“I understand,” Fenris said. “But if I were you, I’d be very careful about calling the Northeast Alpha a liar. That’s the kind of talk that starts wars. I think a lot of you, or we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. I’d be ordering you to make the human talk.”
Knox felt his wolf snarling inside him, longing to tear flesh. He pushed down a growl and forced himself to sound civil. “The human’s name is Heather, and she’s my mate.”
“So you’ve claimed her?”
“Not yet. But I will. And she’ll be a great asset to us,” Knox said. “She works in the emergency room in an area with a high shifter population. She can help us keep our existence a secret. And since she’s human, if the humans started talking about shifters, she would hear about it and she could report back to us.”
“That’s true,” Fenris acknowledged. “But keep a lid on things. And keep me updated on what’s happening. This has the potential to blow up in a big way. So far, until I see proof otherwise, this girl accepted a cash payment to marry Kevin, and so did her father. And she blew through all the money and then ran off. As far as I’m concerned, the girl is obligated to go through with the marriage.”
Knox felt frustration and anger boil up in him, but he kept a lid on it.
“Yes, Alpha,” he ground out, and hung up the phone.
Chapter Nine
Heather, Olive and Clarence climbed out of Clarence’s pickup truck. They were parked in front of Jerry’s Gas Station; they’d come on Olive’s recommendation, to talk to one of the clerks in the store.
“Her name is Trista. Maybe she can help you,” Olive said. “She’s part hyena shifter, and she’s an absolute whiz when it comes to the law. She knows all about the laws governing shifters.”
Knox had to work, so he’d ordered that Clarence be with Heather at all times to keep her safe, if he couldn’t be with her.
When they walked in, Olive gave Trista a big hug.
“Everything will work out for you, dear,” she said warmly.
Trista managed a faint smile. “Thanks, Olive, I hope you’re right.” She had dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you all right?” Heather asked her with sympathy.
“I’ll be fine,” Trista said wearily. “Working two jobs.”
“I hate to bother you, but any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated, and might help save a girl from an abusive relationship.”
Heather explained the situation, telling her everything she knew about it, and also all the false claims that were being made against Margaret.
When she was done, Trista shook her head and frowned. “Unfortunately, it can be hard to go up against an Alpha’s law. If he beat her up, it may be seen as his word against hers, and he’s the one with the wealthy, connected, extremely powerful father. That’s the way it is with shifters. Trust me, I know from painful experience.”
Heather sighed. “That’s frequently the way it is with humans too, unfortunately. I’ve seen abusers get away with things, and it chaps my hide. I can’t let this happen to Margaret; I promised her. Are you saying there’s nothing that can be done?”
“No. It’s difficult, but not necessarily impossible. I’ve used the laws to find loopholes to let me stay here in town.” At Heather’s questioning look, she added, “The hyenas here kidnapped the son of the local bear leader, and they attacked and permanently scarred his brother by using poison-tipped claws. All of the hyenas are being ordered out of this area.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a shame to see all of you tarred with the same brush.”
Trista gave a weary, resigned shrug. “Well, I guess in fairness, a lot of the local hyenas were a trouble-making bunch. Anyway, if you’re with Knox, he’ll have access to the documents that spell out shifter laws. You need to study chapter twenty-three, regarding Alpha matings, from beginning to end. Look for any possible loophole.”
“Thank you. I’ll go home and start doing that immediately.”
Olive slapped down a hundred-dollar bill on the counter for Trista. When Trista tried to argue, Olive shook her head.
“You’re one of the few good ones in your pack, and you’re getting a raw deal,” she said to her. “And I was sorry to hear about your mother going missing. I hope you find her soon. Good luck with everything.”
They hurried out the back door.
“The shifter world sounds like there’s a lot of unfairness and favoring of the rich and powerful,” Heather grumbled as they climbed into Clarence’s car.