Page 21 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“What?!” Lance yelled into the receiver.

“He went for a walk and said he needed some alone time. I kept watch but let him get out of sight because I could smell him. I thought he was still nearby.” Dean struggled to explain. “He hung his sweatshirt on a tree by the Manor, and the smell of him on it was strong. He’s wearing flip-flops. He can’t go very far. I’ll find him, Alpha.”

“Where did you lose him?” Lance needed to get his mind on the practical and focus if he hoped to see this through with the best possible outcome. Stay calm and focused; he told himself Ronan is reasonable and will listen. They had already begun their bond. He would trust him again, and he would understand.

“He left his shirt at the north edge of the drive about five hundred yards from the Manor.”

“Start your search, and I will catch up.”

“Yes, sir.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Just hand him over, deputy, and I will take care of any paperwork or legalities necessary. You don’t have to wait for the Mayor. I have the authority by the State of Michigan to take custody of this man.” Jordan pushed the legal documents into Jamie’s face as he demanded to see Ronan James.

“This isn’t Michigan, sir, so yes, I have to wait for Lance Hendricks to sign off before I can release Mr. James.” Jamie turned his back and headed to his desk in an attempt to dismiss the man. Jordan reached out roughly and grabbed his upper arm, and swung him back around to face him. “Remove your hand, sir, or lose it.” He stated and eyed Jordan with a lethal stare. Jordan quickly dropped his hand and stepped back.

“Show me the prisoner,” Jordan demanded, puffing out his chest.

“This isn’t a petting zoo. You will see the prisoner when the Mayor says you can. Now take a seat and wait or go have a cup of coffee at the Black Bean and I will notify you when he arrives.”

Jamie went to his desk and began working on his computer, ignoring the glare of the man in front of him. Finally exasperated by the dismissive attitude of the deputy, Jordan slapped his cell phone number on the desk and took his leave of the Police station, and headed to the Black Bean.

Upon entering, he was met by a bubbly young blond with a big smile. “This way, sir, and I will have you seated and served.”

“Thank you, Marcie.” He read her name tag. He stood out a bit from the locals with his expensively cut black suit and authoritative presence, which caused several dinners to give him the once over as he passed.

“Just coffee, for now, thank you.” He ordered and turned to look out of the window, clearly signaling that he was not interested in further conversation.

Marcie returned quickly with his coffee and then left him alone. Jordan was lost in his own thoughts when conversation from the table across to his left caught his attention.

“Have you met that new young man staying at the Manor?” The woman asked her companion.

“No, not yet, but I hear he and his sister are both staying there.” She answered casually and took a bit of her salad.

“And considering the attentiveness shown them by both Aaron and Lance, I think they will be staying a long time,” Marcie added to their conversation as she refilled their water glasses. All three women giggled like schoolgirls.

That was all he needed to hear. Jordan slapped a few bills down on the table and took his leave immediately. No wonder they were giving him the run-around. The Mayor obviously wanted something and was going to use the James siblings to try and get it. As he was getting into his car, an older man was walking by with his dog, and Jordan caught him up.

“Can you give me directions to the Manor? I have a meeting with the Mayor and lost the directions he gave me.” The man gave him clear directions and then went on his way.

…

Ronan groaned as he stubbed his big toe on another tree root. The gas station was approximately eight miles by road but should be a shorter distance through the woods. According to his calculations, he should be able to make it in about another fifteen or twenty minutes if he could keep up a good pace and stop tripping over his own feet. He’d give anything to be wearing his boots right now. His flip-flops were useless. If it weren’t for the fact that they gave minimal protection from sharp rocks and pine needles, he would have tossed them already.

How long would it take for Dean and then Lance to realize he was gone? Dean was no slouch. He could probably figure it out soon enough, and then how long it would take for him to track him through the woods? He started upping his speed as the thought of being caught before he reached the gas station assaulted his mind. It can’t happen, not again he had to make it, and he had to get away.

Lance and Aaron were just a couple of low-life individuals willing to do anything, even fake love and attraction, in order to get what they wanted. That thought brought with it wonder as to what it was they wanted. They most likely wanted money, although he couldn’t remember a reward being offered for their return. They understood the lengths to which Jordan would go to apprehend him and so probably figured he would be willing to pony up a good reward for his return. Ronan shook his head in disgust.

…

Lance skidded to a stop near where Dean said he’d lost track of Ronan. He leaped from the vehicle and raced to the woods. He could smell Ronan as clearly as if he were standing in front of him. If he went far in these woods without proper footwear, his feet would suffer. Lance planned on carrying him as soon as he caught up. His mate would not be in pain and would not suffer as long as he had breath in his body.

The very idea of Ronan in pain caused Lance to nearly shift, but he managed to pull the urge back, knowing that he would need to be in human form to speak and reassure Ronan. He must know that Lance would never allow Jordan Randall to touch him ever again. Ronan belonged to him, his mate, his love, his forever.

…

I can’t believe he set me up like this, and I can’t believe I fell for it. Ronan groused as he made his way carefully through a rocky area and across a small stream. His mate, what a bunch of bullshit. Ronan was upset at his own naiveté. Lance was just like Jordan, manipulative and controlling. Why couldn’t he have recognized that rather than falling for the whole attraction thing hook, line and sinker? He made me feel so special and protected, and I believed everything. I even had sex with him. How stupid can I be?

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