The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) (27 page)

“She did fine,” Connor tossed in. “With a little practice, she’ll be good to go.”

All Jackson could do was glare at him. He refused to argue with his boss now. They were all tired, and he might say something he’d regret later. Jackson then returned his attention to Ainsley. “How did you get away if he could see you?”

“When Ernst opened the closet doors and looked in, I’d managed to cloak myself again. I think I just needed to recharge. With the door open, I stepped out. I guess he was satisfied no one had broken into his house because he then returned to his computer. I thought he’d search more because I didn’t have time to push his chair in or return the computer to its original position. As soon as I could, I slipped out of the office and out the front door. I’m hoping he didn’t hear me open and then close the latch.” She fingered her necklace, acting as if it had protected her.

“Hopefully.” Ainsley had kept a cool head under dire circumstances, and Jackson was proud of her, but that didn’t mean he’d let her take on something like this again. He swiped her cell phone, and when he spotted the map, excitement charged through him. “This looks exactly like what we need. How about we head out to the overhead projector? It’ll be easier if I put it on the big screen.”

With coffee cups in hand, the six of them moved to the front of the large room. In no time, Jackson had both maps displayed on the screen side by side. He stepped up to the front to get a better view.

“What are we looking at?” Dalton asked.

“Sorry.” Kalan’s partner, Detective Dalton Garner, probably hadn’t been brought up to speed. Jackson walked back to his computer and opened another tab to display the original treasure map. “While I can’t be certain, I believe that something important is buried right about here.” He swirled his mouse where the well was supposed to be located. “Trust me, I’ve done a lot of research.”

“What do you think is down there? Gold?”

“Something more precious—at least to the Changelings: sardonyx.” Dalton hadn’t been in Silver Lake very long, but he and Kalan had dealt with the bastards enough to know what they were capable of, especially after they got ahold of the stone the last time.

“We can’t let them get their mitts on any of that,” Kip chimed in.

It was his twin who’d had his magic stolen by those mutated freaks. Jackson’s anger subsided when he remembered not all Changelings were bad—at least those who were only part Changeling.

“I can see why you’re so interested,” Dalton said as he studied both images.

“Give me a sec.” Jackson superimposed Ernst’s original map with the red dots on top of the new map of the town that dated back to 1905. “I’ll be damned.”

‡

J
ackson was really
excited as he pointed to the red dots. “Back in the olden days, no buildings existed where these dots are currently located.”

“Meaning?” Dalton asked.

“It’s possible Silver Lake once had a sardonyx mine, which might be why the Changelings settled in this town. I’m thinking—or rather Ainsley suggested—that some non-Changeling shifters mined the stone, and when the Changelings tried to steal it, they had to hide it. The local shifters might have been aware back then that the Changelings used the sardonyx to rob Wendayans of their powers.” He waved a hand. “That’s all speculation. Bottom line is the miners could have buried their findings all over town. These red dots might represent the other locations. As I’ve said, it’s just a theory.”

Connor whistled. “From here on out, we need to operate on the assumption the Changelings want whatever is down there. On the way back here, I got to thinking that we should make it look like we’re digging a small retention pond where the well is located instead of just drilling in one spot. It will attract less attention.”

“Sounds good. I contacted Wayne, and he’s starting tomorrow,” Jackson said. “I don’t think he’ll have a problem digging in a larger area.”

Connor slapped his thighs and stood. “It’s almost daylight, so let’s all get some shuteye. Thanks everyone for your help.” He looked over at Ainsley. “Especially you, Miss Invisibility. You were very impressive.”

“Thank you.”

Jackson shut down his computer as the rest stood. Kalan, Kip, and Dalton shook her hand, telling her what a great job she did. Ainsley smiled, and even blushed once, but he could sense she was running on fumes. It was time to go home.

*

Because it was
almost five in the morning when they returned, Jackson suggested that Ainsley sleep in, but his little overachiever said she was going to work at her regular hour. His mate reminded him of himself in so many ways; she was as dedicated and ambitious as he was.

Right now, she seemed to be in some kind of fugue state. She barely spoke on the way home, and when he asked if she wanted a coffee, she shook her head and went straight to bed. He needed a shower, but by the time he finished washing up, his mate was sound asleep.

Her exhaustive state might be why he wasn’t sure he could believe her when she’d told him that Dalton Garner was a tiger shifter. That was crazy. The only shifters he’d ever run into were either bears or wolves, though he admitted tigers existed—just not in Tennessee. Sure, she said one of her talents was being able to tell what kind of shifter someone was, but he figured she’d missed the boat with this one. Perhaps Kalan could shed some light on it since they were partners.

Jackson set his alarm for eight so he could get up early and fix Ainsley a nice breakfast before work. Food perked up any shifter. After a quick two-hour snooze, he rose and made her a meal. He then went in to wake her. To his surprise, Ainsley didn’t grumble at being roused. Still in a zombie-like state, she dressed and came out to the table. He thought she’d want to discuss what happened at the Ernst residence, but she remained silent, eating her food as if on automatic pilot. He understood she was still processing the near disaster earlier this morning.

“How about tonight we watch a movie? Your choice,” he said.

Finally, a smile appeared. “I’d love that. Thank you.”

Jackson kissed her goodbye. “Text me when you arrive at the clinic.” In her state, she might become distracted and run off the road, and he wanted to make sure she arrived safely.
Or send me a message with your mind
, he telepathed.

“I’m fine.” She ran a hand down his chest, and his body exploded with need. Fortunately, he succeeded in talking down his randy bear.

“I know you are, but send a message anyway.” He kissed her forehead because he didn’t trust himself to do more. “Have a good day.”

He debated following her, but that would only lead to an argument about him being overly protective.

Once Ainsley left, he cleaned up, dressed, and then headed to the Donaldson property to make sure Wayne understood exactly where he was to dig. At least Jackson didn’t have to hide what might be hidden below. Being a shifter, Wayne would understand.

When Jackson arrived, to his surprise Connor and Kalan were at the site. “Hey, what are you two doing here?”

“I don’t trust Ernst,” his brother said. “If one of his Clan spots you digging, he might report back to the Council. Ernst is probably just biding his time before he tries to steal it.”

Jackson wasn’t worried. “Bring it on. We’ll have five men here at all times once Wayne digs down far enough. By the way, he said he’ll have it dug by tonight.”

“Great,” Connor said. He looked up and nodded. “Speaking of which, here’s Wayne now.”

Just as Jackson turned to meet the man who would excavate the well area, he sensed two other shifters besides his brother, Connor, and Wayne. He searched the woods across from the property but didn’t see anyone. “I’m sensing company,” he said.

“So do I,” Connor said, his mouth pinched and his gaze focused.

“Let them watch,” Jackson said. “With what we have planned for Wayne, I don’t think our work will raise any red flags—that is, until we unearth the sardonyx.”

“I bet the Changelings will feel the power emanating from the source before it’s exposed. Then they’ll wait for the right moment to grab it,” Kalan said.

“Let them try. We’ll be prepared.”

Wayne came over. With survey in hand, Jackson explained where he needed to dig. “Just be careful. We don’t need to be left with a pile of dirt sprinkled with sardonyx.”

Wayne smiled. “I can grab a one carat diamond with my scoop.”

Jackson laughed. “See that you do.”

For the rest of the morning, Jackson stood watch. Kalan left around noon, but Dalton stayed until two. Jackson had scheduled members of his Clan to show up in three-hour shifts starting at three. By six, Jackson was beat and called it a day. Until the treasure was actually found, he figured things would remain calm.

Suddenly, Wayne’s tractor scoop hit something hard, and Jackson rushed over, his heart running in overdrive. Together, they checked it out.

“It’s the well!” Jackson said. “I’ll be damned. We’re getting close.”

“I’ll go slowly around this area, but I’ll continue to dig the larger pond to throw those bastards off. You look like shit. Why don’t you head home and rest. I’ll call you if I find anything.”

“Perfect.” In a few hours, Jackson would either be a hero or look like a fool. “Keep in touch. Connor should be back soon.”

Of the five clansmen who’d volunteered to stand watch, three would station themselves around the area while the other two would do a larger perimeter search. That should be enough to dissuade the Changelings from charging in.

When Jackson returned home, Ainsley’s car was in the driveway, and despite being exhausted and cold from standing outside all day, his bear wanted her.

“She needs to rest,”
he tried telling the animal inside him. Too bad his bear never listened. He’d promised her a movie, and that’s what she’d get.

Tomorrow, after they found the treasure, they could celebrate in style. Not that he had any use for the red stone, but it would be one less source for the Changelings. Unfortunately, even if they kept this stash of sardonyx from the Changelings, it wouldn’t stop Council members from buying up one of the buildings that was on top of the other burial sites, ripping up the floors, and digging down. Crimeny, their reign of terror would never stop.

Right now, Jackson hoped he was wrong about what was down there—that there were only useless Confederate notes. It sure would save the Wendayans a lot of grief.

He unlocked the front door and entered. Now that Ainsley was living with him, he had to make sure she was safe. “Ainsley?” he called out as he tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and took off his gloves and jacket.

When she didn’t answer, he headed into the bedroom. Aw. His sweet mate was still dressed in her uniform, faced down on the bed. He smiled. On the drive home, he’d thought about treating her to a massage, but it would be better not to wake her. If she did rouse and was in the mood, he’d make sure he provided all sorts of fun.

*

Ainsley awoke at
ten p.m. after having crashed on the bed. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been that tired. When she realized she hadn’t even taken off her uniform, she groaned then rolled over, only to find Jackson sitting next to her reading.