Free Avenger's Heat by Katie Reus

Vietnam.
    Lionel nodded once at Noah, the action curt. “Been a long time. You look good, son.”
    Noah nodded back. “You too, sir.” He was actually older than Lionel by about two, maybe three decades, but he’d always called this human sir. Noah motioned to Erin. “This is Erin Flynn.”
    Erin held out her hand and shook Lionel’s once before looking at Angus. “Where’s the female?”
    Angus almost looked surprised for a moment, then jerked a thumb behind him. “This way.”
    Noah knew Erin’s question seemed harsh, but he understood her. Understood that she didn’t want to make small talk with the human or Angus when she needed to be doing her job. It was just the way she was hardwired.
    Lionel stayed back, saying he didn’t want to go too far from his sleeping wife, while they trekked down a heavily trodden dirt path. Cypress and cedar trees surrounded them. That cedar scent was so similar to Erin’s own natural smell it almost stopped Noah in his tracks. She had a sweet magnolia aroma that always surrounded her, but underneath it was cedar. Just like with Jayce. Noah hadn’t asked but he figured it had something to do with her being an enforcer like the other wolf.
    About fifty yards down from the house, near the marshy bank, a female body had washed up and was stuck between two logs. The moonlight bathed her body in perfect illumination. Her clothes had been shredded in places, probably getting caught on debris traveling down the river. Her body was bloated, but even so it was obvious she’d been very pregnant when she died. Her distended belly was even more so—Noah hardened his jaw and looked away.
    Seeing any female like this made his wolf want to kill. He caught his father’s gaze and saw the same rage lurking beneath the surface. As Alpha, it was in his father’s blood to protect. That need was a living, breathing thing for good Alphas and right now Noah could see his father’s wolf wanted blood.
    â€œWe haven’t touched the body,” Angus said quietly as he turned to look at Erin. “Knew you’d want the scene undisturbed.”
    â€œDid you call anyone else? Tell anyone else about this?” she asked.
    Angus shook his head. “Not even my mate knows.”
    â€œGood, let’s keep it that way. Does your friend Lionel know this is to be kept under wraps?”
    Angus paused for a moment. “He should, but I’ll make sure. Meet me back at the house when you’re done.”
    Erin turned away from him to get to work, then stopped him before he’d taken more than a few steps. “Angus, I don’t mean to be a ballbuster or anything, but anytime anything happens in this case I need you to call me first, not Noah. Not anyone. I understand this is your territory and that people will be contacting you with anything out of the ordinary—like tonight—and I’m very grateful you have such a pulse on this community and are willing to help. I just—”
    Angus cut her off. “Not a problem.”
    It was subtle, but Noah watched as Erin breathed out a soft sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
    Nodding, Angus left and Noah watched as Erin took off her backpack. She pulled out a small kit then handed her pack to him. “Would you mind?”
    Shaking his head, he took it. “What are you going to do?”
    Bending down, she tucked her pants into her knee-high boots before wading into the thick mud. Hooking her pack over his shoulder, he followed suit. His boots made sucking sounds each step they took toward Kaigen D’Amico.
    â€œTake pictures of the area, check under her fingernails for any DNA, see if there’s anything other than her that doesn’t belong in this picture. We’re going to need to call local law enforcement soon. They’ll have more resources and be able to look for more evidence, but it’s better if we have the first crack at