Page 65 of Match My Fall
Alump formed in my throat, andIswallowed it.Wehad to.
CHAPTER19
VALEN
Pandoraadded me to a group chat with others from theNetworkso we could communicate updates quickly.Thiswas one of the times thatImissed communicating with others in my wolf pack.Wedidn’t need human technology with our mind connection, butIwas far from my pack and dealing with different species, namely witches, shifters, and an elf.
AfterPandoralet us know about what they found scrying andZoeshared the video ofThorne’ssedan, we were certain he’d takenPaigeand which direction they’d headed.Thatbastard.Iwouldn’t let him get away with this.
Cassandrahad to be frantic with worry.Icalled to check on her. “Howare you doing?”
“Thescrying took some of my energy, butI’llbe fine.I’llcome help you look soon.”
Hervoice sounded drained. “Youshould stay home and rest.We’reall out looking.”
“Ican’t,” she said in a pained tone. “Mydaughter is missing.”
“Iunderstand.”Aftera pause,Iadded, “Butyou don’t want to overexert yourself.You’llbe able to function better after you rest.”
Shewas quiet for several seconds before she agreed. “Okay, but only for a short while longer.Ihave to find my girl.”
Overthe next hour,many supernaturals searched forPaigeusing our various abilities.Itracked along the shore using my wolf senses,Lucasflew overhead in dragon form, searching from above,Zoeused technological gadgets,Pandoracommunicated to local law enforcement and networks, andNovaflew on a broomstick near the water.Othervolunteers had joined in or were on the way, includingSebastianthe wolf shifter;Giannathe siren; andNova’smate, a vampire namedDiego.
Thegroup chat slowed as we made little progress.
Icontinued to sniff along the shore, determined to find them and put my mate at ease.
Anotherhour ticked on.
Amessage came through on our chat.Itwas fromCassandra.
IthinkIfound which motel they’re in.
Howdid you figure that out?Itexted back.
Itried scrying again.Igot a closer look at the rooms with the red in the curtain and bedspreads.ThenIlooked online for lodging in the area with images of the rooms.Ithink it’s this one.
Shesent a location on a map.Mychest swelled with pride.Notonly was the mate and soon-to-be mother of my child smart and funny, but incredibly resourceful.
I’mnot far.Headingover,Itexted.
Waitfor us,Pandoraadvised.We’llcoordinate how to approach.
Iput my phone in my pocket and drove to the motel.Ittook less than five minutes for me to park at the end of the lot.Then,Iapproached on foot.Thorne’ssilver sedan was parked outside one of the rooms.Iinhaled and confirmed thatThorneandPaige’sscents were fresh.
Mywolf grew agitated, ready to tear the fae apart.
AlthoughPandoraasked me to wait, there was no wayIcould sit outside knowing that he was in there.He’dtakenPaigeand distressed my mate.
Iattempted to peek inside the motel room, but the curtains were drawn.WhatcouldIdo next?Knockon the door and announce my presence?Yeah, that wasn’t very smart.Heknew we’d be looking for them and damn well wouldn’t answer.
Still,Ihad nothing else.Iknocked on the door and then jumped to my left, moving out of view of the peephole.
Afterseveral seconds, he called out, “Who’sthere?”
Thesound of his voice grated on me, butIhad to focus.
“Pizzadelivery,”Icalled out.Pizzadelivery?Wherethe hell wasIgoing with this?
