I’ve always known my fated mate is special, but now the world knows the truth about Liza, she’s more at risk than ever.
There hasn’t been another wolf like her for centuries, and the public scrutiny directed her way is setting my wolf on edge. When a bounty is put on her head, my protective instincts go into overdrive.
No one—and I mean no one—is going to touch my mate. Especially not an old rival who claims Liza’s parents have more secrets than she realizes. And I’m even suspicious of a mysterious buyer who approaches me about a business deal.
But Liza is struggling so much with the changes she’s going through that if I don’t find a way to help her control her powers soon, her biggest threat may not be our enemies. It could be herself…
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PART III
65
TY
Istood next to my sleek black car, eyes glued to the glowing screen of my phone, oblivious to the world around me.
Dead people can’t tell tales. Keep that in mind, Alpha.
Fucking Castro. Before I could throw the phone in anger at the bastard’s words, movement from the house ahead caught my attention. A uniformed police officer emerged from the entrance, his footsteps thumping on the sidewalk as he steadily approached.
He gracefully ducked under the tape. “Alpha Keller, sir?” he inquired, a hint of authority in his voice.
The scorching sun beat down on the back of my neck as I listened to the police officer attempt to update me on the situation. Behind him, a black gurney was being carried from the house, a black body bag strapped to it, and the paramedics wheeled it to the waiting ambulance.
It seemed like time slowed as I tracked its path. The bitter taste of betrayal filled my mouth. It had been her all along. I’d never had such a strong desire to be proven wrong. It was difficult to accept that someone from my own pack could commit such a heinous act, but I knew Nico wasn’t wrong. He’d shownme the emails from Castro. She’d been the traitor all along, and Castro had tied up the loose string. Dead men, or women in this case, told no tales.
Cecily Banks. She’d been right under our fucking noses the whole time. I’d known she’d a nasty side to her, a jealous streak a mile wide. That jealous, nasty streak had only worsened after I matched with Liza, but I never would’ve imagined that Cecily would join forces with the likes of Castro. My mind moved through the scenarios that had confused us, like when Liza had been photographed outside the farmer’s market. With Castro in hiding, we’d come to the obvious conclusion that he had someone inside Presley Acres working for him. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed Cecily to be the culprit.
My damn mind was reeling over the whole fucking ordeal.
I tried to focus on what the officer was saying to me, but the cacophony of thoughts raging in my head drowned him out. If Cecily had been Castro’s mole, who had killed her? Would Castro have risked coming into town to tie up loose ends, or did he have someone else on speed dial ready to do his dirty work? Who could it be? Now that Cecily’s betrayal had been uncovered, no one in the pack was above suspicion.
I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t noticed Officer Hayes, a young shifter who worked for the local police, join us.
He reached forward to shake my hand. “Alpha Keller, once we’ve finished gathering evidence, you’ll be free to begin your search of the residence.” His words snapped me back to reality, making me realize how little attention I’d been paying. With everything going on, I couldn’t afford to be distracted. I had to stay alert.
I nodded in understanding. As the alpha, I had the right to conduct my own investigation because Cecily was part of my pack. A conniving, traitorous bitch, but still technically undermy charge. She might not have done right by me and my mate, but I’d fulfill my obligation to her.
I offered him a strained smile. “Thanks, Hayes.”
My phone rang, and when I checked the screen, Dad’s name popped up. “Excuse me.” I held up a finger and moved away to answer the call. “Dad, what’s up?”
“Ty, what the hell is going on? Nico just told me he discovered emails and texts between Cecily and Castro. That they’re pretty incriminating.” Dad’s voice was laced with anger and concern. “Now I’m hearing Cecily’s dead. Possibly murdered. Is she truly… gone?” He was quiet for a brief moment, then cleared his throat. “Any sightings of Castro?”
I stared at the asphalt and rubbed the tight muscles in my neck. “It’s true, and the texts and emails aren’t the worst of it. It looks like Cecily was working for Castro. No sightings of him in person that I’ve heard of, but from what we can gather, she was the one that left his scavenger hunt clues, took photos of Liza, essentially doing his dirty work for him here in town.” I bit those last words out, pissed at myself for having not seen what seemed obvious now.
“Son of a…” he muttered under his breath. “I’m on my way.”
“Thanks, Dad. See you soon.” I ended the call and stepped back to the officer, who was waiting quietly. “My father is on his way and will join me shortly.”
He nodded. “Very well, Alpha Keller. We’ll let you know when we’re finished in the house.”
“Thank you.” I smiled weakly.
I stood, leaning against my car, sunglasses on, and watched as the police traipsed in and out of Cecily’s house. Some chatted casually, others spoke into their radios or wrote on their notepads. As I observed the activity, it became clear that there was a distinct lack of anything substantial for the police to find. I found myself impatient to gain entry to conduct my own search.
Finally, Hayes approached me again. I removed my sunglasses. “Hayes, how did you get on?”
