*Keera*
I stood at the forefront of the conference table rather confidently. My team and I were having a joint meeting with the pack council and I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares settling on my shoulders. The long, polished table separating us seemed to symbolize the divide between humans and werewolves, a constant reminder of the fragile balance we’ve been striving to maintain.
I meet the eyes of each person by my left. From Ralph’s unreadable expression to the curiosity on Ginny’s face to Ria’s barely concealed irritation, I knew they were slowly getting tired of all the meetings that didn’t seem to provide any answers. I knew I had to tread carefully. I had anticipated this meeting and rehearsed my response, but I still couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.
“Well?” Nyx urged softly, realizing I was lost in thought. I sent her a grateful smile. Nyx and I had bonded over the past few days because of Ellie. Ryan and Elena leaned forward, their faces etched with curiosity mixed with hope. I recognized the desire for answers in their eyes and wished more than anything that we could finally catch the killer. How they were eluding us was still a mystery.
They’d been laying low for way too long now but we knew better than to think they were done with their killing streak.
I surveyed the room, meeting the gaze of each council member. “We’ve made progress, but I’m afraid I can only share general details at this point.” I paused, choosing my words carefully. I couldn’t reveal too much, not yet. The investigation was still ongoing, and I needed to protect my team’s findings. Ria’s eyes immediately narrowed. Of course she would be the first person to react negatively to what I’d said.
“What do you mean ‘general details’?” Her skepticism was palpable, and I sensed a hint of frustration. She tapped her pen on the table, her eyes narrowing further. The pack lead warrior, Conall, seemed to be studying the entire exchange. I turned my attention to my team for mental support. We’d agreed we weren’t going to disclose our suspicion about Dahlia just yet. A small nod Joe gave me the strength to continue.
Still protecting our current investigations, I clasped my hands and spoke firmly. “We’re exploring several leads, but sadly they’re nothing concrete enough to share yet.” I avoided revealing details, sensing Grayson’s curious gaze. His eyes met mine briefly, his concern very obvious. His neutral expression hid his true thoughts, but I now knew him well enough to recognize the subtle tension in his jaw.
Ginny frowned, her brow furrowing. “Keera, we need to know what’s going on. Our pack is at risk.” Her polite tone betrayed worry, and I empathized with her concern. The pack’s safety was paramount. I understood that, but right now my hands were honestly tied. There was no way we could let them know we were keeping a close eye on Dahlia without Dahlia finding out one way or the other.
Elena was around her for most part of the day for goodness’s sake.
She would either directly confront her about it or spend so much effort trying to be natural around her that Dahlia would immediately notice something was wrong. “I understand,” I replied calmly. “But my team and I need time to verify our findings. We can’t afford to make mistakes.” Conviction fueled my words. Lexi backed me up, and Kathleen and Joe nodded in agreement, their determined faces a testament to our team’s unity.
Ralph’s eyes narrowed accusatorially. I still didn’t want to meet Grayson’s gaze. “Are you withholding information from us, Keera?” His tone was a little too sharp for my liking and I met his gaze squarely. I slanted a gaze at Grayson and Conall. Out of everyone in the room, their expressions were the most unreadable. What I wouldn’t give to know what they were thinking right now. My attention shifted back to Ralph.
Why was I only just noticing the agitation that seemed to sleep through him?
I internally studied him a little more closely. “I’m not withholding information intentionally. We’re simply being cautious. We might be onto something, but we’re not sure yet.” I emphasized each word, ensuring the rest of the council understood my position. I knew a few of them still had their doubts but thankfully they all eventually gave in.
As the meeting adjourned, Grayson’s lingering gaze followed me. I sensed his unease, knowing he’d want to discuss this further in private. I focused on gathering the papers scattered on the table as he subtly approached me. “Keera,” His low voice sent shivers down my spine. I turned to face him, my heart pounding. I casually looked around the room. No one could be bothered with what he had to say to me. Well, no one aside Lexi, Nyx, Ria and Ginny.
If the funny looks they shot us were any indication.
Grayson either didn’t seem to notice or he just didn’t care. His intense eyes searched mine. “What are you hiding?” His gentle tone belied his frustration. My heart skipped a beat. I’d known he would confront me about it. I quietly whispered that I would tell him when the time was right. His jaws clenched again but he nodded. I’ll be waiting.” Unspoken questions filled his eyes but he stepped to the side and walked past me.
I met Nyx’s eyes as I caught my breath.
Damn, these people were on to me.
Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, Ryan appeared beside me, a small smile playing on his lips. I was thrown off, and not just because I’d thought he’d already left the room. Ryan had never tried to have a talk with me and he’d certainly never appeared as friendly as he did right now. I was surprised to realize that the tension in my shoulders eased slightly as he approached. His relaxed demeanor was a welcome respite from the tension that had been building inside me.
“You good?” He asked calmly, that small smile still playing around his lips.
I nodded my head, gesturing to the chaos of papers on the table. “Yeah,” I sighed, taking a deep breath. “I just need to clear this and I’ll be done.” I felt an odd sense of relief wash over me as Ryan slid into the chair beside me. It was almost like the universe was matching our energies and something about his presence just felt soothing. We were the only ones in the room aside from Lexi who’d stayed back to help me clean up.
Ryan nodded sympathetically, his eyes scanning the documents. “Tough case, huh?” His gaze was piercing, yet gentle, and I appreciated his willingness to listen. Well, this was a first. Who would have thought I would dare to bond with Ginny’s mate and Grayson’s best friend. I shrugged, not bothering with a reply. My shrug was all the reply he needed. This was probably the most frustrating case I’d ever worked on, no doubt. We were supposed to have closed the case ages ago.
My mind drifted to Trevor.
I pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, feeling Ryan’s gaze on me. His attention was intense, yet comforting. His brow furrowed as he picked up one of the reports. “What’s this notation?” He pointed to a small comment in the margin. I stared at the paper in his hands, explaining that it was the toxin we’d found in the latest victim’s system, though we were yet to identify exactly what it was. His eyes widened, intrigued, and he asked if he could take a closer look.
Pushing my skepticism to the back of my head, I handed him the file, watching as he scrutinized the data. As we looked over the documents, I stole glances at Ryan, subtly studying him. As nice as he seemed I couldn’t stop the thoughts arising from the part of me that has been traumatized by friendships. What if he was hiding something? At this point, I strongly believed the killer had some kind of connection to the council.
How else had they managed to stay under the radar this whole time?
Ryan helped me out for as long as he could and then he and Lexi were on their way out. I told them I would be out shortly as I still wanted to go over a few things. I was considering sending the virus to Kathleen’s lab back after home. We’d been testing it for so long and we hadn’t yet identified it. Maybe they would be able to find out something. I finally finished up organizing the files back into their different folders and closed the conference room door shut as I headed upstairs to my room.
I absent-mindedly replied to some messages on my phone as I climbed, failing to realize that the last step at the head of the stairs was extremely slippery. I tried to grip the rail as I slipped but it was too late. My stomach dropped as I felt myself falling, unable to regain balance. Time slowed down as I tried to break my fall. My arms flailed wildly, and I landed with a thud on the hardwood floor, my head coming in contact with the last step at the foot of the stairs.
Pain shot through my elbow and hip, radiating outward like a shockwave.
Before I could contain it, a loud scream escaped me.
I quickly slapped my hand to my mouth, not wanting to draw attention even though I could already hear the few people in the house asking what was going on. I groaned, trying to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to lie back down. The world spun around me, and I felt nauseous. My eyelids fluttered as the pain kept intensifying at my hip and elbow.
A door slammed shut.
“Keera!” Lexi’s voice echoed through the hallway, followed by the sound of rushing footsteps. “Oh my god, Keera!” She dropped to her knees beside me, her face etched with concern. Kathleen and Joe appeared beside her seconds. later, their faces mirroring Lexi’s worry. I held onto Lexi’s arms, trying to get to my feet. Pain speared through my right side, forcing me back to the ground.
“Don’t move!” Kathleen ordered, her hands gently holding me in place. A migraine started in my head. I hated being the center of attention like this. I mentally tried to get myself together but the pain was too much for me to even think. My head began spinning. I was able to make out a few words from the order Lexi seemed to be barking out.
Kathleen knelt beside me, across from Elena. Her hand came in contact with my cheek severally as she urged me to keep my eyes open. “Someone get Elena!” Hurried footsteps faded as someone rushed to contact Elena. I tried to force my eyes open but the ache in my head overshadowed everything else. Kathleen hovered above me. “This is really bad,” She muttered beneath her breath, worry coating her tone.
“We have to at least get her to her room before Elena gets here,” Josie said. Someone pushed my hair away from my face. Why was the room spinning? What was that dull ringing sound in the background? I was vaguely aware of being lifted and carefully carried back to my room. I managed to warm them about the slippery step, my words barely audible.
“I’m fine guys,” I groaned, lying through my teeth. The ache in my head doubled, almost as if constructing that short sentence and executing it’s speech had been a Herculean task. Someone asked where it hurt just as the room began to blur, and I felt myself drifting away. I tried to respond, but my words slurred. I felt a hand brush against mine and even through the pain, I still couldn’t help but wonder.
Why had the step been so slippery?
Suddenly, everything went dark.