Page 24 of His to Possess

A moment of fresh guilt slipped into my system as I pulled down my father’s long driveway. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d been here. Too long. Everything appeared the same, including the broken stairs on the front porch I’d promised to fix at least four times.

My father had taken me at my word.

I eased out of the truck, rubbing my hands down the front of my jeans. Michael Cordero, known by everyone as Blackhawk, was a formidable man. He’d been strict, doling out punishment for the slightest infraction. He’d been the reason I’d wanted to go into law enforcement in the first place.

Honor.

Integrity.

Respect.

That had been ingrained into me. I took a deep whiff of the air, delighting in the scent of the hundreds of cattle he’d continued to run through the ranch. He adored what he did, refusing to retire, a true leader for our pack. As I walked onto the porch, the creaking sound of the old timber shoved another round of guilt into me. I would fix the damn stairs within the week.

I hesitated before knocking. This was no longer my house. I’d give up that right the day I moved out.

I heard the thunderous sound of his heavy boots, smiling from the memories it produced.

The moment he opened the doors, his dark eyes lit up. “Son. It’s good to see you.”

“Hey, Pops.” I held out my hand, rolling my eyes when he pulled me in for a bear hug. “Sorry I haven’t been here in such a long time.”

“Did the precinct teach you to forget your family, to dishonor your ancestors?”

“No. Just…” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

His eyes twinkled once again, a teasing look on his face as he pulled back. “I know how much you love your job, son. I guess an old man can just miss his only living relative. I went by your place the other day. Johnny’s doing a great job keeping it in order. Looks pristine.”

My father had always known when to yank on the heartstrings. “Sorry, Pops. I’ve been busy.”

He backed away, ushering me inside and immediately walking toward the bar. “I was actually prepared for your visit. I even purchased your favorite bottle of bourbon. Might be a little early but what the hell.”

His Cherokee heritage made him one of the most powerful Wolfen in the entire world, and he’d rightly been deemed the alpha years before. He held certain abilities that were much greater than almost any other wolf. I’d been told I had the same gifts, although I rarely used them.

Until recently.

Sighing, I stole a glance around the place. Maybe the expansive timber home had lost some of its luster, but it would always be grandiose in my eyes. “I take it that you heard about the murders.”

He poured two tumblers half full of bourbon before answering, his expression more of a grimace as he turned around. “I’ve heard about them and I’ve sensed them. The blood. The violence. The hunger. This is serious, son, and very bad for our pack. I’m sure that’s why you’re here.”

“They were done by a damn wolf, a fucking rogue.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. How was this confirmed?”

I rubbed my brow, reliving the fight in my mind. “Because I wrestled with another wolf who reeked of human blood.”

Blackhawk hesitated, tipping his head in my direction. “Very brave of you and potentially very stupid.”

“I’m an officer of the law, Pops. I can’t allow some goddamn wolf to kill humans in a city park.”

He walked closer. “You were protecting someone.”

“Absolutely. That’s my job.”

“And you do it well, Max. I only wish you’d make certain that doesn’t happen here.”

“Does that mean there have been any attacks in Roselake?”

“No, but the scent of death lingers in the air. Others have smelled it. They taste the blood. That’s not good for our people.” My father kept his voice even, but I could tell he was worried and angry.

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