Page 117 of Chasing Savannah

“None yet. You think they’re behind this?” Derrick pulled back, his own battle waging with his panther.

“Who else but them?” He sighed. “Let’s go.”

They marched to the school, four enforcers behind them. Theo was waiting in the front office for them when they arrived. His brother-in-law looked a lot more disheveled than he normally did. His tie was loose at his throat, and his hair was sticking up in places where he’d pulled at it. Theo spoke with the front desk clerk and cleared them to go through to the principal’s office. His mate was in the small office, her and his sister Laura embraced, tears dried on their face.

He pulled them both to their feet and him and Derrick enveloped them, surrounding them with their power. The women shuddered, their fear riling his panther. Not only was his son missing, but also his nephew. He was furious, a helpless frustration burning his chest.

“We’ll get them back, I swear it.” He promised them.

The principal cleared her throat. Carlos spared her a glance, long enough to note her feline features, but she wasn’t a panther.

“I have video queued up for you, Felix Ayala.” She told him.

He nodded and released his sister and mate.

“They were on the playground with their class when four panthers climbed over the wall and snatched them.” The principal explained.

“The teacher?” Derrick asked.

She sighed. And nodded to a person behind them. A meek woman entered the office, her fear not helping the situation. She explained to them in a quiet voice what happened. Derrick growled which caused her to freeze, her eyes wide.

“This school was supposed to be safe for shifters. You’re saying people can just scale the wall and help themselves?” A male asked in a low, lethal voice.

Carlos turned his attention to the man, his features the adult version of Jamie’s. So that was Greg. Savannah put an arm on the male’s shoulder and Carlos clenched his hands to keep from reacting. Greg was Jamie’s father, he had to remember he would be as concerned as the rest of them.

“Nothing like this has ever happened here before. There is a treaty in place. Children from all packs and prowls go here, no one is supposed to violate the sanctity of that.” The principal hastily explained.

Greg stood and walked from the office. Savannah went after him.

“Let’s see the surveillance, please.” Carlos wanted to be out looking for his son, he didn’t want to be in this cramped office.

“Of course.”

They all turned to the monitor on the wall. The picture was crystal clear, indicating that the surveillance system in place was top notch. They watched as the children played. The principal fast-forwarded until the moment two panthers, in animal form, jumped across the high brick wall surrounding the yard. Kids scattered, as two others came over the fence behind them. The four of them headed straight for Jamie. They shifted into human form and made to grab him. Jamie fought, his nephew Ross joining in to help. Both boys were eventually overwhelmed and hauled over the intruder’s shoulders.

The teacher was trampled by students running to her for help. She didn’t even have a chance to help the boys. Carlos cursed.

“Thank you. I want my daughter, now.” He ordered the principal.

Derrick turned to Theo. “Get Yasmeen here, I want her kids out as well until we catch these bastards. Matter of fact, I don’t want any of the prowl kids here while this is going on.”

The principle nodded and Theo pulled out his phone.

“Let’s go.” He said to Derrick and left the office.

Savannah was in the hall, calming down Greg. He held out his hand and she took it immediately.

They waited in silence until his daughter’s curly ponytail came swinging down the hall. Relief weakened his knees and he dropped to the floor to catch Ella as she ran to him.

“Papa, are Jamie and I leaving early?” Her face was bright with expectation.

Savannah turned her back, and Derrick was there to comfort her. Ella looked behind him and her smile fell.

“We had a lock-down drill earlier today, did something really happen?” She whispered. The light left her eyes.

Savannah rushed to her and dropped to her knees. “Everything is fine, sweetheart. Jamie is away for now, but he’ll be home soon.”

“Did someone take him, papa?” Ella’s lip trembled.