Page 4 of Glass

2

POPPY

“Between the three of us, we have connections all over this continent. Why is every thread we find a dead end?” My voice cracks as I slam the lid of my laptop closed. I rub at the back of my neck, uselessly trying to release some of the built-up tension in my muscles.

“Let’s stop here for the night,” Tasha suggests, reaching out to take my hand in a comforting gesture. I drop my chin to stare at our joined hands, the tones of our contrasting skin muted in the low light of the living room.

We’ve long since abandoned the slightly uncomfortable couch in favor of sitting cross-legged on the floor with my laptop on the coffee table in front of us.

“I don’t want to stop.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.

“You can’t keep at this all night,” Paxton groans from the overstuffed, plaid armchair in the corner. My shoulders jerk slightly as I turn my head to look at him; he’s been so quiet I assumed he was asleep.

Tasha hums her agreement. “We can look at all of this with fresh eyes in the morning.”

I want to argue, but I know we’re not getting anywhere tonight. My parents died only a couple miles from this cabin. If they left their pups nearby, I think we would have found them by now. My mother’s letter confirmed what I suspected but left no clues as to what might happen if whomever she was writing to didn’t manage to collect the pups.

“I think I’m going to… go out.” I feel restless. If I don’t move ordo something, I’ll only drive myself crazy until I go right back into my search.

“We’ll go with you,” Tasha offers instantly.

Paxton fails to stifle a low groan. “It’s already getting dark. We can do whatever little sightseeing adventure you’re dreaming up tomorrow.”

“Paxton!” Tasha shushes him as if he’s an errant child. She’s the only one who can get away with shushing him like that–I’d love to see anyone else try. “Don’t listen to your grumpy brother. I’d personally love to see more of this place.”

I know she’s only saying it to be nice. There’s nothing to see around here except trees and the outdated buildings in town.

“Actually, I think I’d like to go alone.” So that I can mope in peace. “You all should get some rest, I think you might as well head home tomorrow.”

Tasha squeezes my hand. “Are you sure? We can stay as long as you need.”

“I’m sure. You’ve been away from your duties long enough, and we’re not making any new headway here.” As Luna Sovereign, Tasha is responsible for overseeing shifter laws and disputes. She works from the Luna Sovereign house, protected by her own dedicated pack. A few of those pack members accompanied them here to help me, but they’ve stayed on the periphery of the cabin’s property watching for potential danger.

“But—”

Paxton interrupts his mate. “Poppy is right, Tasha. If there’s nothing for us to find here, we need to get you home for anyone else that might need you.”

Tasha leans forward, blocking my view of my brother. “You know we’ll stay as long as you want us to. I don’t want to leave you alone out here.” I was alone here for a couple weeks before they joined me, but I know what she means. Now that she’s here, she’s seen how frenzied and desperate I’ve become over the past few months of my search.

Tasha has helped as much as she can. She’s called in favors and spent more time than I expected researching my parents’ history.

There’s nothing left for her to do here, and I tell her that.

“You’re sure?” She still seems hesitant, and I love that about her. Paxton deserves the kind of mate who cares for and worries about those around her. He always looked out for me when we were younger, and despite his bad attitude about my attempts to find our lost siblings, I know he’s only looking out for me now too.

But we all need a dose of reality. “Until I come across some kind of breakthrough, I think this search will keep coming up empty. I might head back to Chicago for a while.”

I release Tasha’s hand before using the edge of the coffee table to pull myself up. My limbs feel tight from sitting cramped in one place for too long. I feel their eyes on me as I roll my shoulders and try to force myself to relax through sheer willpower. The stress of my missing siblings has weighed on me mentally for a long time, but now I can feel it taking a toll on my body as well.

“Don’t stay out too late,” Paxton warns after a long silence.

I force a smile as I look between Tasha and him. I’m not used to answering to anyone else, and it makes me feel defensive that he expects me to now. “I’ll be back soon.”

I slip down the hallway that cuts through the center of the cabin. I pass the bedroom Paxton and Tasha have taken over—I moved to the couch for them when they showed up—the single bathroom in the place, and the kitchen. I hesitate by the back door, steps away from the driveway and my car.

I glance back to see if Paxton and Tasha followed, but the hallway is otherwise empty. There’s a feeling in my gut I can’t ignore, even though it doesn’t make sense to me just yet.

Before I walk out the back door, I open the closet to my right and retrieve my duffel bag. Just in case.