“Well, I appreciate your coming to my presentation,” Maya lied. “And everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But since you don’t have pets or young family members at home, I doubt that you have to worry about anyone being attacked by the wolves—assuming these wolves run away from confrontations with nonprey creatures, as most do. And—”
“And you’re trying to convince us that you’re not only entitled to your opinion...” said the man in the pale yellow shirt just beyond her who hadn’t spoken before. It was Morton, Vinnie’s husband whom she’d introduced at the talk. “...but that you know everything, and everyone who lives around here should support your ridiculous position? Now look, lady. This is my town. My family’s town, and I intend to protect it. Understand?”
“No,” Maya said quietly. “I don’t.” She noticed then that most conversations in the bar had ceased. It was a lot quieter than when she’d entered. She didn’t see any of the people who’d admitted to being with the media there, though.
“We don’t want any damned predatory creatures around here.” The man spoke through gritted teeth. He appeared older than his wife, maybe in his fifties. His hair was thin, his brows gray and curved over his angry brown eyes. His arms were crossed over a chest that appeared sunken—but his fragility did nothing to ease Maya’s fear of him.
She figured that this man hated wildlife—or, worse, wanted to wipe it out. She might not like the idea, but there were laws protecting some species in specified areas, and requirements of licenses before hunting those that were more plentiful and might actually need to have their numbers limited for the good of the rest of the species. She wasn’t a vegetarian, and she could understand hunting for one’s dinner.
But she had a sense that this guy just despised animals enough to kill for sport. And if that was true, she would despise him.
Right now, though, she did not want to continue this confrontation.
“Look,” she said, “I recognize that we have very different positions on this.”
“Ya think?” Morton asked sarcastically, his hands now on his hips. “Hey, here’s what I think. I’ll be the one to change my mind, suddenly love wolves. Want to hug them all.” He glanced toward Ryan, who stood with Rocky beside him. Morton moved then, approaching the dog with his hand out. “Well, aren’t you just the greatest creature on earth?” He reached out and shoved Rocky’s muzzle.
The dog didn’t even growl, which made Maya very happy. But the man’s gesture didn’t.
“Don’t you hurt him.” She hissed between her clenched teeth, “He’s a lot nicer than you are.”
“That’s for sure.” Ryan placed himself between his dog and the jerk of a man who’d touched him. Ryan’s friend Piers also stood at the dog’s side and faced down Morton as well as Vinnie and Carlo, who’d joined him.
“What a great dog that is,” said a male voice from behind Maya, and she realized that Trev had moved again.
“He sure is,” said someone else, a woman this time.
“Leave him alone,” came another voice. When Maya turned to see who was there she was both glad and surprised to see at least half a dozen people behind her, apparently backing her up. She recognized some, maybe all of them, from her talk.
“Back off,” said yet another one.
“This isn’t over,” Morton said, sidling away from Rocky and all the people now confronting him. “Not unless you leave and stop trying to get people to love those damned wolves. They’re nasty and vicious and don’t belong around here.”
“Sounds like you’re describing yourself,” Maya couldn’t help saying in return.
She caught Ryan’s eye, then recalled that he had suggested she was endangering herself by her attitude in standing up to these people who didn’t see things her way.
But instead of scowling or looking angry, he had a half smile on his sexy face and shook his head slowly as if amused by her.
That made her want to run over and hug the handsome guy—but she stayed still.
Instead, it was Morton Fritts and his gang who stomped out of the bar.
Good. They were gone.
Ryan continued to stand near Maya, with Piers and Rocky at his sides—and all those nice people behind her who’d spoken up in support of her.
Bartender Buck Lesterman had joined them, too. Interesting.
This group seemed to be filled with wildlife advocates who appreciated what Maya said and stood for, which was a good thing in Ryan’s estimation.
But were any of them shifters? All of them?
There’d been hints of an influx here thanks to the wolf sightings, and Alpha Force members had heard those rumors.
If some or all of these folks were shifters, then Maya had helped Ryan start to meet his goal. He owed her for that.
But for right now...
He regarded the group across from them, then strode forward, hand outstretched, purposely avoiding the guy who’d spoken with Maya and offered her a snack, apparently flirting with her. For some reason, that irritated Ryan, even if the guy turned out to be a wildlife advocate.
“Hi,” he said to the first of them. “I’m Ryan Blaiddinger, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Thanks to all of you for your support of conservation of the latest arrival of wolves around here.” He felt Maya stir behind him and figured she wasn’t thrilled that he’d taken over the position she probably intended to fulfill.
“Good to meet you, Ryan,” said a petite woman with long and fluffy light brown hair streaked with deeper color. Hair that resembled a wolf’s?
Ryan knew he was reaching a bit in an attempt to convince himself things were as he hoped.
But he might not be wrong...
“I’m Kathie Sharan,” the woman continued. “This is my husband, Burt. We just recently moved here and bought the Corner Grocery Store down the street. We used to live in Montana, and there are wolves there, too. We’ve no problem with some showing up in this neighborhood. It’s kind of cool, in fact.”
Could that actually be why they’d moved here?
“Hi, Ryan.” Burt, tall and thin with deep brown hair and a hint of a beard, edged next to his wife and held out his hand. His grip was firm as he shook Ryan’s. “I hope you’ll come visit our store while you’re in town. You, too, Maya.” He turned toward where she stood and held out his hand to her, as well.
A couple of other people near them also issued greetings that Ryan returned. Maya, too, and also Piers when Ryan introduced him as another employee of the federal fish and wildlife organization. And all of them made a fuss over a clearly pleased Rocky.
Even bartender Buck did so, as did the guy who’d been flirting with Maya—Trev Garlona. He’d introduced himself, as well.
So at least some of these wolf advocates had recently moved here and purchased businesses, intending to stay.
Of course Ryan could be completely wrong. They might have had different agendas when they decided to settle in Fritts Corner, nothing at all to do with wolves—or shifting.
But he had a feeling he would get to know some or all of them a lot better.
Maybe starting tonight.
For now, though, he needed to prepare, perhaps even to rest. He soon said goodbye to the gang of wolf supporters who’d joined them, and they all headed back to their seats—after Buck promised to refresh their drinks. The place remained busy,