SHADOW
EIGHT YEARS AGO:
July 25, 2016: 10 a.m.
Emerald Guards Training Facility
Anders blows out a harsh breath and places a single fist in front of his mouth. He’s stressed, like the weight of the world rests on his shoulders.
“If you tell me what’s going on, I can offer some advice.” Not sure how great my advice will be, but if it’s guard related or legal counseling, that I can do.
He shakes his head. “A lot has happened since you last checked in. I didn’t want to involve you because there wasn’t much you could do, and I wanted you focus on school.”
“I see. Obviously, you’re experiencing some kind of internal war. Normally, you look more put together.”
He scoffs. “I take it that’s an idiom for you look like shit,” he deadpans.
I stare at him blankly.
He sighs and replaces that mask I’m accustomed to seeing him wear—the “head guard” mask. “Actually, there is something I wanted to run by you. A few weeks ago, there was another incident between Marcus, Dustin, and Boris.”
“Let me guess. Liam was their target?”
Anders grunts. I’m not surprised to hear this. From the moment Marcus Greystone stepped foot on training grounds, he has been gunning for Liam. I tried everything to prevent Greystone and his two cousins from the Northern A territory from becoming a part of the recruit program.
“Alpha Greystone got involved?” He most likely pulled a political card, which is how his son and his two nephews from his Luna’s side were able to get in.
“You know he did. He coddles that punk, even when he does something wrong. I also suspect that they’re here for other reasons. We’ve been keeping a close eye on those three and divulging very little guard information, which is a disadvantage to the rest of the recruits.”
“Sounds like you have everything taken care of.”
He pauses and shakes his head. The guard program has been threatened before. He and the other two leads have this under control. Unfortunately, with Alpha Greystone involved, this isn’t a legal issue. This is more of a political problem, and once politics enter the arena, the situation is not always black and white. But Anders knows this already. He doesn’t need my advice on this situation. I wait for him to continue.
“Marcus verbally threatened Jessica in a sexual manner. It was probably just a barb or a taunt. With Liam’s history with the Greystones, though, he responded to his threat physically. My concern is that, in retaliation, Marcus will make good on his threat.”
“Jessica?”
“She’s our VIP… case… for lack of a better word.” Before I can inquire further, Chris and Elias walk into the office.
“Shadow, been a while. How are you doing?” Chris asks as I stand from my chair and dip my chin in greeting. Chris mirrors my gesture and sits on the edge of Anders’s desk. He comes across as friendly and a little charming, but don’t let that fool you. He is one hell of a guard and one hell of an interrogator. I’ve seen him rip apart shifters who thought they were tough and make them cry.
“Doing well. Thank you for asking,” I reply. Took me years to respond to a simple question in less of a formal way. I dip my head to Elias as he takes the seat opposite my own. After everyone else is situated, I return to my seat.
“I hear you just wrapped up your bachelor’s degree. Heading into law school?”
“I am actually finishing up my last year in law school now.”
Chris frowns. “I thought you were Charlie’s age?”
“I am. I finished my bachelor’s degree early.” My lips twitch into a forced smile.
Chris nods. “Yes, now I remember. Must have heard the information wrong.” Chris rubs his hands together. “So, we are all here. What do you have for us, Shadow?”
“It took me a while to gain permission to enter Territory Two under the guise of a recruiting officer looking for potential recruits. Fortunately for me, Alpha Rhineheart’s PA was the one who responded to my most recent email. Unfortunately, too much time passed, and my attempts at an investigation came up a little short.”
Anders steeples his hands and rests his fingertips against his lips. “Well, let’s see what you discovered.”
Reaching down, I retrieve the items I brought with me and place them on the desk. “There is no missing child reported throughout the entire territory. I didn’t even come across a freshgrave or a headstone in their pack’s cemetery. I hacked into the school’s database, and there is no female child listed with a first or last name starting with ‘G’.”
