Ethan
Odis’ words were simple, change back. I’d done it many times before, it wouldn’t be any different now. The only thing different about now and all the times I’ve done it was on purpose. Shifting was painful at first but became natural for shifters. His request was a walk in the park.
“I can do that,” I said.
Looking down at myself I shifted back. I watched as the claws returned to normal, my hands were back, my hair disappeared, and I was a foot closer to the ground. I found the urge to touch my nose and face. I didn’t need to check to know my canines and nose were back to normal. Odis was by my side, his shoulders were no longer tense, and he patted me on the shoulder.
“Thank you, brother.”
“No need, Alpha. That was all you, I did nothing,” Ethan said.
Odis turned to Gabe. We’ve both been busy with everything that’s been going on, we haven’t Gabe gave Odis a thankful look before he let out a breath of relief.
Leo stood between the two. He looked awkward as he shifted from one foot to the other. Turning to Gabe, I looked at the table.
“I’ll have that replaced,” I said.
“I liked that table. It was sturdy,” Gabe pouted, breaking the ice. Odis coughed beside me and Leo looked back and forth between the two. Yeah, that last thing I want is to be stuck in the middle of whatever this is.
“I want to take inventory of the cars,” I turned to Odis.
“I’m one step ahead of you. I was outside when Gabe linked me. All are accounted for one. The Jeep is missing,” Odis replied.
“Has anyone seen her?” I asked.
“I’m working on that right now. I’ll report to you whenever there’s any new information.”
“Do we know where she’s gone?” Gabe asked. The question was another punch to the gut.
“I have a guess. I think she’s gone to Shane,” I said, the words left my throat feeling raw as if they’d clawed their way out.
Gabe didn’t react for a moment, he was unflinching as he stared at me. For a minute, I wondered if he’d heard me. I hadn’t thought about it but if I had been in his shoes and heard this, I would not have reacted the same way.
“That’s impossible.” Gabe’s face was stony as he spoke. “Ady would never go back to him.”
“We went to bed together,” I started, “And when I woke up, she was gone. Her guard didn’t see her leave. Meaning she sneaked out in the middle of the night.”
Gabe clenched his jaw and shook his head. “She would never willingly leave you and crawl back to him because that’s what he’d have her do, crawl. After everything he has put us through, she wouldn’t.”
His words were like a slap to the face and it was hard not to react. Odis stepped in front of me, acting as a barrier, or maybe a shield between us.
“As of right now, that is the only logical explanation,” I gritted out.
“What are we going to do? We need to get out of here. We need to start looking for her. Have we tried reaching out to her?” Gabe asked.
“We don’t know what time she left so we don’t know how long she’s been gone but what we do know is that she’s driving. I came here in hopes of finding her here.” Gabe looked at me, I knew the words were on his tongue, but he was silent.
“I’ll link Darci and get her up to speed. I’ll also reach out to the Deltas and see if anyone has seen her or your Jeep in town,” Odis said. “I’ll head out and will keep you updated when I hear anything.”
I nodded to him but didn’t say anything. Odis bowed his head before turning back to Gabe. He didn’t say anything but he stared at him before heading out. I was left with Leo and Gabe.
“What would you like me to do, Alpha?” Leo asked.
“Stay with Gabe. If she’s going to reach out to anyone, it would be him.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Leo said.
“I don’t think so,” Gabe said. “I think something’s wrong because I don’t see her doing what you’re thinking. If I’m wrong, and what you’re saying is right, I would be the last person she would speak to. She won’t reach out to me but I’ll try and link her. I’ll keep trying until she responds.”
I had nothing left to say. I walked toward the door, ready to go find my mate. We’d already wasted too much time standing around and talking. Time was ticking. I needed to find her before it was too late.
“Ethan,” Gabe called I stopped in my tracks but I didn’t turn back. Without Odis here, I didn’t trust myself not to charge him. I was not only a good distance away but I wasn’t looking at him. “If she has left, prepare yourself. If we’re too late, what we will find won’t be good.”
Gabe’s voice was firm yet distant. It was as if he was lost in a trance. I swallowed before I answered. I didn’t trust my voice not to crack or break. If I didn’t find Adea on time, I couldn’t bring myself to think about it.
“I’m going to take Leo with me to look for her. If she’s still here, I’ll find her and knock some sense into her but if it’s too late. If she’s with Shane, she has to have a plan because I know her. She despises him. She doesn’t love him. I don’t think I need to say this but I want to just in case you need to hear it. I’ve talked to her enough to know her loyalty is to you.”
“I will find her. I won’t let it happen. I don’t need to brace myself. I’ll find her and bring her home.”