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"We almost died and you're making a joke?" Rook asked her in disbelief. Though he was more amused and exasperated than anything.

"Can we get back to the matter at hand?" the deputy questioned before she could answer.

"This is really your fault for trying to blame Prue," I reminded him. “Maybe let us talk and you’ll find out the details and do an actual investigation.”

"Right, right. Simon, head outside and help with the collection samples," the sheriff told him.

He cussed under his breath but headed for the still open door.

"So, I'd normally talk to you one by one but you two Alphas haven't taken an eye off of her. Mates, I'm guessing?" Sheriff Dave asked.

Rook said yes and I attempted a growl again. No cough this time. I’d tell the world Prue was mine.

"We were in the living room and someone shot at us. No warning at all. That's all that happened. There was no warning or dispute beforehand.”

"That was straight to the point, huh?" Dave asked.

"No reason to lie," Prue said with a shrug. "It all went by so fast but yes. Shot at and that was all. No other sounds or a rant like a villain would do. You know spilling their plan to the hero because they think that they have the upper hand and they lose it? So, I'm not sure what else you want to know."

The sheriff's eyes glazed over a little at the explanation, but I thought it was perfect.

Dave shook his head and his eyes cleared, "Okay, we are going to have to comb this house. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"Great… homeless again," I muttered under my breath.

"You can stay with me," Rook and Prue said in unison.

"Wow, not even a hesitation," Dave murmured. "Wish I had family like that in my life."

"You good, Sheriff?" I questioned, arching a brow.

"Huh? Fine. Misspoke," he said, waving it off.

I didn't have time to respond when someone from outside yelled, "Get down!"

Rook and I bumped heads as we dove for Prue again, both of us covering her body with ours.

Once we got the all clear, Rook and I both stayed there for a moment too long.

"I appreciate that you two would take a bullet for me, but can you get off? I can't breathe. Plus, we don't know each other that well," she said with a light laugh and a wheeze.

"Oh, sorry," we mumbled at the same time and got up, both holding out a hand for her at the same time.

"You two are scary alike, aren't you?" she asked as she took our hands in hers. I didn’t bother to point out that her hands were shaking.

She was scared and that made me want to go feral and hunt down whoever it was shooting at us.

“Once they leave I’m going to sniff around,” I said as Dave went off to check what had caused the second wave. Even though we’d crawled off of her, we stayed low, unsure if it was over.

The cops ignored us as they milled in and out. Everyone’s movements were frantic and concise as they combed over every inch of my house and the yard. Dave hovered near the doorway, barking orders. Every ounce of the funny, endearing sheriff was gone, replaced by the man who’d earned his badge.

No more shots echoed out and after an hour of scouring the property, the sheriff finally approached again.

“We have no leads but we’re leaving officers stationed outside. I don’t think it’s safe for you to return home tonight, and Prue, I know you’re next door, so I suggest both of you go to Rook’s place. It’s Magistrate property and puts you across town.”

Prue frowned but didn’t argue. I preferred my house here next to the forest but right now, I was eager to catch the scent.

Rook helped my little mate pack while I threw together a bag of my own. My wolf was antsy to be free and I was fighting the shift with everything I had.