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)
“Wyatt?”
Van’s voice from the living room has the rest of us crowding around the sofa to check in on him. His eyes burn into Cash, the two of them having a silent conversation with just looks right in front of us. Then, like creepy little fucks, they both briefly glance at Remy. Like I don’t see the infinitesimal move. My hackles raise, and I barely suppress the growl in my throat.
“Judd and I will stay here with the boys,” Rey says, reading me like a damn book. “That way I can look after Van and they’ll be protected.”
Judd nods in approval. “Finnick and Ewan can search the woods.” In wolf form. “And you can make your campsite rounds looking for Wyatt’s vehicle.”
Plan seems solid, but I don’t necessarily want to leave Remy.
Remy, anger flashing in his brown eyes, doesn’t like the idea either. His hands move fast as he signs, I’m going with you. I can help.
“No,” I bark out, the need to protect him an almost violent tremble down my frame. “Stay here.”
Remy shakes his head, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
“You’re staying. That’s the end of that,” I grind out. “I’ll be damned if I let you leave this cabin where you could get your ass killed.”
His skin tinges pink, and I know he hates it when I treat him like a child. Right now, I can’t find any fucks to give. Treating him like a child keeps him safe. It keeps him alive and breathing and still mine.
He starts to argue, signing his words, but I turn my back on him. I level Judd with a hard look that says, “Keep him here at all costs.” His nod is the only confirmation I need before I’m out the door without a backwards glance.
“Bradley and Gary left. Someone called about a ransacked campsite and some missing campers,” Harrison says when I step inside our post.
My blood chills. “Where?”
After he sputters out the location, a confused expression on his face, I point at him and command, “Stay inside. Call me if anything strange happens anywhere.”
“Why?” he demands. “What’s happening?”
“Killer bear or serial killer rapist on the loose,” I toss back. “Seriously. Keep me informed of anything out of the ordinary.”
“Jesus,” he mutters. “Right. Okay. Go get ‘em, boss.”
I leave him and don’t walk away until I hear the snap of the lock in place. Then I climb into my truck and head out to where Gary and Bradley are. As Harrison said, the campsite is destroyed. It very well could be from a bear. Food is littered all over the place, a tent has gashes through the material, and claw marks mar the side of the vehicle parked beside the tent. Gary wears a dark expression whereas Bradley seems annoyed he actually has to work.
“Call this in to the sheriff,” I tell Gary and then I wave at the campsite. “Once Sheriff Bell has seen this, clean it up.” Then, back to Gary, I say, “You have your shotgun?”
“In my truck.”
“Keep it on you at all times. It’s not safe.”
His eyes go wide, but he obeys, trotting over to his truck to fetch the weapon. Once he has it in his grip and gets Jax on the phone, I leave him. Gary nods at me, letting me know he’ll keep an eye on Bradley’s dumb ass.
I’m just leaving the camping area when I get a call from Harrison.
“This is Hames.”
“Cy,” he rushes out. “Got a call about a vehicle at Red Hake Mountain. Tires slashed and windows broken out.”
“Fuck.”
“That’s not all.” He sighs. “The vehicle description matches that of those guys who stopped by the other day and reported the wolf sighting.”
Wyatt.
“Goddammit,” I rumble. “Okay, I’m on it.”
I hang up, hoping like hell I’m not about to find another body, this time the brother of Remy’s wannabe boyfriend. Selfishly, I can’t stand the idea of Remy comforting Cash over something like the loss of his brother.
That makes me an asshole, but I don’t care.
The drive out to Red Hake Mountain takes about twenty minutes, but before I know it, I’m pulling into the parking area designated for hikers. Sure enough, an abandoned vehicle sits parked crookedly in one of the spots. Shattered glass is scattered on the pavement around it. The tires are all flat, and deep gouges have been cut through the metal.
These powerful marks aren’t caused by a knife or a man, nor are they caused by a bear. Whatever this is that did this is strong and crazed. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever encountered in this lifetime. I’m unnerved by the unknown, but desperate to hunt it down and kill it anyway. The idea of it somehow getting to Remy again has my blood boiling over with rage.
Judd’s worry shoots through the bond like lightning, electrifying me and making the hairs on my arms stand on end. I quickly assure him I’m okay with gentle pulses back his way until I feel him calm. Remy is closed off from me, but at least he’s safe. Beyond his solid, impenetrable walls is a solid, throbbing presence. It’s steady and strong.