Katlyn (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 1) (12 page)

Brendan drove up the winding dirt road that led to a large cabin with a green tin roof. It wasn’t nearly as impressive as Shadow Creek. On the porch stood Nate, cradling a shotgun in his hands. He didn’t move until Katlyn got out of the SUV and moved toward him.

“I’m sorry for the intrusion. I wanted to check on Maxwell.”

Nate smiled as he climbed down the steps. “That’s rightly nice of you stopping by to check, but he’s fine. We just had quite the night. I promise he won’t miss school tomorrow.”

“So what did happen here last night? I heard something about an angry rancher.”

“Come on inside.”

Katlyn took a step when a growl stopped her. She looked over and stared at a gray wolf that appeared about ready to attack.

“Go on home, Teresa. These are friends, not foes.”

The wolf transformed into a very naked and beautiful woman with dark flowing hair. “She shouldn’t be here. She’s a human.”

“She’s also the new teacher and Maxwell is really taken with her.”

“Maxwell or you?”

“Hold your tongue, woman. It’s unheard of to speak to your alpha like this,” an old woman said as she moved toward them.

Katlyn felt anger rise as Brendan and Chase continued to stare at the shifter until she left. “She means no harm,” the old one said. “I’m Palina, matriarch of the pack. I’ve had many, many pups, most of whom have become alphas.”

Palina’s skin was well wrinkled, but it was easy to see that she was still a strong woman, one capable of defending the pack if need be.

“How old are you?” Katlyn asked.

She cackled. “I’ve seen more full moons than most, but it simply can’t be related to what you humans call years. I’ll be on lookout while you’re busy Nate.”

“Hopefully in yonder rocking chair,” Nate said.

She only laughed at that, but took the seat he mentioned.

They followed Nate into the cabin that was quite neat, despite looking so rough on the outside. “Is this the main house of your ranch?”

“Yes. This is more of a hunting ranch so we don’t need a large main house. Within the ranch there are many smaller cabins that we rent out for hunting trips.”

“So you don’t raise livestock, then?”

“We tried, but it’s never worked out for us. Werewolves can’t turn off their carnivorous appetites so easily. I don’t know how you do it, Brendan.”

“This is Wyoming and ranch country. It would look odd if we didn’t raise livestock, but I knew sheep wouldn’t last long with our bunch so cattle work much better. It seems Jonathan is putting pressure over at the Rancher’s Committee.”

“So he finally decided to go through the right channels for a change. He came over here with a few men toting rifles. I don’t know why he’d come all the way over here looking for his blasted sheep. I don’t mind me a little mutton every now and then, but I’d never hit a ranch so close to where I live.”

“I have a few calves that went missing, too, but I’m not one to start pointing fingers. They were gone before you came to Shadow Creek to bring your son to school. So, how is Maxwell these days?”

Nate pulled out a bottle of whiskey and filled a shot glass for each of them. “He’s doing okay. I’m really worried about him, though. Some of the other shifter’s children aren’t so kind to him. It’s hard to have a bum leg and be considered strong in the shifter population, but he’ll be an alpha someday.”

“He’ll have to work hard to gain their acceptance,” Brendan said. “But it will happen.”

“I’ve corrected that Robert in class already. I assure you, I won’t stand for Maxwell to be ridiculed on school grounds.”

“I appreciate it, but he needs to stand up for himself.”

“Is he able to shift, at least?”

“He can, but he hasn’t learned how to run that well with his leg. He hasn’t tried to shift at school yet, has he?”

“Actually, no. I had a few who were at each other’s throats. Robert was attacked for picking on a female student.”

“Let me guess, Melody?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Hawks have quick-fire tempers. Her mother is a powder keg.”

“Melody and Robert were only able to shift partially and couldn’t shift back. Aren’t shifter children taught how to shift when young?”

“Depends on their parents, but it’s not safe for the children to be shifting right now. Jonathan is a real problem.”

“So how heated did it get last night?” Chase asked.

“Very, but I’m worried about what might happen if he gets them to dig too deep.”

“Clayton is looking for prints.”

“So he did get the Rancher’s Committee involved? I would have taken care of him if he’d come alone, but that would only make it worse for all of us. He’s going to be a real problem. It’s only a matter of time before he figures that shifters are in the area.”

Katlyn downed her shot, choking for a moment before she was able to recover. “That won’t be good. What if the Shifter Patrol comes into town?”

“They’ll have a war on their hands. I won’t stand by and have them harm my pack,” Nate said.

“That’s the last thing we need. There has to be some way to defuse the situation,” Brendan said.

“Hopefully, you’ll be able to keep out of the fray with your neighbor, Brendan, and keep the new teacher safe.”

Brendan put his arm around Katlyn. “I won’t allow anyone to harm the new teacher,” Brendan winked.

“I better get back to look out. Since Clayton’s on the job, most likely he’ll be stopping by to question me.”

“I really need to head back to our ranch now,” Brendan said as he headed for the door with Katlyn and Chase in tow.

Once they were back in the SUV and back on the main road, Katlyn said, “Thanks for not telling Nate about our involvement.”

“He’s not an idiot. I can’t image anyone hereabouts wouldn’t know that I’d stake a claim on you since you moved to the ranch.”

“How arrogant of you. I never planned to sleep with you and Chase. Last night I was just upset.”

“And horny.”

“That, too. Ever since back in the club when we were interrupted, I’ve wanted to see it through, but I really tried to stay away from the both of you.”

“Just as we were trying, but you sure make it difficult with that pouty mouth of yours. It begs to be kissed.”

She sighed and felt an overwhelming desire to ask Brendan to pull over so they could resume last night’s activities, but felt bad about even thinking that when she didn’t know how Tessa was doing.

When they arrived back at the ranch, there were strange cars in the drive. Clayton approached the driver’s side door and said, “Can I show you something, Brendan?”

The trio climbed from the SUV and into Clayton’s truck and he drove to what must have been the north fence area since that’s all they’d been talking about. They piled out and approached the fence where Clayton pointed out blood that was pooled on the ground. “When was the last time you and your cattle were out here?”

“A few days ago, but we weren’t personally here. The ranch hands were manning the herd that day.”

“Who, specifically?”

“I’ll have to ask Paige since she was in charge of doing that yesterday.”

“It appears that this fencing has been fixed recently.”

“Yes, I told you someone had tampered with the fence a few times. I think that was also fixed for the second time a few days ago.”

“Think?”

“Yes, the three of us were attending to the schoolhouse that was in need of repairs.”

“Were you there all day?”

Brendan swept a hand through his hair. “What’s going on here, Clayton? Really?”

“I’m just doing my job, Brendan. It’s nothing personal.”

“So what do you think happened to Jonathan’s sheep?”

“They either wandered over here and were killed, or dragged over here and killed. I’m not sure which, but I’ve taken samples. That’s quite a bit of blood. It seems to lead to that clump of trees up ahead and that’s where the trail ends.”

“Did you check for tracks?”

“There’s plenty tracks hereabouts, including the tracks of a mountain lion and some that downright puzzle me. Do you have a llama?”

“A llama?” Katlyn said.

“Yes, we have a guard llama. Is that a crime?”

“I’d like to take a look at him to determine if there’s blood on his hooves or legs. He might be responsible for killing the sheep if they wandered over here and he felt it would be a threat to the cattle he was protecting.”

“A guard llama?” Katlyn asked. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“They’re quite useful and protective and have all but eliminated the presence of wolves and foxes,” Brendan explained to Katlyn.

“So, where did you say your llama is now?”

“I’m not sure. I’d have to ask Angus where he is today for sure since he moves the herd to a different pasture every day.”

Brendan pulled out his two-way and spoke into the mouthpiece. “Angus, Clayton’s here and is asking to see the llama for evidence of blood.”

Dead silence, and then, “Sure thing, Brendan. You’ll be able to find the llama in the back pasture.”

Clayton strode back to his vehicle and they all climbed in, tearing off in the direction of the back pasture. “You can slow down, Clayton. What’s the rush?” Chase asked.

“I want to get this investigation over is what. Jonathan is the type that can cause trouble. I’d hate for the governor to think I’m not doing my job here. I might be replaced.”

“Jonathan is a windbag,” Chase spat.

“Yes, one that lost livestock. You should be able to empathize with him, having lost a few calves yourself.”

“Yes, and what are you doing on that front?”

“Not much I can do.”

“Since you’re so sure I had something to do with Jonathan’s missing sheep, what are you planning to do about our missing livestock?”

“What would you have me do?”

“Check out his place for my calves like you have my property.”

“I just followed the blood trail. If your llama killed that man’s sheep, where are the carcasses?”

“Seems like you’re jumping to conclusions,” Katlyn said. “Shouldn’t you at least check out the llama before you make assumptions or ask any more questions?”

“I’m not pinning this on anyone at this point. I’m just trying to do my job.” Clayton nodded as they arrived at the back pasture and a brown llama was, in fact, guarding the herd. His ears twitched and moved slightly, a loud and agitated noise echoing toward them although his mouth remained closed.

“That’s enough to scare me away,” Katlyn said. She now knew with certainty just what type of shifter Angus really was. All his talk about protecting the cattle meant he must shift into the form of a llama.

The llama began to herd several calves as Clayton approached. The llama charged and spit at him. “Hold still, boy.” Clayton tried to coo to the animal.

“You’re dreaming. You’re entering his domain,” Brendan said.

Clayton ran away when the llama came at him again. “He doesn’t appear to have any blood on his legs, so that shoots that theory. Can I search the rest of your property for the sheep?”

“It seems like you already have. If a predator killed those sheep and dragged them off, you won’t be finding them.”

“True, but I’d still like to take a look around.”

“Clayton, I’ve been very tolerant here, but I never gave you my permission to search our ranch at all, and you did it anyway. Before we even made it home, I might add.”

His eyes narrowed. “Paige gave me permission.”

“She doesn’t have the right to do that and you know it.”

“I thought she ran the ranch for you.”

“I’m not going to stand here and explain to you how this ranch is run and by whom.”

“I don’t want any trouble with you, Brendan. I’m just trying to do my job. Loss of livestock is a pretty serious thing and I hope you’re not holding back on me.”

“That’s quite an accusation,” Katlyn said.

“I just know he won’t be so willing to go along with it if we decide to open season on mountain lions.”

“That’s very presumptuous of you.”

“My men took a few casts of mountain lion tracks near the north fence.”

Katlyn stood her ground. “It could be any animal, for all you know. You don’t even know for sure that was sheep blood.”

“I’ll have the tests done when I get back.” Clayton went back to his vehicle and they all climbed in. “I’d like to question Paige before I leave.”

“Why didn’t you do that when you came?” Brendan asked, agitated.

“I didn’t know then that she was out in the north fence area the day those sheep went missing.”

The rest of the ride to the main house was silent and Katlyn was very worried about how Clayton’s questioning of Paige would go, since she was guilty as hell, in Katlyn’s opinion.

Chapter Eleven

Paige met them at the door, welcoming them inside. “Did you find what you were looking for, Clayton?” she asked sweetly, leading them into the living room.

“Not exactly, ma’am,” Clayton said. “I’d like to ask you a few questions before I leave.”

“Please sit, Clayton. Would you care for some sun tea?”

“That sure would be great.”

Paige disappeared into the other room and returned with five glasses filled to the rim with ice cubes and a pitcher of tea on a silver platter. She set it down and poured the tea into the glasses, handing one to Clayton while the others helped themselves.

“This is sure great, ma’am,” Clayton said as he took a sip. “This sure is great-tasting, too. I can’t make tea worth a damn. I sure miss having a woman around my house.”

Paige played along. “It won’t take long for a handsome man like you to find yourself another wife.”

“Afraid I’m a little too old for that now. The most I have to look forward to is sipping tea in the company of a beautiful woman.”

Brendan cleared his throat. “I thought you were here to question Paige.”

“Sorry. Yes, Paige I was wondering if anything happened when the cattle were out near the north fence?”

“The ranch hands reported back and told me the fence was damaged and that a few calves were missing. The fence has since been fixed.”

“I thought you were out there that day.”

“Oh, no. I have a skin allergy. I can’t ever go out during the day,” she said coyly as she sipped her tea. “I’m more of a night owl.”