chapter 7

To reach the dig, they drove down a joltingly bumpy country road for a mile and a half, until they finally reached a clearing by an old, dried up creek bed. There were several tents set up there, and outside the tents were tables and folding chairs, and a cluster of SUVs.

There was already a patrol car on scene when they arrived. Jax and another deputy were arguing with a group of panther shifters who were standing by a cluster of pine trees. The students were in the creek bed, sifting through dirt. You've got no damned authority here! None! Jax was yelling at them. The shifter he was talking to, a tall muscular man with black flowing hair streaked with gray and white, who wore a traditional loincloth and buck skin boots, looked as if he were about to change form and throw down. Hair was bristling from the tips of his ears, and his eyes glowed yellow, as Loch and Ginger rushed up.

Settle down, everybody. I'll handle this. Montgomery, what's going on These damned panthers- Jax rushed in.

Loch spun on Jax with a growl, and his claws shot from his hands. His eyes blazed amber, and the bones in his face rippled and lengthened. Within seconds his face was covered with hair and his teeth sharpened into fangs.

For a brief second, Jax's eyes sparked with fury, but then he quickly backed down and went down on one knee, bowing his head.

Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt, he muttered. You'll wait in the patrol car.

Yes, sir. Jax didn't look happy about it, but he obediently climbed to his feet and loped over to his patrol car without a backward glance. His deputy glanced at Loch for guidance, and Loch inclined his head towards Jax's car. Go, he said in a low growl, and the deputy ran after Jax.

He turned back to Montgomery and made a polite incline of his head. My apologies, he said. My lieutenant spoke out of turn.

Professor Reese was standing there, arms folded, glowering at Montgomery. No he didn't, he said petulantly. Your deputy was right. This man has no authority over me. He can't tell me to do anything.

Montgomery glanced over at Ginger. Who's this? Ginger Colby. She thrust her hand out to shake hands with him. I'm delighted to meet you. I've heard so much about the Panther nation. I teach a unit on them to my fourth grade class in New York, you know.

I'm always happy to meet people who are respectful of our culture. Montgomery inclined his head politely.

The panther shifters who were standing with him came forward and made a point of shaking hands with Ginger, while eyeing her appreciatively. Tommy Deerkiller, one of them said. I own the souvenir shop. Come by any time.

My God, Ginger thought, I love it here. I am going to call all of my fat friends and make them vacation here with me, so help me God. This is chubby chick heaven.

She heard a low rumbling growl and glanced over at Loch, who seemed to be struggling to contain himself. Quickly, she stepped back. He wasn't actually jealous, was he? He couldn't possibly be jealous. Although she found herself oddly flattered at the thought. These are my pride mates, Richard Iron Claw and his son Jason Strikes True. Montgomery nodded at two panther shifters who were standing by his side, muscular men with the shining black hair of their tribe pulled back into pony tails. Perhaps we could give her a tour of our property. Tommy smiled at her lasciviously. Since she's so interested in our history.

If she can go on your property, why can't a legitimate scientist? snapped Professor Reese. Because you're not a legitimate scientist. You're a treasure hunting looter with no respect for indigenous people's customs, Montgomery snarled. So, Sheriff Armstrong said quickly, cutting them off. What brings you out here today, Montgomery?

I demand the right to inspect his site and all of his vehicles for stolen artifacts, Montgomery said. Absolutely not. He may rule his Nation like a demi-god, but the second he steps out of the Nation's territory, he has no authority.

Professor Reese folded his arms and looked smug. Why doesn't he want us to look at his dig? Has he got something to hide? Montgomery glowered.

Let me on your land, and I'll let you inspect our dig, the professor smirked at him.

Panthers don't make deals with humans! Montgomery roared, fangs descending.

Show some respect for our leader, or pay the consequence! Richard Iron Claw's eyes blazed with rage. This whole expedition is a fraud! He's not even a specialist in Mastadon fossils! He's a specialist in early Native American tribal lore, and he has a reputation as a thief of priceless artifacts! I gather artifacts for museums! You're selfish! You hoard them and hide them from the world! The professor sounded like a two-year-old who'd been denied a new toy.

They're our heritage! They're not trinkets for people to gape at! I've never stolen an artifact in my life! Keep flinging false accusations at me, and I'll sue! Professor Reese actually stamped his foot on the ground. He stood several steps behind the sheriff as he did so.

Ginger bit her lip in frustration. She was dying to jump in and yell at them as if they were all a bunch of kindergarteners, which is exactly what they were acting like, but to do so would be to undermine the sheriff's authority.

The yelling grew more heated, and she turned and walked away.

As the shouting reached a fever pitch, Jax and his deputy leaped out of the patrol car and came trotting back to stand behind the sheriff. Both groups of men glared and bristled at each other.

Several minutes later, the panthers turned, shifted into panther form, bellowed out a series of threatening roars, and turned and loped away.

The sheriff joined Ginger a few minutes later. He left behind Jax and the other deputy, parked in their patrol car.

As they drove away, Ginger said, Okay, I get it now. You can't have anyone challenging your authority as an Alpha because then people like Jax think they can step up and challenge you. I'm glad you see that. Jax has been making rumbling noises, coming near to challenging me, for months now. He thinks that being diplomatic is the same as being weak. He wants to do everything by force. If I let him have his way, he'd start a war with the panther nation.Did I make things worse for you that night at the Hoot Owl? Not too much.I promise I won't openly challenge you again. Openly? he was smiling now.

Oh, come on. I just don't have it in me to never give you a hard time. And it's even more fun when I'm being subtle about it.

Speaking of giving me a hard time...did you yell at two old ladies who were walking by the community center? Portia called to inform me of it. Ginger winced. She really doesn't like me, does she? She doesn't, but that's not the point. They were yelling insults at Cletus! Did she mention that? They totally made fun of him. And he didn't even say anything back to them; it was all me.

No, she did not mention that. However, there are probably ways that you could have responded to them that would have set a better example for Cletus and reflected better on your pack. She pouted as they rode in silence. She was right, damn it! She wished he could have seen the look on Cletus' face when they mocked him. Grown women, making fun of a skinny young boy. Finally, grudgingly, she said, If it will help maintain your authority, you can punish me for it publicly. However you see fit. His eyes lit up with a gleam.

However I see fit? You sure about that?

Her face flushed, the blush spreading all the way down to her toes. Her private parts were probably blushing. What did the devious sheriff have in mind? Nothing good, she was sure, but it was too late to back out now.

Ahhhh....yes. I am a woman of my word. However you see fit, she choked out.

All right. His smile turned sensual and his eyes had a gleam to them that worried her. The punishment will take place tonight, after work.

Did this count as a date? Her mind flashed back to what Marigold had said about punishment and seduction...and how there was a fine line between the two of them.

Damn it! She hated it when Marigold was right. She spent the rest of the day at the office, filing and answering phones, and trying to ignore the feeling of Portia's angry glare burning holes in the back of her head. At least Jax just ignored her, while Lola came and sat on her desk and peppered her with questions about New York City.

That evening, Loch dropped her off at the boarding house so he could go home and change. Ginger was just in time to help Marigold pick out an outfit for her date with Henry. Marigold deliberately chose jeans and a tank top, to let Henry know she didn't think the date was any big deal. Ginger looked her over and shook her head, frowning. I hate to tell you this, but you look sexy as hell in that outfit, and Loch also told me that Henry really likes a girl in jeans. What he doesn't like is frou-frou city girls.

Really? Marigold stared down at her outfit in dismay. She quickly ripped her clothes off and threw on a low cut, clingy red dress that molded to her slim figure. She climbed into a pair of high heels and put on some sparkly lip gloss, and topped off the look with big gold hoop earrings.

Ha! That'll repel him! she said triumphantly, watching from the window as his car pulled up out front.

Ginger walked downstairs with Marigold. By the way, I made all that up about the jeans, she told Marigold as Marigold stepped out on to the front porch. And you look hot in that dress. Ay, caramba! Oops, he's already getting out of his car, you don't have time to change.

What? Marigold's eyes went wide with shock. You conniving bitch! You've known me for 8 years, and you're just now figuring that out? Heh heh. Ginger cackled an evil laugh and ran back inside the boarding house, leaving Marigold alone as Henry walked up the flagstone path to the porch. A rustling in the hallway behind her made her start, and she turned. Winifred was standing there, looking perturbed. As usual, she had her hair pinned up in the pencil-bun. I was wondering... she said, wringing her slim hands. That new person employed by Miss Imogen to assist her with the daily tasks at this domicile...

The hot handyman? What about him?

Are you aware of whether he has any, er, involvement or marital commitment with a member of the opposite sex? Or the same sex? At Ginger's startled look, she blushed and muttered I'm asking for purely academic reasons. I don't know. You should ask him. But try to say it in normal-speak, or he won't understand you. Just say, by the way, do you have a girlfriend? And if he says no, ask him if he'd like to buy you a drink at the Hoot Owl.

Really? Winifred's eyes widened at the thought. Absolutely. It's the 21st century. Sisters are doing it for themselves. As Winifred opened her mouth to demand an explanation, she held up her hand. That's an expression! It means, it's okay for a girl to ask a guy to ask her out on a date. Interesting. Very interesting.

Hold on.Ginger reached out and grabbed the pencils out of Winifred's hair bun, and handed the pencils to her as her golden locks tumbled down over her shoulders.

Never do the pencil thing again, Ginger told her. Especially when you're talking to the handyman. She reached out and unbuttoned the top four buttons of Winifred's oxford shirt. Okay, now you're good.

Winifred nodded, stuffing the pencils into her shirt pocket. Thank you. This has been a most illuminating conversation. She wandered back into the house with a thoughtful look on her face.

Loch pulled up a few minutes later, sexy as sin in jeans and a white t-shirt. Ginger still wore her floral pink skirt and scoop neck shirt.

Should I have changed? she asked nervously, as they drove.

You look beautiful.

Her heart leapt in her throat. Her palms were damp with sweat and she struggled to control her breathing. Right now she was both terrified and fascinated by the sheriff, and so

turned on that she wanted to tear her clothes off and crawl on top of him.Down, girl, she told herself.

Where exactly is this punishment taking place? They were driving out of town, down a dark country road with no illumination but the glow of the moon and the car's headlights. Now, why would I tell you and spoil all of my fun? Besides, the anticipation's part of your punishment.

You're kind of a sadist, you know that? she grumbled. Is that right? Think about that before you smart-mouth someone, next time. He was grinning hugely, enjoying himself way too much.

He took her down a small country road and into a wooded cove, to a non-descript warehouse style building. There were several dozen cars in the dimly lit parking lot.

What is this place? she asked him as they climbed out.

It's a private, members only club. I wanted to bring you here for a couple of reasons. I know you tend to bristle at authority sometimes, that you think I'm too dominant and overbearing.

Sometimes, she muttered, blushing.

I wanted to show you that being dominant isn't all bad. It has its place, and its purpose. It can be very...pleasurable under the right circumstances.

She stared up at him. Did he mean what she thought he meant? Was it...that kind of club?

Her heart was beating a million miles a minute, and she felt moisture soaking her panties. She didn't bother to fold her arms over her nipples, which were swollen and straining against the fabric of her t-shirt, two sensitive pink nubs that yearned for Loch's mouth to suck on them.

I...she was speechless.

But if you don't want to go in, that's all right too. I would only want you to go in if you feel comfortable doing it. She swallowed hard.

Will you be with me the whole time? she asked, her heart hammering against her rib cage. Of course. Every second. I wouldn't leave you.

I want to go in, she breathed.

She followed him through the doorway, in a daze. They walked down a long hallway, and inside, they stepped into a very large open room.

A room that was a dominant's heaven. And a submissive's too, for that matter.

There were padded benches and pommel horses and restraint stations of all type set up around the room. Chains dangled from the ceiling. On the walls were racks holding floggers and paddles and ball gags. The lighting was low and red-tinged. Music drifted from hidden speakers, an ominous instrumental soundtrack that Ginger didn't recognize.

Muscular men in leather were enthusiastically punishing women who were tied down in various positions...and the women were moaning with pleasure.

The sheriff glanced over at her. You okay with this?

I...yes. I mean, I've never done anything like this, but... yes.