Free The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) by Vella Day

together. Mom will be devastated. When her sister passed away, she was a mess for weeks.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    Kalan slipped in the front seat, started the engine, and then dialed up the heat before twisting around in his seat. “I’d like to ask you a few things.”
    For the next ten minutes, he pummeled her with questions, but she couldn’t tell him what she didn’t know. “I want the killer or killers dead as much, if not more, than you do.”
    “Ainsley can tell if a wolf if a Changeling,” Jackson said.
    “Is that so?” Kalan said. She was able to detect a hint of pride.
    “Yes.”
    “Are you a good actress?” he asked.
    She glanced at Jackson, but he appeared as confused as she was. “Why?”
    “Because if you know who’s of your Clan and who isn’t, I’d like you to sniff around the Changelings and see what they know about Shamus’s murder.”
    This was her chance. “Absolutely.” She told him about John Ernst and her appointment with his father.
    “It’s too dangerous,” Jackson said.
    That pissed her off. “You don’t own me. Hell, if the Changelings kill me, you should be happy that you wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. If I’m dead, then I can’t disgrace the Murdoch name.”
    From the strange frown marring his handsome face, Jackson actually appeared concerned she might be killed. The only explanation she could come up with was that he had recognized that they were mates. If he believed that, then she’d have to convince him as well as the Murdoch family that she deserved the honor of being cleansed. Not only that, Ainsley wanted justice for the murder of the sweetest man that ever lived.
    “I don’t want to give the Changelings any more victories,” Jackson said.
    That implied she’d lose against them in a fight. She shook her head, doubting that was his only concern. “While I’ve avoided being around shifters for a long time—your sister being the exception—I can handle myself around them.” Now might be a good time to tell him about her ability to become invisible, but she wanted to save that surprise for later; the fewer people who knew about it the better. Though, if she did disappear from their sight, she’d love to hear what these two thought of her while she was still in their presence.
    “If you learn anything from John Ernst, will you tell us?” Kalan asked.
    “Of course. I’m on your side. I want Shamus’s killers brought to justice too. Now, can I go?”
    Jackson placed a hand on her arm, and her senses reeled again. Really? Sexual energy had no place while she was mired in grief and anger.
    “Sure, but keep in touch,” Jackson said.
    A ton of sassy remarks shot to her lips, such as she didn’t have his number, but it wouldn’t do any good to let them fly. With her emotions swirling out of control, no telling what she’d say. Ainsley pushed open the cruiser door, and as much as she didn’t want to look at Shamus lying wrapped in a body bag on the gurney, she couldn’t help it. The stench of blood permeated the area, and her stomach roiled once more.
    Move . And for goddess’s sake, don’t cry until I’m out of their sight.

Chapter Seven
    ‡
    A s soon as Ainsley left the scene, Jackson slipped into the front seat of his brother’s cruiser. His internal sensors were still going crazy. From the moment Ainsley stepped into his parents’ house, he’d been disoriented, unsettled, and completely frustrated. Then when he’d spotted her kneeling over Shamus’s body, his bear wanted to protect her from the hurt, but his human part had enough sense to talk him down, knowing she might not be what she appeared on the outside. His bear insisted she was good through and through, but he refused to listen.
    Jackson had to keep his distance from her, at least until Naliana cleansed her, assuming she would and assuming Ainsley wanted to go through the process. The difficult part between now and then would be to not let his hatred for Changelings shine