Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“I had Brie cross-reference the list of campers you emailed me to the list of BFB and surrounding areas citizens. Most are locals, but at least a third are unaccounted for.” Jax flips open the file and points. “The highlighted ones are those we don’t know. If you can rule anyone out or let me know any we can investigate, we’ll start there first.”
A flood of heat crackles through the bond, making me jolt.
Somehow, I know it’s coming from Remy and not Finnick or anyone else. Annoyance once again claws at me. It bothers me he’s upstairs and out of my line of sight. It’s evident he likes what he sees up there too.
Is this how it’ll be now?
Feeling every time he’s attracted to someone?
That’s going to get old real fucking quick. Especially since I already wanted to kill the sheriff, and he’s a happily mated—er, taken—man.
Jax frowns at me hard enough it jerks me from my inner thoughts. I bore my gaze into him.
“There’s someone I want you to check out,” I tell him. “New neighbors.”
His features harden, and his spine stiffens. “Suspect timing.”
“Agreed. Three of them. The moving truck was there yesterday, but I get a strange feel from them.”
I try not to wince at my wording. Being a cop, shifter or not, he seems to understand based on the nod of agreement. I suppose that sixth sense doesn’t just belong to my kind. Humans can have it too.
“Jot down the address, and I’ll check it out myself. Give them an unannounced visit.”
I scribble down the information on Jax’s offered notepad before passing it back to him. “I’m about to head in to work and see if there’s anything I missed overnight. I’ll keep you informed.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but I’m suddenly assaulted with the unmistakable sense of pleasure coming from Remy’s bond. Bright and beautiful and oh-so fucking hot. I’m on my feet and pounding up the stairs before I can take my next breath. Jax’s heavy footsteps thud behind me, but I’ve already got a lead on him. I expect to walk in to find someone performing a sex act on a member of my fucking pack.
That’s not what’s happening at all.
Remy is grinning at the slender man in front of him. The guy is bent over with a pair of scissors and comb, trimming Remy’s hair.
“Birthday haircuts are free,” the man says, sliding an interested glance my way.
Remy shrugs and smirks.
“For dogs,” Jax interjects from behind me. “You do realize, Cato, you’re a hairstylist…for animals.”
Cato curls his lip up. “Your cats are only beautiful because of me. Shut it, Sheriff.”
Jax chuckles. I’m struck by the fact Remy is still smiling. He’s so…happy. A fucking haircut and he’s happy. Unbelievable. I’ve spent years trying to make this kid happy. Years. Twenty minutes with these people and he’s suddenly all smiles.
Irritation churns violently in my gut.
Rey is the first to send warmth my way. Comforting and slightly concerned. Judd and Ewan’s curiosity are there too. Finnick’s amusement annoys the fuck out of me.
Remy’s eyes cut my way, sensing all the rage roiling from me, and he scowls. All too easily, he cuts off his feelings from the rest of us, leaving an empty void in its place.
If we were home, I would grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Remind him of every goddamn lesson he’s been taught, both human and shifter. Though we don’t know for sure if he’ll ever shift, we train him like he will one day. You’re supposed to embrace your gift, not shut it off. The only way to develop it is to use it. He acts as though his abilities are a curse. It’s important to belong to a pack. You have a built-in family that’ll be by your side no matter what. He’s not alone because we made him ours.
Ungrateful.
I’m thrumming to yank Remy out of the chair. His determined dark eyes pin me with a warning glare. He won’t cower to his Alpha. Right now, I’m pretty sure he’d fight me tooth and nail in front of these two humans if I threw up a stink. I grind my teeth to dust, keeping my wolf in check who’s agitated by all the surging emotions inside me. The last thing I need is the wolf making a visit.
It’s been years since I’ve felt so…out of control. Normally, I keep a tight leash on the beast and an even tighter one over Remy. Something’s changing. Not me. It’s definitely him. I’d always wondered if the bites he suffered were that of a shifter. Though he could never remember for sure, I had my suspicions. The bond, though supernatural, could happen to a mere human. It’s not uncommon for packs to include others, so it wasn’t a surprise he was tied to us almost immediately, but I always wondered if he’d eventually show other gifts. Until now, nothing. However, as his eighteenth birthday loomed, I half expected signs to present themselves.