Chapter 16
Chapter 16
“Come on, come on!” I frantically called Bella, my hand trembling as I held the phone. Pella worked at the Werewolf Health Assistance Center, but tonight she wasn’t on shift, and her absence made my pulse race. It took what felt like an eternity–two or three agonizing minutes–before I finally heard her voice, muffled and annoyed.
What’s the rush? I was in the shower…” Her voice sounded like she was barely awak
“Stop. Listen.” My voice was low, urgent, as I interrupted her excuses. “I need you to track this number. The owner sounds intoxicated, possibly choking. It’s been five minutes with no
response!”
There was a pause. “You’re always worrying about others…” the muttered, already rustling in the background, probably grabbing clothes as she shook off her irritation.
“This is different, Bella,” I urged. “Please. Just do it.”
“All right, hold on.” She relented, her tone softening, perhaps hearing the worry in my voice.
With shaking hands, I grabbed Jane’s phone from the dashboard and quickly texted her the number. As soon as I hit send, I tried dialing Blaine again, using Jane’s phone, but it went straight to voicemail. I gritted my teeth, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. Each
second felt like a lifetime.
Ten minutes later, Bella finally called back. “The number’s pinpointed to a high–end
residence in Tribeca, New York. We’ve dispatched a Gamma unit to the location, and they should be there soon. I’ll keep you posted.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back against the seat, letting the tension in my shoulders melt away. “Thanks, Bella. I owe you.”
“Working this late?” she asked, curious. I could hear her smile through the phone.
“Not exactly,” I said, feigning nonchalance. “Just went out for dinner and, well ended up rescuing a drunk Omega. Tried calling her family, and one thing led to another” My voice. trailed off as I scrolled through Jane’s contacts list, spotting a recent call labeled “Tour
Chapter 1
Guide of Shadow Sand.” I paused, a bit wary, but tapped the number anyw
The phone rang twice before a rough voice answered. “Where have you been?”
I froze, taken aback. “Henry?”
There was a pause on the other end. “Huh? This isn’t Jane.”
Ur’s her phone,” I explained with a wry smile, recovering. “Ran into her, drunk as a skunk, while I was out. She’s stranded. Think you could come pick her up?”
There was a grumble, then a resigned sigh. “Definitely… yes.”
I exhaled, rolling my eyes. The world was too small. Here I was, in Shadow Sand, yet somehow I kept running into people linked to Ethan. Coincidence or fate? I shifted in my seat, unease prickling the back of my neck. Ethan… and now Blaine, in New York? Pieces started to connect in my mind, like fragments of a puzzle sliding into place.
Kelly’s warning echoed in my head. My gaze drifted to Jane, passed out beside me, her breathing slow and steady.
Could it really be this much of a coincidence?
A few hours later, I found myself sitting at a large outdoor table under the starlit sky, surrounded by Henry’s pack. We’d managed to escape the Beta pack thanks to Henry’s swift intervention and had found sanctuary in his territory, far from the prying eyes of others. The table was set with platters of roasted meat, fresh bread, and enough fries to feed an army. The air was thick with the scent of grilled food mingling with the musky smell of male pheromones. I was acutely aware of the presence of the men around me, each of them wearing deep blue shirts and matching pants, their shoulders broad and their gazes steady.
At five–foot–four, with my long golden curls tumbling down my back, I looked almost out of place here. I wrapped a soft woolen blanket tightly around myself, shielding against
nst the night’s creeping chill, and leaned forward, letting my fingers drum on the table. My eyes narrowed, locked onto Henry, seated across from me with an expression that was equal parts confusion and caution.
Chapter 16
“Explain it to me,” I demanded, my tone sharp as I bit into a piece of roasted meat, savoring the taste while refusing to break eye contact. “Why is Ethan spreading rumors about my
death?
Henry shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his packmates, who looked equally taken aback by my boldness. Omegas weren’t known for speaking so directly to Betas, let alone in such a demanding tone, but I didn’t care. I was beyond etiquette and formalities.
One of the younger Betas snickered, but a glare from Henry silenced him. The others. quickly looked down, their heads bowed in deference to Henry’s authority.
My wolf stirred restlessly within me, prickling at the restraints of decorum. It wanted to break free, to unleash the power that simmered just beneath my skin. But I held it back, keeping my expression calm, collected.
Henry finally spoke, his voice cautious. “There must be some misunderstanding…
“Obviously,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “I’m not mad at you, but I find it hard to believe he’s been spreading stories about me being dead all these years and never bothered to clarify.”
“I get it…” he muttered, sighing as he picked up his glass, swirling the liquid absently.
“Do you?” I shot back, folding my arms. “I mean, we haven’t seen each other in years. And
just now, he calls me, says he has a friend with my name who died–and today’s her anniversary.” I tapped my fingers on the table, feeling the frustration bubble up. “How am I supposed to know he’s talking about me?”
Henry shook his head. “It’s Ethan. He’s… complicated.”
O(3)
Chapter 17
