Page 126 of Feral Alphas

Colt’s a law-abiding citizen, but my entire department at the Bureau exists because when an omega’s involved, people can go crazy. When I saw blood trailing down the sidewalk, I was sure it belonged to Luka. I’ve never been so relieved to see blood because it meant he walked out on his own two feet. After that, I hacked his phone.

I tap the heavy-bottomed glass against the countertop and sigh. Colt’s grieving out there in the suburbs, and the only thing I can do for him is make sure his lover is safe while he figures things out.

Fourteen years. I scoff at myself and drop my head onto my arms. It’s a long time to carry a torch for someone, and even longer to never act on my feelings. At first I thought it was simply a crush on a handsome guy with skills, but it never went away.

Colt Nesters always seemed mysteriously out of reach. When I saw how he softened every time he talked about Luka to his Bureau partner over the years, I realized he was deeply in love. It was the same love I had with Harrison all those years ago. I thought that level of intense love was a once-off thing, and that I’d missed my chance with him.

But then Colt’s family grew, with Rose, Kye, and two feral alphas, and my heart shook because I saw that kind of love wasn’t a one-time thing with Colt. Which makes my desperate wish for him to look my way all the more painful, because the guy can’t stand me.

My phone vibrates, startling me and I dig it out to find an emergency summons from work. “Shit!”

The uniform I’m wearing feels damp and wrinkled, thanks to the long task of tracking Luka down but I stride for the front door and lace on my waiting boots. I swipe my keys off the table and holster my gun but pause with the door closed halfway. Will Luka still be here when I get back? What if he tries to kill himself? A dull ache runs through my chest.

The door clicks into place, securing with the electronic lock and I brush my fingers over the keypad. Luka Nesters survives on orders, so he’ll be here until midday at least. Hedging him in with those orders was the least I could do for him after destroying his life.

I race down the stairs and out through the lobby where the nightman is cleaning up Luka’s bloodied footprints with a mop, looking more asleep than awake.

“Sorry ‘bout that, Allan!” I call as I sprint for the car park. At least the apartment staff are used to me coming and going at odd hours.

The emergency location transfers straight from my phone to the navigator as I turn the engine on, and I follow the blue direction lines out onto the streets.

Luka stays on my mind as I haul ass to a down-town commercial district. He might be alive, but the fact he thought I was after him to put him in a body bag is frightening. Colt did a number on the guy’s face too—so he must be furious.

I pull the car up onto a curb when I reach the OCB cordon lines and join the swiftly growing crowd of agents. Time to get my head on the job.

“Alex Groman sighting reported,” the lead agent calls. Search the district, building by building and report back in. Suspect is believed to be armed. Use lethal force where necessary.”

Looking across the crowd, I catch sight of Felina running up while dragging on her vest. “What’s the picnic for?” she mutters.

“Hunt for the missing Grom Kennels’ boss,” I say. “Did you put Colt’s leave request through?”

“Yeah, and Minstrom approved it right away.” A furrow appears on her brow, clearly worrying whether her partner’s okay. She doesn’t know he just tore his own heart clean out and threw it away. Fuck, what a mess!

I grit my teeth. “Good, at least he won’t get called out for this shit-show then.” I scan the crowd. “Russell isn’t here yet, so come with me.”

“If Ihave to,” Felina mutters.

Looks like Colt’s partner shares his opinion of me, which is not surprising when everyone thinks I stole a good man’s promotion.

Felina checks her gun is in place. “Let’s put this sick bastard away for good!”

That I can get on board with; I’m the one who took Rose Nester’s statement and had to hear all the vile things they put her through. Who messes with an omega’s heat in the first place? I growl under my breath as we head toward the first building, a restaurant.

“OCB, stay where you are!” I call to the late-night diners, keeping my gun aimed at the floor and sliding from post to post. “Show us your left hand.”

My gaze darts from person to person as we sift through them visually. No one resists or tries to hide their hand as we search. I thank everyone for their cooperation as we move through to the kitchen.

The calm before the storm is always the hardest part of an assignment. My nerves tingle and my body winds tight with expectation as we stalk through, clearing the cold and store rooms.

“Empty,” Felina mutters in disgust as she checks the far side of the dumpsters outside.

“Dammit,’ I rumble. As I stride to the edge of the alleyway, I catch a glimpse of a shadow moving from the side of my eye as a dark form ducks around a building across the road.

“Felina!” I roar, dashing out onto the street to leap over the low railing for a car hire yard. A touch of bitter alpha scent lingers in the air and icy energy explodes through me as all my instincts lock into place.

“OCB! Get on the ground!” I shout as I round the corner. He’s not there, so I keep running. A radio crackles behind me as Felina calls in our position. She’s a damn fast runner because she’s right on my heels.

“Here!” She swings down a side street, and I double back. A flash of brown coat is all I spot under the glow of a lamplight.

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