Page 20 of Finding Her Panthers

“Good. We’ll track down the asshole, one way or another. Baby girl, would you like to visit with Penny?” I ask her as I rest my hand on her hip.

“I would. But you don’t want me to go with you?” She frowns.

“Put you in a room with three unmated males that are not pack? That would be torture for all of us.” She is so cute when she pouts. “Stephan,” I say. He has been waiting outside the room.

“Alpha?” He questions, stepping in the doorway.

“Will you take Harmony to her sister? I will leave her in your care until we get back.” I look at him pointedly. This is the highest honor for a member of the pack. To have that level of respect and trust.

“I will take the job with honor.” He steps aside to let her pass.

“Just for the record, I am only letting you brush me aside like I’m a weak little woman because I want to see my sister. And I can see the point of it. But if I need to, I can protect myself and Penny. The three of you if I had to.” She gives us all a sly grin before leaving.

“Now that was a turn-on,” James announces.

“Really, James,” Blue admonishes.

“Come on, we have to agree on that,” James argues.

Blue sighs. “Yes, I suppose we can.”

I chuckle, leading us outside to the car. “Let’s stay sharp. The wolf seems trustworthy, but we all know it can change quickly when something desirable is on the table. He could be in league with anyone. Do not make a move without my word.”

We make our way to our warehouse a couple of blocks away. We purchased it after we bought the club. I wanted a place close enough but far enough away from pack grounds, where we could meet and hold meetings. We can handle business there without all the mess of pack scents.

We pull up quickly and see three figures lounging against the side, not a care in the world. The Alpha stands out, though. He has dark, messy brown hair that reaches his powerful shoulders. His shrewd green eyes are bright with curiosity instead of hostility. I narrow my eyes in confusion. For some reason, he looks like someone I know. I had met Kerian in the past before he took over the rule of Alpha, but that’s not it. But the thought is gone when he steps forward with his hand offered to mine.

“Alpha Jax, we meet again. In a less fun environment.” I clasp his hand firmly. The last time we saw each other was at a party. Surprisingly he was a worthy opponent across the pool table.

“I wish it was a better circumstance.” I motion toward the door. “Let’s take this inside.”

I enter first with James at my back and Blue following behind everyone. You can’t be too careful.

“So, what exactly is this about?” Kerian wonders as he sits at the old table in the middle of the space. I face him across it. We don’t keep much here. It’s an empty room with an office on the top level.

“We need to find a coyote. He helped one of our own, who was on her way out to escape. Which is bad enough, but they hurt and kidnapped a good loyal pack member on the way out.” I see him straighten in his chair. My opinion of him rises. “Worst of all, they left a note that threatened our mate.”

“Mate. Congratulations.” His surprise at the news can’t be faked. I smell it. My brothers tense at my back, but my more relaxed posture puts them at ease.

“Thank you. As I’m sure you have guessed, the threat to her doesn’t go over well with us. We have a lead, but I wanted to reach out, see if you have heard anything.”

“I haven’t. Getting my shit together has been a priority. I have enough assholes to weed out as it is. I get it. It’s been difficult testing the loyalty of my members, and I haven’t been paying attention to anyone else’s,” he says honestly. “Do you have a name? I can always let those that I trust know what to look out for.”

“Cindy is the coyote that was being guarded.” I don’t miss the reaction of the men he brought with him.

“Kerian, we have met her.”

“You have? What happened?” He turns sharply to his beta.

“It was a few weeks ago. She was at a party when we were. We knew she was from a local pack, but not which one. Very loud, Blonde. Big boobs. Didn’t seem too smart.”

“That’s definitely her,” Blue murmurs.

“Floating from man to man. She tried hitting on us. Wanted to go back to our place.”

“Any particular man she seemed to be with?” I ask.

“Not really. She was there by the time we made it, so I can’t say for sure.”

---