“Koira, it’s Sheriff Graelin and Thumper.” He leaned down to whisper to Thumper, “Trust me, Brogan and I were barely functioning after we drank that shit. I’m sure it’s not you.”

Caeden nudged his leg to thank him for the pep talk. Koira opened the door and gave them a dazzling smile. Confused, Thumper pushed his head into her hand. She gasped just like she did at breakfast. She pulled her hand away and rubbed it. Caeden couldn’t help but whine, she reached down and touched him again. Her jaw couldn’t open any wider if she wanted to.

“Sheriff, do you mind if I give you a hug? I never did thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“That’s not necessary, it was my pleasure to help.” West looked down at Caeden and shrugged, clearly he was as confused by her behavior as Caeden was.

“Really, I insist.” Her hand reached toward him and quickly tapped his chest and pulled back, then laid her hand on him again. “Hhhmmm.” She stepped closer and gave him a quick hug. “Interesting. Well, thanks again for helping me out and for bringing Thumper over.”

Caeden and West could tell she was dismissing him. “Have a good day, I’ll send someone around later for Thumper.” West gave Caeden a concerned look before turning around and leaving.

Thumper walked inside and waited while she locked the door. He knew she was tired so he dutifully walked to her bedroom and laid on the bed. He could still smell the sex in the air from this morning. How had everything derailed so quickly?

His ears perked up when he heard the patio door slide open. He jumped down and ran after her. He watched as she stood against the railing and stared off into the trees and to the street beyond. He sat there quietly, watching as she stood frozen, gazing off into the distance.

A noise in the tree above them got their attention, Caeden could see the canary from the other day watching her. Somehow she sensed him and began to whistle. He immediately flew down and landed on her outstretched hand. She laughed softly and sang again.

The peacefulness of the moment was shattered as Caeden saw a movement off to the right. He stared intently, trying to determine if it was a threat. The sun reflected off something between two trees, his instincts knew it was metal and likely a weapon.

He didn’t think twice, let out a ferocious growl, jumped over the patio railings and took off. He inhaled deeply, determined to hone in on the various scents assailing him. Methodically he ignored one by one till he found one he couldn’t identify. He reached the area where the glint was and sniffed the ground and trees. The same scent was concentrated there. He followed the scent, running at a breakneck speed, his frustration mounting that he wasn’t finding the person it belonged to.

Finally he broke through the trees and found himself in a parking lot, and the scent stopped. Caeden let out a howl of anger knowing the person must have gotten in a car and now was lost to him.

To be safe, he circled the parking lot a few times, double checking he hadn’t missed anything. He took his time walking back to Koira’s, sniffing everything in his path. He wasn’t going to let this guy stay on the loose for long.

He hopped the patio railing, surprised to see Koira wasn’t waiting for him. The door to the apartment was still open from earlier so he ran in looking for her. His nose was telling him she wasn’t there but his mind was refusing to believe it. He shifted and ran through each room calling for her. Nausea hit him as he realized he was alone.

Her cell phone was still on the kitchen counter, he grabbed it and did his best to dial with shaking fingers. “It’s Caeden, I fucked up. I thought I saw the perp in the woods so I took off after him. I lost his scent and came back to find Koira gone but her cell phone is here. I need everyone, help me please.” He knew there were tears running down his face and he didn’t care if anyone saw them. She was his mate and she was blind in a town she didn’t know. Never had he hated himself more than he did at that moment.

He threw on a pair of pants and paced while he waited for the cavalry. He hadn’t decided if he was going to search for her as man or dog, so he held off on the rest of his clothes.

When his nails were bitten down to nubs, the first knock came on the apartment door. Caeden let in the sheriff and Brogan along with a few other guys from the force. He shook hands with each and led them to the living room.

“Barbara Wolfe is heading to the station to get Constance and they’ll meet us here. Tell us what happened again in detail.” Caeden appreciated the sheriff’s calm authority.

He repeated what he saw and everything that happened while he was tracking. As he finished, Constance came in, Barbara’s arm wrapped around the sobbing woman. His guilt tripled in that moment, he had let them all down.

Barbara squeezed his hand, “A lot of the pack is outside, I’m going to give them the details.”

Caeden knew the pack had accepted him even though he wasn’t a wolf but he had still always felt like a guest. In that moment he realized he really was one of them.

Caeden stared out the patio door as West and Brogan discussed how they were splitting the groups and which direction they all would go in.

“Caeden, did you hear me?” He spun around as he realized he had gotten lost in thought. He shook his head at West, “I don’t suppose you want to stay here in case she happened to go looking for you and finds her way back here?”

Anger filled him, logically he knew they were worried about his safety but it still wasn’t right. “If it were Rook, would you sit here? And you,” he pointed at Brogan, “may have to go to Hell to find yours so I think we all know I’m not staying here.”

“Okay, let’s go find your girl.”