Jackson’s eyes stayed cold and unreadable as he studied Joseph, weighing every word the man said.
The story could be true—or another trap.
“After we left yesterday,” Joseph began nervously, “the rain came down hard. We found a cave and stayed the night, but halfway through, a wolf came out of nowhere. It went for me, but Kayla… she jumped in the way. It bit her leg.”
Even recalling it made him pale. He still remembered the flash of teeth, the blood, the chaos. What he didn’t mention was how he’d shoved Kayla forward to buy himself time.
Bethany folded her arms, glaring down at him like a queen passing judgment. “And you waited until morning to come for help? Doesn’t sound that serious to me.”
“I swear I’m not lying!” Joseph cried. “If I am, may your gun put a bullet right through my s
