AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yet you haven’t felt compelled to investigate?” I would’ve expected the Arrowhead pack to want to defend their turf from such a threat.
“We’ve tried,” West admitted. “There’ve been no tracks that we can see. The smell is inconsistent. One day it’ll be a dirt and water combo. Another day it’ll be musky. That’s the reason my pack reacted to you the way they did.”
“Rudely?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “I can see how you might think that. There are rules in place at the moment.”
“They’re only allowed outside to harass visitors?”
He grunted. “I instituted the rules while I was away. I didn’t want all hell to break loose while Paulie was in charge.”
“He’s your second-in-command?”
“This time. I rotate. Keeps things fair.”
“Any chance whatever this thing is might’ve taken Ashley?”
“Taken her? Doubt it. Eaten her more likely. This thing is an opportunistic predator. Pretty sure it ate Officer Lindley last month, although Chief Garcia will tell you it was a rabid dog or some such nonsense.”
“She mentioned there was blood but no body.”
“It was unfortunate. We liked Officer Lindley.” He turned to take in the view of downtown Fairhaven. “This is something else. You must feel like a princess in a tower up here.”
I drank the water. “I have never once in my life felt like a princess.”
“Sorry, should I have said queen?”
“That isn’t what I meant. Besides, queens don’t get locked in towers.”
“No, I guess they don’t.” He tapped the outside of the empty glass in a mindless gesture.
“Do you like it here?” I asked. I wasn’t sure where the question came from; it bubbled to the surface and popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Love it. Wouldn’t live anywhere else.”
“Have you?” I asked. “Lived anywhere else?”
“I wasn’t born here, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“You joined the pack and became its alpha?” I whistled. “There’s a story in there.”
“One for another time.” His gaze drifted back to the view. “If she isn’t your friend, then what’s your interest in Ashley Pratt?”
“Personally, none, but her brother offered to fix my computer if I located her. Seems like a fair deal.”
West chuckled. “Something of a Luddite, are you?”
“I’ve learned a lot of skills over the years, but fixing a technology problem isn’t one of them.”
He pointed a finger at me. “Careful. Now I know your weakness.”
“Feel free to exploit it.” I envisioned my Amazon packages going to the wrong address in the future.
“Got any of Ashley’s belongings?”
“A bracelet.” I retrieved it from my pocket. I’d been carrying it around like a lucky charm. “Don’t break it. It’s meaningful to the girl.”
West dangled the bracelet in front of him. “The kind of thing she wouldn’t want to leave behind if she were to run away.”
