Free Downpour (Alpha Love - A Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance Book 1) by Olivia Stephens Page B

and restraint. The thought lights a spark of jealousy and, before she’s fully conscious of what it is that she’s doing, she walks over to Ashton with a little more sway in her hips. The wolf totem pole has flagged a question that she’s been meaning to ask him, as he seems to know so much about this town.
     
    “So, tell me something, is that wolf’s head in there based on anything other than your imagination?” Sofie analyzes his reaction, and she’s pleased to see that he blinks twice in surprise.
     
    He doesn’t give much away. “There have been wolves in this part of the country for centuries. I don’t need to imagine what they look like.” His eyes don’t have the softness that they did only a few minutes ago. The blinds are back down, and there’s a coldness in his voice that reminds her of what he said to her the night before, that he would have left her out in the woods if he’d known she worked for Shale.
     
    “That can’t be right,” she says, shaking her head. “We don’t survey sites that are known habitats for protected species. It would just be a big waste of time and money.”
     
    “I didn’t say that this was a known habitat,” Ashton says in a low voice, but Sofie hears what he’s saying as clear as a bell.
     
    She looks at him, clearly confused. “So what, you’re the only person who knows about the wolves here? What are you? The Wolf Whisperer?” Sofie laughs lightly and then wishes that she hadn’t when she sees the seriousness on Ashton’s face.
     
    “You’re a scientist. I guess that means you must have more than an average set of smarts. I figured you would know not to talk about things you don’t understand,” he says in a harsh voice. The look of disappointment in his eyes is worse than the anger from the night before.
     
    “If there’s something you want to tell me, then just say it. I don’t like riddles.” Sofie leans back, observing Ashton, waiting for him to explain himself; but, he doesn’t. He just stares back at her.
     
    Eventually, he reaches behind the cash register and pulls out some of her sample packages, holding them out to her. “You left some of your rocks in my truck.”
     
    Sofie takes the samples from him, even more confused than she had been before. “Why are you helping me?” She looks between the package and the man, wondering what it is that she’s missing.
     
    “Not helping, just returning something to the rightful owner. Don’t they do that in DC?” His smile returns, but it’s not the one that makes Sofie go weak at the knees. It’s a mocking smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
     
    “No, no they don’t.” Sofie feels like there’s more that she wants to say, that whatever he’s hiding that he can tell her. But why would he trust me? As far as he’s concerned, I’m the enemy, the last thing that I want to be to him. I’ve made a mistake, and I know that. I’ve gotten my feelings involved in what should just be a job, a site survey like any other. But it’s more than that…something has piqued my scientific curiosity. I can tell I’m finding clues…hints as to what’s really going on in the canyon.
     
    A plan starts to form in her mind, and she doesn’t waste any time getting to work. “Thanks for the shirt.” She turns abruptly and marches away, not waiting for a response. She can feel Ashton’s eyes on her all the way to the door, but she doesn’t turn around. If he wants to play hardball, she can play it just as well as he can.
     
    When she gets back to the motel she throws open the door to her room, knowing that Finn is still going to be engrossed in his video game.
     
    He barely looks up from the television. “Feeling better?” he asks—although his voice suggests that he’s a little disappointed she’s back so soon.
     
    “Not sure yet.” Sofie stands in front of the television again, blocking Finn’s view so that he’s forced to give her his undivided attention.
     
    His expression