Page 18 of Christmas Embrace

“Momma! Momma!” Ava ran into the foyer, dressed in a red patent leather raincoat, matching boots and backpack.

“Look at you! Such a big girl.” Wynter smiled at Kade, who grinned broadly back at her. The toddler’s bursting energy was infectious.

She reached in her pocket and retrieved another candy cane. Tristan smiled as she blinked her eyes, her face tense in concentration. As she opened her palm, the candy floated up towards him and he snatched it out of the air.

The Alpha laughed. “Impressive, lil’ pup.”

Wynter shrugged. “What can I say? She’s got skills even if we don’t fully understand them.”

“She’s incredible.” Tristan knelt down to meet her at eye level. He held up his palm and Ava promptly gave him a high five. “Awesome.”

“Alpha,” Ava burst out, her eyes wide with fascination.

Tristan laughed, still amazed that even the youngest wolves could sense his power.

“I don’t want to be rude, but I’ve got to get going, guys.” Wynter slipped on her coat and slung her backpack over her shoulder.

“No worries. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Kade told her.

“Logan’s in his office. Go on back.” Wynter took Ava’s hand and guided her out a side door to the garage. “See you tomorrow. Bye!”

Kade and Tristan headed into Logan’s home. The Alpha’s voice boomed from the end of the hallway.

“Kade. Who’s that wolf with you?” Logan called as he strode out of his office. “Hey, brother!”

“Logan, my man. Alpha looks good on you.” Tristan laughed as he took sight of Logan’s pajama pants. “Rockin’ the SpongeBob?”

“You know it.” Logan gestured to his legs.

“Sweet.”

“Living the dad life, yo.” Logan shrugged and crossed over to sit at his desk. “Take a seat, gentlemen.”

As Kade settled onto the sofa, a hard object stabbed his thigh. Retrieving the offending item, he held it to the air, the corner of his lip ticked upward. “What is it about Legos?”

“Hurt like a mofo. Stepping on them in the middle of the night is the worst.” Logan leaned back in his chair and exhaled loudly. “So, big day tomorrow. What’s happening?”

Kade’s demeanor turned solemn as he placed the cube onto the end table. “Today was kind of a big day too.”

“So I heard. Someone just contacted me from P-CAP about the murder.” Logan glanced at Tristan then back to Kade.

“Then you know why I’m here, Alpha.”

“I do.” Logan tapped on his desk with his pen.

“I want the chance to play Legos with my son.”

“Kade…” Logan hesitated, and changed the subject. “P-CAP also mentioned the bloodbath. Possibly rogues.”

“Sydney’s down at the ME right now.”

“I heard the wolves weren’t organized. It’s possible it’s just a one-off situation.”

“What makes you think that?” Tristan asked.

“They found passports. Two males from Germany. Three from Greece. There were a couple of females with no identity. Trinity is from Montana. Not sure how or why she hooked up with them. .”

Kade tapped his finger on the armrest, meeting Logan with a cold stare. “Trafficking?”