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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

REECE

Reece killed the engine of his motorcycle, the familiar rumble fading into silence as they rolled to a stop in front of the worn “Welcome to Sky Stead” sign.

The sky above was darkening, streaked with purple and red hues as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The small town stretched before them, quiet and seemingly peaceful, but Reece knew better.

He swung a leg over his bike and dismounted, scanning the treeline and the empty road ahead.

Behind him, Ron and Chad did the same, their movements tense, the unease palpable in the cool evening air.

“You two feel that?” Reece asked, his voice low.

Ron nodded, his brow furrowing as he sniffed the air.

“Yeah, I smell it. There’s something... off,” Ron said.

Chad stood there, his arms crossed, looking apprehensive. His gaze flickered to the sign, then back to the road ahead.

Reece could see the doubt creeping into his expression.

Before Chad could voice his concern, Ron gave him a shove, pushing him forward past the sign.

“What the hell, man?!” Chad spat, whirling around, fury lighting up his face.

Ron chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched Chad warily stand beyond the boundary. Nothing happened.

No alarms, no magical barrier, no sudden bolt of lightning.

Just the same eerie quiet that had surrounded them since they arrived.

“It worked,” Reece said, his voice satisfied.

Fabian’s tonic had done the trick.

The barrier, designed to alert the alphas of Sky Stead to any paranormal intruders, hadn’t registered them. They were in.

Chad took a few tentative steps forward, looking back at Reece and Ron as if expecting something to change.

When it didn’t, he relaxed.

Reece could already feel the potion wearing off—the weakness that had clawed at him earlier now dissipating, his strength returning.

“What now?” Ron asked, stepping up beside Reece, his eyes scanning the deserted road.

Reece cracked his knuckles, his mind working through the plan.

"We look for the omega. Check out the bars, the restaurants, see what the local nightlife has to offer. A town this small, it won’t be hard to find him,” Reece said.

Chad nodded, eager now that they had breached the barrier.

“Yeah, shouldn’t take long. Word gets around quick in places like this,” Chad said.

The three of got back on their motorcycles and crossed the town's border.

Sky Stead was quiet—too quiet, Reece thought.

The streets were nearly empty, save for a few cars parked in front of darkened storefronts.

The town had an old-fashioned feel to it, with brick buildings and quaint streetlamps casting long shadows in the fading light.

Reece kept his senses sharp, his eyes and ears tuned to any sign of movement.

They had come too far and risked too much to let anything slip through the cracks.

The omega they were looking for was here somewhere, and Reece wasn’t leaving until he found him.

They moved through the town like shadows, sticking to the edges, watching for any sign of activity.

The few people they passed gave them curious glances but didn’t linger, clearly not recognizing them as threats.

Fabian’s tonic seemed to be holding, masking their paranormal presence as human.

Reece led the way toward the center of town, where a bar called The Rusty Fang caught his attention.

The place had a dimly lit, rundown exterior, but the sound of music and voices carried from inside, suggesting it was a popular spot for the locals.

“Let’s try this place,” Reece muttered, eyeing the entrance.

Ron and Chad exchanged a glance but nodded, following his lead as he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The interior was dark, illuminated by low-hanging lights and neon signs advertising cheap beer.

The scent of alcohol and shifters filled the air, and Reece could instantly sense that this was a place frequented by their kind.

They moved through the crowd, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of Nathan. Reece’s pulse quickened.

His wolf was restless, prowling beneath his skin, itching for a confrontation.

The alpha dragon had taken Trevor—his best friend—and Reece was determined to settle the score.

As they approached the bar, the bartender, a burly shifter with graying hair and a scar down one cheek, glanced up, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“You boys new in town?” the bartender asked.

Reece leaned casually against the bar, flashing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Just passing through. Looking for someone,” Reece said.

The bartender raised an eyebrow. “Who might that be?”

Ron cut in smoothly. “An omega wolf. Heard he’s new around here. Name’s Nathan.”

“We’re old pals of his,” Reece added.

The bartender’s gaze flickered briefly—just long enough for Reece to notice—before he resumed wiping down the counter.

“Don’t know anyone by that name,” the bartender said.

Reece clenched his jaw, suppressing the urge to slam his fist down on the bar. He knew when someone was lying.

“You sure about that?” His voice was a low growl, barely restrained.

Before the bartender could respond, Chad stepped forward, his impatience getting the better of him.

“Look, we don’t have time for this. Just tell us where he is, and we’ll be on our way,” Chad said.

The bartender sighed, setting down the rag he’d been using.

“Look, I don’t know much. But if you’re looking for a new omega in town, you might wanna check out a place called Sunset Brews. It’s a little café down the street. Some new folks have been working there recently,” he said.

Reece nodded, already moving toward the exit. Ron and Chad followed close behind, tension simmering between them.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Reece felt a surge of adrenaline. They were getting closer. He could feel it.

“Sunset Brews, huh?” Ron said, a sly grin crossing his face. “Sounds like the kind of place a sweet little omega might be hiding.”

Reece didn’t respond, his mind already focused on the next step. They would find Nathan.

And when they did, the real hunt would begin.

Without another word, the three of them mounted their motorcycles, engines roaring to life as they sped off into the night.