Page 82 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

“We’ve had a few children go missing,” Florian tells me, his hands clenched by his sides. “According to their mothers, their fathers left with the pups and came back without them, all drugged up.”

My lips draw back in a snarl. “They sold them.”

“I believe so.” Florian looks like he wants to break something. “I’ve removed the remaining children from those houses, along with their mothers. One of the women didn’t want to leave her mate, but I took the children. Some other couples are currently fostering them.”

“Make sure to do welfare checks on those children,” I remind him as anger rolls through me.

Children are precious. For their parents to sell them like this is unconscionable!

“Have those fathers interrogated,” I say decisively. “If we have a chance of rescuing those children, we’re going to do so.”

As Florian leaves, I get to my feet and start to pace, my thoughts dark.

The Nelo Clan is growing bolder day by day. Attacking me was a mistake. I had the two bodies of my attackers dumped in their territory, but to date, there has been no response from them.

I don’t know what their plan is, but I have a very strong hunch it goes far deeper than simply getting our packs addicted to their drugs. Ever since it was revealed that these drugs can lead to death, pack members have refrained from indulging in any kind of drugs, even going so far as to increase security in clubs to make sure none are present.

When the market has fallen, why keep producing the drugs?

I’m trying to follow the logic, but there is none. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is another purpose to these drugs that we haven’t figured out yet.

Returning to my desk, I write up a brief summary of my conversation with Florian and attach the PDF file of Florian’s report that’s already sitting in my email. After sending it off to the Alphas of the Moore Pack and the Wolfguard Pack, I sit back. While Florian sets up the interrogations, I’m going to focus on more pleasant thoughts, such as the green-eyed little vampire who gave me a kiss on the cheek.

My fingers linger on the spot where her lips touched me, and I smile.

Coaxing kisses from her might just become my favorite pastime.

I turn my chair around to look out the window. The whole thing was an intimidation tactic; I’m pretty certain of that. Vampires showing up during the daytime?

By now, Arabella must have realized that Charlotte has an Alpha on her side, so she’s not going to corner her again. I’ve been keeping an eye on Charlotte’s apartment, and for the time being, there has been no unusual activity there.

But her sister is most likely trying to drive her crazy with fear. Charlotte has every reason to be worked up over being stalked so openly. Now that others in her clan are aware of where she is, she’s in imminent danger, and she clearly knows it. What worries me is that she might decide to pack up and leave.

I can’t let that happen.

I’m just going to have to make sure she’s so tangled up in me that leaving isn’t even an option for her anymore.

Chapter 17

Charlotte Sanguinite

I didn’t realize how much of a difference it makes to have someone in your corner.

After talking to Robert, the fear and panic within me have calmed down to quite an extent, and I’m able to sort through my thoughts with more logic. Robert is right. This is merely an intimidation tactic, and I’ve been letting them win.

I don’t know why my father showed up, but it was only once. I’ve been closing with Shelby every night for the past few days. He has had the opportunity to come in then, as well, but he hasn’t. Perhaps it’s because Robert makes it a point to show up around then since his workday typically ends at the same time. He brings his laptop over and ogles me while pretending to be working.

It’s not as annoying as one would think, especially since his main goal seems to be to get my attention and then complain that I’m a distraction. He’s so weird, and yet, every time my thoughts drift toward him, I can’t help but smile. He makes my heart feel light and airy, almost as if I’m walking on clouds when he’s around.

I wipe down the glasses and set them in the stand. I can hear Gina in the kitchen, cleaning up. I glance out the door. Robert is usually here by now; I wonder what’s taking him so long.

“Did you take out the trash?” Gina calls from the kitchen.

I glance at the two trash bags leaning by the doorway. “Not yet.”

Her head pops into view. “Well, what’re you waiting for?”

Closing my eyes briefly, I mutter, “Yeah, okay.”

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