Page 59 of Bitter Discord

“If we don’t tell them today, I can live with tomorrow. They have the manpower, and right now, we’re working with less than twenty people on the search.” I could dance with the BSA. I was certain my threats from earlier in the year were the reason I was being given so much free rein now. If I could use the BSA to speed this up, it would be better for everyone, including them.

Heath’s reluctance to deal with them was completely understandable. They were constantly looking for excuses to remove Carey from his home. Finding out one of his teenage pack members was implicated in a murder? They would side-eye him and Carey again, as they did every time something happened. It didn’t matter how little sense it made to remove Carey from Heath’s custody. They would threaten it and had the legal power to make it happen.

“Anything else the room would like to know before we get back to the task at hand?” Zuri’s commanding presence took control of the room again. The werecats looked at each other to see if someone else would speak up.

“I’ll leave a number where they can reach me,” Heath offered, pulling out his wallet. He extended a business card to Zuri. “This is my personal number for you this time. Only for you. The others can use the first number I gave you.”

“I’ll collect the questions and text them,” she said as she took the card. “That way, I can get all the answers and disseminate them without everyone distracting you from the task at hand.”

“Thanks. We’ll be in touch if we find something.” I started moving away, ready to get out of the stares from the other werecats.

“I’ll let you know if anything changes here,” Zuri promised in return, nodding at me. As I was leaving, she explained to the werecats what was happening. I didn’t stick around to hear the entire explanation, heading upstairs with Heath and Landon.

“Let me,” Landon said, holding out a hand as I grabbed my keys. “You haven’t gotten a lot of sleep. You can take a nap on the drive, and you should eat when we get back. Father?”

“I’ll pick up something to eat and meet you both at home,” Heath said.

“I can drive,” I said, but let him grab them from my hand and unlock it. I caught the use of Father and had to remind myself it was the environment and the strangers in the building. I had gotten used to hearing Landon use Pa most days unless the rest of the pack was hovering.

“It’s not just that. I want you two in separate vehicles in case someone decides either of you needs to die next,” Landon said as we walked into the garage. “That way, if Father is attacked, he can focus solely on his own safety. If we’re attacked, I can focus on you.”

I considered arguing, looking at Heath as I debated it. He was giving Landon a curious expression before noticing my stare.

“I didn’t tell him to do this,” my fiancé said quickly. “Promise. If you want to drive, I can drag him with me, but I don’t disagree. I like the idea of him sticking with you until we’re back in your territory. You’re running on little sleep, and a nap will help you finish the day, possibly the night. Get the sleep while you can.”

“Of course you don't disagree with him. I’ll try to close my eyes for the drive.” I smiled as I leaned toward him. The kiss was quick, then he left to head for his truck. “Drive safe!” I called out as he reached the door.

“I’ll see you both at home.”

I was left with Landon, who maneuvered us out of the driveway the easy way—he drove over the perfect front lawn.

22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

When we entered my territory, my eyes opened, and I felt the return of my magic as it alerted me to the werewolves I let live there. Heath must have been ahead of us because there was only one person missing from my mental count.

“I was going to shake you soon, but…” Landon gave me a side look.

“Magic,” I explained, yawning. “Thanks for driving so I could take a nap.”

“No problem. You’re not effective without proper sleep, and I could facilitate that.”

“You wanted to be nice,” I teased. To my surprise, he gave me a mischievous smile.

“Yes, and I could think of a dozen excuses how to do that without making myself look weak in front of potentially listening werecats.” His smile grew wider as I chuckled. “AndI made it seem like a practical choice for you. Clearly, as the fiancée of an Alpha, his second would consider your safety. You need sleep while you can get it, so you can focus better on solving this murder. They might tease you for letting me drive, but they can’t argue with the sound logic. You can say it. ‘Wow, Landon, you’re a genius.’”

“Let’s not go that far. You’re dating my nephew. If Heath and I are stupid for having a relationship, you and Dirk are, too. I think any of our detractors would say that excludes all of us from any potential recognition for being geniuses.”

“Fuck our detractors,” he retorted, shrugging.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Landon huffed, side-eyeing me once again. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you about Zuri’s visit. I know she supports you and Heath—”

“I’m sorry I outed you,” I said quickly.

“Oh, that’s not a big deal. That’s what I wanted to say. You and Dirk made a good decision telling her. Another layer of defense for him from your shitty family. He needs it. He’s been worried about how it might play out in the future, but I think she was the right call.” He sighed. “I shouldn’t have spoken to her the way I did.”

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