Page 44 of Rising Reign (The Wolves of Crescent Creek #3)

LOCKE

My fingers flew across the keyboard, but the steady clickety-clack of the keys didn’t bring the comfort it usually did.

My hand moved to the mouse as I selected the next grouping of sensors and then moved back to the keyboard.

But it didn’t matter how many I put in place or how many cameras searched the woods for signs of movement; none of it felt like enough.

I tipped back the last sip of my energy drink and threw it into my recycling with more force than necessary. As this one flew in, other cans flew out, and I muttered a curse.

“Should I be concerned about your caffeine intake over the past week?” Kingston asked from the doorway.

I swiveled my chair around to face him. “Sleep hasn’t exactly been my friend lately.”

That had him moving deeper into the lair and sitting on the couch. “Want to talk about it? ”

Gods, he was a good friend. And an amazing leader. King was as different as night and day from my alpha growing up. He had prized physical strength and dominance—just one of the reasons my parents had kicked me out when they realized I was submissive.

I twisted my neck to the side, making the bones crack. “I’m okay. Really.”

King simply stayed quiet and waited.

I sighed. “It feels like no matter what I do, it won’t be enough.”

He nodded slowly. “I feel the same. Things have changed since we found Wren. There’s a hell of a lot more at stake than there was a few months ago.”

“It feels like there’s a boulder on my chest, pressing down, making it hard to breathe. I have to force myself to walk away from her at times because I want her to be in my sight twenty-four-seven.”

One corner of Kingston’s mouth pulled up. “I’d like to implant a tracker in her, just in case.”

I winced.

King’s brows flew up. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“No, no. I gave her a necklace.”

“The lock one?”

Of course, Kingston would’ve noticed it.

“Yes. It’s enchanted, so only Wren or one of her mates can remove it, and it has a tracker inside,” I admitted. “I told her it did. It’s not like I’m tracking her without her permission.”

King lifted a hand to still me. “I’m not accusing you. I wish I would’ve thought of it.”

“Sometimes, when we’re apart, I just watch her location. I have the app up while I’m working, just for reassurance.”

Kingston leveled an alpha stare at me. “It’s completely understandable. She’s been taken from us twice.”

Just hearing the words had my fingers twitching to pick up my phone and check the app. “It feels like a compulsion. And the panic…”

“It won’t be like this forever,” King assured me. “It’s a unique circumstance. Once we’ve dealt with the dark mages and Red River, we’ll be able to breathe.”

“Unless the mages told someone about her empath status.” I realized that I’d just given voice to one of my greatest fears. That we’d always be running because Wren’s empath status would be known to the world. Everyone under the sun would want to get their hands on her.

Kingston shook his head. “We can’t lose logic. How would telling anyone benefit them?”

I thought that over for a moment. “It wouldn’t. It would only give them competition.”

“Exactly. We end them. We end the threat.”

Something eased in me for the first time in days. “You’re right.”

King’s lips twitched. “Might want to record that for posterity.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Come on,” he said, pushing to his feet. “Dinner’s ready, and you need to balance out some of that caffeine.”

He wasn’t wrong. As I stood, I could feel the jitteriness in my limbs. Never a good sign. “Maybe some juice with dinner.”

Kingston barked out a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you have anything but soda or coffee at any meal.”

“There always has to be a first, right?”

He clapped me on the back as we headed down the hall. “Damn straight.”

I looked up at the sound of footsteps. Wren walked down the stairs, her hair still damp from a shower. She wore a flowy dress with delicate straps and flowers cast over the fabric. It reminded me of her scent: wild and free.

“You look beautiful,” I greeted.

Pink hit her cheeks. “Thank you.”

I brushed my lips over hers as she reached the bottom step. She returned the kiss but ended it quickly and put some distance between us. I frowned. That wasn’t like Wren. She always welcomed simple touches, the ones that connected us .

“Better get in there. Dinner’s ready,” she said, hurrying away.

I glanced at Kingston, who was frowning after her. “That was weird, right?”

He nodded. “Her wolf might be on edge with so many people in the house.”

“Maybe.” But that didn’t seem right. She’d been fine this morning.

I wound my way into the dining room, which was already packed with people, and made a beeline for the open seat next to Wren. She shifted slightly as I sat, looking almost uncomfortable.

“Are you okay?” I whispered.

Wren glanced my way for a moment before looking back at the food at the center of the table. “Of course.”

That only had my frown deepening.

“Okay, everyone,” Puck said, calling us all to order. “I have been working all afternoon on this feast, so you’d better appreciate it.”

Everyone laughed.

“You know I will,” Juan said, patting his stomach.

Puck just shook his head and picked up a glass of wine. “To my sister. Thank you for coming all this way and for always having my back. I love you.”

Everyone raised their glasses and echoed sentiments of welcome.

We dove into the Italian feast Puck had created.

There was pasta, gnocchi, meatballs, chicken cacciatore, garlic bread, and Caesar salad.

It was truly a feast worthy of royalty. But I would’ve enjoyed it a hell of a lot more if I wasn’t so worried about Wren.

She was quiet through dinner, pasting on a smile when someone engaged her, but otherwise, she seemed to pull inward as if some tangle of thoughts held her captive.

She nibbled at her food but didn’t eat nearly enough for my liking.

And as I studied her, I realized a flush had spread over her skin as the night wore on.

“Wren,” I whispered, taking her hand. I’d meant to ask her if she was feeling okay, but the moment I touched her, I realized her skin was scorching. “You’re burning up.”

I leaned in to put a hand to her brow, but that’s when I scented it. The heady edge to her wildflowers-and-rain aroma. One that had me tipping into a haze. “Heat,” I rasped. “You’re in heat.”

The whole room froze.