Chapter 33
“There’s probably a reasonable explanation for this,” Colter stated, though the look on his face mirrored the one Murphy felt creeping onto his. Disbelief. Skepticism. And the stirring of anger.
Above all that, Murphy couldn’t help but feel the sting of betrayal rise up, his bear clawing at his mind in its urge to take control and track down their oldest friend, a friend who had seemingly lied to them.
What was Marcus doing so far from their territory? Why pretend to be ill if he was well enough to travel this far from clan territory, to the very place he’d scented his twin brother last week?
Murphy knew the answer, and it pained him to admit it. His bear whined in response, the mournful sound a direct contrast to the fire building within him.
Marcus had found Dante.
It was the only answer Murphy could think of that would lead the other male to lie to his friends. After everything that had transpired, he’d chosen to protect his brother. He’d chosen the bonds of blood over all else.
“Yeah, I’m sure Marcus just wanted soup for his sore throat so he drove an hour away from clan territory to get it,” Jasper deadpanned.
“He could have,” Colter muttered irritably.
Jasper huffed. “Don’t be a moron, man. We both know that’s not why he’s here.”
“Didn’t Marcus tell you he scented Dante in this area?” Zeke asked, furrowing his brow as he voiced what they were all thinking.
Murphy didn’t respond. Instead, he reached out to Marcus telepathically. Where are you?
It was almost impossible to keep his tone inquisitive and not accusatory, but he somehow managed it, reminding himself that there could still be a plausible explanation for his tracker’s presence in town that had nothing to do with his missing twin.
The other male’s mind brushed against his, followed by nothing but silence. It stretched over a few seconds, each one causing Murphy’s blood pressure to skyrocket. His bear snapped its jaws impatiently, wishing they had something to attack in order to alleviate some of their growing anger.
Marcus? Murphy tried again, spitting out the name like a curse as the last of his goodwill fled.
Hey, Murph, Marcus eventually replied, sounding far more tired than Murphy expected. What’s up?
The response was so nonchalant, Murphy’s vision flashed red as fury consumed him.
He growled, the ominous sound startling a pedestrian passing them on the sidewalk. The woman jumped, grabbing at her chest before rushing through the pizza parlor’s open door.
“What’s going on?” Nessa asked, turning her head to study the males around her. “Did something happen to Marcus?”
“I have a feeling something’s about to,” Jasper said with a grimace, his gaze sympathetic as it shifted to Murphy.
“You really think he’s found Dante and is keeping it to himself? After everything?” Colter asked.
Zeke crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I don’t want to say anything like that, but …” He shook his head in disappointment. “But I know we’re all thinking it.”
“What’s the game plan?” Jasper focused on Murphy. “Track Marcus down? Beat him senseless? Throw him in the dungeon for a week?”
Murphy’s bear chuffed in approval, liking the sound of that.
Nessa laughed. When no one joined in, her lips parted in shock. “That’s a joke. Right?” She spun around to face Murphy, her eyes wide. “Right? Don’t tell me you have a dungeon,” she hissed.
He didn’t answer, fists clenching at his sides as he attempted to cool his temper. He refused to lash out at anyone, especially Nessa. The only words he’d ever speak to her would be in reverence and out of love.
He’d save his ire for Marcus when he got hold of that damned male.
“Murphy …” Nessa’s palm settled over his fist. Slowly, she unfurled his fingers before taking his hand and squeezing. “Whatever is going on, it’ll be alright.”
He exhaled roughly, some of the tension draining from his shoulders. He lifted Nessa up and into his arms, her squeak of surprise like a balm for his senses. Locking his arms around her waist, he buried his face in her neck, her scent grounding him.
His bear settled, and as Marcus’s mind brushed against his once more, Murphy no longer felt the sting of rage bubbling in his veins. Instead, he just felt tired; a type of weariness that started in his soul, slowly leaking out of him until it spread everywhere, tainting his body and mind.
Murphy … We need to talk, Marcus finally said. The male sighed, the sound a brief fluttering in Murphy’s mind. Can you meet me here?
Marcus listed off an address, somewhere less than ten minutes from Nessa’s own home.
Was that where Dante had been hiding this entire time? So close to Murphy’s mate? For how long?
Had Nessa been in danger over those few months he’d avoided her? He’d had Colter and Zeke keep watch on her in his absence, but they weren’t as strong as he was. What if it hadn’t been enough? Had his own stubbornness put his mate at risk?
He pushed those tumultuous thoughts aside—they wouldn’t help him here. Nessa was safe, and he needed to keep her that way. The first step to do just that involved removing Dante from her town.
Reluctantly, Murphy released Nessa, setting her gently back on her feet. He cupped her face. “I have to go, little mate. I don’t want to leave you, but this needs to be done.”
Nessa frowned, her dark gaze intent as she stared up at him. Placing her hand on his chest, she rubbed a soothing circle over his heart. “It’s okay, Murphy. I understand.”
He leaned into her touch, missing it already. He hated parting from her, but he wouldn’t take her with him—not while Marcus’s loyalty was very much in question. Let alone whether Dante was also there. “Tank, Hunny and Zeke will stay with you until I’m back.”
If Nessa’s brother was truly here then they’d keep her safe until Murphy returned to her. A human usually wasn’t a threat to a bear shifter, let alone two.
Given that his mate had been completely unaware of supernatural creatures before she’d come to Montana, Murphy could only assume her brother would be just as oblivious. If that male came to her home seeking trouble, he would be woefully unprepared for the dangers he’d face.
Tank and Zeke nodded in confirmation, easing Murphy’s decision to part with Nessa.
Brushing his lips tenderly against Nessa’s forehead, Murphy backed away from her, taking one last look at his mate before turning and heading toward the parking lot. “Jasper. Colter,” he gruffly called over his shoulder. “You’re with me.”
“Thank God,” Jasper muttered, moving quickly to his side. “I hate being on babysitting duty.”
“Hey!” Hunny shouted indignantly from the sidewalk. “You loved ‘babysitting’ me, dickhead!”
Nessa’s light laugh filled Murphy’s ears, and it took everything in him to not turn around, rush to her side and toss her over his shoulder, refusing to leave her behind.
He took a deep, steadying breath, squaring his shoulders as he reached his SUV.
Murphy dreaded what he’d find when he reached his destination.
Murphy parked his SUV on the side of the road, turning off the ignition as he stared at the house directly across from him. The entire drive over here, while short in duration, had felt twice as long, dread building with each passing minute.
His mind hadn’t quieted, his instincts screaming at him that he was dealing with yet another betrayal, another ambush, another emotional wound that would take him far too long to heal.
In the driveway sat Marcus’s truck with a car beside it that Murphy didn’t recognize.
Clearly, Marcus wasn’t alone.
“How do we proceed?” Colter leaned forward from the back seat, bracing his hands on the center console between Jasper and Murphy. “I mean, if Dante really is in there, I can’t imagine he’ll come willingly.”
“We take him with us regardless,” Murphy bit out.
“And Marcus?” Jasper asked quietly. “What if he causes trouble?”
Murphy released a tired sigh, opening his door. Cool air slid over him, the slight breeze ruffling his hair. The other males followed him from the vehicle, their strides long and purposeful as they walked up the driveway and toward the front door.
As they neared the entrance, a waft of smells assailed his senses, and his bear let out a warning growl, the rumble echoing in his chest.
Dante’s scent was all over this place, some traces faint while others stood out far more prominently. The freshest scent of all belonged to Marcus.
Colter tensed, and then cursed under his breath. “That fucking idiot. What was he thinking?”
Jasper grunted, shifting closer to Murphy as they stopped in front of the closed door. Before any of them had a chance to knock, the knob twisted, and the door was all but wrenched open.
Marcus stood in the entryway, warily assessing the males in front of him. His gaze landed on Murphy, and a muscle jumped in his cheek. “Before you say anything, Murph, I swear to you this is the first time I’ve seen Dante since that night.”
Whatever small hope Murphy had held onto that this was some kind of mistake disappeared in an instant, leaving him cold. As much as he’d thought about bringing Dante to justice, this wasn’t how he’d wanted it to happen. Not with Marcus aiding the traitor.
Now, more than ever, he just wanted this over with. He wanted to return to Nessa, to hold her close and forget all about this.
“Bullshit,” Jasper spat, pushing past Murphy to stand between the males.
He got in Marcus’s face. Marcus widened his stance, holding his ground.
Jasper inhaled deeply and then gave a dry laugh, devoid of humor.
“There isn’t an ounce of sickness on you, Marcus.
You lied about that, and I’ll bet you’re lying now. ”
“I’m not lying,” Marcus snapped, raising his hands as if to shove Jasper away. Obviously thinking better of it, he dropped his arms to his sides and stepped back, allowing them entry. “Not about this. Please, come inside.”