Page 42 of Squirrel Hunt

“You think he’s in danger?” Roan held the phone to his ear. Konrad squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t. Sewell had said to tell Oswald he was sorry. It didn’t sound as if he’d do anything to him.

“Oswald, hi it’s Roan. We have a situation, and Konrad wants me to make sure you’re okay.”

Konrad could’ve listened to the conversation, his hearing allowed him to hear both sides, but instead, he closed his eyes.

A fraction of a second later, someone was shaking him. “Konrad.” Gideon was squatting in front of him. “We should move.”

Konrad nodded but when he tried to stand, his body didn’t obey.

“Do you know what they gave you?”

“Sewell.”

Gideon grimaced but nodded. “Do you know what he gave you?”

“Syringe.”

“Yeah, I figured.” Gideon grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. Then he slung Konrad’s arm over his shoulders and got them moving. Konrad tried putting one foot in front of the other, and he believed his head got a little clearer as they crossed the park and into Gideon’s car, but he still couldn’t walk on his own.

Jyran hopped into the driver’s seat wearing sweats and a too big hoodie which was all wrong. Jyran was always immaculately dressed. Konrad looked around. If Jyran was here, did it mean Dahy was too?

“Dahy?”

Jyran shook his head. “He and Myka got in the car, but they were chased. A black car bumped into them. Myka sped off, but…” He shook his head again, and claws would’ve formed on Konrad’s hands if his body hadn’t been so sluggish.

“We’re going to The Howling Moon. We’ll get some food into you, and then…” Gideon’s words died off.

Roan was next to him in the backseat, fiddling with his phone. “I have linked my and Myka’s phones.”

Gideon turned in the front seat. “Yeah?”

“She’s here.” He handed the phone to Gideon who guided Jyran through town and out into a less populated area.

“Dahy?” Konrad directed the question to Roan.

“With Myka.” He could tell from his expression that he believed Konrad had forgotten in the few seconds since Jyran told him.

“When Sewell called me and said there was trouble and he needed me to come help, Jyran shifted and ran, and Dahy and Myka got into her car—” His voice died when Jyran slowed. Through the window, they could see a car in the ditch.

Before Jyran had come to a stop, Roan was out of the car. He ran across the road, a growl rising to the sky. Konrad struggled to get his legs moving.

“Stay.” Gideon looked at him over the headrest. “I’ll check it out.”

They were gone for an eternity and all the while Jyran was drumming his fingers against the steering wheel in no rhythm whatsoever. It was driving Konrad mad, and his chest vibrated with a growl at each exhale.

When Gideon walked back toward the car, Konrad held his breath. His face was a blank mask and fear, sharp and cold, pierced Konrad’s soul. He’d only found his mate a day ago. One night, he’d slept with him in his arms. One.

Gideon walked around the car and slid in on the passenger seat. “There is no blood. I can scent Sewell and a bear. There is a faint scent of another wolf too, not pack. I don’t think they ever entered the car, but they were with them.”

“The man from the hotel.” Konrad was almost certain. He didn’t know if the man at the hotel was the same person who’d been in the coffee shop, but Roan would be able to tell if the bear was the same scent they’d found the other night.

It took another few minutes, then Roan returned to the car too, carrying what looked like a suit. “Your clothes, Jyran.”

“Thanks.”

Roan held a phone. “Myka’s.”

“The scent?”