Lorenzo
No!!!!!
Marcus
On my way to the marina now.
Rex
Checking the beach.
I toss my phone onto the bed, not waiting to see if they reply further. We don’t have time to waste. Every minute she’s out there alone is another minute she’s in danger.
I tear off my clothes, not bothering to hang them up or even fold them. The shift comes on fast and hard, my bones cracking and reforming, muscles stretching and compressing as I transform from man to wolf.
Within seconds, I’m in my wolf form, and I shake myself once, adjusting to the new weight and balance of my body, then leap through the open window.
The drop is fifteen feet, but I land lightly on all fours, my powerful muscles absorbing the impact with ease. I immediately lower my nose to the ground, inhaling deeply, searching for her scent.
I immediately catch her scent.
Her sweet, unmistakable grape aroma has haunted me since the moment I first met her. It leads away from the house, toward the road. I follow it, my nose to the ground, my paws silent on the soft grass.
The trail is fresh.
I push myself faster, my powerful legs eating up the distance as I race after her scent. It’s strong here, on the edge of the property where the forest begins. She must have run through the trees to avoid being seen.
Veering into the forest, I follow her scent as it weaves through the undergrowth. Branches whip at my face and sides, but I barely feel them. All I can think about is finding her, bringing her back, keeping her safe.
The trail leads me deeper into the woods, then suddenly veers toward the road. I burst from the trees, scanning the empty street with my keen wolf eyes. Her scent is strong here, mingled with the acrid smell of fear.
She was scared.
My hackles rise, a growl rumbling in my chest. If anyone’s hurt her...
I follow her scent along the road, moving at a loping run that covers ground quickly. The trail grows stronger, then suddenly stops. I circle the area, nose to the ground, trying to pick it up again. But it’s gone, as if she simply vanished.
Or as if someone took her.
The thought sends a fresh surge of panic through me. Ithrow back my head and howl, the sound echoing through the forest, a warning to my pack and a promise to whoever might have her.
I’m coming. And God help them when I find them.
Her scent trail might have disappeared, but I know where I need to go. There’s only one person on this island who would dare to take what’s mine. Only one person stands to gain from separating us.
Keith.
I turn toward his mansion, which sits on the highest point of the island, and break into a run. My powerful muscles propel me forward, eating up the distance with each long stride. Trees flash by in a blur, the ground a smear of green beneath my paws.
I need to find her.
I need to get her back.
I need to make her understand that she belongs with us, with me. That no matter what happens with the resort, no matter what Keith threatens, I will always choose her. Always.
The thought of her in Keith’s hands, scared and alone, makes my blood boil. If he’s hurt her, if he’s touched her... I’ll tear him apart, piece by piece, and enjoy every second of his screams.
I push myself harder, my lungs burning with the effort. The mansion is in sight now, its white walls gleaming in the morning sun. I’ll find a way in. I’ll search every room, every closet, every hidden corner until I find her.
