Page 94 of Tangled Fates

“I don’t suppose Martha’s a quick cook,” I said flatly.

Dean shook his head. “Not by a longshot. We’ll be waiting at least an hour.”

“Great,” I said breathlessly. “So, who’s getting the door?”

“I am,” Levi said as he started down the hallway.

“Right behind you,” Dean said.

“Stay with me,” Hudson said as he stayed in front of me, “just in case.”

All sorts of things rushed through my mind, but none greater than Brody. I had tasked one of the healers with keeping a close eye on him, and I just knew it was them at the door, about to tell us that he had been taken again.

Or had run away.

Jesus, I had so much I still needed to figure out.

“Raven! Come quick!” Dean exclaimed.

I moved quicker than Hudson in that moment, and I impressed myself with it.

“What’s going on? What’s wrong?” I asked.

Levi pointed to me. “It’s okay. Tell her what you just told me.”

The man’s eyes were as wide as saucers as he wrung his hands in front of himself. He couldn’t stop staring at me. Every time he opened his mouth, nothing came out. The damn man looked scared shitless, and I closed the distance between us before cupping his fidgeting hands within my own.

“It’s okay,” I said as I eased him into the house, “Levi, close the door. Dean, can you get him some water?”

“On it,” they said in unison.

“What do you need from me?” Hudson murmured.

“Just stick around for now,” I said.

“Alpha,” the man whispered.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

He swallowed hard. “Barren, sir. I mean, shit, ma’am. I mean, I didn’t mean to curse. I just?—”

“Shh, I don’t care about any of that.”

He paused. “You don’t?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t. Tell me what’s happened. What do you know?”

His eyes darted between me and Hudson before he leaned into my face. “I found another panther shifter.”

“Where?” Hudson demanded.

I shot him a look before I forced my voice to stay even keel. “Where did you spot it? Do you remember?”

The man’s hands shook violently. “U-u-u-u—underneath Martha’s porch.

“Hudson, go. I’m right behind you,” I said.

“Yes, ma’am,” he murmured as he lunged for the door.

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