Page 87 of So I Won a Werelion

“We have reason to believe that your guy, Derek Jared of Jared Associates—” I added that detail for the policeman “—may have something to do with both incidents. And we have a feeling you might have given him—”

“You think I helped Derek Jared, an esteemed member of the real estate community and the owner of the biggest housing development corporation in the West, abduct my sister?” Wanda put her hands on her hips and glared at me.

“Pretty much.”

“This officer should arrest you for slander. I would never—”

“We can’t actually arrest people for that, but I’m very interested in hearing more about what happened at the Orchid Lounge.”

Bjorn and Bibi joined us as I recounted those horrible last few minutes at the Lounge.Bjorn had picked up a couple of details that I’d missed. The officer took notes and lifted his radio to call in the report.

Everything was moving too slowly. Even if I had a feeling we’d find Wendy, there was no telling what those bastards were doing to her. My animal was going crazy inside me.

I had to find her. I couldn’t let her down when she needed me most.

A scream cut through the tension.

“This neighborhood is going to hell in a handbasket,” Wanda muttered. “The property values—"

Another scream.

“That’s Wendy!” I took off running, and Bibi and Bjorn kept up with me, stride for stride.

“How do you know it’s her?” Bibi asked.

“I just do,” I growled.

Wendy’s house was across the street from where we got pulled over. I tugged on the front door, but it was locked. Herscent was strong here. I wasn’t sure if it was fresh, but it was mixed with a lot of unfamiliar…human?

No. Wolf.

Fuck.

A caravan of pickup trucks drove down the street. They parked in front of the house, spilling into Wanda’s yard. Of course she protested, but the Colorado Ranch wolves didn’t give one shit.

I hated that my pride wasn’t here, yet, but I told myself that Leo and Dylan would always have my back. They were coming from farther away.

But those emotions gave me the power I needed to kick this door off its hinges. The living room had been trashed. Paintings ripped off the walls, pillows torn apart, and all the books ruined.

Where was she?

I could smell her sweet scent mixed with absolute terror.

“Wendy!” I yelled, going room to room. They were all trashed. I could hardly breathe. My animal wanted out. Bibi had been right. I should’ve never shifted back to human because my lion was struggling to emerge.And I had a bad feeling I was gonna need him.

“Gabe!” It was a strangled cry coming from downstairs. There was only one door I hadn’t opened, and that led to a set of stairs.

My animal was coming, whether my body was ready or not. By the time I was at the bottom, I was lion again.

Wendy was naked in the middle of the room, surrounded by the fine citizens of Sunset Springs. And Derek Jared.

What the actual fuck?

I stalked toward him, and he backed away, holding his hands up.

“Wendy has given me the location of the Sempiternal Scepter —”

“I didn’t give you shit.” That was my girl.

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