Chapter

Seventeen

D ANNY

I was sitting opposite Everett and Milo at their dinner table, eating a meal that Milo had prepared, when his phone rang. Everett raised an eyebrow, but gestured for Milo to answer.

Flushing, Milo fished it from his pocket and raised the phone to his ear. “Hello?” After a moment, his smile vanished. Slowly, his expression crumpled. “Are you sure? Okay. No. We’ll be there soon. Lock all of the doors and stay inside.”

He lowered the phone to the table, his cheeks pale.

“What’s going on?” Everett asked.

“That was Sam.” His voice shook. “George was fixing the Christmas lights strung across the porch—some of the bulbs had gone out—and a car pulled up outside the house. Two alphas got out, pulled him down from the ladder, shoved him in the back of the car and drove away.”

“Oh, my gods.” I dropped my cutlery with a clatter. “Was he hurt?”

“Sam didn’t think so. Apparently, they recognized one of the alphas, although they don’t know his name.” He rubbed his jaw, obviously distraught. “I can’t believe this is happening. Poor George.”

I clambered off my chair and hurried around to embrace him. Of course this would hit Milo hard. Only a short time ago, he’d been kidnapped himself. He knew exactly how terrifying it was.

“It’ll be okay,” I assured him. “Our family will get him back.”

Everett was already making a phone call. I kept my arms around Milo as I listened to him speak first to Zander, alerting him to the situation, then to Garrick, and finally, to Dad. Usually, keeping the Alpha informed would take precedence, but since Zander and Garrick were better positioned to start a search, it made sense to notify them first.

“We’re going to meet at the Search and Rescue headquarters,” Everett said, rising to his feet and pocketing his phone. He laid his hand on Milo’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “Stay here, baby.”

“No.” Milo brushed us both off and raised his tear-stained face. His jaw was set stubbornly, his bright eyes blazing with determination. “I’m coming to help George.”

“Me too.” Like hell were they leaving me behind.

Everett looked like he might argue, but just sighed. “Fine. Get in the car. But neither of you are allowed anywhere near any danger.”

We both agreed readily. Neither of us actually wanted to be hurt. There had to be other ways we could help George. I grabbed my jacket and a woolen hat and we left the remains of our dinners on the table and headed out to the car. Everett drove, with Milo in the passenger seat. Meanwhile, I called Knox.

“Hey, Danny,” he greeted warmly.

“Knox, someone has taken George,” I said, unable to hold back. “We’re meeting at the Search and Rescue headquarters to make a plan. Do you think, with your nose, you could track his scent?”

“Who’s George?” Knox’s tone was businesslike now.

“The manager of the Children’s Home.”

“Damn.” Muffled noises came down the line. “I’ll see you there.”

Everett parked outside the building and ushered us inside, staying behind us to watch our backs. We made a beeline for the bullpen, where the officers on duty—both those from the Sheriff’s Department and the Search and Rescue team—were gathered.

Zander was at the center of the action. “Garrick will start coordinating a search team while we see what leads we can find at the Children’s Home,” he said, speaking loud enough for all to hear.

My heart squeezed. “Is someone already there?”

Surely they wouldn’t have left the children unguarded.

“Hawk and Clay are with them,” Zander replied, his gaze sharpening. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I—”

He looked at something over my shoulder. “Nor should you.”

I turned and spotted Knox’s broad frame striding inside. My bear whimpered, begging me to throw myself into his arms and seek comfort, but I resisted the urge.

Need mate .

“No,” I muttered to myself. “We have to help George.”

We weren’t in danger at the moment. He was.

“Danny called me.” Knox stopped at my side, his hand brushing mine. My fingers twitched, desperate to curl around his.

Zander looked unimpressed. “You aren’t police or search and rescue.”

“But he has the best nose in town,” I protested, standing straight and raising my chin. “He’s been doing everything he can to keep the community safe without any official support, and he has a better chance of finding George than we do.”

Zander held my gaze for several seconds but I didn’t back down. “Fine.” He huffed and adjusted his hat. “Knox, come with me to the Children’s Home.”

“We’re coming too.” I took Milo’s hand. “They’ll be scared. They know us, and they’re less likely to be intimidated if you have omegas with you.”

Zander rolled his eyes. “Just get in the car.”

Feeling a little smug, I followed Knox back through the door. Zander’s police cruiser was parked on the roadside and the lights flashed as he unlocked it electronically. I got in the back and shuffled over to make room for Milo. The two alphas rode in the front.

We stopped a couple of blocks away and got out.

“I smell them.” Knox lifted his nose and sniffed. “It was definitely the wolves, but I’ll need something of George’s if I’m going to trace his scent.”

“In his bedroom,” Milo said.

“He sleeps here?” Knox asked.

“Most nights.”

We hastened inside. I lingered in the hall while Milo went to comfort the children and Knox disappeared into George’s bedroom. He reappeared less than a minute later and went straight outside. I jogged behind him, but paused when he began to strip in the front yard. He shifted quickly, then barked and trotted off.

Jolted back into motion, I ran after him. He took off in one direction, then stopped and circled around. He shifted back.

“The scent dies here because he got into their car,” he said. “I’m going to run a perimeter around the township and see if it reappears anywhere.”

I pursed my lips. “I can’t imagine they’d let him out nearby, but I suppose it’s worth a shot.”

He grimaced. “I have to do something.”

He shifted back and sprinted away. Something in my heart tugged as he got farther from me.

“No solid leads?”

I jumped, my hand flying to my chest. Slowly, I turned and found Zander behind me. “No, but he’s still looking.”

He nodded. “I’m returning to the office to find out what plan Garrick has come up with. Are you joining me or staying here with Milo?”

I hesitated. I should stay with Milo and the kids, but I wasn’t sure whether I could stand being left out of the action. “I’ll come with you.”

I gathered Knox’s clothes and took them with us as we drove back to headquarters. Zander led the way, and I sneaked a sniff of Knox’s clothes, soothing myself with his scent.

Inside, Garrick was handing out assignments. I sat on a chair at the edge of the room and watched, knowing he wouldn’t give me anything to do. At least I was here and would know the second anything happened.

My phone rang.

I flinched, having forgotten it was even in my pocket.

My heart skipped. It was George’s number.

I answered quickly. “This is Danny.”

“Danny, it’s Knox. I have George. We’re on Hampstead Road, just outside of town. We need someone to come and get us. Bring the doctor.”