Page 95 of Crossed Fates

“Because he didn’t return for the mandatory head count. He also hasn’t been by to pay his respects to Kristen, which I found strange.”

“That could still mean he was taken,” I pointed out. Although, he didn’t fit the victim profile at all. “Would he have known about our hunt for Neo?” I wondered out loud.

“He’s an enforcer, like his father. So yes. He had access to the information.”

“You think he might be the mole who leaked the information about our search for Neo.”

“It’s a suspicion, yes. Since he’s not been around, he wouldn’t know that you found Neo in Elk Neck.”

“But it wouldn’t matter if he knew we were looking for a Neo,” I translated.

“Right.”

I nodded, wincing. Then another thought occurred to me. “What does he look like in wolf form?”

“Uh, brown and gray fur,” he replied. “On the larger size and built like your typical enforcer.”

That fit Makayla’s initial description, at least in terms of bulk and coat color. And there was one other thing I recalled… “What about his snout? Is it bent a little?”

Landon remained quiet for a beat, his silence giving away his answer before he said, “Uh, yeah. He broke his nose before being bitten. It’s never been quite straight.”

Damn. “He matches the description of a wolf who crossed into my territory tonight.”

“As in visiting?” he asked. “Because he went—”

“Alpha Alaric,” Paul interrupted, running into the room, his body covered in blood. I nearly dropped the phone at the sight of him. Then Steve entered behind him with a dead Enrique in his arms.

“Fuck,” I breathed. “I have to go.” I instinctively handed the phone to my father, who finished the conversation for me while I focused on the slain enforcer. “Tell me everything.”

Makayla

I woke with a jolt,my head hitting whatever I was propped up against hard.

Ouch! Son of a bitch!

Another bump jolted me across the cold metal bed beneath me, my fur replaced by bare skin.What the hell? Where am I?Wind teased my flesh, leaving a cold kiss behind that elicited a shiver to my very soul. I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t, my head still fogged by whatever the fuck had happened.

I recognized the sound of a truck rumbling around me. Felt each and every rock as the tires rolled over the rough terrain.

But I had no idea where or how I’d ended up here. My wolf felt just as sluggish inside me, her disorientation leaving me confused.

Mak?The deep voice pierced my mind, the familiarity a calming caress to my senses. An incredibly different reaction from the first time I’d heard him in my thoughts. Now all I felt was eternally grateful. My wolf even perked up her ears a little upon sensing him in my head.

Mak?he repeated.

I’m… I’m here… somewhere.I grimaced.Where am I? What happened?

You were taken.A growl underlined his tone, his frustration palpable.

Taken?I repeated, frowning.What? When?

Except the memory slithered into focus as I uttered that last word.Oh. Oh, hell.

The three men in the forest.

Bendy. Vex Junior. The unknown third blob.

The dart.