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“It wasn’t anything major. I just wanted to play-fight with my fiancé.”
Margo’s eyebrows dance at me. “Did that lead to you shifting back for a moonlight tryst worthy of getting into the dirty, naughty details?”
I choked out a laugh. I couldn’t help it. Margo was so refreshing and had such a free spirit about her. “Margo, you need a boyfriend.”
With a heavy sigh, she fell back on the bed like a drama queen. “Don’t I know it.”
“Let me get dressed, then we can head to the town hall meeting.”
Margo got off the bed. “Mom and I will meet you in the foyer in ten minutes.”
The three of us arrived at the town hall with plenty of time to spare. I was amazed at how many people turned up. I’d never been to a town hall meeting before, and as soon as I walked in, the loud hum of talking died down and the group started watching me and whispering. They weren’t even subtle about it.
Sheriff Clawson walked up to us. “Hi, Tori. Ridge has a seat available for you. Sorry, Ms. Bogford, Margo, I didn’t think to save you two seats next to Tori.”
The sheriff eyed Margo a little longer than necessary, but I didn’t pay it too much mind as I realized the lone seat Clawson had pointed out was in the very first row next to what I assumed was the mayor’s seat.
Margo and Diana headed to a couple of chairs in the back. I made to follow them, but they shooed me away to follow Sheriff Clawson.
I scanned the room, looking for Ridge but not seeing him anywhere. Clasping my hands in front of me so tight until they were numb and keeping my eyes down, I followed Clawson to the front. I could feel the weight of every eye on me. After years of running and hiding, being so public went against my inherent instincts. I fidgeted, my foot tapping nervously as I waited for Ridge to show. Once he was there, I’d calm down. I could count on that.
Vulnerability and self-consciousness crept into my chest. I had spent the last four years blending in and never getting noticed. That was no longer an option now that I was involved in the prime gossip for the town.
I surveyed the crowd. The shifters were tense and distrustful of everyone, or at least that was what I gleaned. I could only imagine what was going through their minds. This meeting seemed to be an annoyance to them. They wanted this handled like a pack because whoever killed the deputy was putting the shifters’ very existence in jeopardy.
The humans were mourning and scared that a killer or wild animal was loose in their town. They were there for answers. A family with bloodshot eyes and sorrow oozing out of their pores sat a few rows back in the opposite aisle. That had to be Phil Hill’s family. My heart ached for them. Losing somebody you loved in such a manner was devastating. I’d know.
The crowd started rumbling when Ridge arrived. He shook hands and spoke to people as he meandered through the town hall, comfortable in his role of mayor. His gorgeous face, smile, and kind eyes had my inner wolf and me aching for him.
Stomping those thoughts out of my mind, I studied the way he interacted with people. Ridge exuded leadership and alpha power without trying. I noticed how people instigated the interaction, placing themselves in his path so he had no choice but to acknowledge them. After an age, he made it to the podium, winking and smiling at me when he passed me.
My stomach did a little jig, and my wolf preened in approval. The attraction between us was strong, I couldn’t deny that. Part of us seemed to fit even though I’d normally run away from a man like him. But for some strange reason, I was staying and letting this charade play out. My wolf made it clear that we wouldn’t allow this with any other man.
He addressed the crowd and got everyone quieted down in short order. Commanding that kind of obedience and respect was yet another impressive trait.
“Thank you all for coming. By now, I’m sure everyone has heard about the tragic scene discovered at the bar this morning.” The group nodded and affirmed. Ridge turned to the family. “Our community aches for the Hill family. Phil was a major staple in the Blackwood Creek community, and his loss is deeply felt.” The Hill family accepted his words, but I had a sneaking suspicion that Ridge had already spoken with them in private. “There has been a lot of confusion and fear about this tragedy, so I want to make sure we are all on the same page regarding the ongoing investigation.”
Surprise hit me when James Ashworth stood and spoke. “Why is this being treated like a murder investigation if it looked like an animal attack? Shouldn’t we be out hunting the creature?”
His mild-mannered demeanor invoked a lot of murmurings of agreement from the humans. The shifters remained silent.
“That’s a great question, James. While it appeared like an animal attack at first glance, Sheriff Birch Clawson’s team found evidence to suggest foul play is a genuine possibility here.”
The crowd erupted into gasps and whispered conversations.
Ridge lifted his hands to motion for everybody to settle down. “Now, I’m keeping this vague since this is an ongoing investigation, but we wanted to assure you all that we are putting proper manpower and focus on solving this serious matter.”
I watched Ridge and the sheriff. They’d probably done it this way so they could investigate the shifter community further without humans raising too many questions.
“I know this probably isn’t what most of you were expecting when you came to this meeting, but it is imperative that everyone remain calm and allow the investigation to progress without any interference. We are a strong and resilient community, but we are also a caring and compassionate one. We will not let this tragedy divide us or break us down. We will overcome this challenge together. Accusing friends or neighbors won’t help solve this. I can assure you that everything that needs to be done is being done.”
Ridge rested his hands on the corner of the podium and scanned the crowd. “Now, a few fingers have already been groundlessly pointed.” His gaze narrowed on the Greenthornes. “The first people who arrived at the crime scene, including my fiancée, are, like everyone else, innocent until proven guilty.” The crowd rumbled again at the mention of his fiancée, but Ridge maintained control of the room. “Right now, they all have solid alibis and shouldn’t be treated with suspicion or ill will.”
Some families who appeared to have daughters my age glared daggers at me, and my wolf growled. She was ready to defend Ridge’s claim and put all those bitches in their place. I almost had to chain her down again, but she settled when we saw the Ashworths smiling at me. Little Beck waved at me, and I fluttered my fingers back at the cutie.
The Bogfords’ smiles were blinding, and Margo gave two thumbs up and a wink. My wolf and I calmed down with their warm celebration of the news. Not wanting my wolf to get into another snit, I returned my focus to Ridge.
“Please let law enforcement do their jobs and be patient as the investigation continues. If anyone has any information, I urge you to cooperate and report any suspicious activity or information you may have. The sooner we solve this, the sooner we can properly honor and mourn Deputy Hill. Any resistance will be seen as a cause for suspicion. Sheriff Clawson has also increased police patrols and security measures to ensure your safety. I would also like to add that everyone in Blackwood Creek deserves a safe place to live, and we’ll stop at nothing to ensure that.”
