Dean and Oli got ready to head out for the meeting at Jordan’s Run. “I think we should take a healer, just in case she needs one.” Dean mentioned to Oli. “Already thought of, and she’s waiting with the enforcers going with us. I figured a male healer would not be welcome for obvious reasons.” Oli slid a cross body pack onto the table before he finished pulling on a shirt. “What obvious reasons? Why should anyone care if the healer is male or female?” Dean truly looked stumped by the detail as he looked at Oli to clarify why he made emphasis on that detail. “Wow. You really are distracted. You’re acting like someone that’s seen their mate from afar and you’re on the cusp of doing that whole mating thing. You’re completely unaware of how you’ve been acting like since you came back from that meeting in town.” Oli stopped putting on his heavier belt to look at Dean in surprise. “That waste of time, you mean. That fool didn’t have a clue what he
Trisha didn’t wait on ceremony. Pissed off at being locked in the closet, she shifted into her fur and proceeded to claw at the door in anger. When the door didn’t budge under her claws, she shifted to her weight. She used her head as a battering ram several times after kicking at the door with her hind feet failed. Frustrated, she shifted back into her flesh and checked to see if she could pull the hinges. Sure enough. The hinges were on the inside of the door. She could take it apart if she had something to pry the pins out of the hinges with. That was a challenge to find, but finally she found someone left an old butter knife in a box along with a scoop and cup. She figured someone dedicated them to measuring out something in the pantry closet. She was now stuck with it. James would rue the day he did that and learn fast that no one does that to her. “Oh! You’re out! I was just coming to spring you.” A middle-aged she-wolf exclaimed. “We
The clouds that rolled in late in the afternoon threatened to open up as the group of shifters moved through the woods toward Jordan’s Run. All the wishing and praying that it would hold off until the meeting was over failed miserably. It came down cold and wet. “Delightful. Everyone, keep your eyes open for trouble. We don’t want to be surprised in this.” Dean yelled to those with him and James. They were almost there, and they hadn’t seen a soul yet. “Noses to the ground. Anything that’s out of place or odd mention it loud and clear. We don’t want surprises.” James added more to the orders and Dean had to admit they were good. James hadn’t added them to compete with him. “I don’t like this. It’s too quiet. Either no one is here or there aren’t many of them. I’m still not sure if they are rogues or wolves from another pack.” “I don’t know. Oli is still waiting for one of our elders to get back to him with an idea of who this mystery person might be
The rain didn’t help with any of the investigation. They sent out several teams, however; they didn’t find much. James now felt sure Dean was suffering from an incomplete mating bond. Selfishly, James prided himself on not resisting completing the bond with Trisha. Because Dean wasn’t holding up well under the thought, she was being used like the guy in the RV had been. “Alpha Duncan. We found some identification that belonged to several people. Including the dead wolf in the RV. Speculation is these belonged to the victim who perpetrated this.” “Note the names and bundle it up. Wait, what’s his name?” “Henry Gingham.” “Any idea how he died?” “Strangled, then drained of blood until his heart stopped. Whoever did it was fast and strong.” “Thanks. Round up everyone you can that’s not needed here. I don’t believe we’ll find anyone now in this weather and it’s probably destroyed any scent trails.” “Yes, sir.”
“Kiera! Thank all the heavens. Are you alright? Just stay right there. Dean’s in the car right now. I know he’s been wanting to see you. He’s been going crazy looking for you. Like I mean mating moon crazy. Just don’t move.” He dropped the papers on the front counter and clumsily slid out the main door. He made a mental notice to call about getting an estimate for new floor mats for the entrance. That was a workplace accident waiting to happen. He picked up the papers. Great, they were playing supernatural detectives again. At least he didn’t have to investigate it. He just needed to keep an eye out for anything connected to it. The Sheriff looked at the supposed monster huddled under a standard issue grey blanket. He supposed she was one of those things. Gad, she was a mess, maybe Alpha Jonas could get her to see reason? Kiera showed signs of distress at hearing the alpha’s name. He wasn’t sure he like that. Alpha Jonas wasn’t o
Dean was feeling claustrophobic in the vehicle. It was only Oli, Ellie, our healer, and himself in a seven passenger vehicle. He was trying not to growl or tear up the place. Kiera was out there. He was sure of it. Someone must have missed an important clue. He had to go back and find it. Oli was wasting time at the sheriff’s station. They could use their time a lot better. The long they had Kiera, the higher the chance she’d end up like that guy in the RV. Dean knew he was in a state, but right now he didn’t care that his pack healer watched him like she was in a vehicle with a caged animal. He felt like one right now. His skin itched, and he kept searching for a scent that he’d know if he smelt it. This was crazy. It was like Dean felt bewitched or cursed. Oli hadn’t been inside the station more than a minute before he came barrelling out of the doors he’d just entered. He tore open Dean’s door. “Kiera’s inside right now. Go.” That’s all he needed to say.
The claustrophobic feeling hadn’t left it’d been joined by anxiety. Kiera was resisting anything he said. But she wasn’t resistant to his presence. That meant his will outweighed hers. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but he hoped he could convince her things were different this time. He’d ensure it was starting now. The relief washed over him as he left the vehicle from the claustrophobic feeling at least. There was definitely a mob at the front entrance of the packhouse. Dean mounted the stairs as several pack members peppered him with questions. He turned to face the mob and raised his hands for silence. “Enough!” He paused only long enough to confirm that he received the silence he demanded. “I am sick and embarrassed to find out that many of you either lied or withheld information to me. That you would rather listen to an elder with an agenda than seek council and guidance in my leadership. I won’t name names, but you know who you are, and I will deal with y
Dean watched Elder Evans as he finally backed down and left the area. After he understood his plans were known and weren’t appreciated. “Alright, everyone go do what I told you. Be prepared for when I call on you.” Then he followed Oli and Ellie into the packhouse as they carried Kiera in. He liked the fact that several pack members made sure their way was clear and the main doors were held open for them. It took a bit to get her up the stairs. Dean ended up carrying her, as she protested most of the way. That he didn’t appreciate as the pack heard her, though they did learn that she wasn’t comfortable or willing to stay in her home. He didn’t understand how they thought she’d react to being treated as if she were something to be feared and avoided at all costs. “Alright put her on the bed and I’ll reassess her. She’s not as bad as I first thought, but she does have several more wounds that must be cleaned.” That’s the thing about shifters their wounds do heal faster