Page 41 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“Goddamn it,” I curse, shoving my phone in my pocket.

He could have at least left a note or a text or called me and told me where he was going. I’m pissed. No, that’s not right—I’m furious, but even I know I have no right to be. Not after the way I’ve treated him the last few days.

I’m not sure what to do. I could stay here and wait for him to come home, or I could go searching for him. I decide on the latter and grab my keys.

The first place I check is his house. I know it’s a long shot, but I drive over, anyway. The driveway is empty, but I park andgo up to the front door and knock. No answer. I try the handle, and it’s locked.

“Shit,” I whisper, running my hand through my hair. Where the hell could he be?

I return to my car and pick up my phone again, dialing Piper’s number instead of his. Maybe Rafe knows where he is.

“Hello?” Piper answers.

“Hey, it’s Jane,” I say. “Is Reiner there, by chance? He’s not answering his phone, and I’ve looked everywhere for him.”

“Isn’t he supposed to be at your place?” she asks.

“He was,” I reply. “But he’s not anymore. I was hoping he was with Rafe.”

“Rafe is here,” she says. “I’ll ask.”

I hear muffled voices as she covers the receiver, and then she’s back.

“He said he hasn’t seen him,” she tells me. “But he said he would give him a call and see if he has any luck.”

“Great, thank you. Let me know if he gets anywhere, okay? I’m going to keep looking.”

“Sure,” she says. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and drop my head back against the headrest. Dammit, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t been avoiding him, he wouldn’t have felt the need to leave the house. Then again, I wouldn’t have been avoiding him if he’d kept his hands to himself.

The more I think about it, the more aggravated I get. He’s the one who has blurred the lines, the one who’s been makingthis complicated. We had rules in place, and he’s the one who’s broken them. It was clear as day that the only time we were supposed to even touch one another was when we were in public.

Okay, so I might’ve kissed him at the infirmary, but that was technically in public. Even if no one else was in the room.

I’m so conflicted. I’m angry and hurt and worried. I’m afraid something has happened to him. Those rogues know he’s weakened. What if they find him before I do? Or worse, what if Reiner has gone looking for them? Rogues killed his parents, so it’s only natural that he’d want revenge.

No. I can’t think about that. I need to find him.

I start the engine and drive away from his house, heading toward town. Maybe he’s at the bar.

I’m halfway there when my phone rings. I press the button on the car’s console to connect, and Piper’s voice fills the cab.

“Rafe spoke with Reiner. He said he had to go to work and that he’s fine.”

“He’s not supposed to be working,” I snap, and I instantly feel bad. This isn’t Piper’s fault, and she’s only trying to help. “Sorry. I’m just worried about him.”

“I know,” she replies. “And Rafe told him it was a bad idea, but you know how Reiner is.”

Oh, I know how Reiner is. Stubborn, hard-headed, pig-headed, and frustrating as hell.

“Thanks,” I tell her. “I guess I’m headed to the industrial district now. I’m dragging him out of there by his ball sack if I have to.”

“Good luck,” she laughs.

“Thanks. I’m going to need it.”

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