Page 31 of Alpha's Choice
Jenny wrung her hands, her movements quick as she led us into the living room, spinning on her heel to face us once we were inside. “Neil?”
“Jenny, I’m very sorry. Neil was killed while on patrol.” Tobias was gentle, but clear about our reason for being there.
She gave a keening cry and collapsed on the ground, her arms wrapping around her middle as she rocked herself. “No. It can’t be. He can’t be gone.”
My instincts kicked in and I moved to sit beside her on the floor, putting my arms around her and rocking with her. I tried to imagine the Luna energy Tobias had mentioned, picturing it surrounding her with comfort.
Her cries subsided, and she came to a stop. She moved away from me and looked at Tobias, her red-rimmed eyes bright with tears in her pale face. “What happened?”
“We don’t know yet. He heard a woman scream and investigated. Neil and the woman were already dead when his patrol partner arrived. The attacker was already gone. It happened quick.”
“You don’t know? My mate died patrolling for you, and you don’t know?” Anger poured out of Jenny as she dashed away her tears.
Tobias remained calm in the face of her anger. “We’ve already contacted the best investigator the Council has. I assure you, we will do everything possible to get you the answers you deserve.”
“What I deserve is my mate, home with me.” Her voice rose to a yell. “Instead, he dies out patrolling your borders.”
“I understand you’re in pain, but this wasn’t Tobias’s fault.” I tried to calm the rising emotion before she went too far, thinking it might help. It did not.
“What do you know? You’re not a wolf. You’re not even marked.” She lashed out, turning her anger on me.
I tried to think about what to say, but I kept second-guessing myself. I hadn’t prepared for this. How could I possibly help this woman? Tobias was wrong. I was not Luna material.
I froze when I realized I was letting myself go down a rabbit hole of doubt. It was not helpful. Maybe I wouldn’t do a perfect job, but I was here, and Jenny needed me.
I stopped thinking and just let my instincts guide me in my response. “You’re right, I’m not. But I know what I already feel for Tobias, and I am only human. If I were to lose him, I would…I can’t imagine the level of pain you must be feeling.”
Jenny hunched over again, sobs racking her body. I put my arm back around her. “We’re here to support you through this. Let us help. Let the pack help.”
Tobias kneeled down in front of us and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve mind linked your mother. She’s on her way. We’ll stay with you until she gets here. Let us know if you need anything.”
We stayed in that position until a middle-aged woman rushed in. Tobias and I moved back so she could hold her daughter.
Jenny’s heartbreaking sobs followed us out the door. I leaned into Tobias as we walked back to the car, and he gave me a reassuring hug. “You did great in there. Just like a Luna.”
“I’m less worried about how I did as a Luna, and more worried about whether I helped her at all.” I brushed off the compliment. “What else can we do?”
“I’m heading back to the border to see the progress of Sebastian’s investigation. Matthew linked me that he arrived a little while ago.” Tobias opened my car door. “Jenny wants and needs answers, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get them.”
“Can you link your mother to meet with me while you’re gone? I want to get her advice on what I can do next.”
“Done.”
We drove back to the packhouse in silence. I took his clothes from him and he shifted, running off. I walked through the foyer, struck by the difference in mood. People were laughing and joking, with no idea that tragedy had struck.
Tobias needed to make an announcement before rumors started, but he would also need information first. I couldn’t help with that, but I could organize a meeting.
CHAPTER16
Tobias
I shifted at the border, grabbing a pair of shorts from the patrol team as I jogged to the clearing where the bodies were.
Sebastian was directing members of his team. It looked like a scene from a CSI show, with evidence markers placed around the site. Someone was taking photographs, and the bodies were being zipped up in body bags.
I crossed over to Sebastian. “Can you tell me anything?”
He didn’t look at me, his eagle-eye gaze surveying the site. “We’ve just begun the investigation.”
