Page 81 of A Wolf's Wound
“It won’t be thorough,” Michael warns.
“No, but it will be more than we have right now, which is nothing,” Gavin points out.
“What do you want us to do when we have the names?”Jackson asks.
“Investigate everyone,” Gavin says flatly.
“Everyone?”Evan repeats.“Even if they obviously don’t fit the description?”
“Everyone over age sixteen,” Gavin amends.“This isn’t the work of a child, but I’m not ready to rule out older teenagers.”
“I’ll head up that research, if you want,” Jackson volunteers.
“That sounds great, thanks,” Gavin tells him.“We’ll meet again tomorrow night to divide up names and begin investigating the next morning.”
I nod along with my brothers although the amount of work looming before us seems incredibly overwhelming.I don’t know how much longer I can go before I drop, but it sounds like none of us will be getting rest anytime soon.
After the meeting breaks up, I drive slowly back to the cottage.I roll down all the windows and try to relax as the cool night breeze blows across my face.
Outside the cottage, I pause before I unlock the front door.It’s a clear night and the sky is studded with stars.I think about calling Hannah out to see, but I don’t want to disturb her if she’s managed to fall asleep.
Inside, the cottage is dark.I make my way to the bedroom, and sure enough, she’s fast asleep.I take off my pants and shirt and slide into bed next to her.
The light from the moon illuminates Hannah’s face as I lie on my side, looking at her.I can’t imagine ever feeling more desire for anyone.I know the mating bond is supposed to be the strongest bond, but how could it be stronger than this?
Hannah is the person I’ve been looking for all this time.She’s the woman I was searching for during all those wild nights and blurry mornings.
I just hope I can hold on to her, and everything at play won’t rip us apart.
Chapter 46
Hannah
It’sbeentwodayssince my encounter with Creepy Man, as I’ve begun calling him.And I’m still at the cottage.
I didn’t plan on staying this long.But the door still hasn’t been fixed at my apartment so staying there isn’t safe.Apparently the construction guys had a problem fitting the new lock, and now they’re waiting on a random part to be located.One more day, they told me this morning.Okay, maybe two.Three at the most.I’m not holding my breath.
So Shadow and I are just hanging out with the Stone pack, which is not a sentence I ever thought would apply to my life.It’s not awful, honestly.The compound is pretty quiet although whenever I go outside, I notice all the guards around.
I haven’t seen Ryder’s parents or brothers.I guess they’re also on patrol or in strategy sessions with Gavin.The image of a fierce Lori guarding the streets of Stonehaven makes me smile every time the thought crosses my mind.
And I’ve hardly seen Ryder, even though he spends each night at the cottage.When he is back, he looks exhausted and stressed.We haven’t had sex again, have barely even kissed since the other day.He comes in after I’m already in bed, looking ready to drop.And then he falls asleep almost before I turn out the light.
I know the city is under heavy guard, but I also know they haven’t found Creepy Man yet.I’m relieved to be at the compound with all the protection that affords.
After breakfast, I decide to call April and see how she’s doing at her parents’ house.I use the cottage phone, since my cell phone’s been turned off to limit the odds of anyone tracking it.
“Hello?”April asks hesitantly, and I realize she has no idea it’s me.
“Hey, it’s Hannah.”
“Hannah!What number is this?”she asks.
“I’m on a landline at…Ryder’s family’s,” I explain.
“Still with him, huh?”April says and I can hear the smirk in her voice.“What have you been up to?Besides not checking your phone, I mean.I think I left you, like, fifty messages!”
“I’m sorry.Ryder had me turn off my phone the first night here.He’s afraid someone could track me on it.”
