"I'll write it up at home and e-mail it in. Tell me, have you heard from Rhoan?"
"About two hours ago. Why?"
I hesitated. I had to be careful what I said, because no one at the Directorate knew Rhoan and I were related, let alone twins. The fact that we shared the same last name was no clue, simply because every individual in a wolf pack shared the same surname. So everyone in our pack, related or not, had Jenson as a last name. And whenever someone new came into the pack, they legally changed their names to the pack name. It was the one way to differentiate origins between packs that shared the same coat color
Most of those at the Directorate actually presumed we were lovers simply because we lived together - a theory neither of us corrected because it was far easier on us if they believed that. Of course, if they actually knew anything about Rhoan, they would have realized how unlikely our being lovers was
I wasn't sure what Jack believed - he'd never said anything about the two of us, never asked anything about our situation. He gave the appearance of not caring either way, but after working for him for six years, I knew that was never the case
"You're aware that werewolves often know when pack mates are in trouble?"
He simply nodded
"Well, I've got that feeling now, with Rhoan."
"Life-or-death-type trouble?"
"No."
"Is he injured in any way?"
"No. Not yet."
He frowned. "So you simply feel he is in trouble?"
"Yes." Felt it through every fiber, and as strongly as I could feel the heat of the moon
"I don't disbelieve you, Riley, but as he's not overdue, I prefer to wait. The mission he's on is a delicate one, and sending rescuers in could make the whole thing fall apart."
Like I cared about anything but my brother...
I took another deep breath and blew it out slowly. "But given the other disappearances, isn't it worth checking?"
"The others disappeared from a specific area. Rhoan's mission shouldn't take him anywhere near it."
"So you know where he is?"
"Yes." He hesitated. "Though you and I are both aware he doesn't always report changes of direction."
Wasn't that the truth. And if he wasn't where he was supposed to be, then finding him was going to be a whole lot of fun. "When will he become overdue?"
"He's due to report at nine tomorrow morning."
"And if he doesn't?"
"I shall decide then what to do."
"I want in."
"Riley, you're not a guardian."
Yet. I could almost hear the unspoken modifier. I could certainly see the amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. Though I'd failed the tests, Jack, for some reason, held the firm belief that I had the makings of a great guardian. He'd told me so, lots of times. But because I'd already taken the test, he couldn't force me to take another. I was safe - at least until he found a way to make me do the damn thing again. Or until I played into his hands, as I suspected I might be doing
"He's my pack mate. I don't intend to sit back and twiddle my thumbs if he's in trouble."
"Then report to work in the morning, and we'll see what happens."
Which was neither a yes nor a no, but about as much as I was going to get that night. "Thanks, Jack."