Page 49 of Shrouded in the Dark

You’re gonna get spanked later.My tail flipped out at him.

Cody smirked.By who? I usually do the spanking with you.

We all groaned in the mind link.

Focus, you two. Play time when we aren’t working.Seth admonished us but we all could feel his love through the link.

Her breathing's evened out. Sounds like we’re good to go.Axel had moved his head to the side slightly.

Agreed. Let’s go. We’ll be in touch.Seth went over to the control panel. He’d studied the email that Gary had sent Becca. She’d been more than happy to have help going over everything. He was able to retract the security screens and unlock the front door on a thirty second timer without the alarm going off.

I was the first out, snaking through Seth’s legs as soon as the door was opened. My right ear twitched as my nose took in the scents in the immediate area. The rogue’s scent was faint. He hadn’t been back since that first night Axel had come to guard the house when Becca had mentioned seeing something.

Speaking of, Axel came to stand next to me in his bear form. He was huge, even bigger than Seth. His bear had to weigh close to eight hundred pounds. His dark hair matched his skin tone. One of his paws could easily smack my head right off my shoulders.

I’d never do that.His nose nudged my face.

Sorry, didn’t know that I was projecting.

You always project the first hour or so after a shift.Seth moved silently to stand in front of us.

He was sleek, dangerous, jaw dropping. Even when he ran, he made no noise. His tiger eyes, unlike normal tigers, were his azure blue that gleamed in the light.

Let’s get moving. Cody, you all set?

The door clicked shut behind us.You’re good. Be safe. Love you guys.

Axel, lead on.

* * *

Seth

We stayed silent as we moved out in a triangle formation. I could see glimpses of Jasper to the far right. Axel kept to the front of the group. We were approximately a quarter mile apart. He led us north for some time before abruptly turning west.

Fresh scent.

My tiger wanted to let loose a growl but I held back. The rogue could be close, we didn’t want to alert him if he was. Jasper was there just as I’d arrived. Axel gestured in front of him.

The scent had to be less than an hour old. My nose twitched at the unpleasant sour smell that accompanied it. It was the first sign that this shifter was starting to lose his mind. Underneath the sour smell was the musk of some kind of wolf. The wind shifted, causing me to sneeze as it blew the scent straight upward.

Ugh. I’ll be tasting that for days.

They chuckled.

Let’s see where this leads. When we do find him, we take him down, no matter what. You have permission to let loose.

The link was silent as they fell behind me as we started to follow the fresh trail. With what I just told them to do, they were shocked. I didn’t blame them. A shifter had to be in control of their animal at all times. It was a partnership, but our animals were still that. Wild. If we gave control, even briefly, the destruction could be devastating. I wasn’t worried about my pack. They’d listen to me when I’d give the order to stop.

So, are we going to talk about the pull we all have to Becca?Jasper decided to start this conversation in the middle of tracking the rogue.

Really? Now?Axel huffed.It’s not the most ideal of times.

I kept silent as my senses swept out in front of us.

I think it’s a great time.Jasper wasn’t as snarky as Cody, but he sure loved to pull on Axel’s leg just as much as Cody did.

Sure. Okay? There’s a pull. She could possibly be a mate for the pack. But I’m in love with Felicity. Remember?I could feel Axel roll his eyes in his response, even if he was putting up a front.