Page 69 of Pack Kasen: Part 2

“Had to be someone at the wake,” Cruz says.

“What?” I frown and shake my head. “Everyone at the wake was there to say goodbye.”

“There’s a reason a killer always goes back to the scene of the crime. They were there to gloat over having gotten away with it.” Silas surprises me with his observation.

Wesley slowly nods. “Maybe one of the football team.”

Joy narrows her eyes. “Could be.”

“But you said the killer is a shifter. I’ve met the members of the football team and none of them are like me,” I say.

“All of them?” Aren asks.

I’m telling him no when I think about it.

The college football team is massive. It consists of so many people, not just the players, but also the coaching staff, medical team, physiotherapist, and trainers. Whenever I went to see Doug during practice, there were peopleeverywhere. The stadium employed its own staff, including cleaners and concession stand workers who operated during games.

Then there were cheerleaders and their coaching staff.

The killer could have been there all along.

“Maybe.” I concede. “If they knew what I was, they’d have known to keep their distance in case I smelled them. I always thought I was the only one like me.”

“He could have been waiting for his chance with you all this time,” Joy says. “Maybe he saw you before, but every time he tried to make his move, you start dating someone else and he gets wild with jealousy.”

“I didn’t date all that often,” I mutter, glancing at Aren when a growl rumbles from his chest. “And stop that.”

“I see it,” Emilio says. “He takes out the old exes first. Then, just when he makes his move, he sees the hot star quarterback hanging out near the library, waiting for you. Maybe the quarterback even mentioned where he was going during practice.”

“What girl wouldn’t want to get back together with him?” Joy continues. “So he takes out Doug. Goes to ask you out, but then you go missing.”

“Because you’re here,” Troy adds. “In Aren’s cage.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Troy,” Aren grumbles, shooting me a rapid glance.

“So he tries to find you but can’t. Then he figures he’ll ask you out when you come back on campus. Only when you get back, the campus killer sees Cristofer helping you into your car and figures he needs to do something about him.”

“Cristofer was my friend,” I say.

“Nope,” Emilio says. “Guys and girls can’t be friends. Eventually, one likes the other more. How’d you think I started dating Joy?”

We all stare at him.

The door swings open then and Finan sticks his head in. “Aren, we have a new arrival.”

“Human or shifter?” Aren asks.

“Shifter.”

Aren slowly sits up. “Familiar or new prospect.”

What does that mean?

I bounce my gaze between Finan and Aren, confused.

“New prospect,” Finan says.

“Male or female?”

---