Chapter 7

Marcus POV

Since the day Leila and I had our little walk and talk at the hospital, I’ve felt like a new man. The idea that she thought badly of me had been weighing heavily on my mind. Normally, I didn’t care whether people liked me or not, but Leila was different. I am finally able to get some sleep now that we have everything sorted out. Even though being her friend isn’t even close to what I want, it will have to do. I’ve bumped into her in town a couple of times, and again at the hospital. If it’s possible, she looks even better every time I see her. And every time we speak, I’m reminded of how clever and funny she is. My bear is even more enamored with her, and he’s desperate to find ways to seek her out. I haven’t been able to shift into my bear for fear he’ll go find her and won’t relinquish control back to me.

I park my truck and climb out in front of the packhouse, shaking my head slowly as I stare up at the large stone and wooden lodge that the wolf pack calls home. I’m pleasantly surprised, it’s big but it’s cozy and more welcoming than most packs I’ve visited, and less ostentatious than I would have expected for a pack that seems to be doing as well as theirs is.

Marie has me under strict instructions to be here early to meet with Alpha Jones, and I wasn’t going to mess with the Alpha or Marie. A small blonde she-wolf appears at the front steps, clipboard in hand, and steps forward to greet me with a bright smile.

“Sheriff. Alpha Jones is just finishing up a call. If you’ll follow me…,” she turns and is gone before I can agree or disagree and power walks down the long corridor before hanging a left and leading me to a solid wood door that has been left slightly ajar. She knocks rapidly on the door before shoving it open and stepping inside. She radiates efficiency and the type of excitable energy that makes my bear bristle, her giddiness aggravating him as he prefers calmer personalities.

“Jonathan, Cooper, this is Sheriff Lennox,” she announces, turning to rush back out the door at speed.

“Ah Kim, thank you,” A tall man who looks to be in his late forties, but it’s hard to tell with shifters, stands from behind the desk. Alpha Jones. His carbon copy, minus the dusting of grey hair, stands up from a chair on this side of the desk and steps towards me, extending his hand in greeting. I take it and then reach across the desk to shake the Alpha’s. Nice firm handshakes, but none of the usual macho nonsense of squeezing hands with enough force to break bones to show off how strong they are. It’s refreshing. Or maybe they just know it’s pointless with a bear.

“Sheriff Lennox, thanks for popping in,” he smiles genuinely at me before taking his seat again, gesturing me to sit down beside his son.

“Please sir, call me Marcus,” I say, lowering my large frame into the comfortable leather armchair beside the future heir to the Jones pack. I still haven’t found out why Rex isn’t taking over but in his current state, it’s safe to say he wouldn’t be able to now anyway, at least for the time being.

“Marcus. How are you finding Grey Ridge?” He relaxes and leans back, folding his hands in his lap as he studies me. I glance around the tastefully decorated office. Wood paneling, butter-soft leather chairs, framed pictures of the four kids on the wall. My eyes zero in on teenage Leila, looking pretty but bored in a formal posed picture. I can’t help but smile at the defiant glint in her eye. She’s a feisty one.

“Good, nothing crazy has happened so far which is a nice start,” I say, leaning back and mirroring his open pose, keeping my body language relaxed and at ease. I turn to the side and meet Cooper’s eye as he gazes at me steadily, obviously trying to gauge what kind of man I am. Or what kind of bear is more likely.

“Alpha Jones, I’m a straightforward guy. I’m just here to do my job, and hopefully, it will be boring and uneventful. I’ll help you once you do the same for me, and I’ll keep you informed about anything that will impact the pack.” I lay my cards on the table and wait to see what they say.

“One question. Why Grey Ridge?” Alpha Jones asks. I know that’s not what he wants to know, but I’ll humor him.

“There was a job vacancy. I fancied a change,” I shrug, but I notice the little look that flickers between Cooper and the Alpha, and they do the whole mind-link thing. “That’s rude, you know that?” I sigh, wishing they would just ask whatever it is they want to ask.

Wolves, always planning and strategizing instead of just doing. The over-thinkers of the shifter world. Alpha Jones raises his eyebrows at the comment, which was probably a bit blunter than he’s used to, but while I will work alongside him, I also need to show that I’m not one of the pack members that he can expect submission from. He smiles at that and nods.

“You’re right, I apologize. Force of habit,” Cooper says, looking genuinely remorseful.

“Maybe I should have phrased my question differently. Why did you leave Ash Falls?” Jonathan Jones asks, opting finally for the more direct approach. It’s a test. I can hear Cooper’s breath hitch slightly, so I know he already knows. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. They really must think that I’m a complete amateur.

“My father. He’s not a particularly nice person, the town was getting a bit small for two alpha bears,” I admit. I don’t want to get into the details with these strangers, but I’m sure they have already investigated my background. Thoroughly.

“Hmmm. I heard that he is ‘protective’ of his territory,” Jonathan murmurs. That’s putting it very mildly. He’d rather run his kids off than risk his reputation as the biggest, most dominant bear around.

“Yes, something like that,” I sigh, “He won’t cause any trouble if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s happy I’m gone, I’m happy I’m gone. It’s a win-win.”

Cooper and his father glance at each other, nodding, and as if that’s settled it, they both stand to shake hands with me again.

“Welcome to Grey Ridge, Marcus,” Jonathan Jones says with a broad smile, coming around the table and gripping my shoulder. “Now I believe my Luna has already gotten her clutches into you, consider this an initiation, or a hazing. Good luck young man, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul.”