4. Callum #2
“We don’t know that. He might not be aware that they’re here.
” And fuck me, it comes to something when I’m having to defend hunters.
But I can’t forget how Tanner Grey risked his life to help Lynx and the others get Morgan back.
I didn’t think Jet would either, but obviously I’m wrong.
“Besides,” I add, because we can’t afford to make assumptions.
“We don’t know who’s at Morgan’s house or why they’re there, yet. ”
“So what are we waiting for?” Jet glances at Flint and Mal. “Let’s go take a look.”
Before I can veto that idea, Mal does it for me.
“As much as I want to find out who those fuckers are, we can’t just turn up on their doorstep and knock.”
Jet huffs. “No shit.” He sighs, then turns to me. “So what’s the plan?”
“Same as for Ash. We keep an eye on them, without being seen. And that means you take no fucking chances, because if they are hunters, then we can’t give them an excuse to look our way.”
Flint grunts. “If they’re anything like Fox, they won’t need one.”
I grin at him. “Exactly.”
“So stealth mode only.” Flint bares his teeth and I nod.
“Decide between the three of you who wants that duty. I want someone there this afternoon. The sooner we know who we’re dealing with the better.”
“What about you?” Jet asks as I head towards my bike. “Where are you off to?”
“Gonna go see Corey at the hospital. Might as well check on Ash while I’m there.”
Jet smirks. “Right.”
I ignore him.
I also ignore the way Flint and Mal are both grinning at me now. They can have their fun, because I’m not Lynx and Ash isn’t Morgan.
King’s Mill Hospital is about thirty minutes away. The whole ride there, I watch the road and the surrounding forests until I break out into the built-up areas, on high alert for anything or anybody that seems out of place.
Nothing catches my attention, but that doesn’t set my wolf at ease. I can’t settle with so many things left unfinished. Birch is a fucking loose cannon, and I hate not knowing where he is. And now the people at Morgan’s house?
Yeah, none of it’s giving me the warm and fuzzies.
I don’t bother trying to find a space in the hospital carpark—it’s always rammed and all it does is induce rage when I can’t find a fucking spot. Instead, I turn into the Morrisons next door and park my bike at the back of the half-empty car park.
I text Corey as I head over to the A&E department.
I’m not going to hang around in a busy waiting room full of sick humans, so I text him to meet me outside.
After I’ve caught up with my brother, I’ll get him to find out which part of the hospital Ash’s grandmother’s in.
I already know he’s still here because I got Morgan to check.
Apparently, he’s parked in Morrisons, same as me.
I keep an eye out for him as I walk—don’t want to miss him leaving.
When Corey texts back telling me he’ll be out in ten, I park myself on a bench close to the front doors.
I’m messing about on my phone when an all-too-familiar scent catches my attention.
Ash.
My head snaps up, searching for him, and I have to bite back a growl when I spot him.
Because he’s not alone.
Helping Ash towards the entrance to A&E is Ray Wilson, one of the Harlington police who helped Evan Fox drug and torture Morgan’s dad and got him to sign his house over.
We’ve kept an eye on both him and Jeff Stokes since Fox died, but as far as we know, they haven’t met up with any other hunter groups. Doesn’t mean they aren’t in contact with any, but there’s not a lot we can do about that.
Is it a coincidence that he’s here with Ash? My gut says no.
I keep my head ducked as low as I can while still watching them. They’ve not spotted me yet. I wonder if Wilson knows who I am, or what I am. Working with Fox, there’s a good chance he does.
As they get closer, I notice Ash holding his right arm against his chest.
He’s hurt.
Lynx is going to be pissed off, because Morgan will be. We were supposed to keep an eye on him.
I’m going to have to draw their attention now because I need to know what happened. I’m about to call Ash over when he sees me.
He stops and glares.
Wilson follows his line of sight, and other than the scowl I get from all law enforcement, he doesn’t react. Maybe he and Fox weren’t that tight after all?
“You know him?” Wilson asks quietly when Ash continues to stare.
“Sort of.” Ash sighs. “I’ve got it from here, thanks. I’ll get a lift home with my mum and dad.”
“You sure?” Wilson looks my way again and I swallow the urge to bare my teeth at him.
“Yeah.”
“Okay then. Don’t forget to report it later. You’ll need the incident number for the insurance claim.”
“Thanks, I will.” He smiles warmly at Wilson, and I realise with a jolt that Ash can’t know about Wilson’s involvement. Because no way would he be smiling at him like that if he knew what happened to Morgan’s dad.
As soon as Wilson turns to leave, Ash sighs again and heads towards me. He’s back to glaring again, jaw set, eyes narrowed, and I smother a grin behind my hand.
“You following me?”
“No.” I mean, technically I’m here to see my brother. Following Ash home was just an added extra.
He comes to a stop a few feet in front of me, and despite his face showing nothing but irritation, I’m hit with a hefty dose of pain underneath it all. I’m almost glad because it overshadows the stench of Wilson still clinging to him.
My gaze drops to his arm, still held protectively against his chest. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Right.”
He lifts his chin. “You tell me why you’re here, first.”
“Meeting my brother.”
“Right,” he mimics, and he couldn’t have had better timing, because just as he says it, the doors behind us whoosh open and Corey appears wearing his scrubs.
I gesture to him. “And here he is now.”
Ash’s gaze flicks between me and Corey.
Apart from Cor having a lighter skin tone—different fathers—there’s no mistaking us for anything other than siblings. Our mum’s genes are strong.
“Didn’t know you had a brother.” Ash flashes a bright smile in Corey’s direction.
It’s all warm and welcoming, nothing but delight in those hazel eyes, and one I’m pretty sure I’ve never had directed my way.
“Hi,” he says, attention all on my brother.
“I’d shake your hand, but—” He points to his arm.
Corey slides easily into doctor mode. Brow furrowing, he steps closer to Ash. “May I?” He gestures to Ash’s arm, and Ash nods. “What happened?” he asks, gently feeling around Ash’s wrist and forearm.
It’s like they’ve forgotten I’m even here.
I’m a strange mix of amused and pissed off.
Ash grunts. “Some knobhead stole my phone—well, my nan’s phone. I was bringing it to her from my car, had it in my hand, when some arsehole tackled me to the ground and fucked off with it. Landed funny on my arm.”
“Ouch.” Corey sends me a pointed look, and I shrug.