Page 114 of Fangs and Fudge

“Hmm.”

“I can’t tell if you said that because you like that she smells like Shepard or because you don’t.”

He shot Vena a dry look then gave me some space and focused on my phone.

“I found something interesting. Not your wolf, Vena, but I think you may still appreciate it.”

I watched him browse to a website and enter a password, which redirected him to the app store.

“What’s ‘The Howl’? I’ve never heard of that app before.”

“It’s a social chat app exclusively for werewolves,” he said, installing it.

“Are you serious?” Vena asked, moving around the couch so she could watch over his shoulder.

“Very serious. There is a channel dedicated to their efforts to find Anchor. There’s not much information, though. Just locations they’ve searched and a list of people they’ve questioned. There’s also a channel about tonight’s challenge that you might want to read.”

He handed my phone back to me once he had me logged in then helped Vena install it on her phone.

“I think there’s a werewolf book with the same name,” Vena said. “We read it in high school when we were doing a paper on myths vs. realities, remember?”

“Yeah,” I said absently, already browsing the channels. “The Howl by Melissa Haag. It had fairies in it too. You liked when they sparkled everywhere.”

Vena laughed as I focused on the app. The chat topics were grouped into channels and had clearly labeled discussion threads. “Missing persons” was all about Anchor. They’d split up the city and were searching areas methodically and questioning everyone they thought might have a connection to him. Cross was right that they weren’t really getting anywhere, though.

The channel labeled “Challenges” under “Pack News” caught my eye. As soon as I tapped it, I saw information about Shepard and MC’s challenge and swore under my breath.

“MC is the alpha of the L.A. pack?” Vena questioned, obviously seeing the same thing I was.

All the tension with the L.A. pack and how MC got so mad at being ordered around made more sense.

“If MC wins, we’re moving,” Vena said.

“That won’t help you,” Cross said. “Shepard isn’t just a local alpha. He’s the Alpha. If MC wins, he’ll have authority over all packs across the globe.”

Vena dropped her phone on my shoulder then woodenly walked around to take a seat next to me on the arm of the couch.

“He can’t win,” she said on a shaky breath.

“No, he cannot,” Cross agreed.

I turned to look at him, noting the hint of concern in his expression. “What happens if MC wins?”

“Nothing good. Shepard understands his responsibility. He keeps the peace between the wolves and the other races.”

“Except the vampires,” I said.

Cross shrugged slightly. “So long as the vampires continue to hunt and use humans as cattle, the same humans that the wolves mate with, there will be no peace between our kinds.”

“But you’re different,” I said. “You don’t use humans as cattle.”

“I do not. And I believe that’s why Shepard isn’t breaking down that door in an attempt to kill me right now.”

“Aw, look at you making a friend,” Vena said somewhat bitterly.

“I haven’t given up my search for your wolf,” he said. “Though six days might feel like an eternity to you, it’s barely measurable time. Trust that I will discover where your wolf is.”

She sighed and nodded. I tossed her phone to her.

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