The look of panic in Brooke’s green eyes when Officer Morris escorted her out of the inn ripped into my soul. There was nothing I could do, not right now, and he didn’t even let me accompany her.

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to show up at the station and do something about it.

I parked my car outside the station. I had barely stepped out of the car when Cole came out through the front door and met me halfway.

“Man, I wish they had told me sooner,” he said, his tone apologetic. “If I had known five minutes earlier.”

I shook my head. “What is done is done, man. At least you called me as soon as you knew.”

“But not soon enough.”

The turmoil in my chest confused me. I was pissed off at the officer who had dragged Brooke to the police station, and I was pissed off she was probably alone in a room with the chief right now being interrogated. And I was even more pissed off because she was probably scared and confused.

“It’s okay,” I said, trying to be confident. “We’ll figure this out. Just … just tell me what you know.”

He sighed. “Robbie Doyle was found with a stab wound to his chest in a narrow alley three blocks from here.”

“Wait. A knife wound? To the chest, not the heart? But he was a werewolf.”

“It was laced with wolfsbane.”

“Shit.” I had never doubted Brooke, but whoever killed Robbie knew what he was and how to kill him. “There is our proof.”

“Yeah, but the chief is human. I can’t tell him about werewolves and wolfsbane.”

“I know, I know.” I ran a hand through my hair. “So, what? Brooke was the last one seen talking with Robbie last night? Who are the witnesses?”

“Marla and Angela,” he said. “They saw when Brooke left the diner and ran into Robbie. They said he seemed happy to see her. When she walked away, he went after her.”

“He was under her spell then.”

“I figured. And, from his age, we can guess he was looking for a mate.” As a werewolf, Robbie was meant to find his mate eventually. “That might have made him more open to her spell. But what happened after that? Do you know?”

“She mentioned running off.” I frowned. “She went to the Sandes’ house and ended up enchanting Mr. Sande and Jackson.”

Cole tapped away at his phone. “I’ll call them and see if they are all right.”

“Let me know what you find out.”

“I will.” He looked up at me. “I’m guessing you want to talk to her.”

“You’re guessing right.”

He glanced over his shoulder to the building behind. “You know the chief won’t allow that.”

“I’ll lie and say I’m her lawyer.”

“He thinks we’re all investors, Nathan. He won’t believe you’re suddenly a lawyer too.”

I clenched my fists. “Then give him some distraction to tend to while I sneak in and talk to her.”

He raised his hands. “Hey, man, I’m on your side here. Chill.”

I let out a long breath. “Sorry. It’s just …” I didn’t even know what it was. I just felt so protective of Brooke. Knowing she was there inside, alone, being grilled for something she didn’t do … I couldn’t bear it. “Just help me talk to her.”

He nodded. “Give me a moment. I’ll text you when you can come in.”

I hated waiting, but there was nothing else I could do. I leaned on my car and stared at my phone, willing a text to come in.

Almost thirty minutes later, my phone vibrated.

Cole: Now.

I dashed inside the police station.

Cole met me in the lobby and, pretending we were talking business for the sake of the other officers in the station, he escorted me to the back where the interrogation room was.

He said, “You have ten minutes,” before he opened the door for me.

A pang sliced through my chest when I stepped in and saw Brooke seated on the other side of a simple desk in the middle of the bare room, her eyes huge and her face pale.

“Nathan,” she breathed as if I were her salvation.

Pride and satisfaction filled my chest. I wanted to run to her and embrace her tight, but I was worried that gesture would scare her, so I settled for sitting down on the chair across the table.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I was just accused of murder. Do you think I’m okay?” she snapped. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so rude, but I’m going a little crazy here.”

“I understand.”

“Do you? A week ago, I was a girl intent on finishing college and making a life for herself. Now look at me! I came to a town full of supernaturals to find a man without a name, but ended up learning I’m a goddamn siren whose call spells men and causes their deaths, and now I’m a murderer.”

“You’re not a murderer.” I reached over the table and took her hand in mine. “And I do understand. I’ve been a hunter for a long time. You won’t believe all I went through and all I’ve seen. I might not be in your shoes right now, but I’ve been through hell a few times. I made it through every time, and right now I want you to believe me when I tell you you’re gonna make through this.”

She stared at me for a moment and the pain in her eyes twisted my gut. “The chief said Robbie was found with a knife wound to his chest.” She slapped her mouth with her other hand. “I can’t even imagine that. You don’t believe I killed him, do you?”

“Of course not.” I remembered something. “You went to Jane’s house after. We’ll bring her in and ask her to tell them you were with her.”

“They already talked to her,” she said, the sadness in her hanging like a thick cloud. “Apparently, over an hour passed from the time I was seen leaving the diner to the time I went to Jane’s house. Plenty of time to have killed Robbie, according to the chief.” Her voice broke. “I can’t believe Robbie is gone.”

I squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”

She pulled her hand away and hid them both under the table. “It’s okay, I think. I mean, I hadn’t seen him in five years. And even then, he was in danger around me.” A sob died at her lips. “I’m starting to regret coming to Willow Harbor.”

I leaned over the table. “I’ll fix this. Whatever it is. I’ll prove you’re innocent, and I’ll find whoever sent you the letter and why. I promise.”

She locked her beautiful eyes with mine. Now, glistening with the unshed tears, the green of her eyes was clearer, brighter, more stunning. “Why? Why are you helping me?”

The door flew open and Cole poked his head in. “Time’s up.”

Still looking at her, I stood. “Because I can’t resist.”

Then I marched out of the interrogation room.