Page 132 of Roaring Flames

Why does my heart feel heavy at just the thought of her?

Why do my eyes search her out whenever we’re in the same room, as if I just can’t help but be drawn to her?

Why do I dream about her?

And, worst of all, why is this tiny voice in the back of my head screaming at me that I fucked up?

Because if I’m wrong…

If Izzy is who she appears to be…

If she’s our mate and not a spy…

I may have destroyed our pack irreparably.

Forty-Nine

IZZY

“So let me get this straight.” I can’t seem to wrap my head around everything Christian just told me. Some of it I heard before from Grayson, but… “Your father believes that wolf shifters are killing off other wolf shifters? ThatKainis somehow involved?”

Christian doesn’t pull his gaze from the windshield as he expertly steers his car down a dirt road.

“They’re not the only supernaturals who have been killed recently.” His lips purse. “My research shows me that vampires, witches, and warlocks have all seen a substantial increase in deaths over the past few months.”

“And all of the murders are made to look like they’ve been done by Hunters?”

Christian nods. “Maybe some of them were done by Hunters, but all of them?” A muscle twitches in his jaw. “Something doesn’t add up.”

I focus straight ahead, trying to process everything I was just told.

I still find it surreal that there’s an entire group of humans who will actively try to kill us just because of our blood. Christianeven pointed out that they would go afterme, despite the fact I show no characteristics of a supernatural. It’s disgusting.

“My father told me that the various packs have been discussing war,” Christian says quietly.

I grip the seat belt over my chest. “War? With the Hunters?”

How would that even work? It’s not as if Hunters wear color-coordinated clothes when making their kills. They look like any random person walking down the street.

Does this mean the shifters will attack humans at random? Anyone they think may be a threat?

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I don’t like it. Not one bit.” Christian shakes his head slightly.

“So that’s why you’re here?” I cautiously turn towards him, unable to help but admire the strong lines of his profile and the dark stubble grazing his chin. “Because you’re helping your father investigate the deaths?”

“Before Larissa and Ali, there were only a few deaths in the area—not enough to draw any conclusions. But my father had his suspicions and asked for my help.” His long fingers tap against the steering wheel as he releases a humorless laugh. “You’re the only person who knows the true reason why I’m here.”

“Ashton doesn’t know?”

“AJ is…” He struggles to find the right words. “He’s the smartest man I know, but he’s also the most oblivious. He never bothered to ask me why I was here; he simply developed his own conclusions.”

“Why do you call him AJ?” I heard Christian refer to him that way before but never discovered the reason.

Christian smiles, the curve of his lips effortless. “His first name is Ashton, and his middle name is James. Our mom used to always refer to him as AJ, and I guess the nickname stuck…though our father refuses to use it. I think that’s why Ashtonloathes the nickname now. It reminds him too much of our mother and how things used to be.”

“You told me before that Ashton is your half brother.” I think back through my conversation with Hale and Gerry. “I thought that packs…combine DNA to make a child.”

Christian glances at me once before refocusing on the road. The trees here are thinner, giving way to rustic log cabins and cottages. I wonder if some of the packs live here. I suppose it makes sense. If I were a wolf shifter, I would want to live somewhere deep in the forest so I don’t accidentally run into a wayward hiker.

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