Page 44 of Bad Wolf's Nanny

Felix’s number. Office line. Urgent business.

His stomach dropped.

He answered, “Dane.”

A crisp voice crackled down the line, “Get to Pine Shadow. Now. Emergency briefing. Felix wants everyone there in twenty minutes.”

Dane’s jaw tightened, “Got it.”

The call ended with a sharp click.

He stood, grabbing the hoodie slung over the arm of the couch and pulling it over his head. His body was still half-stiff from sleep, and his mind hadn’t fully caught up, but his instincts were already burning awake.

Something had happened.

Something bad.

Behind him, Lola hovered near the crib, tucking Sam’s blanket tighter than necessary. She looked uncertain, like she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to say something or pretend none of it had happened.

Dane turned to her.

“You’ll stay here today?”

She nodded quickly, “Of course.”

“Lock the door behind me. Don’t answer unless it’s me or one of the others.”

Her brows pinched. “Is it serious?”

He didn’t answer.

Not because he didn’t want to, but because whatever was coming, he had a sinking feeling words weren’t going to do it justice.

The Pine Shadow Club was lit up like a storm shelter when Dane pulled in, the soft hum of early-morning traffic replaced by the low tension of boots on gravel and murmured voices. A few junior enforcers flanked the entrance, all alert and armed.

Something had them spooked.

Dane pushed through the double doors and made straight for the back room.

Felix was already there, seated at the head of the long oak table, his hands steepled, the carved lines in his face deeper than usual. Rick leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. Nicolas paced near the window, stopping only when Dane stepped in.

“You’re late,” Rick said.

“I’m here,” Dane replied curtly. He tossed his hoodie onto a chair and took the seat across from Felix. “What’s going on?”

Felix didn’t waste time.

“There was a killing spree just outside our territory line last night. Town called Briarglen. Fifty miles northeast.”

Dane’s stomach sank.

“Human?”

“Humans and shifters. Small pack. Probably rogues banded together. They were…” Felix hesitated, then turned the laptop on the table toward Dane. “See for yourself.”

The screen displayed a series of images. Grainy night shots at first, crime scene tape, flashing red lights, and investigators in gloves. Then…

The bodies.