Page 41 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“Hello, Officer Moore. May I join you?” Henry continued the act. Terry locked eyes with him and answered in the affirmative. Terry was going to apologize, but decided it wasn’t what he wanted to say. Another apology from him at this point was just a hollow statement. He’d apologized too many times for them to actually have any meaning.

“Don’t give up on me yet, Henry. Please don’t give up on me.” Terry watched Henry silently stare, but the waitress returned for their drink order before he could say anything.

Henry was glad the waitress had intervened before he had to give Terry a response. He wasn’t sure what he would have said. He’d already given up on Terry, but he wasn’t prepared to tell him that over dinner. That information would become apparent after he left on Friday.

As much as he desired this man and wished that they could be a truly loving mated couple like Molly and Aaron, it was not to be. The conversation turned pleasant and banal, neither wanting to discuss the elephant in the room. Henry was content with things just as they were. There was no sense in making demands that were impossible to meet. Besides, he was leaving on Friday, and Terry’s life could return to normal. Henry was sure that Terry’s compulsion to be with him would diminish once he was out of sight. That thought did not give him comfort, but reality is a bitch, like they say.

“I know we haven’t had as much time together as I would have liked, and I also know that I am to blame for that,” Terry spoke softly between bites. “I want a life with you, Henry. You are my mate, and I want this to work.” Henry nodded noncommittally and continued with his steak. He was certain Terry believed what he was saying, but Henry doubted his ability or desire to carry it through. Terry reached across the table and took Henry’s hand, which shocked him, until he just as quickly let go when someone walked by their table.

“Terry!” The deep voice sounded from behind Henry. “Hey, you come for the game?” Henry recognized the man as one of Terry’s friends; he thought his name was Gary.

“No, I was having dinner, and then Henry stopped by, and we were discussing the ceremony preparations.” Terry looked so nervous and unsure, that Henry actually felt sorry for him.

“Come on back and sit with us. The game starts in ten. Come on, Henry doesn’t care, do you, Henry? You can come too.” The large man looked in Henry’s direction. He didn’t look angry or upset, just hopeful. “The rest of the guys will be here shortly. Kelvin is parking the car.” When he spoke that name, Henry visibly flinched.

“Go, Terry, really, it’s okay. I’m almost finished, and I have to get back to the Ranch anyway. Can’t spend your whole evening listening to me go on about flowers, food, and nonsense. Go and enjoy the game, and I’ll catch up with you some other time.” Terry looked at him as if he were in tremendous pain, but Henry just smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and said again to go ahead, that he’d be fine.

Terry got up and slowly walked with his friends towards the back of the restaurant. Kelvin came in and gave Henry a hateful glare, before following the rest to the back. Henry had a feeling Kelvin would try to intimidate him again if he stayed at the restaurant, so he decided to leave the rest of his dinner and signaled to the waitress for the check. She walked over and informed him that Terry had already paid for both of their meals. Not one to waste good food, he asked for a takeout container. The steak and fries would taste good tonight while watching television and feeling sorry for himself.

Terry sat so as to be able to observe Henry. Terry felt like such a bastard, a spineless weasel. He couldn’t give two shits about the stupid game on television or the stupid company he was now with. What the hell was wrong with him? He should be with his mate talking and touching and getting to know each other. He hadn’t a clue what he should do.

He was startled when he saw Henry rise and head for the door with his takeout in hand without even looking in Terry’s direction. He needed to follow; he needed to do something. Suddenly someone started asking him questions about the fucking game. He mumbled something and then glanced back at the door, but Henry was gone.

Henry had parked around the side of the restaurant in the alley. He was lost in thought when suddenly, out of nowhere, something slammed into his side and sent him careening against the side of the restaurant with a thud.

His brain was trying to make sense of it all when Kelvin came at him again. He pressed himself against Henry, holding him against the wall and keeping him immobile while he raised his fist and began to beat him. He was hitting him in the face, the chest, the stomach, and spewing hateful remarks.

After several seconds of being pummeled, he backed up and let Henry slump to the ground, nearly unconscious from the onslaught. Once on the ground, Kelvin kicked him hard in the head and in the stomach. He left Henry there unconscious, not caring whether he was alive or dead. It didn’t take much force for a shifter to kill a human, and Kelvin was a formidable shifter.

Henry slowly started to regain consciousness. His head hurt like a bitch, and his eyes were sticky with something. He couldn’t see, and he could barely move. He looked around and was confused at first, not remembering why he was on the ground or why he hurt so damn bad.

Then the memory of Kelvin and his attack came back, and he carefully looked around without moving his head in case he was still nearby. With great effort and considerable pain, he managed to reach his back pocket and pulled out his phone. It was past eight; he’d been out for a while. He needed to call for help, so he called the one person he trusted.

“Ronan.” He could barely speak. It hurt so badly. Blood poured from his mouth as he tried to speak more clearly. It was impossible.

“Henry? What’s wrong?” Ronan barked.

“Hurt, help, alley steakhouse.” That was all he was able to get out before losing consciousness once again and slumping to the cold ground.

Ronan dropped his phone and ran for the front door. He was intercepted by Lance, who demanded to know what was happening. Ronan explained what had taken place, and they both headed out. “He left with Terry. Call Terry to check if he knows what’s happening.” Lance stated as he floored it.

“No answer. It just keeps going to voicemail.” Ronan said with panic in his voice.

“We’ll find him. It will be okay.” Lance assured. “Try Terry again.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Terry sat looking at the television but saw only Henry as he walked out of the restaurant. Would he forgive him? Would he talk to him? Shit-fuck-damn it, he needed to leave. “Look, I’m pretty tired. I had a long day.” He said in explanation as he rose from his seat. “I’m going to head out.”

“Hey, don’t go yet,” Kelvin shouted. “Stay and have another drink on me.” He insisted and actually took hold of Terry’s arm, halting his exit. Terry looked down at Kelvin’s grip and very clearly stated. “I’m going home. Goodnight.” The rest of the guys waved and wished him goodnight, and Kelvin just glared. He didn’t care.

Once he was outside, he reached into his coat pocket for his phone, intending to call Henry and plead for his understanding. He noticed his phone was off completely off. He never turned his phone off. As an officer, he needed to always be available. How did his phone get turned off? He quickly turned it back on and noticed that he’d missed several calls from Ronan James. Not really in the mood to talk with the Alpha Mate, he first tried Henry’s number. It went straight to voicemail after one ring. He tried again and the same thing.

He was getting into his car, which he’d parked in the lot across the street, when he saw the Alpha and his mate coming to a screeching halt in front of the restaurant. They both jumped out and headed down the alley at a dead run. Curiosity took over, and he followed, jogging swiftly back across the street to catch up with them.

He saw them both on their knees. There was someone on the ground. Ronan was trying to wake the person while Lance was talking on his cell phone. Terry walked toward them as if in a daze; he couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing.

It had to be a mistake. No . . . no, that can’t be right. Henry went home an hour ago. He’s home; he’s not lying bleeding on the pavement in this alley. No, that is not Henry. It can’t be Henry. He burst into a run as panic seized him. Before he could reach the man on the ground, Lance stepped in front of him and stopped him in his tracks. “Henry!” Lance grabbed him by his coat and pulled him up to face him.

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