Page 20 of Lost Mate

“What do you mean?” Ross asked.

“Between Milo and the Cavalry and me, do you think we could trace what happened to me?”

Ross held out his hand and squeezed as Dylan entangled their fingers. “I don’t know, baby. Let’s ask.”

Back in the kitchen, everyone looked up as Ross led Dylan in. He scanned everyone’s expression, especially Eli’s. No one looked hostile, to his relief, just mainly concerned, and Eli looked resigned as he got to his feet.

“I’m sorry, Anderson. I guess Ross has told you what we suggested and yeah, we understand now what a stupid idea that was.”

Dylan inclined his head. “I know you want to protect your pack. But I’ve got a suggestion if you and Milo agree.”

“Go on,” Eli said warily.

“You didn’t find me before, but you were focused on the hunters, not finding me. Between your resources and the sheriff’s, could we look for me the old-fashioned way? CCTV, phone calls, etc.”

Milo nodded. “I’ve already put in a call to the sheriff’s department where you went missing.”

Ross smiled at him gratefully. “I’ll help too.”

“You’re working for me, remember?” Eli growled.

“Resigned, remember?” Ross shot back.

“Time out, guys,” Niles said. “Ross, we don’t accept your resignation and Anderson works for us too, if you remember. That hasn’t changed. You’re both on a special assignment to find out what the hell happened to Anderson. We can give you the information up to the moment he went missing.”

“You’re right,” Eli huffed. “There was so much going on. We were focused on the hunters, not you. I’m sorry, Dylan. You got lost in the melee and that was wrong.”

Ross knew the admission was a big one for Eli to make. The one thing he knew about his boss was that he hated to admit he was wrong. As he often said, he was never wrong. And the idea had been good, in theory. Who knew shifters would react so violently to the suggestion? The last thing they need was all their mates losing their minds. There weren’t enough couches for the humans to sleep on.

Then it occurred to him that the door was still closed between him and his mate. Ross pushed at it gently, but it stayed closed. Dylan didn’t trust him enough to open the link between them.

He looked up to see Milo focused on him. The sheriff gave a quick shake of his head. Now what did that mean?

Niles coughed to attract everyone’s attention. “Ross and Dylan, you get to use the new Cavalry building as your office. There’s an apartment on one side which is your temporary home until Ross’s house is finished…or we make alternative arrangements.”

Ross breathed a sigh of relief. At least Eli wasn’t kicking them out. He was, but they’d still be on Sapphire Ranch. Then Ross realized Eli had an agenda. He needed them away from the house so he could talk out of earshot of Dylan, but within his reach. Damn, his boss was a canny bastard. But he thought space between Dylan and Eli would be a good idea. The sooner they got to work, the sooner they could clear Dylan’s name.

“We’ll go now,” he said. “Is there WiFi?”

Niles nodded. “The office is set up to work. The Cavalry resources are at your disposal, and I’ll be your lead. You don’t need Eli scowling at you.”

“And I’d like to help,” Owen said, surprising Ross. “Zeke is taking over your bodyguard shifts, and I’d like something to do.”

Ross wasn’t sure how he felt about that. The young wolf could be intense and at times made Ross uneasy. However, Owen had the sharpest brain in the pack and more to the point, he’d been on the road for years before arriving at Sapphire Ranch. Ross turned to Dylan for confirmation, but his mate seemed happy with the idea. He would have another wolf to talk to and one that probably understood how out of place he felt. But before he agreed, Ross looked at Zeke. Even with Owen’s eyeroll, he wasn’t going to agree without his huge mate’s agreement. Zeke had been his co-worker for years and deserved his respect. Zeke gave a slight nod.

Permission given, Ross smiled at Owen. “Do you want to come with us or make your own way over?”

“See you over there. I need to talk to Cal and Joe first.”

“There’s food in the kitchen,” Cal said. “Just call if you need anything. And Ross, I know you like dealing with the critters. That will be there for you when you’re ready, I promise.”

That was perceptive of the young wolf and Ross smiled at him gratefully.

“Thanks, Cal.” He stood, anxious to get out of there. Even without their link, he could feel the tension radiating from Dylan.

“Ross, don’t do anything without confirming it with Niles,” Eli said.

“Understood.”

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