Page 45 of Holiday Surprise

“Fine,” I said, plastering a fake smile to my face. “Have you seen Sydney?”

“No, she’s probably still at the store,” she said.

I looked at my watch and frowned. It was nearly seven o’clock already. I had been wallowing in my own self-pity longer than I’d thought.

“She should have been home by now,” I muttered to myself.

“It’s after Christmas sales this week. I’m sure she just got busy. I saved you both a plate. I’ll warm yours up now,” she said.

“Thanks Peyton.”

Chasity was sitting at the table as I pulled up a chair for myself. She appeared to be the last one eating.

“Peyton’s right, the store was crazy busy today, but Sydney wasn’t there.”

“What?” I asked, not certain I heard her right.

“She came by this morning and offered me a job while I’m on break. Said she had to run some errands, but Lily Collier was there holding down the fort and spent the day training me. She really is the coolest!” the girl exclaimed before launching into a recount of her day working in Syd’s store. But if Sydney wasn’t there, where the hell was she?

Panic started to set in, and I immediately feared the worst. Peyton distracted me from my thoughts when she sat the plate down in front of me.

Of course, even from the other room, she had heard everything Chasity had said. All shifters had advanced hearing. There was absolutely no privacy in the house.

She sat down next to me and put her hand on my arm.

“Luke, I’m sure she’s fine. Eat, then give Lily a call. I’ve never really understood it, but those girls are like two peas in a pod. If anyone knows where Sydney is, it’s Lily. So, eat, then call Lil and go find your mate.”

I nodded and proceeded to the scarf down my food. Chasity gave me a look of disgust.

“You could at least chew your food,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

The second I was done, Peyton took my empty plate, laughing.

“Go,” she insisted.

I sprinted for the door and out to my truck. If she was in Collier territory, I would need Thomas’s permission to go in after dark. Plus, I wasn’t really keen on calling another man’s mate, especially another Alpha’s.

I dialed Thomas’s number and waited for him to answer.

“Hey man,” he said.

“Hey, could you do me a favor?” I asked.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“One of my teens mentioned she’d been working with Lily at the boutique all day. I was wondering if your mate had any idea where Sydney might be.”

“Luke, you could have just called Lily for this,” he pointed out.

“I’d rather not, besides, if she’s in your territory, I’d have to call you for permission anyway,” I explained logically.

He laughed. “How many times have I told you that you and your pack are welcome in Collier?”

“But it’s after dark,” I reminded him.

“Fine, the after dark provision is officially removed. Stop asking to drive into town or visit your mate, man. It’s cool,” he insisted. Then I heard him yell with a muffled voice. “Slugger, do you know where Syd’s at tonight?”

“She should be at Peyton’s by now.”

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