Chapter 16 #2
We stand like that for a while, just holding each other as the stars begin to appear overhead. This is what I need. Not more planning or strategizing, but this quiet intimacy with the woman who's become the center of my world.
"Thank you," Ava says softly.
"For what?"
"For protecting me through all of this. For introducing me to Lydia, for handling Marcus, for making sure I don't spiral into anxiety every five minutes." She smiles. "For being you."
"I should be thanking you. You didn't have to stay. You could have submitted your EPA report and gone back to Clemson, let us deal with the fallout. But you're here, helping us fight this battle."
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be." She kisses me, and I lose myself in it, in her, in the feeling of rightness that settles over me whenever she's in my arms.
My phone rings, breaking the moment. I consider ignoring it, but the ringtone tells me it's Gregory.
"I should take this," I say reluctantly.
"Go ahead. I'll go order us some actual food."
I answer as Ava heads inside. "Gregory. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Actually, I have good news." He sounds pleased. "I just got off the phone with Sheriff Matthews. He's willing to help. Says he can conduct a check on the EnvironTech property tomorrow morning if we can give him a plausible reason to be there."
"That was fast."
"I can be very persuasive when I need to be." Gregory chuckles. "Matthews said to tell you he's been waiting years for an excuse to look into EnvironTech. Something about his son getting sick from contaminated water five years ago."
My wolf perks up at that. "They poisoned his son?"
"He can't prove it, but he's always suspected. The timing lined up with when they were dumping waste near Parkerville's water supply." Gregory's voice turns grim. "Matthews has a personal stake in taking them down. He'll make sure the investigation is thorough."
"That's good. Really good." I run a hand through my hair. "How's the pack handling all this? I've been getting calls but haven't had time to return most of them."
"The wolves are nervous but supportive, for the most part. Word about Dr. Sinclair's presentation has spread through the town and people are impressed with how she handled Marcus." He pauses. "Though Marcus himself is making noise about calling a formal challenge."
My blood runs cold. "When?"
"He hasn't set a date. But he's building support, talking to wolves who share his concerns about outside involvement.
" Gregory's tone is careful. "Hunter, you need to be prepared.
Once the EnvironTech situation is resolved, he's going to push for a leadership challenge. He sees this as his opportunity."
"I know. Caleb warned me." I watch Ava through the window, her phone pressed to her ear as she orders food, completely unaware of the political storm brewing. "How much support does he have?"
"Not enough to beat you. Not yet. But he's patient. He'll wait, build his coalition, choose his moment carefully." Gregory sighs. "I'm telling you this not to worry you, but so you're not blindsided when it happens."
"I appreciate it. Anything else I should know?"
"Just that the pack is watching how you handle this EnvironTech situation. If it goes well, if you manage to protect the pack while also stopping the contamination, it'll solidify your position. But if anything goes wrong?—"
"It gives Marcus ammunition. I understand." I close my eyes briefly. "I'll handle it, Gregory. Whatever comes."
"I know you will. You're a good Alpha, Hunter. Better than Curtis in some ways, though don't tell him I said that." He chuckles. "Now go eat dinner with your mate. You've earned a break."
After we hang up, I stand on the deck for a moment longer, processing. In two weeks, we expose EnvironTech. And sometime after that, Marcus challenges my leadership. Two battles, both potentially devastating in different ways.
But looking at Ava through the window, I know I'll fight both. Because she's worth fighting for. The pack is worth fighting for. And I refuse to let Marcus or EnvironTech or anyone else take away what I've built here.
Ava appears in the doorway. "Food will be here in thirty minutes. You okay? You look stressed."
"I'm fine. Just pack politics." I pull her back into my arms. "Nothing I can't handle."
"You sure?"
"Positive." I kiss her, pushing away thoughts of challenges and investigations and everything that's coming. "Now, didn't we say something about taking a break?"
She grins. "I did. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, we have thirty minutes before food arrives..."
"That's not enough time for anything interesting," she teases.
"Challenge accepted."
I pull her inside, and for the next half hour, EnvironTech and Marcus and pack politics fade away. There's just us, stealing moments of normalcy and intimacy in the calm before the storm.
Because soon, everything is going to change. The investigation will go public, EnvironTech will fight back, and Marcus will make his move.
But tonight, I have Ava in my arms and a plan to protect my pack.
And that's enough.
The next morning, I meet Sheriff Matthews at a diner in Parkerville. He's a big man in his fifties with gray hair and sharp eyes that miss nothing.
"Mr. Turner," he says, shaking my hand. "Been a while."
"Too long. How's your family?"
"Good. Adam just got accepted to UNC Chapel Hill. Starting next fall." Pride colors his voice. "Though I'm not looking forward to the tuition bills."
We make small talk until the waitress brings our coffee, then Matthews gets down to business.
"Lydia filled me in on the situation. EnvironTech's been a thorn in my side for years, but I've never had cause to investigate them properly." He pulls out a notepad. "Until now."
"What do you need from us?"