The Alpha (The Pack 3)

“This,” Trent drew my attention, nudging the water bottle by her bed with the back of his finger. “I couldn’t smell anything, but I didn’t shift,” he explained and I gazed at it curiously. It was enough that he suspected it and was careful not to disturb any potential prints. I brought the tip of my nose to the water and inhaled deeply. The water wasn’t fresh and there was something….I couldn’t place it but it wasn’t natural.

Pour a little out for me to taste, I ordered him. Careful not to mess up any prints. He grabbed a tissue from the box and carefully picked up the bottle. He held it over his cupped hand, hesitating, “Is this a good idea?”

It’s just a taste, I reassured him, not planning to be subjected to whatever might have incapacitated Jess. He nodded and tilted the bottle, pouring a small amount in his hand. I lapped the liquid, immediately tasting something off, but I couldn’t tell what it was, only that it didn’t belong.

You’re right, I informed him. The water is tainted, but I can’t tell with what. He nodded and placed it back on the nightstand.

“Should we call your Dad? Have him classify it as a crime scene?”

Where’s her Dad? I asked instead of answering.

“Searching room to room,” Trent answered, and I could sense his understanding at her father’s need to do something, anything, even though we both knew she wasn’t here.

I padded around the room, pinpointing Trent’s scent, but also, Wren was in here? When?

“Not sure. I was in here earlier talking to Jess before dinner,” he confessed, ducking his head. I disregarded the information, trusting Trent and Jess.

After dinner?

“I went to patrol.”

Liam?

Trent paused, licking his lower lip before telling me, “He escorted Leah home.”

He’s not back yet? I asked sharply and Trent shook his head.

LIAM! I bellowed over the Pack bond, causing Trent to wince as the call echoed.

Alpha, he answered instantly, and I had the impression of a dog with his tail between his legs.

Where are you?

Sitting outside Leah’s house, he responded, Hanleys have been here. The acrid scent of piss came across the connection and Trent gagged.

Is she safe? I asked, knowing Jess would want her friend safe above anything else.

Yes, she’s locked inside and I told her to stay alert, he replied and I knew that would have to be enough. I needed Liam here.

Mark the area and come back, I ordered him and then thought to add, Now, just in case he decided to linger.

Yes, sir.

“Do you think it’s the Hanleys who took her?” Trent questioned, his face puzzled as he tried to fit the pieces together. I shook my head, uncertain. Who else would take her but the Hanleys? Who else had a reason? But this didn’t fit their MO. They were smash and grab. This had been done delicately, with no traces of whoever had done it. In fact, it was suspicious in how meticulously they’d covered their tracks.

I don’t know, but whoever did this will regret it, I promised, as I leapt back out the window. I lifted my head, a long, low howl emanating from my throat as I raised the alarm.

Frantic thoughts flooded my head as the Pack responded, many rushing to shift and I felt each one individually as their connection grew stronger with the shift.

Dom, Anna’s voice brushed against my thoughts and once again I was impressed by her control. Few shifted wolves could direct their thoughts, usually just broadcasting them over the Pack bond, but Anna had impeccable control. Jess? Her voice trailed off uncertainly, a tinge of fear coloring my vision as she fought to keep her own emotions from overwhelming mine. The lock on my emotions threatened to break at her concern, and I struggled for a moment before I could respond.

She’s been taken, I finally answered, and Anna couldn’t prevent a cry from escaping her throat. The short yipping sound triggered the others and the surrounding forest filled with their haunting wails as the Pack responded to the loss of my mate. Trent popped a sucker in his mouth, crouching beside me as the howls pierced the air. “We’ll find her, Dom,” he reassured me. “She’s gonna be fine.”

I didn’t respond, not sure I could without howling myself. I leaned against his side for a brief second, showing my appreciation for his loyalty. He rested his hand on my shoulder, straightening as we felt Liam approach.

Head him off, I told Trent. We can’t afford any fighting. I wasn’t sure how the Navarre Pack would handle coming across a former Hanley Pack member in their current state. I also didn’t want any of them questioning why he hadn’t been initiated yet. Liam’s refusal to join the Navarre Pack and leave my Pack was going to bite me in the ass eventually, but it could wait until I had Jess back by my side. Nothing mattered until she was safely back in my arms.