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  “If you really are her true mate, I have no right to challenge you. I love Bel. I wouldn’t hurt her by challenging her true mate.” Jared glances over his shoulder towards the bar before leaning further across the table towards Theo. “Why was she all cosy with the witch?”

  Theo laughs. “Let’s just say things have become a little complicated.”

  Fourteen

  STALKER STATUS

  THEO

  Things sure did get complicated.

  My plans for tonight involved making it up to Bel for not being around since Paddy’s disappearance, and relaxing with my mate.

  As I sit opposite Bel’s ex, I thank my lucky stars he’s deciding to back off. It’s not that I don’t think I could handle taking him out in a duel but seeing us fight would be hard for Bel.

  “I won’t pursue, Bel, but I’m taking a break from the pride for a while. Both me and my father believe I need to see more of the world before I take over as leader so I’d like to stay in town if you’ll allow it?”

  He’d kept Bel alive for years. I owe him. I give permission with a nod.

  Without a word, he stands and starts to leave. As he moves, I catch Paddy’s scent in the air.

  Within seconds I am up and have Jared pinned to the wall with my arm across his chest. Bel is growling beside me but I don’t have time to deal with her. I need to find out why Jared has Paddy’s scent on him.

  “What the fuck?” Jared spits, looking at Bel; who is growling and baring her teeth to him. She would have caught Paddy’s scent too.

  I reach into my pocket and pull out one of the missing person flyers Alyssa had been pasting everywhere.

  “Where did you see this guy?” I ask, shoving the flyer into his chest. I quickly release him, needing to stay calm. I can feel the pack crowding in around us and I don’t need them ripping into him before we get answers.

  I watch with bated breath as Jared looks at the flyer closely before answering. “I’ve never seen this guy.”

  “You have his scent on you. Can you explain that?”

  “I swear. I have never seen this guy. Maybe he brushed past me in the street. I’ve been knocked by so many people today, maybe it was transferred from someone else.” I can sense the truth in his words.

  I step back allowing him to exit.

  “If you do see him, I’d appreciate it if you could let me or one of my wolves know.”

  “Of course.” Jared exits the bar without glancing back at any of us.

  After watching him leave, I crouch down and take Bel’s head in my hands, making sure to scratch behind her ears. “As much as my wolf wants to come out and play with you, you really need to change back. You’re putting the pack on edge.” Her tongue darts out to lick my cheek. I stand and she stretches out but doesn’t shift.

  “You might want to take her somewhere private. She isn’t keen on a public naked parade,” Dominick announces from behind me. God. This guy is pissing me off; I shouldn’t need a fucking vampire to tell me what my mate needs. If he hadn’t stopped us earlier I would know what she needs and what she is thinking.

  As I look apologetically at Bel, ready to lead her through to the office she silently shifts before my eyes.

  I can’t contain the growl leaving my throat. I didn’t think this through. I don’t want all these people seeing my mate naked, pack members or not. We may be used to nudity and don’t always look at it sexually but I don’t care.

  I don’t want them seeing her.

  Billy must have read my mind because before her change is complete he hands me his full-length leather trench coat, which I cover her up with.

  “Thanks,” Bel says with a grin, as she pulls the coat around her.

  I silently fasten the buttons and tie the belt saving her sensitive fingers the job.

  Ed approaches, his eyes on the door Jared had just exited. “Should I follow him, Boss?”

  I step back from Bel and turn towards Ed as I answer. “He was telling the truth. There’s no need to follow him.” Seeing the sadness in Eddie’s eyes is tearing me apart. I reach out and pull him into a hug to comfort him. “He’s alive, Ed. We can all feel him. I promise you we will get him back.”

  Emmanuel pushes past us and throws his arm over Bel’s shoulder and pulls her in close to his side.

  I release Ed and don’t hide the fact that I’m listening to what Emmanuel has to say.

  “Misty told me to take you home. Before you complain about leaving her in the lurch, Benji is going to work the rest of your shift.”

  Bel steps out from under Emmanuel’s arm and wraps her arms around my waist. “Theo thanks for stopping me from losing it with Jared. He would never have let me live it down if I’d drawn blood.”

  “I’m Alpha; it’s what I’m here for.”

  Standing on her tiptoes she stretches until her mouth is to my ear. “It was something a mate would do, too.” Brushing her lips against my earlobe she lets me go, she leaves the bar without another word. Emmanuel follows closely behind her.

  My wolf growls at the sight. She’s my mate. Why am I standing here watching her leave with another guy in tow?

  Fuck it. I’m not.

  I leave Misty’s in a rush, not caring what anyone thinks about my rude departure. Once outside, I follow Bel’s scent, sticking to the cover of the shadows from the buildings I pass. I feel like a stalker following them home but it’s all I can do to keep my wolf calm. I’m not far behind them when I pick up their conversation.

  “What is it like to shift?” Emmanuel asks.

  “It varies. Depending on the situation. If you choose to do it, it can be great, therapeutic even. It’s always painful to a degree, but again it varies depending on how much you need to change. Tonight for instance, I didn’t feel a thing. My wolf was riding me too hard. Changing back can be embarrassing if you are in front of a crowd. It’s not so bad if they are all weres. We see naked people all the time. We hardly ever notice it. But tonight I was in a bar full of witches and vampires too.”

  “How did Dominick know what you wanted?”

  His mother fucking tie, that’s how. Thankfully, I didn’t say that out loud. My stalker status would be revealed if I had. I really don’t need that getting out.

  “When he drank from me, we formed a tie that gave him certain abilities. Materialising wherever I am is one, feeling my emotions is another. I am pretty sure that isn’t all he has up his sleeve.”

  It’s a quiet night out tonight and we seem to have the street to ourselves. I watch in the darkened doorway of the building next to Misty’s apartment as Emmanuel kisses Bel. It isn’t a lingering kiss but, nevertheless, my wolf doesn’t like it.

  Emmanuel waits, looking at the door expectantly.

  Bel, you better not invite him up.

  My wolf will not allow him to cross that threshold. My stalker status would well and truly be blown. Bel will already know I’m here. She’ll be able to feel my energy. If the wind is blowing in the right direction she could probably catch my scent too, but Emmanuel will have no clue he’s being watched.

  “It’s really not safe for you to come up tonight. My wolf is still on edge, she could easily take over at the slightest provocation.”

  More like I would kill the bastard.

  “It’s okay. I can control you.”

  I’m not at a good enough angle to see his face so I don’t know what context he’s saying it in, but regardless, I don’t like the thought of him controlling my mate in any way, shape, or form. I force myself to stay still and calm.

  “What do you mean? How can you control me?” Bel sounds wary.

  Emmanuel looks around taking in his surroundings. He looks edgy. I don’t know what he senses. I’m not picking anything out of the ordinary up. He’s not happy about it—whatever it may be. “Forget I said anything.” He glances at his watch before adding, “I’ve got to go now but can we meet for lunch tomorrow?” He’s already retreating.

  “Sure. Text me the details,” Be
l shouts after him.

  I watch Bel walk into the building before pulling my new phone out and hitting the buttons to dial her number.

  “Hello,” she answers breathlessly. She must’ve run up the stairs.

  “I thought he’d never leave.”

  “Same here, until something spooked him, that is.”

  “You caught that too?” I ask intrigued.

  “I couldn’t sense anything. Could you?”

  I reach out once again, feeling for anything unusual that could have spooked him. Once again, I feel nothing.

  “Not a damn thing,” I reply as I start to pace on the pavement. No longer having the need to hide. My wolf is torn between needing to claim his mate and protecting her against whatever dangers lurk in the dark of the night.

  “He’s lucky you didn’t invite him up. He wouldn’t be breathing right now if you did. In fact, if I go solve that breathing problem, you could go out to lunch with me instead of him.” If I am being honest that isn’t a joke. I’d willingly kill him just so I could be with my mate.

  “Be good. I need to go out with him to let him down gently. But if you come into Misty’s tomorrow night you might get a repeat of our earlier kiss. A treat for being so good.” The giggle I hear through the phone makes blood flow to what’s beneath my zipper.

  “Oh, well, that’s me sold. I’ll behave. That means I have to get off the phone though, because if I don’t, I can’t guarantee I’ll deserve that kiss tomorrow.” I know full well she can hear the arousal in my voice.

  “Night then,” her voice sounds all breathy before she cuts the connection.

  I place my phone back in my pocket and force my feet to walk away from her building and back towards the bar.

  I have a pack member to find.

  Fifteen

  FRIENDS

  ROSABEL

  After waking up and getting dressed, I am ready to face the day. I walk through the apartment to the kitchen in the hope of finding some coffee. I can’t believe I shifted in a bar full of customers. I’d taken Jared to the booth to save the customers from the dangers of anyone shifting, but I never thought I would be the danger. I’m usually calm and in control. It must be Theo and this mating thing that has my wolf in a tizzy.

  I stop in my tracks when I see Benji on the couch. His bags are packed by his feet; his eyes are red and swollen indicating he’s been crying for some time.

  “Benji. What’s wrong?” I dread his answer.

  “Oh, Bel.” He jumps off the couch and dives into my arms. I give him the hug I can see he needs—until he pulls away—all while wondering what the hell has him in this state. He sits back on the sofa as if he’d never moved.

  I take a seat next to him before he speaks.

  “Mum rang during the night. The Cleaners ambushed the pride during the hunt. Dad was injured. He’s out of danger now but Mum needs me. She wants me back in the protection of the pride. I have to go home.”

  I can’t stop the tears running down my cheeks. Uncle Jack has always treated me like his own. If it wasn’t for him teaching me how to fight once he took me in, I would never have survived my first fight. Jared may have helped keep me alive by fighting for me, but Uncle Jack is the original hero.

  “When do we leave?” It’s not a question of whether I go. Aunt Lillian and Uncle Jack need me. I might not be pride, but my family is, and they need all the help they can get.

  “We don’t. I do. You have too much here. You have to stay. You’ve found your home with Theo and his pack. Claim it. If the Cleaners are still hanging round the pride, it’s too dangerous for you to return. You know the pride would trade you in for their safety in a heartbeat.”

  Knowing he’s right, I won’t argue. “I’m going to miss you. Sorry we haven’t been able to do much while you’ve been here. I promise, when you come back I’ll show you everything this town has to offer. You are coming back aren’t you?”

  “I’ll come and visit again, but it was never going to be permanent. I love you, but you need to find out who you are—what it means to be a wolf. I don’t belong in that life,” he says sadly.

  “I love you, too, Benj.” I can’t say anything else without bursting into tears, but I don’t need to add more. He knows everything I’m unable to say.

  We walk down to the street and find a taxi already waiting for him. I give him one last hug as the driver puts his bags in the boot.

  “Thank Misty for me. I’ll ring you when I arrive,” he says, turning his back to me and getting in the car.

  “Of course. Give Aunt Lil and Uncle Jack a hug from me,” I say, closing the door on him.

  I glance at my watch and wave to the car as it drives into the distance, noticing that I only have ten minutes before I’m supposed to be at the cafe Emmanuel text me last night. I dash upstairs to grab my purse, phone, and shoes.

  Finding the apartment quiet and seeing no sign of Misty, I decide to leave her a quick note explaining about Benji, telling her where I am going and that I will see her at work, if not sooner. There are people going missing left, right, and centre. You don’t need to be a brain surgeon to realise it’s best to have someone know where you are heading and when you should be back.

  * * *

  I close the cafe door behind me and look around the greasy spoon cafe for Emmanuel. There are fifteen booths on either side of a narrow aisle and it doesn’t take me long to notice him sitting at the furthest booth on the right. I recognise the Motown music playing quietly. Uncle Jack is a huge Motown fan. Being lunchtime, there are only a couple of free tables.

  Probably thinking I haven’t seen him, Emmanuel waves. It’s pretty hard to miss his big frame, but I guess he might forget that.

  I take a deep breath to ground myself, preparing for what I need to do. As I start to make my way towards him I get a strong whiff of Paddy’s scent. I glance around. One of the customers must have been in contact with Paddy recently. One of them could be the kidnapper. There must be twenty people in here plus staff. There is no way I can pinpoint the culprit without an interrogation.

  Taking another deep breath, I focus on my empathy to I see if I can pick up any suspicious emotions. I don’t hold much hope because unless they are focused on the kidnapping at this very minute they are probably feeling happy about their food, which means I won’t be able pick up on the bad stuff.

  As expected, I find nothing.

  Thinking the scent could be cross-contamination, I decide to focus on one thing at a time and get this thing between me and Emmanuel finished.

  Ever the gentleman, Emmanuel stands as I reach the table. He leans over and kisses my cheek and we take seats opposite each other.

  “Rosabel. Is everything okay? I can’t help but notice you looked a little distracted.”

  “Benji left this morning. There has been an attack on the pride. That’s playing on my mind,” I say, plastering a reassuring smile on my face. It’s only partly a lie.

  The waitress comes to a stop at our table, halting our conversation. Her pen poised on her pad ready to take our orders. “Whatchahaving?” she asks, mashing her words together. Next time someone complains about Misty’s accent I’ll remember to send them here to Trudy.

  I quickly look at the menu that Emmanuel pushes across to me.

  “I’ll have a hamburger and tea, please,” he says.

  I order the first thing I see. “Chicken salad and a coffee for me, please.” Coffee is no-brainer since I didn’t get one this morning.

  Once the waitress leaves, Emmanuel reaches over the table and grabs a hold of my hand. “You should’ve told me you were being bothered by your ex. I could have warned him off.”

  I don’t want to make him feel insignificant by reminding him that Jared is a were-lion and wouldn’t take a blind bit of notice of a witch. I decide to brush it off. “It’s sorted now. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Yes. He won’t be bothering you anymore,” Emmanuel says, grinning up at me. Anyone looking at him would think he
chased Jared off, not Theo.

  My mobile starts vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out of my pocket and look at the screen to see a number I don’t recognise. I glance at Emmanuel apologetically. His sort of smile and barely nod don’t deter me from answering it anyway. It could be someone from the pride about Uncle Jack.

  “Hello?” I answer warily

  “Is that Rosabel?” If it wasn’t for the pure fear I could hear in the person’s voice, I would suspect it was a stupid telesales call.

  “Yes. Who is this?”

  “Wesley. Have you seen her?” He’s so anxious, my empathy doesn’t work over the phone but it’s pretty easy to pick up from his tone. I have no idea who he is talking about.

  I put as much authority into my voice as I can muster. “Wesley. You need to calm down and explain what is going on, slowly and clearly.”

  I can hear him take a deep breath and then the line is silent.

  I give him a full minute of silence before speaking again. “Welsey. Are you still there?”

  “Yes,” he says, sounding unbelievably calm. It’s like he’s a different person to the one who called. “It’s Alyssa, my mate. She’s gone missing. Have you seen her?”

  “I don’t think so. What does she look like? I don’t think I know who she is.”

  “MY MATE!” His yell is loud enough that even Emmanuel hears him. He reaches for my phone but I swat his hand and lean away. I can handle being yelled at by a distraught werewolf.

  “Shouting at me won’t help, Wes.”

  I can hear Theo in the background. “Who are you shouting at now, Wesley? I was sure you had scared everyone in the pack as it is.”

  “Wesley, put Theo on the phone. He’ll be able to explain the situation better.”

  I hear a few noises as if the phone is changing hands, along with Wesley’s muttering to himself. “My fucking mate is missing. That’s the goddamn situation.”

  “Hello.” I would recognise that gravelly voice any day.