Page 45 of Draven
My mind raced with possibilities, each one more concerning than the last. Had someone been watching us? Following Tobias?
The thought sent a chill down my spine…and it also made me angry.
I scanned the surrounding area, half-expecting to catch a glimpse of an intruder lurking in the shadows.
But as I looked around, the woods remained silent and still, offering no clues.
Perhaps it was just my imagination. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, of someone lurking just out of sight.
With a shake of my head, I pushed the thoughts aside. Dwelling on paranoia wouldn’t accomplish anything.
I pulled out my cellphone. I typed out a message to Tobias, my fingers lingering over the send button for a moment before I finally pressed it.
Draven: Hey, just finished my flight. How’s your morning going?
Each passing second felt like an eternity as I anxiously awaited his response. Should I have called instead?
Would that seem too desperate? Just as doubts started creeping in, my phone buzzed with a reply from Tobias.
Relief flooded through me as I quickly read his message.
Tobias: I slept well. Woke up to a crowded trailer this morning. I’ll tell you all about it later. Miss you.
Draven: Miss you too. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.
After replying to Tobias, I got on my motorcycle and dismissed the mysterious scent from my mind.
Tobias was safe and sound. That was all that mattered.
I returned to my room at the inn, and figured I could catch up on some sleep but my phone vibrated.
A call from Zane. I answered the call, expecting Zane's usual question.
“Draven, I need a favor,” Zane said and that surprised me.
"What's going on, Zane?" I asked.
"It's about Doyle. He hasn't checked in for two days, and I'm starting to worry. Normally, he's forgetful about these things, but I sensed something this morning through the pack bonds,” Zane explained.
"A disturbance in the pack bonds? What do you mean?" I asked, frowning.
"I can't explain it well. It's like a feeling of unease, like something's not right. But with the distance between us, I can't reach him telepathically to find out what's happening,” Zane said.
He sounded a little panicked, and that worried me. Zane always seemed so calm and in control at all times.
"I see. So, you think something's happened to him?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, but I need you to check on him. Last time he called, he told me he had a lead on Belladonna. Said he was heading to Whispering Pines. Can you go investigate?" Zane asked.
"Of course, Zane. I'll head out there right away,” I said.
“I would go there myself but…” Zane trailed off.
“I understand,” I immediately answered.
Zane had a mate and two kids. He also had to hold down the fort. The Sky Stead pack was small.
Zane was the lead alpha, and its only members were me, Doyle, and Ivan, who was seldom around and was currently somewhere in Europe.