Page 30 of Werewolves Don't Howl
Oh. She’d been dating him. Would this be awkward? I hand my hand looped in Silverton’s arm, but we weren’t holding hands. This was our first public outing together, so we wouldn’t have too much PDA.
“I read your article this morning,” she said to me, brows lowered over accusing eyes.
I stared at her. That’s what she was going to be upset about? “Did you? I’m gratified. It’s not my typical fare, but our regular investigational reporter had a family emergency.”
“Why would you suggest that Singsong City is on the brink of pack war? Do you want to threaten the city’s tourism industry?” She did own a few hotels, come to think of it.
This must be why Loren never came to these things. I noticed that Silverton’s arm had stiffened under my hand. Did he not read the article or did seeing Forsythia make him uncomfortable? I smiled sweetly. “I suppose I didn’t think about the economy when I was looking at the photos of that poor werewolf.”
She sniffed. “If he hadn’t been killed in Sing, it wouldn’t be a problem. They should keep their issues in Song, where they belong.”
“A murder is only a problem in Sing?” Silverton asked with a slight smile and warm interest coloring his voice.
Forsythia was Elven, so she wasn’t going to fall into the trap of his pretended warmth. “Of course not, Senator, but there are always problems in Song that should stay there.”
“So even when someone’s murdered in Sing, it’s a Song problem?” he asked, this time letting the bite in his words show.
Her smile was positively soothing. “Werewolves don’t live in the upper city. They’re uncomfortable there and enjoy the undercity much more. If there are a few murders among their rival packs, that’s their business. It shouldn’t involve anyone else.”
Someone cleared their throat behind us. I smelled werewolf the second before we turned around to find Max dressed in a black suit with a floral tie. He looked surprisingly comfortable in a suit. Come to think of it, he did own a lot of things in Sing and Song, he just didn’t usually show up at society events. Almost like he didn’t feel like he belonged there.
“Max, it’s so nice to see you,” I said warmly.
He looked at me with anger burning in his eyes. “I’d like a word with you.”
“By all means.”
“Privately.”
“I’m actually here to work. I don’t have time…”
“You want to interview me about this pack war we’re having. Now.” The weight of his command as my alpha hit me hard, making my whole body tense. In a second, my beast was going to burst out of me and challenge Max. That would be one way to declare myself a werewolf.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said to the senator.
He gave me a slight bow and then turned back to Forsythia, letting me slip off with Max. The second we were alone in a hall, he turned on me.
“What were you thinking? First, revealing Ridley’s pack, second, suggesting pack war, third, coming here when you should be at home resting. You’re limping. You’re not taking care of yourself andyour protectorisn’t either.”
I hissed at him. “And what did you do to protect me? Dragging me to the Alta? You think that was a strong alpha move? You did nothing to protect me from Ridley or your higher ups. Don’t you dare criticize Senator Silverton. Right now, I really hate werewolves. You think I should have loyalty to a group of slavering monsters who think nothing of selling a woman to whoever can be the most violent? I wrote that article because I think that Loren’s missing because she saw something, maybe who killed Ridley, maybe something else, and I want to create a lot of noise so I can look into it without getting attention.”
He blinked at me and the anger faded. “Loren? Another female’s gone missing? You think Ridley…”
“No. I think someone might be using Ridley’s reputation as a cover for their own criminal behavior.” I shivered as the pieces arranged themselves in my mind. “Loren is the person who should have written that article. I’m taking her place, which will make me a target if I mention what I really think. I get that it’s bad for tourism and werewolf reputations, but if I’m going to get to the bottom of this, and I am, I need my target off his guard.”
“You don’t think I’m the perpetrator or you wouldn’t be telling me this.”
“No, Max. There is no way you could ever be anything other than noble.”
He blinked at me. “You’re good. Make me feel guilty for my failings, diffuse my anger with an unexpected announcement, and then end it with flattery. You suit a politician.”
I winced. “Yes, well, I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear that you approve. I’ve got to get back to the party. Can you send me everything you know about the missing women, both in Golden and elsewhere?”
“There are a tragically high number of missing women, but I’ll do what I can. I am sorry about last night. Are you truly okay with the senator?” His warm eyes were concerned.
“Mm,” I said with a smile and looped my arm in his. “Now, Max, which of these living artworks are you going to pay an exorbitant amount for since you showed up to corner me?”
He growled as we walked back to the main halls. He looked at the first one we came to and nodded at it. “That one.”
