“Those aren’t the only reasons.” Mac flashed a wolfish grin. “He’s worrying himself sick over you right this minute.” He pushed something on his desk. “Marlene? Can you tell Buddy to bring our other guest? Oh, and can you run down to the diner for four large teas? Get something for yourself too.”
They sat quietly for a few minutes until the door opened on Slade and Deputy Buddy. For a moment, Slade stood in the doorway, drinking Noah in with his eyes, relief showing in their dark depths. Then, finally, he claimed the empty chair, taking both Noah’s hands in his. “Are you okay?”
“So far.” No telling what Mac might do next.
“What do you want with him?” Slade demanded, possibly angry enough to take on a werewolf and at least hold his own, if not win.
“Calm down. I have no intention of hurting him or you either. However, we needed to know a few things. This man”—Mac gestured to Noah—“took out five hunters, sent another two to prison. We celebrated when we heard the news, let me tell you.”
Slade whooshed out a breath, relaxing his death grip on Noah’s fingers. “So, he’s not under arrest?”
“Hell, no! We wanted to know his side of the story. We already figured he killed in self-defense. Were you involved?”
“I hadn’t met him then.”
“How do you know about that? You weren’t in here when I talked to your deputy,” Noah said.
The sheriff tapped an ear. “Don’t have to be close by. Just standing on the other side of an open window.”
Fuck. Whatever happened to Noah’s self-preservation instincts?
“Don’t beat yourself up, son,” Sherriff Mac said, booming voice softening. “While I’d never control anybody, alphas have a way of getting lesser-ranking wolves to tell the truth.”
“What now?” Slade glanced from the sheriff to the deputy and back to the sheriff. Noah didn’t miss the not-so-subtle glances at the open window, either.
The sheriff leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his belly. “Now, if you’re willing, we take you home to meet the family, so to speak.”
Noah eyed Buddy. How could a wolf talk so openly in front of humans?
“Oh, he’s all right. We got a few trusted humans in the pack. Buddy’s married to one of the pack. Most folks around these parts are attached to us in some way.” Mac tapped out a cadence on his desk with an ink pen.
After two soft raps on the door, a woman entered, carrying a drink tray holding four drinks. “Here you go, Mac.” She set the tray down and backed out, closing the door behind her.
Buddy handed out drinks and leaned against the door.
“Marlene smells of wolf,” Noah blurted out before he could stop himself.
Buddy laughed. “With good reason. She’s pack.”
Pack. They’d finally found pack. Would they accept Noah? Where did acceptance leave Slade? Still on the road. Still alone. Still unable to stay anywhere more than a month.
Mac grew serious. “You came looking for a pack?”
“Yes, sir,” Slade answered before Noah could.
“What about you?” Mac leaned forward in his chair, eyes narrowed.
Slade shifted his gaze to Noah. “Once he’s settled, I have to leave again.”
“I see. Well, what say we show you what you came for? You riding with us or in your own vehicle?” The sheriff rose to his feet, plucking a keyring off his desk.
Slade stood. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Noah sat in the Durango, keeping his eyes on the road, away from Slade. They’d found a pack. They’d finally found a pack. He should be happy. Why wasn’t he?
Because finding a pack meant he’d stay, and Slade would leave. Even if Slade wanted to, he couldn’t stay.
Had to keep moving. They both knew the truth. Had for a while.