Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
CARTER
Carter, what if the girl has moved on? You of all people should know a lone wolf without their pack can lose their humanity. Remember when we had to deal with Alistair—
“Quiet,” I growl. Of course I remember. Alastair had lost his wife in childbirth and left the pack to find himself. Instead, he let grief consume him and became more beast than man. It took six of my best warriors to hunt him down.
With a sigh, I lean over the hotel desk, crossing off another shop on the map I printed in the lobby last night. Since the candy store, the pup’s trail has gone cold. No word to her family. No word to her friends.
My gaze flicks to the cellophane-wrapped bag of candies beside my silent phone. Still no contact from Rose.
I won’t give up.
Perhaps you should text her.
“Why don’t you focus on finding our missing pack member instead of worrying about my love life.” Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose.
This was supposed to be simple. Get to town. Find the kid. Bring her home. I wasn’t expecting the trail to vanish. I wasn’t expecting to run into her—the woman who hasn’t left my thoughts or dreams since that one weekend over a year ago.
Maybe she’s thinking about us?
“She’s moved on. We’re no good for her anyway. She’s got a budding career ahead of her, and what do we have?”
A sweet bike, sharp jawline, and washboard abs.
“Really? Washboard abs? That’s your best?” I roll my eyes.
Your best.
“Need I remind you my attributes are yours? We’ve got work to do.” Tapping the pen against my temple, I scan the map again.
Where would the pup have gone?
The candy store owner had mentioned some clubs in town. Maybe Rose would know which ones.
Before I can second-guess myself, I snatch up my phone. The screen lights, unlocking with a quick face scan. Rose’s name glows at the top of my contacts, and my thumb hovers there, useless, for a long moment.
What the hell are you waiting for?
I could type out the words, make it about the missing girl. Pretend I just need her help. But we both know I don’t. I’ve tracked harder trails with less.
So why does my chest tighten at the thought of her voice? Why does every excuse sound hollow when the truth is simpler, rawer, and far more dangerous?
I don’t want just her help. I want her. Another hour. Another night. Another damn chance.
But how do I ask without sounding desperate? Without admitting it’s not the mission that keeps me circling back—it’s her.
“I think I need some coffee.” I grab my leather jacket from the back of the chair.
We brewed coffee this morning. It’s sitting cold on the nightstand.
“Exactly. Nothing like a hot cappuccino. Besides, we’re not making much progress here.” I fold the map, slip it into my pocket, and grab my keys.
You’re just avoiding the real problem.
“The real problem is that we’re no closer to finding the girl.”
The scent of freshly ground coffee hits me as soon as I step into the café, but my attention is immediately drawn to the brunette waiting in line at the register.
Rose.
I walk toward her, watching her every move, every breath.
Her dark brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and she’s dressed in a cream blouse and dark blue slacks.
She glances over her shoulder through the front window, shifting her weight between her feet.
Her usual berry-and-creme scent is laced with sour anxiety.
“Hey, Rose,” I say, reaching out to touch her shoulder.
She jumps nearly out of her skin, whirling around with a clenched fist poised to strike.
“Holy Saint Magnolia,” she swears, her face softening as her cheeks flush pink. “Carter.”
“The one and only. Though I’ve been told I bear an uncanny resemblance to my twin, Connor.” I raise a brow, nodding at her still-clenched fist. “You okay, kitten?”
“I thought I told you to stop calling me that.” She turns away and steps forward in line.
I lean down, my voice brushing her ear. “Why would I stop when it gets such a reaction from you?”
Her breath hitches, and it takes everything in me not to press my lips to the column of her neck.
“Actually, I came down for a proper cup of coffee. The hotel brew leaves much to be desired,” I explain.
So does sleeping in a king-size bed by ourselves.
“It had nothing to do with trying to run into me again?” She lifts her eyes to mine, and the tug in my chest is sharp, familiar—the same pull I’d felt the first time we met. What I wouldn’t give to know what she’s thinking right now.
“Darling, I’d never object to running into you, planned or otherwise, but no. You’re a grown woman with a career and schedule of your own. I’m here on a mission.” I nod toward the register as she turns.
“I’d like a caramel cappuccino to go, please,” she says to the barista.
“Make that two,” I add, handing over a twenty. “Keep the change.”
“Carter.” She presses her lips together as we find a seat to wait.
“To make up for startling you. Next time you can pay.” Smirking, I wink at her.
She glances out the window again, then traces absentminded patterns through a ring of condensation left on the table.
“Rose, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Rose.” I cover her hand with mine. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But I’m here if you need an ear. Or claws and fangs.”
Her lips twitch into the faintest smile. “It’s just an ex. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“You can do all things,” I say softly, “but you don’t have to do everything alone. Netti would kill me if I let anything happen to her best friend.”
“He just—” Her voice cuts off, thick with emotion. Tears shimmer at her lashes.
Red-hot anger burns in my chest. A million scenarios run wild in my head, each worse than the last. She deserves the world. Whatever some lowlife did to hurt her—
“Be careful—they’re hot!” The barista sets two steaming paper cups on the table. Rose pulls her hands into her lap.
“Rose, I swear if he—” I growl, my wolf prowling beneath my skin.
“He’s not dangerous. Just dumb. I don’t know what I ever saw in him.” She props her elbows on the table, fingers threading through the hair escaping her ponytail. “We broke up over a month ago, after I caught him with some blonde bimbo on our anni—actually, it doesn’t matter.”
“Do you…” I clear my throat, ignoring the bitter sting of jealousy. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No!” The word cracks like a whip, magic sparking in the air. Her hair tie snaps, hair spilling loose, and both lids pop off our coffees. Her eyes go wide, transfixed on the upturned lids. “I’m sorry—I haven’t lost control of my magic like that in a long time. Strong emotions sometimes…”
“I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
She shakes her head, blowing steam from her coffee. Hair frames her heart-shaped face. “It’s not your fault. And to answer your question, no. I don’t have feelings for him. Not anymore. I want nothing to do with him, but he can’t seem to see that.”
If he doesn’t take the hint, we’ll give him one he won’t forget.
“Well, I’m here if you need me.” I take a sip, savoring the caramel espresso. “Looks like I’ll be in town longer than expected.”
“No luck with the girl?”
“None. I checked a few shops near her last known whereabouts, but the trail went cold. With all the scents and wards in town, I can’t even track her in wolven form.”
“Well, I took the afternoon off from the event center, and I could really use some company. I met most of the shop owners when I first moved here. We could ask around.” She gives me a shy smile, shoulders lifting in a shrug.
“I’d really appreciate that.”
The sun is nearly setting when we exit the twelfth shop in this part of town. Two owners said they’d seen a girl matching her description running with a group of teens—but that was three days ago.
Rose stifles a yawn and stretches. She looks tired, but some of her usual glow has returned.
“I’m sorry I’ve kept you all day on this fruitless mission.”
“It hasn’t been a complete waste. I’ve got that couple who wants to rent the hall for their vow renewal ceremony and a potential clue that your missing girl is still in town.” She smiles, gesturing to the bags in my arms loaded with cold-cut sandwiches and little bags of chips. “Plus, free dinner.”
“You rescued their puppy two weeks ago. They were dying to pay you back. That doesn’t count.”
“What good is magic if I can’t use it to help someone every once in a while?” She looks at me, chin tilted in that way that makes her eyes shine.
“Magic or not, you’d go out of your way to help anyone. That’s just who you are.” I lift a hand, tempted to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear—but let it fall.
Her cheeks flush a beautiful pink as she drops her gaze. “I just like helping people.”
“Well, I appreciate you. Do you want to find somewhere to sit and eat?”
“I’m sure you’re exhausted and have other obligations.
I can just eat when I get home.” Her eyes flick to my pocket as it buzzes again.
My phone’s been vibrating with calls and texts for the last two hours.
I’d checked briefly to make sure it wasn’t urgent, but nothing was about the girl.
I need to respond, but right now, Rose takes priority.
“They can wait a little longer. At least let me walk you to your car.”
“Oh, no need. I walked to the café this morning. The house I’m renting is just a few blocks away.”
“You want to walk home, by yourself, in the dark?” I stop and stare at her.
“This is the suburbs. And a small one at that. Netti’s computer-freak brother already scoped the crime rates before she gave me her official blessing to move here.” She crosses her arms, one eyebrow arched in the glow of the streetlamp.
“With a crazy ex who may or may not be stalking you?”
She sighs and throws her hands up. “Fine, wolf boy, you win. Walk me home.” She lifts a finger. “But that’s it. No funny business. No Captain America swooping in to save the day.”
Wolf boy? Who is she calling wolf boy?
“Roger that. No funny business.” I smirk, keeping pace as she heads down the sidewalk. “And Captain America doesn’t swoop—he walks with swagger and class.”
We turn, walking side by side beneath the streetlamps.
Soon we’ve left the commercial strip behind for a row of Cape Cod-style houses painted in shades of tan, beige, and blue.
I glance at the woman beside me, and despite spending the entire afternoon together, I can’t shake the sense something heavier lingers with her.
There are faint blue shadows under her eyes, and her glow has dimmed—it’s more than just working too hard.
The sun is nearly gone when Rose stops and gestures toward a cheery house, her car parked in the driveway, warm light glowing from the windows.
“Do you always leave the lights on?” I hold out an arm and stop her from moving closer. What if her ex tried to break in? I’d ring his neck.
She pats my forearm reassuringly before stepping around me.
“It’s fine, Carter. I leave it on for Ginger.
When I first moved here, I adopted him. Well, he kind of adopted me.
Sometimes I stay out late working, and I don’t want him to get lonely, so I leave the kitchen light on.
” She hands me one of the two bags of food.
“Are you gonna be alright getting back to the café for your bike?”
I survey her house one last time, reluctant to shake the feeling that something isn’t right, then force a smile. “I’m a wolf shifter, remember? The night is my territory, basking in the moonlight—”
“You mean howling at the moon? When you turn all hairy with sharp teeth?” She gestures at me head to toe.
“No, darling.” I inch closer until her warmth brushes against mine, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple and whisper, “I have control over myself and my wolf—even in the dark.”
She inhales sharply, perfume wrapping around me, tongue darting out to wet her lower lip. It’s all I can do not to crush her against me the way I’ve imagined nearly every night since that first weekend. Instead, I step back. “Good night, Rose.”
Her fingers fumble with the hem of her shirt, and her scent shifts, desire sparking through the air. My restraint frays. I know it’s time to leave. Being near her clouds my mind, drags me back to that first night.
I wave, turning down the sidewalk, but pause in the shadow of the neighbor’s tree until she’s safely inside. Her scent—berries and cream—still clings to me, each step back toward the café prickling my instincts.
We should go back to her.
“We already spent the entire afternoon together.”
Something isn’t right, Carter.
“I know. Leaving our mate by herself is never right.” I glance back at her house. “She wants space. She’s been on her own this long. She’ll be fine.” The words taste false.
A whine echoes in my head.
“Fine. We’ll scope out the perimeter.”
I wolf down my food, toss the wrappers in a bin, and let my magic stretch. Dropping to all fours, I pad into my wolven form. The world sharpens: scents crisper, colors brighter under the moonlight. I swing my head left and right as I lope back toward her house.
Her scent clings to everything—from her car handle to the walkway, lingering sweet on the air. Her magic hums, its signature wrapping the house in faint protection.
“See? Everything’s fine,” I whisper. But then, rounding the north side where the shutters are drawn, another scent cuts through: magic, sharp and acidic, laced with cheap men’s cologne and stale alcohol.
My hackles rise. I sniff along the ground until I find it—a half-buried bundle of twigs and feathers bound by twine. Whatever it is, I don’t want it anywhere near my witch. I clamp it in my jaw and carry it far, dumping it unceremoniously in an alley.
Then I return, circling once before curling beneath her window. I rest my head on my paws, ears pricked.
Just for tonight, I remind myself. Just to make sure that bastard doesn’t come back.