I Kissed a Dog (38 page)

A few minutes later, I rested securely against his chest.

He stroked my hair. “I hope I didn’t hurt you. I was having difficulty controlling
my wolf. I think you put a spell on me.”

“Hey, no pain no gain, right? I’ve never hurt so good,” I giggled softly.

“That’s my girl, singing the lyrics to some old song to soothe her savage beast.”

“When it comes to you, Zane Marshal, savage is damn seductive.” Wasn’t that the truth?
I couldn’t wait for round two and three.

I glanced at the glowing clock on the bedside table. We had plenty of time before
dawn to explore his softer side and take another walk on the wild one.

I think I’d like some more ravaging savagery,
I encouraged, flipping over to straddle him.

Already ready, Princess. Prepare to be appropriately savaged.

I was dazed and perfectly dazzled to discover just how ready. It was going to be a
long night.

Chapter
54
34

We were nearing the outskirts of Plum Beach. I rested a hand on Zane’s thigh. My thoughts
continued to drift to last night. I’d never felt so cherished, so loved. So sore.

We’d spent the remaining hours until dawn exploring every inch of each other. I hadn’t
realized my body could twist and turn into so many positions. I felt like a very happy
human pretzel. And I couldn’t wait to do it all over again, sore or not.

Zane was right. Had we made love in Vegas, I would have remembered. He was unforgettable,
and I knew without a doubt that he felt the same about me.

“Five more miles,” he stated, breaking the companionable silence.

Grumpily, I groaned, “Five miles too soon.” I wanted to grab the steering wheel and
insist that we reverse course, heading back to our lakeside hideaway.

Reading my thoughts, he laughed, “Princess, we have a bed, counter, floor, and any
number of potential places at home for me to ravage you. I’m flexible.”

“That you are,” I agreed, squeezing his leg and picturing the tree house on the property.
Hum … interesting location.

“What now,” he muttered, his attention diverted to something in the rearview mirror.

Curious to view the object of frustration, I twisted around to see what was behind
us.

A charge of adrenaline fired a fresh dose of unwanted anxiety when I spotted the police
car. I’d gone from calm to climbing the walls in two seconds flat. Probably because
our last interaction with law enforcement, more specifically, Agent Green, hadn’t
gone so well. His unveiled threats were resurrected as the flashing lights indicated
the necessity of pulling over.

I was relieved to see Officer Tate approach the car. Agent Green was nowhere in sight.

Zane already had the window down and was reaching for his license.

“I’d like both of you to exit vehicle,” he said all business.

“Officer Tate,” I greeted him with a little wave. “Please tell me he wasn’t speeding
again.”

“Ms. Carpenter … pardon me, Mrs. Marshall, could you please exit the car with your
hands up?”

Zane was standing beside the overweight officer before I could get my door open.

“What’s this about?” Zane squared his shoulders, sending a don’t mess with me or mine
message loud and clear.

Officer Tate scanned the area. “I’m sorry, you two, but I don’t have any choice.”

I made my way around the car and stopped next to Zane, puzzled by the normally friendly
police officer’s strange requests. “Is every okay? How’s Barney?” I asked, hoping
to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand.

“I’m sorry, Chloe, but I have to bring you in for questioning. In fact, you’re under
arrest for the murders of …”

I didn’t hear a word he said after “under arrest.” He clamped the handcuffs around
my wrists, apologizing in the process. He recited my rights and escorted me to his
cruiser.

Zane, who remained at my side, had grown quiet.
This is all wrong, Chloe. I can smell his fear and uncertainty. I’ll contact the pack’s
lawyers and will bail you out as soon as they process you, okay? Be strong, baby.
We’ll be back together by bedtime.

Wishing I could believe it would be that simple, I allowed Officer Tate to guide me
into the back, where I was left to stare at the divider that kept me separated from
any front seat passengers.

I pressed my face against the side window, my nose touching the glass. Zane followed
my example, imploring me with his eyes to stay strong and trust him. I nodded, hoping
to reassure him.

Zane, I love you. Please, get me out of here, after you meet with the others. We have
to secure the coins and stop Martin.

Stop worrying about everyone else. I’m the pack leader now. I have more resources
than you can imagine. My first priority is you. Make sure to send me updates once
you arrive. At least we can communicate this way.
He pointed at his head.

Knowing I could stay in touch with Zane and the others via mind messages was the one
thing keeping me from succumbing to hysterics.

I heard Officer Tate apologize again to Zane, assuring him he’d do his very best to
take care of me, and not to worry because the Plum Beach City Jail was small and safe,
and
clean in comparison to other locations.

I guessed I should be glad. A clean jail was better than the alternative.

Officer Tate slid into the driver’s seat and adjusted his rearview mirror in order
to observe me better. “Chloe, I’m out of line saying this, and I’ll deny it if asked,
but I know you didn’t do this. But that bastard, Agent Green, has managed to collect
some pretty compelling evidence implicating you as a key participant in the murders.”

I gasped. What could Agent Green possibly have to use against me? I’d sent the one
piece of evidence that would lead to Jazmine.

Leaning forward, I prayed Officer Tate would remember how I saved his dog and answer
one question for me. “Can you tell me, please, what in the world does he have on me?
I promise I won’t say anything. I just don’t want to be blindsided.”

He nodded and gave me an answer I wasn’t prepared to hear, “He found a wig. A woman’s
red wig with your prints all over it. He remembered your comments at Will’s house
about seeing a woman with red hair. You’re the one who mentioned the redheaded female.
He doesn’t believe you have any ability to communicate with animals.”

“How …?” I shook my head, overwhelmed by the implications. “
I
sent that wig. It was supposed to be delivered to you or Detective Davis.”

Valamir — of course — he must be working with Agent Green, who was indebted to Jazmine
and her crew in some screwed up way. Like everyone else, the twisted agent wanted
me out of the picture so he could focus on finding the coins and discrediting everyone
I knew. That way he wouldn’t have to worry about us spoiling his plans.

I needed to inform Zane of my vow to Valamir. I’d have to wait, though; we were pulling
into the station, where an onslaught of news reporters hovered like they were waiting
for some Hollywood celebrity.

Cameras spun toward the police car; hands with microphones extended my direction.

Dear God, they were waiting for me.

So was a leering Agent Green, along with my parents, Melanie and Luke.

My best night had just turned into my worst day ever.

“Did you kill your coworkers? We heard you hated Rhonda, is that true?” one reporter
shouted over the other clamoring voices.

Coworkers, as in more than Will? Rhonda? What was he saying? Was Rhonda dead too?
This was way too much information for me to process.

Lowering my head, and refusing to make eye contact with anyone, friend or foe, I allowed
myself to be hustled into the station. When my cell door slammed behind me, I called
for Zane, hurling a mental fastball his way.

A vicious pain knifed through my forehead, piercing my mind. It was if my message
had bounced back, refusing to transmit.

It was then realized my worst fear had come to pass.

Agent Green had somehow erected a magic-borne barrier, efficient enough to keep me
from communicating with anyone.

He’d skewered my lifeline.

The shrewd agent believed my powers were real. He’d known all along and had made arrangements
to ensure I couldn’t rely on them.

Unsure what else to do, I wept.

Once I released all my tears, I would do what any other innocent person held unjustly
by a psychotic, unidentified, supernatural creature would do.

Break out and prove my innocence.

Epilogue

Valamir paced his small quarters. He’d already located Martin and the small band of
warriors assigned to guard him. There was ample time to apprehend the pathetic human
and procure the ancient coins.

At present, he had more vital issues harassing his mind — a woman. One he couldn’t
have, at least at the moment.

The human female, Chloe, was keeping him from important business, disturbing his life
like none before had dared. Even from behind bars, her unique scent tempted him. Her
tangy sweet blood sang to him like a seducing siren, drawing him to her.

If only Chloe desired him with the same intensity he coveted her.

Although he’d assisted her revolting werewolf mate take down a mutual enemy, he was
now plotting that same werewolf’s demise. It wouldn’t be easy. The purebred was a
formable foe, skilled in martial arts and weaponry, and full of magic he wasn’t yet
aware.

In addition, the new Alpha had a loyal and increasingly adept pack at his disposal,
making his destruction a challenge.

Feeling his fangs extend, Valamir chuckled. He’d never been one to turn away from
a challenge. In fact, he relished the idea of a worthy opponent. He hadn’t found one
in centuries, other than that deplorable demon they’d conquered together. That creature
didn’t count, though; it was spawned unnaturally, obeying its obsession to kill, more
like a machine than flesh and blood.

Unable to ignore his overwhelming need to see the woman that would one day be his,
he dematerialized, teleporting to the jail in Plum Beach.

He’d given the wig to the greedy FBI agent, making sure it would implicate Chloe,
keeping her confined, safe behind bars, while he completed the task of dismantling
Zane’s precious pack.

Then he would return for her, coins in hand, becoming her hero and comforter following
the untimely death of her mate, which of course would be blamed on another.

With silent precision, he landed outside her cell and glided to the window.

Her heartbeat beckoned him, the blood flowing through her veins igniting his bloodlust.

She owed him a favor. Anything he wanted, and she’d have to comply.

As much as he wanted to collect what she owed tonight, he restrained. It might come
in handy later.

An unfamiliar presence approached, staying just outside his line of vision, cloaked
in the woods behind the jail.

Valamir was unafraid, just curious. After all, he was the fiercest of predators.

He said a silent goodbye to his soon-to-be woman, and prepared to stalk whatever or
whoever was brave or stupid enough to taunt him.

TO BE CONTINUED …

Watch for the next installment in the
Werewolves of the West Series:
She Kissed a Vampire
, featuring Chloe’s best friend, Melanie Michaels, and the continuing adventures of
Zane, Chloe, and the Pacific Pack.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a
short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included) and had a creative
writing piece published in her high school newspaper. Devouring books from numerous
genres, she developed a deep thirst for more reading materials, and could almost always
be found with her nose in a book.

She has contributed to several, popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books,
and lives in the rainy wetlands of Oregon with her terrifying teens and a small zoo
of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to
delve into her darker side. It's been rumored this genre-jumping occurred after Carol
discovered two suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge
to howl at the moon.