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“None in the past few days,” Rafe reported.
“Probably because the search for Lena turned into a hunting party as soon as she was found,” Sawyer said, sipping his coffee. “Plenty of guys have been out there.”
Shit. Somehow Theo had completely forgotten about his encounter with Sal and friends, but he didn’t have time to tell that story before the hunter in question came storming into the diner with Dolores hot on his heels.
“We know what’s going on!” he announced as he arrived at their table, red-faced and out of breath.
“You do?” Ruby asked.
Sal paused. “Well, we have some very strong theories.” His gaze shifted to Theo’s and narrowed. “You.”
“Hey, Sal.”
“I saw you,” the old man went on, pointing an accusing finger at Theo. “I saw you in the woods, but it wasn’t you. But it was you.”
“Sal, what the hell are you going on about?” Gert asked.
“Theo can turn into a wolf!” Dolores announced with glee. Only in Maple Hollow would this conclusion be met with excitement and not horror. “Right, Sal?”
“That’s right,” he said. “I knew it. I always said something wasn’t right in those woods. Didn’t I always say that, Ruby?” And if anyone was going to figure out their secret, of course it would be Sal. The man believed in every conspiracy theory, ghost story, and urban legend out there. He was bound to get one of them right.
“You sure did, Sal.”
“And then I was out hunting and I saw a wolf, and it was like I knew him. The way he looked at me and those eyes. I knew those eyes.” He pointed at Theo again and he couldn’t help but bat his eyelashes at Sal.
Sal’s attention swung to Rafe. “And you’re his brother, so that must mean that you can do it too!”
“Well—”
“Ah-ha!” Dolores cackled. “I knew there was something different about you!” She was having a little bit too much fun with the whole thing.
Rafe shook his head with a long sigh.
“Okay, congratulations,” Gert said. “You’ve figured it out. Now what are you going to do with this information?”
“We’ll keep it to ourselves, of course. Not everyone in town is as open-minded as us,” Dolores said, making a cross her heart motion over her chest. “You’re secret’s safe with me, big guy.”
“Thanks, Dolores.”
But Sal was still looking between the two brothers with suspicion.
“They’re okay, Sal,” Ruby said, “I promise.”
“Then what’s going on with these attacks?”
“Wolves from a different pack,” Rafe said, and Sal’s brows raised even higher.
“Multiple packs?” He turned to Dolores. “It’s bigger than we thought. What else is out there?”
Fee and Callie glanced at each other. “How do you feel about witches and nymphs?” Fee asked.
“Oh, and seers,” Ruby added. “Because that’s why the wolves want Lena. She … uh … sees stuff.”
Sal’s bushy brows had risen so high they’d disappeared under his cap, and Dolores was positively vibrating with excitement.
“I knew she was special,” Dolores said.
Sal was still frowning. “And what are you all going to do about it? We can’t just have wolves attacking people and stealing our women!”
