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"Still in Solstice Bay, Barnes," I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. "Just following up on something. You know how it is."
"No, I don't know how it is," he snaps back. "I know that you're supposed to be working on the Morrison case and you're not answering your damn phone. We need to talk about this, Maddox. There are procedures to follow."
"I know the procedures," I say through gritted teeth. "And I'm still working on the case. Just...in a different way."
"What are you talking about?" he demands.
"I can't say over the phone," I say evasively. "But I'm close, Barnes. Really close. I just need a little more time."
"Maddox, you can't go rogue like this," he warns. "You're putting yourself and the ACB in danger. This girl is a dangerous fugitive."
"Pretty sure she weighs about one-twenty," I chuckle. "I think I can take her."
"That's not the point," Barnes growls. "You can't just do whatever the hell you want, Maddox. There are rules for a reason."
"I know, I know," I say, rolling my eyes. "But you're not here, Barnes. You don't know what it's like. She's not just some fugitive. She's..."
I trail off.
I shouldn't be telling him this.
"Don't fucking tell me you've gone soft," he says. "You know these omegas...they've got their pheromones. They can play mind games with you."
"It's not like that," I say. "She's different. Special."
"That's not your call to make," Barnes says sternly. "You're a detective first, alpha second. Don't let your damn rut get in the way."
"I know that," I snap back. "But you don't get it. You weren't there. You didn't see her. The way she looked at me...like she knew me. Like she belonged with me."
There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and I can practically see Barnes rubbing his temples in frustration.
"You can't let your emotions cloud your judgment, Maddox," he says finally. "That's how good cops turn bad. If you keep talking like this, I'll have to call it in."
"What the hell does that mean?" I growl.
"You know what it means," he says. "You'll go on our wanted list. You'll be the one we're hunting. Don't make me do it."
I clench my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check. Barnes has always been a hardass, but I didn't think he would go this far. He's threatening to ruin my career, my life, over some omega fugitive.
But Kendra isn't just any omega fugitive.
She's my mate.
And if I want to find her without interference, I have to keep Barnes off my ass.
I take a long drag on the cigarette, feeling the smoke fill my lungs and calm my nerves.
"I won't let my emotions get in the way, Barnes," I say, quieter now. "I'm just...invested in this case. That's all. I promise I'm still following procedures. I'll check in more often, if it makes you feel better."
"It does," he says gruffly. "But Maddox, I'm serious. If you cross the line, I won't hesitate to call it in. Don't make me regret giving you a chance on this case."
"I won't," I say firmly. "Thanks for checking in, Barnes. I'll call when I get a lead."
I don't wait for him to say goodbye; I hang up and toss my phone on the bed with a growl, so I can finish my cigarette in peace. But there's no peace to be found here...
...because all I can think about is the fact thatmy womanis with some other man, going through her heat alone.
Or even worse,with him.
