Page 86 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

"It's strange that my dad knew that you existed." Griffin slowly turned, taking in the room. "He never told me about youall, either, but your dad did come and visit. I vaguely remember him."

I walked to my closet and looked through my clothes. Nothing seemed to be missing, except for my pictures, which made sense. They’d probably taken them back to wherever they were based to get additional resources looking for me. "I think we're good here. Let's go look at Dad's study. I'm assuming that's where they did most of their searching."

He followed me into the study, and I took in the scattered papers on Dad's huge mahogany desk. "This was the third bedroom. He converted it into his office." I flipped through the papers, finding bills and other records, but nothing substantial. Yet, I knew he hid stuff somewhere.

Griffin walked to the filing cabinets that lined the wall. "I guess I'll start here, and you search his desk?"

I didn't have a better suggestion. "Sure." I opened the top drawer of the desk, expecting to find the cabinet keys, but instead, I found it bare. Yet another sign that someone had searched the house.

However, Griffin was able to open the cabinet drawers without any problems. Whoever searched it hadn’t taken the time to lock it and put the keys back. Either they didn't care if someone figured out that they'd been here, or they thought no one would show up and realize what had happened—beyond someone from the electric or water company looking to get paid or turn off the water.

Either way, we had a lot to dig through. I sat in my dad's chair as a heaviness seemed to press on my shoulders.

My entire life, I’d known that I would be sitting at my father’s desk one day, but I could never have imagined it like this. He'd been taken from me far too soon, and I didn't know how to recover. A piece of me had died that day—along with him and the others—but I refused to cower. Whoever was after me wantedto break me and have me as his own, personal breeder. But what he didn't know was that silver wolves reproduced slower than normal wolves. Dad had explained that our slowness to reproduce was due to our stronger powers—that nature had a way of balancing power so that it didn't swing in favor of one race alone.

That didn't matter. The man hunting me didn't give a damn about the logistics. He wanted control, or at least the illusion of it.

So, I did the only thing I knew to do.

I rolled up my sleeves and began digging.

The entire dayhad been one emotional ride.

The four of us sat around my kitchen table in silence. Killian had run out to get some all-meat pizzas, so I choked down a slice—only because both Griffin and Killian kept watching me. But the food sat uncomfortably in my stomach.

"Are you sure you're good staying here tonight?" Griffin asked, for the fifth time.

"It's the safest place for us." And it would keep us close to Dad's study so we could continue our search in the morning. "I have everything I need here." Except for my pack.

Killian and Sierra hadn't found much in the woods. They’d searched about half the neighborhood’s perimeter before calling it a day and going to grab the food for dinner.

If I hadn't known better, I would've thought I got run over by a train. I felt incredibly hungover—probably from the drugs—plus, my emotional well-being was subpar. Every so often, I thought I heard Dad's footsteps coming down the hall, and the realization that I would never hear that again slammed into me.

"Since that's settled, let's get you to bed." Griffin's face creased with concern. "You've had one hell of a day."

Bed did sound nice. I stood and glanced at Sierra and Killian. "Let me get you two some sheets for the couch and recliner."

"Nope, we're good. I saw some blankets in the hall closet." Sierra waved me off. "You go get some rest. I'll take care of it."

I sort of wanted to argue but just didn't have it in me. "If you do need something, just let me know."

"Will do," Sierra said as she pointed at Griffin. "Now go get your mate in bed."

"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled and took my hand.

When the two of us entered my room, I climbed into bed, not even worrying about changing clothes. My body seemed to weigh a ton, and the thought of standing any longer didn't hold any appeal.

Griffin lay down next to me and pulled me into his arms. His fingertips brushed my arm, making me sigh. I rolled toward him and stared into his eyes.

I'd never get tired of looking at him, and I wasn't sure what would've happened if he wasn't here with me. A part of me knew that I wouldn't have been nearly as strong.

He kissed me gently, parting my lips with his tongue.

I responded to his kiss in earnest, needing to feel him.

Hey, you need your rest.He pulled back a little.You almost passed out while eating.

I did need my rest, but I also needed him to help me feel alive.I want you to make me forget this shitty day.I kissed him eagerly, making my intentions clear.I need you.

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