Page 6 of Hellhounds and Homicides

"The Wazir claims all strays," Josef stated.

"That was my understanding as well, but the detective is adamant that he is a lone wolf, so to speak." Dumas clarified.

“Stay close to him and make sure he doesn’t try to grandstand on this case. This could work in our favor.”

“Yes, sir.”

"Micheal and his team are closing in on the magics involved. The markers have led to the remains of the old leather club that housed the incubus a few years back. They, the magics involved, appear to be trying to resurrect his essence or power." Josef gave him the update and then added. "If your Detective heads off in that direction, let me know; otherwise, just keep a close eye on the man. Hopefully, we can wrap up this situation quickly without his interference.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him sir.” Dumas was not thrilled with the prospect of following Det. Dalhousie although he found him quite attractive the idea of trailing him for God knows how long seemed tedious.

The man was smart and not without resources to aid in his investigation, so it was important that his movements be monitored. He was open with the fact that he would try to arrest the perpetrator regardless of their supernatural affiliations. This fact made it imperative that he not find the perpetrator. He was, for all intents and purposes, a loose cannon. Permission wasgranted to do whatever was necessary to ensure that their secret did not get out to the general public, and with that in mind, Dumas swore to deal with the irritating, vainglorious Detective in any manner he deemed appropriate.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rowen was dumbfounded and shocked by the interaction with the Hadden soldier Dumas. He had gotten under his skin in a matter of seconds and left him feeling ridiculous and ill-prepared. The cloaking enchantment he used kept him shielded from Dumas even after he stupidly allowed himself to be caught in his cat form. Unfortunately, Dumas was not shielded from Rowen, and the minute the big guy got close, Rowen knew who he was and what his growing interest in the man was really about.

His cat wanted to go crazy on the man, but luckily, he had control and was able to hold him back and cover it with a look of contempt. He hated being so rude to him, but it was the only way to remain hidden. His cat was out of the bag, but at least Dumas, the big scary Hadden guard, did not know the entire truth. What a fucking mess he was in.

Rowen moved to the edge of the roof and looked down at the parking area and at Dumas. He was on his phone, probably letting his superiors know about Rowen's identity. He watched him for several minutes and then stepped back when Dumas looked up at him. This was his mate, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Dumas was a significant player inthe paranormal world, and the Hadden Coven, no doubt, and having a stray cat as a mate was unlikely to be acceptable.

It was better this way to keep his true identity secret. Dumas would know he was a cat shifter, but he would not know that Rowen Dalhousie was his mate. What an unfortunate kick in the head that was. The ridicule and disdain would be brutal, and Rowen had no time for painful rejections.

“Det. Dalhousie.” He was brought out of his wonderings by the address and turned to see that the building manager stood behind him. “You asked to speak with me?” He prompted. Rowen was surprised that the man had followed him to the roof.

"Yes." He responded and walked over to stand in front of him. "Your name is Cal Grainger, the building manager?" he asked, and the man nodded. The moment the man looked into Rowen's eyes, he felt something off-putting. The man was decently dressed, and his hygiene was adequate. There was nothing obvious about him that should be causing such a reaction with Rowen's cat. For some reason, his cat was mentally hissing at this man.

He wasn't one to disregard his cat's intuition, but he needed to get this interview over with, so he pushed the warnings aside. This idiot wasn't a threat to him even if he was a bit of a creep according to his cat.

“I have all the victim’s rental information in my apartment. I keep a file on everyone who lives here. Come with me and I’ll show you everything I have.” He said and then turned toward the door that led to the elevator.

"I prefer the stairs." Rowen didn't want to be in a confined space with this man. He moved to the stairwell and Grainger followed visibly annoyed. Rowen knew the apartment number of the building manager so went straight there and waited forGrainger to open the door. When he did, Rowen accepted that his cat's apprehension about the man was spot on.

Grainger rushed Rowen, knocking him down and into the room, and attempted to hit him with something. Two others appeared and tried to slam the door closed, but Rowen fought to keep it open. They continued to pull him further into the room while pummeling him with their fists and feet.

Rowen was being overpowered until suddenly someone burst through the door, knocking it off its hinges, and charged into the room. Rowen fell back to his knees but was abruptly grabbed and righted back onto his feet by two large hands that belonged to his mate, who was looking particularly outraged. This man was sorely pissed. It was a fearful expression, but Rowen knew at that moment that he was safe and Dumas would not let anything happen to him.

Dumas finished his call to Josef and had a sudden feeling of letting someone down. It rushed over him and it brought with it a sinking feeling that had him turning back and looking at the rundown old tenement building. Panic and turmoil were touching him, and the source was inside the building.

He didn’t hesitate his instincts were always sharp and correct. The feelings led him to the first floor and the chaos he encountered was so much more than he had bargained for. Det. Dalhousie was fighting off three men and not successfully. The building manager was attacking him with a bat while the other two were attempting to drag him into the apartment.

So many things came rushing at Dumas the second he burst through that door. The first and most important was the fact that the cat shifter, Det. Rowen Dalhousie was his mate. For whatever reason, that fact had been hidden from him on theroof but now it was coming at Dumas like a freight train. The Detective was bleeding, and the scent was turning him inside out with desperation and rage bubbling up from the depth of his core.

He pushed the bleeding man behind him and tore the bat out of the manager's hands. He tried to turn and run, but Dumas was not someone you could run from. He took hold of him by the throat midflight and choked him unconscious in a matter of seconds. The other two froze, then turned and melted into the air. The stench of evil, sour magic filled the room.

Dumas crouched over his mate protecting him from any danger that might still remain. “Stay down.” He barked when Rowen attempted to move. The manager was out, unconscious on the floor and the others had disappeared. Dumas stood up and gave the room a once over before turning to Rowen who was now standing behind him.

The blood on Rowen's face brought a pain to Dumas that he'd never experienced before; it was part panic and part rage. He'd never felt so rattled in his life. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it to the wound on the side of Rowen's face. He captured his gaze and held it in a steely, accusatory embrace.

He knew he was being intense, but he could not help the fierce indignation he was feeling. Why did he hide himself from him? The look in Rowen's eyes told him he already knew the truth, and that realization was the most painful of all.

“Thank you for helping me.” Rowen spoke watchfully. He reached up and touched Dumas’ wrist tentatively. Dumas maintained his heated stare looking for whatever else the Detective might be hiding.

“You’re welcome, Detective." Dumas could not control the ice that formed in his words.

“Rowen, my name is Rowen.” He stated, putting his hand around Dumas' wrist and holding him tightly. Was he seeking contact or control?

“I know your name.” Dumas’ words were tight and biting as was his expression. He saw the way Rowen recoiled silently, and sadness entered his eyes. Their exchange was shrouded in a sense of betrayal. “When did you know?” He stated sharply. He still held the handkerchief to Rowen’s wound and the blood continued to stir the wildness in him that was hard to contain.

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