spat. “I came to the station to file a missing person’s report and here you are with…with these people. Do you know them?”
Sensing my aggravation, Jayce slipped his arm around my waist.
“Who the fuck are you people, anyway?” Donovan asked.
“Time to go.” I heard Draven’s voice behind me. He must have gotten sick of Donovan’s bellyaching because I didn’t feel his presence behind me anymore. Jayce didn’t budge.
“Are you with this guy? Is that why you dumped me?” Donovan stuttered.
“I dumped you months ago, Donovan, for reasons I’ve already explained.”
Donovan reached out, but then shrank back when a feral growl erupted from Jayce’s throat.
“What the hell?” Donovan shrieked.
“Please, Donovan. Don’t cause a scene. There are dozens of reporters here.”
“I don’t care. I don’t care about my campaign anymore. Just…come back,” he said, and I almost felt sorry for him.
“No, Donovan. I’m not going back with you.”
“But you are coming back, right?” he asked.
I sighed. I hated upsetting people. “Tell my dad he doesn’t need to cut his work trip short.”
“Why don’t you tell him yourself?”
“I’m not the one who told him I was in trouble. I took a three-week vacation and he knows that. It’s not over. Just because I wasn’t in a place where you could harass me doesn’t mean you get to report me missing.”
“You didn’t tell anyone you were going out of state! You should have answered my calls!”
“Hey!” Jayce interjected. “Why are you shouting at her?”
Donovan swallowed hard. “Look, I don’t know you, man.”
“You can leave now. I’m fine. Okay?” I urged.
“Fine? If I’m not mistaken, I just saw this guy’s face on the news at my hotel. He’s a criminal!” Donovan pointed at Jayce.
“It’s not what you think. Please do us both a favor and go. There are journalists everywhere. Recording everything.”
Donovan peered at the news reporters as if he was seeing them for the first time.
The prying questions started again. I was doing a good job of drowning them out, but not anymore.
“How many men are fighting for your love?”
“Ms. Violet West? Is that your real name?”
“Is it true that you’re the only heir to West and Kingston?”
“Have you always been into bad guys, Ms. West?”
Just as I thought, the journalist had dug and pried until they uncovered who I truly was. It didn’t help that Donovan was here. Sooner or later, they’d know who he was too. I wanted to disappear down a sinkhole and never come out. Media attention had never been my thing. Donovan, however, lived for the attention. But not this kind. He looked mortified.
“Fine. If this is what you want…” Donovan folded his arms over his chest.
I took one look at Jayce and it was as if he knew what I was thinking. He held out his palm and I placed my hands inside and then slipped inside the SUV.
“So much for staying low key,” I mumbled, chuckling nervously.
Jayce grinned. “The cat’s out of the bag now, huh?”
“Well, it’s a good thing I have a wolf to chase it away, right?”
“You’ll always have me.” He wrapped his arm around me and I leaned on his shoulder as the SUV sped off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
VIOLET
“Pass me the biscuits, will you?” Draven pointed to the basket of buttered biscuits just out of his reach.
Treyton scooped up the basket and passed it to Eddie, who handed it to Draven. He picked up two biscuits and piled them on top of his plate. Jayce was seated right next to me, crumbling up a few slices of bacon over his bowl of cream of wheat. Even the lawyer stayed for the meal. The driver and the shifters who rode in the monster truck that followed us to the jail were invited to stay and eat as well. I was one of three women at the table. I still couldn’t tell if the lawyer was a human-like Eddie and me, but I realized that it didn’t really matter.
I stole glances at all of them, amused as they forgot about their pack troubles for just a moment to enjoy time together. I couldn’t remember the last time I had sat down at a table with family and been this happy. And for whatever odd reason, I felt like family here.
“Breakfast for dinner. Gosh, this is delicious,” Eddie exclaimed, rubbing his belly. “I need to speak to your cook pronto. Think she’d come fix a meal or two for a poor old guy like me.”
Draven chuckled. “You’d have to ask her, but first you’re gonna have to get through me. I’m not letting her go easily. I like to eat.”
“Where’s the Crystal Lake beta? Treyton, I thought you said he was coming,” one of the women asked.
“Nina’s had a crush on him since high school,” a male shifter blurted.
“Shut up, Avery! You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she shrieked, throwing her napkin at him.
“They said they were on their way,” Treyton replied.
“They better hurry up. By the time we get done here, all that’ll be left are scraps,” another exclaimed, piling some sausage links on his plate.
“On second thought, those guys probably won’t arrive until our meeting later tonight,” Treyton added.
“So will the Iron Ridge shifters. They should all be here soon,” Draven said.
“Wait. You were actually able to get in touch with the Iron Ridge pack?” Jayce asked, leaning forward in his chair to glance at Draven who was a few chairs down.
“They’re hard to convince, but yes, I managed,” Draven replied.
“Where’d you find them? I thought those guys were on their way out of Minnesota,” Treyton asked.
“In the mountains. East of Arrow Lake. Far east.”
“Dangerous terrains out there,” Treyton exclaimed. “Still, we need all the help we can get.”
“Indeed. That damn law has been lifted. The best thing for us to do is protect our borders, which includes our homes and shelters. The Black Ridge rogues are on the loose. Just because their alpha is
dead doesn’t mean we’re completely off the hook here,” Draven stated.
“So, the current mayor agreed to all this?” a shifter sitting at the far end of the table asked.
“In this matter, he had no choice. Once councilman Stewart was named as the key person in aiding the Black Ridge rogues into sneaking back into town, he knew there would have to be another clean up in some of those offices. It seems that all the councilmen do is bicker over the direction they want the town to go in. Councilman Stewart was planning a takeover and was secretly transpiring to get rid of the mayor.”
“Wow,” Jayce exclaimed. “The Councilmen aren’t really working on the citizens' behalf, then? They’re working for their own gains.”
“Right. I talked to the mayor briefly over the phone and I’m convinced that he was coerced into trusting their little schemes when he signed that law. All he wanted was a safer town and everyone was pointing their fingers at us shifters as the main problem. He agreed to investigate the council and override Lakely’s Law and I offered to help rid the town of rogues. Our pack is small. We can’t do it all and to ensure that we don’t get rogue wolves coming back to cause problems for us in the future, we need to come together. The separate packs need to band together.”
Treyton held up a beer. “Here’s to an effective meeting with the other shifters of Arrow Lake.”
For a brief while after the toast, everything was quiet, as the shifters—and humans—began to chow down on the food again. Jayce and I finished what was left on our plates and excused ourselves from the table.
We found a quiet place to talk. A small den with sliding doors. There was a full bar on the other end of the room.
“Drink?” Jayce gestured toward the assortment of wines and liquor.
“I definitely need it. Draven won’t mind?”
Jayce laughed. “I need it too. He’ll have to fight me.”
Jayce made me a fruity looking cocktail at my request and poured himself some bourbon.
Jayce: Shifters of Timber Rock Page 13