Chapter 24 The sheriff

• Jedidiah could tell that the sheriff was holding something back. Something very personal, but Jed was not going to push the issue. The alpha jock wrapped his powerful arms around HIS boy as the adults left the room. Jed said plainly, "If you die, I die too..."
• "No more talking like that. Dad and I... Fuck, the whole pack is going to protect you. You are ours, you always have been." Jedidiah was uncomfortable being thought of as property.
• The two boys lay in bed holding each other all afternoon until it was time to prepare for the Chamber of Commerce dinner. Jedidiah was terrified; he thought everyone else was at risk any time he was around them. Maybe it would be better if he just stayed hidden at home. He even thought about abdication. He didn't feel like having a celebration.