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At first I thought it was Edward, and I kneas dead Then I saw the shoes next to my paws

Tennies, not combat boots Girl feet Jessie That didn’t ht give me a chance to explain first

If only I could talk

"We were looking for Sheriff Stephenson," she murmured "Guess we found him"

"Or what’s left of him"

Will Thank God, a voice of reason

I whiht into my eyes and blurted, "Elise?"

"Where?"

The shotgun barrel tapped !" Instead I growled

"Shut up I’ll deal with you in a minute"

"That’s Elise," Will said "The wolf you’re about to kill"

"What?"

At least she uncocked the gun, and I breathed a little easier But she kept the barrel tilted in my direction

I could smell the silver shot inside I really wished she’d ailanced up and she started "People eyes always creep ed the gun aith my head

"Oh, sorry" She lifted the weapon and held it in a cradle carry across her chest "What are you doing out here?"

Her attention went to the dead sheriff, then swiftly returned to un

I didn’t do it! I wanted to shout, but I could only shake uy Werewolf You be the judge"

I looked at Will and he shrugged I don’t think he believed me, either I needed words But to speak, I had to shift, and then I’d be naked

I’d never been easy with nudity I always kept clothes in the forest when I changed But tonight I hadn’t had the ti, I paced, worried the ground with a paw, then glanced at Jessie mournfully

"Take a hike, Slick," Jessie onna be buck naked after she changes Get my extra set of clothes and the blanket froet the stuff, and then she changes?"

Jessie lifted a bland gaze to his "How about I shoot you, too, if you don’t move your ass?"

"Jealous?"

"You don’t need to see all you’re "

"I don’t see anyone but you Haven’t for a long time now"

I snorted, and Jessie said, "Yeah, that was hokey, wasn’t it?"

"I’d just like to see the change, is that too "

"I bet"

"Elise would understand Wouldn’t you?"

I lifted my upper lip and showed him my teeth

"I don’t think she would" Jessie , Cadotte I need to talk to the doc, and I’d like her on two feet when I do it"

"All right, all right" He stomped off in what I presu good Never get to have any fun Never get to shoot anything, either"

"You don’t like guns," Jessie shouted after hi"

"I hed as he disappeared into the trees His flashlight bobbed for a few seconds, then faded For an instant I worried about whatever ot nothing but a whiff of dead sheriff, Jessie, and Will

"He really is kind of sweet," Jessie entle soul, but it takes all kinds"

She was talking to ed and furry Maybe it was easier for her to connect when she didn’t actually have to connect

As if realizing what she’d done, Jessie ht fro the beaot so to do, Doc"

I’d told her to callto like the way she sneered "Doc" Which onlymy mind as well as my control

Will returned ht I hadn’t heard a car approach earlier, but I’d been a little distracted by the dead body

Jessie yanked the blanket fro" She peeked over the top

"We don’t have all night"

The last ti forward This time, I lifted my nose to the sky, and the next instant the breeze fluttered hair instead of fur

"What the hell?" Jessie gasped "No one can shift that fast"

"Where’s the icon?" Will asked

"Haven’t got it on me"

"Obviously" Jessie’s tone was dry and I snickered

Her eyes widened as she handed me a spare set of jeans and yet another T-shirt "What’s with you? You aren’t exactly a laugh-o-ra so lively noith a dead un filled with silver so close toland speed records as he drove as far away froth and power I’d experienced while running as a wolf re what I was, and I wanted to be that way again

Jessie’s gaze returned to the dead sheriff "Thought you didn’t need human blood"

"Wasn’t me"

"Like I haven’t heard that a thousand ti down the barrel of a shotgun again

"If you’re going to keep threatening to kill et anywhere"

"If you’re going to keep lying, I don’t have much choice"

"Edward sent me to find you"

"I haven’t needed a babysitter for a long tihed "For me"

She frowned "We ca Then the deputy called and - What the hell happened that Mandenauer felt the need to test you?"

I glanced at Will, then back at Jessie I didn’t want to tell them, but better me than Edward

Quickly I related the events of a few hours past - glossing over the experience with Nic as best I could

"So you gave it up, huh?" Jessie sood?"

"Jess," Will murmured "Not your business"

Jessie lifted a brow and I couldn’t help but sht," she said "Guys like hi blown to hell by a silver bullet hile"

A tug of camaraderie surprised me One minute I was tempted to become a olf and run with the pack The next I was pulled toward the sort of friendship I’d always longed for and never had My dual nature had never before seemed so divided,

"How did the sheriff die?" Jessie peered at the body with the aid of her flashlight

I guess bonding tiood look," I said

"Seeot here"

"S," Jessie er-Sucher, you’re awfully squeamish about details"

"Sue me" Jessie shined the beam across the sheriff’s neck "I’m not a medical examiner, but I’m pretty sure that was sliced neatly instead of torn by teeth"

I frowned at the mess "That’s neat?"

"For this kind of murder Knife wound" She looked me up and down "Which leaves you off the hook"

"I could have thrown the weapon into the bushes"

"With your paws? Besides, a wound like that, you’d be covered in blood"

"Ew"

"Noho’s squeaot a plain, old, everyday murderer on the loose?" I asked "No funny stuff?"

"Seems that way"

"Which h where I was going to go, I had no idea

Jessie’s cell phone rang Still staring at the body, she answered

"Jessie"

I heard Edward’s voice clearly, even though the phone was pressed to Jessie’s ear My transfor better

"Is Elise with you?"

Jessie glanced at me "Yes"

"Has she exhibited any odd behavior?"

"Not unless you count changing from olf to woue, and she grinned But her smile faded as Edward continued to speak "There is a serious olf outbreak I need you to attend to"