Page 160 of Moon Claimed

Out on the porch, I listened for Wade’s footsteps.

Nothing.

He made the trip in less than an hour usually. A leaden feeling weighed in my stomach.

I grabbed a jacket and jogged down the trail.

Is your Wade in danger?my wolf asked.

Probably not,I replied.Best to check.

He wouldn’t worry me on purpose. Not on a grid day, but also not ever.

“Wade?” I called.

Inhaling, I froze, crouching as the faintest strand of spice reached me.Smell that?

My wolf checked the scent.He’s no longer here. Recent scent.

Fear climbed my throat.

I ran toward the scent and Wade’s salted caramel hit me.

No.

Bursting up the rise, I paused where the scents grew strongest, noting a rusty tang.

Blood.Human blood.

Red smeared the stone at my feet. A low cry fell from my lips as we circled, searching for more.

Wade was wounded.

Not badly,my wolf said.

Sprinting, I chased the trail, surging out of the tree line and onto a dirt road.

The scents stopped.

My eyes fell to the thick tire tread embedded in the soft mud of the roadside.

Blood rushed into my ears, and I gripped my hair.They have him.

Wade is your pack,she answered.We must find him.

I ran back the way we’d come, giving control to my wolf as I turned over the problem.

I couldn’t take his disappearance to the tribe. The news would cause an all-out war and telling anyone what I knew about the black wolf would inevitably lead to uncomfortable questions and the risk of them uncovering my Luther nature.

If I told Cameron, that could put her at risk.

Only Sascha could help.

Panting as I reached the cabin, I called him.

He screened the call and I screamed, nearly hurtling my phone into the trees.

I typed: