by Meg Ripley
After a moment, she lay back down, fully spent. Pulling her into a tight snuggle from behind, I tucked my hands up near her chest. If I hold on tight enough, maybe I could make sure she’ll stay forever.
“This is like heaven,” she purred.
“That’s because an angel is here.”
She chuckled. “The old charm is coming back.”
“Took a while. I kept trying to figure out how to not lose my mind around you.”
“And have you?”
“Nah, I gave up. Who needs a mind, anyway?”
I kissed the back of her neck just to hear her soft moan again, the sound making me melt all over. If I spent my entire life pleasing her, it still wouldn’t be long enough.
13
Glory
The first thing I felt when I stirred awake was Wyatt’s protective arms around me. I snuggled into him, the intense joy filling every pore. It was strange to feel so gloriously happy on top of feeling so afraid and sad. My brain didn’t know what to think, and my heart didn’t know what to feel.
Wyatt moaned softly as he hugged me closer. “Right now,” he whispered in my ear, “I’m loathing the fact that I have to go to work and leave this bed.”
“Mmm. I loathe that, too.”
“Let’s never leave, then.” He kissed along my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“If only we didn’t have a pesky murderer to catch.”
He groaned. “Duty calls.”
“Stupid duty.” I wrapped my legs around him to keep him close. “Who needs responsibility? I need you.”
“And I need you. Which is why I’m going to tear myself away to go catch this guy. I need you to be safe. You’re no good to me dead.”
“Well, you could keep my body on display like Snow White and gaze upon my sleeping form all day.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Does that make me a dwarf?”
“Hmm. Wasn’t one of them tall? You could be the tall one.”
“Is the tall one Goofy?”
“I think Goofy is the dog, not a dwarf.”
“There’s a dog in Snow White?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Don’t you have a nephew now? You need to catch up on your kids movies.”
“I’ll just wait until I have a kid of my own and watch them all with him.”
A grin broke out across my face. How I would adore having a baby with Wyatt. “You know our kid would be the coolest kid ever.”
“And the most gorgeous.”
“Obviously.”
He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and groaned as he slid out of bed. “Mind if I shower here? I want to go right in and get to work.”
I hopped out of bed. “Only if I can join you.”
“So much for getting to work early.” He looked me up and down and whistled. “No wonder I couldn’t find anyone to compare to you. You’re a goddess.”
I blushed and kissed his cheek. “You’re going to give me a big head.”
“I could say the same thing.” He cleared his throat and looked down.
I saw that he was hard again and bit my lip as I raced to the shower. He followed and slipped in behind me in the hot spray. We took turns washing each other, running the lather over our arms and legs, taking more time on our sensitive parts. I moaned as he rubbed between my legs. He wiped soap from my forehead, tilting my head back to let the water rinse the shampoo away, and I scrubbed his back, letting my hands drift to his chest to tease his nipples and down his stomach. As I soaped up his erection, I watched him close his eyes in pleasure. It didn’t take long for him to let out a deep groan and put his hand to the wall to steady himself as he finished.
He leaned his forehead against mine, breathing hard. “I thought my brain was going to explode.”
“I thought you didn’t need a brain.” I gave him an amused smile.
“I’m glad you were my first. You should have been my only. I wish I could take back every one of those girls who weren’t you.”
Kissing the tip of his nose, I turned the water off. “We’ve spent enough time being regretful. I wish I’d just come back after high school like I wanted to. But I let my parents talk me into going to Ranger school in Seattle and…”
“You’re here now.” He wrapped a warm, fluffy towel around my shoulders. “You’re right. No more regrets. We still have our whole future ahead of us.”
“Then make me one promise.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t promise until you hear what you’re promising.” I rubbed my hand in his hair, sending droplets of water across his cheeks.
“Then tell me.”
“I was the first,” I said. “And maybe there were a bunch of women in between, but as long as I’m also the last, that’s all that matters.”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
Somehow, we managed to tear ourselves apart long enough to dress. We said a long goodbye at the door to my room, and when he turned the corner and was out of sight, my whole body deflated. I missed him already.
As if the day wasn’t going to be bad enough, I wouldn’t see Wyatt for hours. I didn’t like the idea of facing the funeral without him. Not only did I want his shoulder to cry on, but I didn’t know who might show up.
Usually, when an Alpha died, there was some part of the funeral that served as the symbolic passing of the title. But Uncle Keith had been stripped of his. The Alpha should show up for the funeral of one of his own, but given the circumstances, Martin probably wouldn’t make an appearance. Though, that would make him seem guilty, so maybe he would show.
The thought made my stomach tighten. What about Brady? Will he show up, too? What will they think when they see I’m still in town?
I looked at myself in the mirror. The last time I’d worn that dress, I was full of excitement for the events ahead. And longing for Wyatt.
He and I would put an end to all this. We’d make a fierce team. We’d always been that way, able to conquer anything together.
I kept that in mind as I drove to the funeral home. When I’d arrived, I found Aunt Emily and Terri and stood with them as guests filed in for the viewing.
Two hours of the viewing had passed and people were lingering, waiting for the funeral to start, when Brady walked through the doors. Anger bubbled inside me and I stormed over to him.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed.
He glared. “Keith was my clan mate. Why wouldn’t I be here?”
“No one wants you here. You should just leave.”
“Yeah?” he said sharply. “And why are you still here? You were supposed to be gone by now.”
“I wasn’t going to miss my uncle’s funeral.”
He put an arm around my waist and pulled me close. I struggled against him, but he was stronger than I thought, and I didn’t want to make a scene.
“You are the rightful Alpha,” he hissed in my ear. “You have two choices. Either stay and take your title, or give it to someone else. Let me help you with that decision. Staying is the wrong choice. Staying would be suicide.”
“And who do you think should be Alpha, then?”
He smirked and gripped the top of my shoulder painfully. “Me.”
I laughed. “I’ll never let that happen, as long as live.”
He released his grasp on me and turned to walk away. “Well,” he said with a glint in his eyes, “that’s one problem that’s easily fixed.”
14
Wyatt
I arrived at work distracted and in a tangle of emotions. I had to get something on Martin to make Glory safe, but I couldn’t stand being away from her, unable to protect her.
I sat at my desk, my foot tapping a mile a minute. Sawyer meandered over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Do you need to take a cold shower?”
“What I need to do is catch this murderer.” I frowned at the computer screen. So far, no one had anything good on Martin.
“Well, he’s not going to be caught today, so whatever it is that’s got you in a hi
ssy fit, just take care of it. You’re no good distracted anyway.”
I blew out a hard sigh and ran my fingers through my hair. My brother knew me too well. “I don’t like her being at the funeral alone. I feel like I should be there.”
“Then go.”
“But I also need to get something on Martin for either the murder or anything else so that she can remain safe.”
“Again, it’s not going to happen today. Go. A Ranger should be there anyhow.”
“You reckon?”
“Yes.” He rolled his eyes. “In fact, I’m sending you to guard the funeral, okay?”
I blew out a breath. “Sure’nuff.”
Rushing to the Jeep, I drove as fast as I could to the church where the funeral was being held. I double checked my weapons and gear before leaving the Jeep and entering the building.
As I entered the back of the church, I looked over the crowd from a distance and spotted Glory quickly. My heart leapt at the sight of her, but then I realized she was talking to Brady. And she didn’t look happy.
I marched in that direction, but Brady headed off before I reached them.
“What was that about?” I asked, coming up behind Glory.
She turned and gasped. “You’re here!” she squealed, throwing her arms around me in a quick hug.
“What did Brady have to say?”
“Oh, he just wanted to threaten me.”
I steeled my jaw, shifting my gaze to the back of Brady’s head.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” she continued. “I was afraid, to be honest.”
I reached over to squeeze her hand, but didn’t take my eyes off Brady. He ended his conversation and walked off alone. “I’ll be right back.”
I approached Brady from behind, using my most commanding voice to address him. “Brady Harper, you’re wanted for questioning.”
He jumped at my voice, which was exactly what I wanted. I had the upper hand, and he had that moment of confusion to think through.
“What for?” he asked.
I gestured with my head for him to step out of the room so we could talk. “Why did you threaten Glory? I don’t appreciate that much.”
“Just reminding her of her options.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Where were you the night Keith was killed?”
“I’ll need my lawyer before I answer your questions.”
I laughed. “Nice try. This is shifter law. And what is it you’re trying to hide that you need legal representation for?”
“Nothing.”
“Then where were you the night of the murder?”
“At home. My mother can vouch for me.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Your mamma is your alibi?”
Brady’s stare turned hard. “Her word is as good as anyone’s.”
“Well, somehow, your scent was found at the scene of the murder.”
“What?” A look of panic crossed his eyes. “That doesn’t mean I was there the night of the murder. I’m in that park all the time.”
“Oh? Where have you been in Big Bend recently?”
“I don’t know. A few places.”
I took my handcuffs from my belt. “I’m afraid we’ll have to detain you at the station until we can verify your alibi.”
“You fixin’ to arrest me? You can’t do that.”
I grabbed his hand and closed one cuff around his wrist, then twisted his arm behind his back, grabbed his other hand, and closed the second cuff.
“You’re going to pay for this,” Brady spat. “And so is that little sweet ass Alpha.”
I shoved my knee hard into his back to push him forward. He stumbled and I held him up by the cuffs, then opened the back door of the Jeep and shoved him in. Once I had him secured inside, I went back into the church.
Glory rushed over to me. “You arrested Brady?”
“Yeah, but not on much. I don’t know how long we can hold him. I’m going to have to go down there, make sure he stays locked up as long as possible and find out all we can. I’m hoping to get him to talk and tell us more about Martin.”
“Good luck, but you’re leaving already?”
I gave her a sad smile. “I’m sorry. All day, it’s been driving me mad that I couldn’t be here. I still want to be here, but I can’t miss my chance to question Brady. At least we won’t have to worry about him for a while.
“But what about Martin? He was the one at the scene of the murder, not Brady.”
“I know, and I’m going to have someone watching him. We don’t have anything to arrest him on yet.”
She nodded, but looked worried. “Brady told me I can either stay and be Alpha or give the title to him, and that if I didn’t give it to him, it would be the wrong choice.”
“What does he think he’s going to do if you decide to take Alpha?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Kill me, I guess, and take it for himself.”
“You would be much harder to kill if you were Alpha. Especially being Alpha over him. He wouldn’t be able to fight against your authority if you forced him.”
“Or I can give it to him and go back to Seattle and pretend like none of this ever happened.”
My heart dropped to the floor. Is she serious? “Go back?” I croaked.
“I do have a job there. I have an apartment and a cat. My parents are there, and with my dad not doing well…”
“Glory.” The panic made my voice weak. “Please don’t leave. You can’t leave. You can’t do that to me again. God. Please.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I want this to be an easy decision, but it’s not. I have a whole world in Seattle. Of course I want to be with you, but we could be together there.”
I stared at her in disbelief. She wants us to live in some big city, far away from everything?
My radio crackled and Sawyer’s voice called out to me. “Wyatt, you there?”
I was somewhere, but not inside my own body. I hadn’t realized that I’d already assumed Glory was going to stay. It stung harder than if she’d slapped me.
“You’d better go.” She nuzzled in close to me and whispered, “I love you,” before walking away.
I stood in shock for a moment until Sawyer called out again.
I answered him back, “I’m bringing Brady in.”
“On what?”
“Next to nothing. Weak alibi. Semi-confessed to being near the scene, but not necessarily at the time of the murder. Verbally threatened Glory.”
Sawyer whistled. “You’ll have at least a few hours.”
“I’m fixin’ to stretch it out as long as I can.”
I walked back outside to the Jeep and glared at Brady as I slid into the driver’s seat, who kept quiet during the ride to the station. Once there, I led him to our interrogation room, leaving him alone to observe him for a little while.
I stood, inspecting his facial expressions through the one-sided mirror. How nervous is he? Nervous enough to give up something on Martin?
Sawyer stood beside me for a moment, watching with me. “Want to tag team?”
I chuckled. Sawyer wasn’t in law enforcement, but that didn’t stop him from helping any Ranger he could.
“Let’s git ‘r done,” I said.
We entered the room together, and I perched on the edge of the table while Sawyer stood beside me.
“Want to tell us where you really were the night of the murder?” I asked.
“I told you. At home with my mother.”
“Yeah? She can’t seem to remember that night too well, it turns out. She’s not so sure.”
Brady glared and his jaw tightened. “That’s where I was. You have no proof of anything that says otherwise.”
“You don’t know what we have,” Sawyer said. “And I’d keep that in mind when you’re telling your side. Lying doesn’t look so good in any court, especially not in shifter court.”
“My clan would never choose to execute me,” he bragged.
“There are plenty
of shifters who would, though,” I pointed out.
“But there’s a way to make sure you don’t go down for something you didn’t you do,” Sawyer said. “If you help us, we can make sure you remain a free man and don’t face court.”
“I don’t have any information to give you.”
“No? Are you that loyal to Martin?” I asked. “You’d risk being killed for his sake?”
“No, but I don’t have any information about the murder,” Brady protested.
“What information do you have on Martin?” I asked.
“What do you want to know?”
“We know he’s involved in various branches of criminal activity. Help us out with some details and then he’ll be the one sitting here instead of you.”
“All I know is he hangs out at Sunny’s a lot, and nothing good comes out of Sunny’s.”
This was a detail we already knew. We had a Ranger go over there, but he had little success getting anything from the predominantly criminal clientele.
“We’re going to need more than that,” I said.
“Well, that’s all I have.” He crossed his arms and shot me a cold look.
After a few more attempts, we left him sitting in the room for a while. Sawyer and I watched again through the mirror. Brady’s leg bounced a little, and he kept taking deep breaths.
“I don’t think he’s going to give us anything,” Sawyer said.
“He’s hiding something.” My hands tightened into fists. “I’d like to try beating it out of him.”
Sawyer put a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe you should just be with Glory instead.”
I sighed. That sounded like the better option, but she would still be in danger in the long run.
“It’s about time we let him loose,” Sawyer said.
He was right. I hated to do it, but I took Brady out of the interrogation room and uncuffed him before giving him a ride back to the now-vacant church, where his car was. I headed back to the Ranger station to finish up my work and call Glory to let her know Brady was out.
15
Glory
After the funeral, my aunt hosted a small gathering. I stayed for a while, until I couldn’t take the sadness and inaction anymore. I had to do something. With two clan mates after me, just sitting around felt dangerous. Nervous energy made me restless. I wondered if I could use my Seattle Ranger credentials to help Wyatt and the local Rangers work on the case there.