Page 24 of Fierce Protector
Webb crowded closer.
She swiped again. “And a screenshot of their activity last night.”
“It’s a known fact that packs can merge. How do you know that new wolves didn’t come into the mix?” Webb’s question made the ranger sit up straighter.
Ledger could read the tension in her shoulders, and irritation was clear on her pretty face. Webb’s interrogation was ticking her off.
“It’s possible but unlikely, since we just collected fresh data three days before the attack at the ranch.”
“I’ll round up my ranch hands. We’ll grab shotguns and head out tonight.”
She pinned Webb with a scathing look. “Wolves are protected. They can’t be shot.”
Face impassive, he held her stare. “I’ll do my job as I see fit. You do yours.”
Colton settled his palms on the table. The gesture cut the interaction between the ranch manager and the ranger.
Ledger didn’t know which one would blow first—Opal or Webb. But his money was on Opal.
He swung his stare to the only woman he wanted to look at. The one across from him.
Demi stiffened and avoided his gaze. That only made him want to lure her out.
“Do you have a solution, Demi?” He drawled her name. The flavor of it on his tongue affected him as much as his fantasy about spanking her.
The soft clearing of her throat was the only giveaway that she was nervous. “Opal and I have discussed a plan, but I’d like to hear what you will do to protect the Gracey. You can’t afford any more injured animals.” Her attention landed on Meadow, who nodded.
Colton took charge once more. “We’ll patrol the fence line, especially the one bordering the mountain. Webb already sent some of the men to look for tracks.”
He tipped his head in agreement.
“That’s a good measure to take. An even better option is for me to patrol the fence with them tonight.”
Ledger’s fingers curled into a fist on the table. “What will that help? Isn’t your job to help animals, not kill them?”
Demi was visibly rankled at his question. Brushing her hair over her shoulder, she looked him in the eyes.
Exactly what he wanted. Now he could hold her stare prisoner.
“I’ll tranquilize any wolves and then cage them so we can relocate them farther up the mountain. If they’re really from a rogue pack that’s new to the area, they will either join the pack that Opal monitors or we can relocate them to another region.”
“How will you tranq them?”
“With a tranquilizer gun.” She formed each word with precise slowness like she was speaking to an imbecile.
“You can do that?”
Her beautiful, full lips tightened across her teeth. “I do it often on the job. What I do is completely safe if done correctly. No one will injure the wolves on my watch.” As she said this, she turned her head to look at Opal.
The woman gave a nod.
Ledger had seen a lot of bonds between SEALs, and it was obvious that the women shared one.
“That seems like a solid plan.” Colton looked at the ranch manager. “Webb? Make sure the doc has what she needs to go out with the men tonight.”
Ledger lost the thread of conversation because he was too fixed on Demi. She raised a hand to her mouth, stifling a yawn.
She looked exhausted. The longer she sat here, the more her glow seemed to dim.