Page 69 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

He swallows the rest of the chips, then wipes his hands on his shirt. “She’s not here. She jumped out a ways back to go back to Green Lake.”

Sonya, who is sitting beside Gwen, pipes up, “And before you yell at us, there was no stopping her. She was hellbent on seeing you.”

“Are you serious?” I growl, clenching my fists. “There are rogues out there! You let her go by herself?”

“Calm down,” Richard orders, his tone sharp. “Jane is a grown woman, and she can make her own decisions. We tried to talk her out of it, but she was determined.”

“How could you just let her go?” I demand, my anger rising.

“We didn’t have a choice,” Sonya says, her voice calm. “She’s as stubborn as a mule, and once she makes up her mind, there’s no changing it.”

I run my fingers through my hair, my mind reeling. “I can’t believe this,” I mutter, shaking my head.

Gael, Jack, and Rafe come jogging up behind me. “What’s going on? Where’s Jane?” Rafe asks.

“She left the caravan,” I growl, my voice tight with frustration. “She went back to Green Lake.”

“What?” Gael exclaims. “Why would she do that?”

“Because she’s a fool,” I snap, my temper flaring. “A damn fool.”

“Come on, man,” Jack says, his voice placating. “Let’s not get carried away. We’ll find her.”

“Excuse me!” Gwen calls. “What’s the problem? Are you saying the rogues are in the area right now? Is Jane in danger?”

I hesitate, not sure how much I should share.

“Yes,” Rafe says, his voice steady. “But we’re here now. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Gwen and Sonya exchange a worried glance, but it’s Richard who starts unbuckling his seatbelt. “We’re coming with you,” he announces.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m not asking for your permission,” he informs me. “That’s my niece, and I love her like she was my own daughter. If she’s in trouble, I’m going to help.”

Gwen and Sonya are nodding in agreement, and I know there’s no point in arguing.

“Fine,” I concede. “But stay close to me. And if I tell you to run, you run. No questions asked.”

“I’m a shifter, son,” Gwen reminds me as she climbs out and hikes up her pants. “I don’t run away like a damn puppy.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I motion for everyone to spread out. “Jack, Gael, you two head east. Richard, Gwen, Sonya, you guys take the west. I’ll cover the north. Keep your ears open and stay in constant contact. If you find anything, let the others know immediately.”

“Got it,” Jack replies, his voice clipped. He’s already moving, his eyes scanning the underbrush.

Gwen gives me a nod, her expression resolute. “We’ll keep in touch. Stay safe.”

“Same to you!” I call out as they head off.

The forest’s shadows deepen as I push through the trees, my thoughts racing. Jane’s gone back to Green Lake on her own, and the rogues are still out there. I feel the weight of my worry settle over me like a heavy cloak. Every snap of a twig, every rustle in the leaves makes my heart skip a beat.

I move methodically, combing through every single leaf and branch. The forest is dense here, the undergrowth thick and tangled. I push through a particularly stubborn patch of brambles, my fingers brushing against the rough bark of the trees as I go. Every few feet, I pause, listening for any sign of Jane, but I keep coming up short. I try to picture where she might have gone, where she could have taken a route back to Green Lake. The thought of her wandering alone makes my chest tighten.

“Reiner!” Jack’s voice cuts through the quiet, startling me. I turn to see him holding up a piece of fabric. “Found something.”

I jog over and examine it. It’s a scrap of Jane’s jacket, the one she was wearing earlier. My stomach clenches—she’s definitely been this way. I pocket the fabric and continue forward, my pace quickening.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. We’re deep into the woods now, and I’m about to call it in when I catch a glint of something ahead. I push through a thicket and freeze. Scattered on the forest floor are pieces of metal and scraps of cloth. I recognize them immediately.

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