The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) (9 page)

“Ainsley can tell if a wolf if a Changeling,” Jackson said.

“Is that so?” Kalan said. She was able to detect a hint of pride.

“Yes.”

“Are you a good actress?” he asked.

She glanced at Jackson, but he appeared as confused as she was. “Why?”

“Because if you know who’s of your Clan and who isn’t, I’d like you to sniff around the Changelings and see what they know about Shamus’s murder.”

This was her chance. “Absolutely.” She told him about John Ernst and her appointment with his father.

“It’s too dangerous,” Jackson said.

That pissed her off. “You don’t own me. Hell, if the Changelings kill me, you should be happy that you wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. If I’m dead, then I can’t disgrace the Murdoch name.”

From the strange frown marring his handsome face, Jackson actually appeared concerned she might be killed. The only explanation she could come up with was that he
had
recognized that they were mates. If he believed that, then she’d have to convince him as well as the Murdoch family that she deserved the honor of being cleansed. Not only that, Ainsley wanted justice for the murder of the sweetest man that ever lived.

“I don’t want to give the Changelings any more victories,” Jackson said.

That implied she’d lose against them in a fight. She shook her head, doubting that was his only concern. “While I’ve avoided being around shifters for a long time—your sister being the exception—I can handle myself around them.” Now might be a good time to tell him about her ability to become invisible, but she wanted to save that surprise for later; the fewer people who knew about it the better. Though, if she did disappear from their sight, she’d love to hear what these two thought of her while she was still in their presence.

“If you learn anything from John Ernst, will you tell us?” Kalan asked.

“Of course. I’m on your side. I want Shamus’s killers brought to justice too. Now, can I go?”

Jackson placed a hand on her arm, and her senses reeled again. Really? Sexual energy had no place while she was mired in grief and anger.

“Sure, but keep in touch,” Jackson said.

A ton of sassy remarks shot to her lips, such as she didn’t have his number, but it wouldn’t do any good to let them fly. With her emotions swirling out of control, no telling what she’d say. Ainsley pushed open the cruiser door, and as much as she didn’t want to look at Shamus lying wrapped in a body bag on the gurney, she couldn’t help it. The stench of blood permeated the area, and her stomach roiled once more.

Move
.
And for goddess’s sake, don’t cry until I’m out of their sight.

‡

A
s soon as
Ainsley left the scene, Jackson slipped into the front seat of his brother’s cruiser. His internal sensors were still going crazy. From the moment Ainsley stepped into his parents’ house, he’d been disoriented, unsettled, and completely frustrated. Then when he’d spotted her kneeling over Shamus’s body, his bear wanted to protect her from the hurt, but his human part had enough sense to talk him down, knowing she might not be what she appeared on the outside. His bear insisted she was good through and through, but he refused to listen.

Jackson had to keep his distance from her, at least until Naliana cleansed her, assuming she would and assuming Ainsley wanted to go through the process. The difficult part between now and then would be to not let his hatred for Changelings shine through and taint his actions. Ainsley claimed she wasn’t a true Changeling, but her kind wasn’t known for being truthful.

If it hadn’t been for Shamus’s strong endorsement of her—as well as his sister’s—Jackson wasn’t sure he could keep an open mind. He kept reminding himself that even if her Wendayan genes were strong enough to counterbalance the Changeling blood in her, she was still half Changeling. Once more his bear tried to convince him that Naliana would never be so cruel. The only way to know for sure was if he could find her and ask her himself.

Jackson glanced over at the scene to calm his erotic thoughts. Two shifters, both of whom were members of the crime scene unit were taking photos and gathering evidence around where the body had been. Kalan, he knew, wanted to wait around until they were done before leaving. Their cousin deserved the best.

“You were really nice to her,” Kalan said with much surprise in his voice. It was clear his brother wanted to know what had changed between them.

“No need to be a jerk. She has to be hurting too. She cared a lot for Shamus.”

His brother twisted in his seat. “I’ve never seen you like this. She’s gotten to you somehow. Sure, she’s pretty, but you see pretty all the time. What gives? You hate Changelings with a passion.”

As much as Jackson didn’t want to admit that she was his mate, he couldn’t hide it from his brother any longer. Kalan would be angry enough when he found out he’d already confided in Connor. “As hard as it is to say, let alone believe, Ainsley is my mate.” He held up a hand. “Don’t tell me it’s fucked up, because I know it is.”

A tic formed around his brother’s eye. “Are you shitting me? I admit she doesn’t exhibit the usual bad behaviors of a Changeling, but they can be deceptive. Are you sure?”

He remembered how Kalan had been in denial about being mated to a human. “The second she walked into the house, her scent invaded my body. When I’m anywhere near her, my dick gets hard. Hell, I had to fight not to shift at dinner. So you tell me. Aren’t those the signs?”

“They are. I’m guessing the phone call requiring you to go into work was bogus?”

He nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve been sick about the whole situation ever since. I’m just hoping she wants to be cleansed.”

“Let’s hope. You know you can’t bite her before then, right?”

That’s what Connor had said. “I have no intention of even being alone with her, but I’m at my wits end. Last night, I kept picturing sinking my cock into her. Is that messed up or what?” Jackson dropped back his head and blew out a breath.

Kalan’s phone rang. “Yeah? Where? Were his clothes inside? No, don’t. We need a plan. Thanks.” He disconnected. “They found Shamus’s vehicle off Ridge Road. His clothes were tucked behind a tree about a hundred feet down the path, implying that’s where he shifted before he started his run.”

“I’m guessing they wanted to follow the trail to see if they could find out where he’d been killed?”

His brother’s brows rose. “You should work for the department.”

“No thanks. I like the freedom I have.”

“We won’t know whether the body was moved until Doc Williams finishes the autopsy.”

Or until the actual murder scene is found.
“He wasn’t killed where Ainsley found him, and here is my reasoning: First, there aren’t any hiking trails near that road. Secondly, I don’t know how or if anyone even realized that Shamus was related to us; but it’s almost as if they are sending us a message to stay out of their nest.”

Kalan stabbed a hand through his long hair. “Fuck. Do you think this is retribution for us stealing back the Wendayan’s magic?”

Jackson shrugged. “That or Shamus was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Which was why I suggested Ainsley try to find out.”

“My gut reaction was to say no, but the more I think about it, it would give her a chance to help—something she seems to want to do.”

The coroner and his team took off in their black wagon as the two CSU techs packed up and headed out in a separate vehicle. Kalan then stabbed a key in the ignition and turned the engine over. “Have you asked her if she even wants to be cleansed?”

That question had kept him up all night. “I haven’t, but she seems willing to help us. From what she’s said, she doesn’t care for the Changelings. Hell, she seemed almost happy her brother was dead.” Kalan didn’t look at him. “What?”

“I need to come clean. My lovely mate told her about the process. I didn’t ask her to. She did it on her own.”

Then why ask me?
Jackson’s pulse fluttered. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me before?” If his brother hadn’t been driving down the mountainside, he would have punched him.

“I wanted to know your intentions toward Ainsley.”

Fuck if he knew.

*

Driving back to
town took all of Ainsley’s effort. The image of Shamus’s body was burned into her brain, and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever recover. From the horrific memory, another sob erupted, and her hands nearly slipped off the wheel. Even her foot had a hard time keeping a steady pressure on the accelerator.

After an eternity, she passed the supermarket and then the gas station where she’d filled up yesterday. As horrible as this pain was, she needed to use the ache, welling deep inside her, to propel her to find Shamus’s murderers.

Her swirling mind turned even darker. Why attack a bear? Shamus never would have instigated a fight, especially against a wolf. Sure, he fought Owen and a group of Changelings in Scotland, but that was because her family was brutalizing his Clan.

No. Most likely his death was random. But did it matter? Murder was murder. The Changelings had done this to him, and Ainsley might be the only person to find the truth.

Before she was even aware of where she was, her new second floor apartment came into view. She drove into her spot in back, parked the car, and sat there until she’d gathered enough energy to push open the door. Then with a heavy heart, she trudged inside and up the poorly lit stairwell.

She was totally disappointed with herself. Yes, she had every right to grieve, but she needed to draw on her inner strength. If she waited until the pain subsided, all evidence of the kill would be long gone.

She fixed a hot herbal tea, more for the calm it might bring than because she was thirsty. Music from Elana’s flower shop floated upward, but even the upbeat sound didn’t settle her frustration. Nothing could help other than finding Shamus’s killers.

Most likely either Kalan or Jackson had called Blair to let her know the tragic news, but Ainsley wasn’t ready to talk about it. Right now, she needed a few moments to herself. She’d told Mr. Ernst that she had to break the appointment with his father, and the last thing she needed was for him to learn the real reason. She couldn’t let any Changeling know of her relationship to the victim or she’d never find out anything.

In her most cheery tone, she dialed the Changeling’s number and paced to help her think better.

“Ms. Chancellor,” Mr. Ernst said.

Damn. He must have programmed her number into his phone. “I want to apologize for missing the appointment this morning. I’d like to reschedule when it is convenient for your father.” She was rather pleased with her smooth delivery even though her stomach wanted to vomit the words.

“How about tomorrow?” he asked.

That worked for her. “Would eight a.m. be okay for your father and you? That would give me a chance to work on him and still make it back in time for my job.”

“That would be perfect.”

Her hands shook so hard it was difficult to swipe a finger across the screen to disconnect. As soon as she ended the call, she rushed over to the sofa and dropped down, her legs barely able to hold her up any longer.

She glanced at the clock mounted on the brick wall. It was just after twelve noon, and she should head back to work, but she feared she might become distracted when working on a patient. On the other hand, maintaining a normal routine would be the only way to convince any Changeling that she believed in their cause. Changelings didn’t grieve.

However, running into Blair would renew her pain. Hopefully, Kalan had called her already. Even though Blair barely knew Shamus, she would still be distraught.

Other than self-pity, Ainsley couldn’t think of any reason to stay home. Sucking in all of her objections to crawl into bed and cry, Ainsley grabbed her purse and headed back to work.

Though she believed she’d be able to stay calm while being among those who were healing, it wasn’t to be. The moment she spotted Blair’s red eyes, Ainsley nearly lost it.

Her friend was talking with Eve at the front desk. While Ainsley didn’t detect any Changelings in the building, word might leak if Ainsley broke down in front of everyone, but she couldn’t walk on by without saying something. Ainsley wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “I’m guessing Kalan told you?”