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I shake my head. “He just seems really eager to find Forester.”

“Yeah, no shit. She could know who did it. Or better yet—she did.”

I want to explain what I mean, but Forge doesn’t listen to his instincts the way I do. Even when he admits he has them, he doesn’t give them any thought.

He’s a great detective, but sometimes, it takes him a while to see the bigger picture. He gets an idea, and he goes with it. Not the best way to do detective work, but he somehow makes it work. And he always has me to pull him back if he gets too deep.

Chapter Five

Raewyn

I’ve spent two nights on the outskirts of the small town I found after crossing the bridge. It was a ten minute walk until I reached a road—a paved road—that I didn’t step onto. I couldn’t. What would I say if I found someone? What would I do? What if people here are looking for me too? What if there are wanted posters put up on every street corner and business window? The moment I’m seen, someone could turn me in.

But I’m running out of food.

My calves are hurting worse than they ever have before.

I need to wash up and a change of clothes.

I need a good night’s sleep on something that is softer than the ground.

I found a small storage shed not far from the bridge that gave me shelter for the night, but sleeping on the hard floor only made my neck and back stiffer.

Worst of all, I’m a ticking time bomb when it comes to my heat. I’ve only ever had one—my first one. It could come at any time and it could hit much harder since it’s been so long. I can’t be out here in the woods without protection. I could be in danger if my heat starts out here. Someone could smell me. Find me. Do things to me that I don’t even want to think about.

So I make the difficult decision to go into the town in search of someone to help me. I don’t have money, but I’ll trade what I can to get what I need. Hopefully, I’ll fine someone kind. Who will understand that I’m from a small village and don’t hae money. Not everyone in the world can be bad.

I walk the path that takes me to the road, the one I’ve looked at many times but refused to step on. I stop at the curb, looking down at the pavement that’s cleaner than it should be for being outside. There is a wooden fence to the left and white paint on the ground marking rectangles. I have no idea what that’s for. With a deep breath, I count to three and move forward.

I walk only a minute before I reach another road, this one busy with cars. I watch for a moment, mesmerized by the sounds they make and how fast they’re going. They zoom by me, heading in both directions. Walking further onto this road seems dangerous, so I go to the right to keep walking.

A sweet smell hits my nose. Similar to the pies that Willow makes, but without the apples. I follow the scent to a building with large glass windows.

Honeybun Bakery is painted on the front windows in dark green paint, outlined in white. The smell of food has my mouth watering, and without thinking, I walk into the building.

I look around, not sure what my plan is. I don’t have any money to buy anything. But my stomach is rumbling and I’m just so hungry.

“Hi, can I help you?” the woman behind the counter asks as she wipes her hand on a rag. She’s older than me with greying hair. Thin. A little taller than me too. She has kind eyes, though. They’re grey-blue.

“I…” I pause, as I look around, trying to make sense of where I am and what I’m doing. “I’m sorry, no.”

I whirl around and hurry toward the door. I can’t be here.

What am I doing here?

“Honey!” she calls out when my hands are on the bar, ready to push the door open so I can leave. I pause and look at her over my shoulder. She’s only a few feet from me now, giving me a small, cautious smile. “Are you okay?”

I blink a few times, at a loss for words. I finally pull myself together, stand taller, and say, “I’m fine.”

I don’t know why I lie. The last thing I am is fine.

And her expression says she doesn’t believe me.

“You’re an omega.”

My entire body stiffens. Does she know who I am? Has she been warned about me?

She lifts her hands, palms out. “Easy. I’m not going to hurt you. I can smell you, that’s all.”