CALIFF
“I’m so sorry, Claire. I wish I had good news.”
“I want you to be honest with me, Alpha. Is my husband dead?”
“I don’t know, Claire.” I shook my head. I didn’t know how to answer a grieving woman waiting for her mate to return to her. And she looked like she had been crying and hadn’t been sleeping well. “The PD in the city and the sheriff hadn’t found a body. So we have hopes. That’s why we’re not giving up.”
She smiled sadly. “I know he’s still alive. I may not be able to reach him out through our link, but I know he’s just somewhere having a midlife crisis and will come back to me once he realizes he has someone waiting for him at home.”
“I’m sure they are doing their best to find him, and we are doing the best we can.”
She stood up. “I can feel him, Alpha. I know he’s still alive.”
I held the woman’s hand and smiled. “Then we will hold on to that.”
“Thank you.”
“No, Claire. Thank you. Just stay home. When he comes back, you will be there for him.”
Once she left the office, I called Duke to come.
In a few minutes, he arrived. “So, how are you feeling?”
“Better than Aciano,” I said in dismay. “I shouldn’t have asked him to do the research the moment I knew it was dangerous.”
“The old man wanted to help, Cal. He volunteered.” He went to the liquor cabinet, grabbed the bourbon bottle, and poured a shot into two glasses.
“What are we drinking for?”
He gave me a glass. “I’m gonna be a father.”
“What the fuck?” Grinning, I grabbed it from him. “To being a father.”
“To being a father.”
I gulped down mine, put the glass down, and hugged him. “Man, I’m happy for you. Congratulations to you and Kindra.”
The door swung open. My mate emerged with her eyes twinkling as she looked at Duke. “Oh, my Goddess. Congratulations!” Of course, she heard it.
“Thank you, Shadow.” They met in the middle to hug each other.
“I’m happy for both of you. And I’m gonna be an aunt,” she said and giggled.
“And a godmother.”
Shadow smiled from ear to ear. “At least we have good news today, right, Alpha?” She came and hugged me. “Don’t worry. Our time will come. I’m sure Moon Goddess is still cooking something for us.”
“I know, baby. We can try our luck once this problem is over.”
“You should tell Kindra not to work long hours in the infirmary.” I sat back while Shadow and Duke took their seat before me.
“Tell her that. She’s stubborn as ever and said she’s not gonna pop out cub soon.”
“She’s used to working and keeping herself busy, but if she feels the work is too much, I can help her. I’m bored without a proper job. Giving advice, helping mothers, and assisting my ass boss is boring. At least, in the infirmary, I can learn basic first aid, dress wounds, and check vital signs. What do you think, Alpha?”
“I need you here, Shadow.”
“Oh, Goddess.” She rolled her eyes. “I am your chair, your laptop, your pen? The last time I checked, you’re brain worked better than mine in urgent situations.”
“You’re not just assisting me. You’re helping me with plans sharing your opinions, and that’s what you should be doing. I can assign someone to help Kindra if you’re worried about her. And besides, you have two hours of training with Zarah. You should rest as well.”
“I’m not making progress.” She rose to her feet. “I’m helping myself since no one offered.”
Duke laughed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you drink.”
“I don’t, but you two are drinking at this time of day.”
I watched her pour a measure and sipped it. “Why are you here, baby?”
“I wanted to catch you in an ugly compromising position with some chick.” She came to me and kissed the top of my head. “Did you zip your pants, Alpha?”
“It stuck, so I let it be.” I couldn’t help but smile.
She sighed deeply, and it meant something. “The man who wanted to kill me-”
“What about him, baby?”
“Sean Nest. He’s dead,” she answered.
“What the fuck?” Duke’s eyes went wide, gaze filled with horror. “How? When?”
“What? How did you know?”
She emptied her drink before she looked at Duke. “It’s all over the news.”
“Who killed him? How did he die?” I had the same reaction as Duke. “Wait. Let me guess. Same MO. Animal attack.”
“Bingo.” She pointed at me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s the second victim. The sheriff will put us all in a tough spot if the dead body keeps dropping.” I turned to Duke. “Did anyone come to you or report to the infirmary complaining of catching a virus?”
“No.”
She drew a deep breath. “As much as I wanted him dead for what he did to us, I still needed him alive, and now we don’t have any lead to how we find Obsidian. Sebastien’s men and his contacts are still scouring for information. So, where does that leave us?” She threw her hand in the air, frowning. “Nothing. Nada. And the worse part is, I think there’s a werewolf rogue out there taking down humans.”
“The same MO as the first victim. I think we have a serial killer on the loose, Cal.” I saw fear in his eyes. “What do you think?”
“I’ll contact our allies, including Grady if they have a member who has gone rogue.”
“That’s a good idea, Alpha.” She cleared her throat. “I have a stupid theory.”
I chuckled. “Go ahead, baby. Let’s hear it.”
“Maybe this rogue is doing us a favor. The first victim was a human, and so was the second one. What if he’s killing Obsidian, or if not members, someone they paid to kill us, like mercenaries? Did you check the profile of the first victim?”
“Well, let him finish the job.” Duke scoffed. “I hope he knows what’s his doing, though, like leaving some evidence that his victims are monsters, antiheroes.”
“I only know his name. Wait. Did you ask Zarah about your dreams?”
She pursed her lips.
“Fine. I won’t insist, but I will call our PD friend to check on Jesse Miller.”
“Maybe it’s the sheriff. The time he came, dead followed.” Duke’s idea was good. Every werewolf could be a suspect, except the sheriff was not one of us.
“He’s human, and Alpha Knight vouched for him. He’s a good guy.”
“Maybe he’s working with the killer.” Shadow’s theory was funny, though, as if it came out from a mystery thriller book.
“You two, stop with maybes. We have to find him. Maybe he was bitten, no one there to guide him, and he’s losing control and starting hunting prey. Where did they find the body?”
“Out of our territory. And I’m going with you,” Shadow quickly suggested.
“No.”
“No? You should be the one who should stay, Alpha.”
“I’m fine. I’m fully recovered.”
“Really? Then I will see you in the gym in an hour. If you can defeat me, you’re going with me to the crime scene.”
“No fucking way you’re going.” I was a little bit insulted. I could win, but I would not hurt her. “And I can defeat you, Lycan or hybrid, baby.”
“First, I have stronger senses than any of you.” Her reasoning was rational and acceptable. “No offense, Alpha.”
“I thought you had problems with your senses.”
“You read my thoughts, Alphasshole.” She glared at me.
I laughed out loud, and so did Duke.
“It’s all in my head. They’re back to normal since I got my hybrid back.”
“Are you sure?” I grinned. “Or this is just your another excuse to join us. And your hybrid is never gone.”
“Then let’s put her to the test,” Duke said.
“Okay,” she said confidently. She barely closed her eyes before she met mine. “Zack and Kindra just get in the pack house. I knew their heartbeats. And you, Daddy Duke, are having twins.”
“What the hell? How did you know that?” Duke asked, surprised. “I haven’t told anyone, even Cal. Just me, Kindra, and her mother.”
She shrugged. Pride appeared in her smile. A few seconds later, a knock followed.
“Kindra knocked. Not Zack,” she added.
“Come in.”
Zack opened the door for Kindra before he shut the door close.
“Who knocked?”
Kindra looked confused as she pointed at herself.
“See?” Shadow’s smile widened before she squeezed Kindra into a tight hug. “Oh, my God. I’m gonna be an aunt. Congratulations.”
“Oh, my. I’m shocked that I’m pregnant, but yeah. Thanks.”
“Wait. She’s pregnant?” Zack pointed his thumb at Kindra. “Wow. Congratulations, guys.”
“She knows. Now Cal knows, too,” Duke told her mate.
“About what?” Her eyes widened. “Bummer. She can hear the- ”
“What did I miss?”
“Don’t tell him yet,” Kindra quickly stopped Shadow and me from telling Zack.
“Sorry, best friend.” Shadow rubbed Zack’s back. “But you will know it sooner.”
“Fine by me.”
“Okay. You guys, sit down. I’m texting our friend in the PD. Lyon, Zack, Tor, and Kairo.”
“And me.” Shadow raising her hand to be included made me chuckle. I knew she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted, and I didn’t want to fight over something that could be helpful.
“And you, my pain in my ass, mate, will go early in the morning before the tracks are gone and the smell washes off. We need a plan.”
“Where are we going?” Zack asked.
“To the crime scene where they found a body.”
“Oh, that. I saw it on the news. Good idea, Alpha. I was just thinking about it this morning. Maybe we should pretend to go for a camping or a hike. The problem is you’re recognizable.”
“Right,” Shadow agreed. “See? I understand you’re protective of me, but maybe it’s time you trust us and let us do it ourselves. You can trust the guys if you are worried about me. And I’m capable of protecting myself.”
“No. We go together, or they go without us. That’s not up for debate.”
“Stubborn as always,” she said drily.
“Said the pot to kettle.”
“Looks like we have a plan,” Zack announced.
“Inform them. Make sure to bring their camping and hiking gear.”