Page 49

“The alphas are taking too long,” I snapped at Olivia for the dozenth time.Dammit.Pacing off the tension wasn’t working. “Don’t they understand the gravity of what’s going on?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like you told them why you were calling an emergency meeting of alphas this evening. If you wanted them to respond more quickly, you should have mentioned the multimorph emergence. Discussing the prophecy is something we do every year at the Hunter’s Moon gathering.”

“What if Acheron intercepted messages about the multimorph? He’d hunt her down. The only reason I called the meeting is because Marcus and Jasper already know about her. It’s not a secret anymore, but I want to keep her from Acheron as long as possible.”

I wasn’t about to risk Emma like that. To keep her safe, she had to come back to Six-Mile Pack. Once I shared the truth with the rest of the packs, we’d retrieve her any way possible.

“Did you set the gate to open for any vehicle?” I asked.

“Yes, I did, Logan.”

“Is the meeting room ready?”

“We set everything up in training room. It was the only place with an air conditioner large enough to make at least thirteen alpha shifters comfortable while also being secure from listening devices. Big tables, chairs, and place settings have already been situated inside. Phil is on his way back with the food, and he’s been instructed to take it right into the meeting house.”

“Good. Did you invite Marcus as well?”

She studied her fingernails. “Did you tell me to invite Marcus?”

“I did.”

“Then I invited Marcus,” she snapped. “I’m sure he’ll show. Now I’m going to go check on something that isn’t in your study.”

“Very well.”

She jumped up and jogged away, flipping her blond hair over her shoulders.

After she’d gone, I also left my study and positioned myself on the front porch of the manor to wait for alphas. Dianthus circled the large trees in the sprawling front yard, scenting the heavy still air with cloves. I leaned against the column.

Dr. Wise’s vehicle rolled through our gate and eased down the driveway at a sedate pace. She pulled to a stop and stepped out. “I have the documents for Emma. Is she here?”

“No,” I barked at her.

Emma should be here.

Dr. Wise blinked at my tone and pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose. “Very well.”

“I meant she’s not here right now.”

“Will she return this evening? May I leave the information she wanted with you?”

I couldn’t answer without explaining how I’d botched my attempt to convince Emma that her place was with us.

Before I could stumble my way through an answer, a shout came from one of the tiny homes on the main grounds.

Dr. Wise turned at the same time I did.

Olivia marched across the grass with a severe look on her face. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “We can’t find Rachel.”

“Not in her home?”

“I just came from there. She hasn’t been back since she spent the night with Jasper.”

“Maybe she’s still with him,” I said.

Olivia shook her head. “I checked with him. She wasn’t there when he made it back to his den yesterday.”

My jaw clenched. Another missing shifter? This time, it had happened under my nose. I’d been here.