‘Search the perimeter for any sign of his scent.’

  I bolted forward the second the command was received, my paws hitting the ground with such force that the earth crumbled and rumbled beneath me. Dirt flew up in the air as other animals steered clear of my deadly path and scurried away.

  The pounding of the ground close to my end of the perimeter meant more of the pack had joined us, answering their alpha’s call. Brand’s reddish-brown wolf flanked my left as Rudie’s tan with brown streaks ran alongside my right. All three of us howled simultaneously and I was instantly reminded of many such adventures in my youth.

  ‘His scent runs cold. Return to me.’

  Rinnick shifted back to human form as soon as we arrived, pacing the forest floor in agitation.

  “That was him, Cole. I’m certain of it.”

  The rest of us shifted and stood, obeying his lead.

  “I think you’re right,” I agreed. “The scent was definitely a shifter but not anyone I know.”

  “Not wolf for sure,” Brand added.

  “It was sporadic along the edges of our property line. He didn’t go to the same spot twice.” Rudie shook his head. “He’s toying with us.”

  “He’s testing our weaknesses,” Dane’s voice cut in and I ignored him as he approached. “There’s no other possibility.”

  Shut up, dumbass.

  My wolf snarled and I had to wait a few seconds before I could speak in order to calm down. “You’re wrong, Valko. He’s a hunter like us. The killer was roaming the edges of the party and watching our routine. He’s familiarizing himself with his enemy. It’s a brilliant strategy and keeps us guessing about his next move.”

  Rinnick growled low in his throat. “No one goes anywhere alone. The females and young are to be guarded at all times. We’ll split up in shifts and cover the grid with members of the other packs. No weak spots. This isn’t just an issue for us. All of Cedar Creek is at risk.”

  “Won’t we stretch the other packs too thin?” I asked, worried the killer would find a way around our defenses.

  “No, the alphas agreed to seek help outside the state last night. We have reinforcements coming from the mountain packs and both the east and west coast.”

  “Good. The rogue won’t be expecting that.”

  Handing out assignments, Rinnick dismissed everyone but me, much to Dane’s displeasure.

  Stupid fucker.

  “What are we going to do, Rinnick? This killer’s too smart to come back and try the same thing twice.”

  “I know,” he snapped, running his hand through his hair as he blew out a breath. “Sorry, I’m fucking stressed about this shit. Three wolves murdered in two weeks. I want to find this asshole and make him suffer.”

  “We will,” I assured him, “that’s a promise.”

  Rinnick nodded, rolling his shoulders back. “You and I have some work to do. I need to meet with all of the family members of the dead wolves. Maybe there’s something we’re missing.”

  Maybe, but I doubted it. This killer didn’t strike me as the kind of shifter that made mistakes. He was far too cunning. “Lead the way, brother.”

  The afternoon sped by as we visited the families. No one had any additional news to offer.

  We were back at square one and Rinnick was furious, pissed off to the point of reckless, and low on patience. Knowing him as well as I did, I spent most of the night by his side. We kept watch all through the early evening and into the late hours of the next morning.

  Only once did I spot Briar. She was leaving the Harley home. Wiping her eyes, she turned and met my concerned stare. She didn’t acknowledge me, more tears trickling down her flushed cheeks as she turned away. My heart stuttered and I knew I had been too short with her at the bonfire. Sighing, I didn’t say a word to Rinnick who witnessed the entire exchange and Briar’s lack of response.

  “She’s been through a lot,” he offered as if I was ignorant.

  “I’m well aware.” The sarcasm in my voice was nothing more than a defense mechanism.

  “You aren’t the only one hurting,” he whispered. “Briar hasn’t been the same since you left, Cole. I’m worried about her.”

  “I am, too,” I admitted, sighing as I watched her walk away. “Does she confide in you?” The thought that he comforted her made me want to punch something.

  “Yes,” he acknowledged, “and no. She’s tough. I’ll give her that.”

  “She’s still grieving,” I whispered, my chest tight with emotion.

  “She’s not the only one.”

  Maybe all this time I’d been wrong. I’d stubbornly thought Renleigh’s death had affected me the most. With a sudden lump in my throat, I lifted my hands and then dropped them, not sure what to say.

  Rinnick pulled me into a hug, his big burly arms wrapping around my back and squeezing too tight. “You don’t always have to shoulder all the burden.”

  Smirking, I slapped him hard on the back in response. “Take your own advice, dipshit.”

  With a loud laugh, he shoved me away. “Go home, Cole. Get some sleep. You look like hell,” he joked.

  Rinnick looked just as tired. “As long as you rest, too.”

  “I will,” he promised, and I was pretty sure the alpha of the Baxter clan wouldn’t be shutting his eyes anytime soon.

  As it turned out, I never went to sleep all night.

  I was too preoccupied with my argument with Briar from the night before, my conversation with Rinnick, the dangerous and elusive killer, and wound up tighter than a rattler. Snakes were common in Cedar Creek, especially in the tall grassy plains that bordered the lake on the eastern side. If I knew in advance how ironic and prophetic my thoughts of snakes had been, I would have run from my house and chased Briar down, refusing to allow her to go anywhere without my escort.

  Chapter 7 – Briar

  “Are you feeling alright, honey?”

  My mother’s voice brought me back to the present and away from the sullen thoughts clouding my mind.

  “Sure, mom.”

  “You seem distracted,” my dad shrewdly observed, “is it that reckless bastard Cole? Has he been giving you any trouble?”

  God, not now. I didn’t want to hear an endless discussion on how Cole ruined our family. There had been plenty of that over the last three years and it wasn’t fair to him. He never got a chance to defend himself to my parents or explain why he left in such a hurry. I knew it was pain, guilt, and regret. My parents thought the worst and never gave him a chance.

  “Cole isn’t a problem,” I assured them, “it’s the rogue shifter.”

  My father frowned. “I need to speak to Marrok. These attacks are out of control.”

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Old wolves thrived on gossip and drama. “I think that’s a great idea. Try not to drink too much. It’s not good for your liver.”

  My mother smiled, hiding her smirk behind her coffee cup. “Where are you going, Briar?”

  My father hugged me close against his side as he placed a kiss on top of my head. “I love you feel the need to watch over me . . . and my liver.”

  Geez. “I’ll be fine. I’m only walking straight to Elena’s.”

  “Be careful. Do you want me to walk with you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. It’s not far.” I hugged my dad and waved to mom, slipping out the front door before I had to answer any more questions about Cole or the rogue shifter.

  I didn’t get far before a familiar shadow approached.

  “Hey, babe. What are you doing this morning?”

  “Hi, Dane. I promised Elena I would meet her at the Harley’s.”

  He nodded his head, slowing his steps to match mine. Dane was tall but not quite as tall as the Baxter men, especially one in particular who towered over most wolves in the pack.

  Frustrated that my thoughts kept focusing on Cole, I plastered a smile on my face. “What are your plans?”

  “I have watch about the half the day.” He shrugged. “Rinnick and Cole will keep the pack focused. No worries, okay?”

  “I’m not worried. I refuse to be intimidated, Dane.”

  He lifted a hand and cupped my cheek, dropping it a moment later as I stepped back. I wasn’t comfortable with how often he touched me without encouragement or permission.

  “Is that what last night was about?”

  My teeth nibbled on my bottom lip as I turned away. “Dane, please.”

  “Hey,” he whispered softly, “don’t close me out again. I can’t be there for you if you don’t let me. I want to be a person that you can trust and confide in.”

  “You’re a great friend to me, Dane.” He cringed when I made the distinction on purpose. “I don’t want to lead you on. I’m not ready for the kind of comfort you’re suggesting.”

  “Briar, that’s not what –”

  “Isn’t it?” I interrupted. “We both know you want more and I’m still grieving my sister.”

  He sighed, running his hand through his reddish blond hair and tousling the thick strands. “I know, sweetheart. I’m not looking to rush you at all. I promise. I care for you deeply. Surely you can see that.”

  I did. “I know, Dane, and I’m flattered. It’s just not something I can think about right now. I’m still so lost over Renleigh.” As soon as her name left my lips, I felt like I’d been sucker punched in the gut. Bending at the waist, I wrapped my arms around my middle and sucked in a ragged breath. “Don’t you see? I can hardly say her name.”

  His expression softened and he tugged until I was in his arms. “This is for comfort only, I swear.” His large hands rubbed the length of my back as silent tears fell down my face.

  Grasping handfuls of his shirt, I gave in to the sorrow, even when I knew this only confused the man who tried so hard to win my affection. “I miss her so much.”

  “I know you do, honey. Trust me, I see it every day and have for three years. It’ll get easier. You need time and I promise to give you that.”

  The tears fell harder as I realized I’d never feel for Dane what he wanted. Cole’s face entered my thoughts as my eyes closed. He was my ideal perfect man. Maybe that was just the dream of a young girl who idolized her sister and the young wolf that treated her with such gentleness and patience that a crush had formed. Cole was so much more than my sister’s mate. He’d been my rock and protector.

  Dane tilted my chin upward and placed a kiss on my forehead. “I’m here for you.”

  Hugging him close, I was thankful for his friendship and sensitivity to my needs. “Thank you.”

  As we separated, I turned and found Cole and Rinnick approaching from the other side of the house. They had missed our hug and Dane’s kiss by seconds. Confused by the relief I felt, I didn’t stay to talk to either of them.

  Cole frowned as I waved and walked around the house in a hurry, practically running to Elena and the Harley home. He’d seemed friendly enough as he returned my wave, but I was confused and frustrated by his behavior at the bonfire. Admittedly, I had my own demons to be dealt with. Cole was hurting and missing Renleigh as much as I was. Maybe I could trust that he wasn’t trying to be cold or cruel. Returning to Cedar Creek had to be hard.

  Funny thing, he couldn’t run far enough to escape her ghost.

  I couldn’t stay close enough to her memory to bring her back.

  We were both lost.

  Sighing, I leaned back against a nearby tree and closed my eyes. Images of the last afternoon I spent with my sister rose to the surface of my thoughts. At the time, I didn’t realize the danger. I assumed when she followed Cole, she would be fine. He would never let anything happen to the girl he was going to marry.

  To my naïve eyes, he’d protect her with his dying breath.

  I truly didn’t blame Cole for the horrible tragedy that occurred that day. It wasn’t his fault that she was strong willed and didn’t listen. She loved him and in her mind that was enough reason to follow him into danger. Several of our pack members died that day and Cole blamed himself for every single one. He carried a heavy burden and way too much guilt.

  You couldn’t make people do what you want. Free will was impossible to predict.

  I wished I could have had some glimpse into the future that day. Maybe I could have prevented the single most traumatic event of my life. Good intentions had a way of falling short.

  I would always regret the past . . .

  Screams echoed in the surrounding forest as the worst feeling of trepidation filled my heart. A hard muscled and familiar body filled my vision as I made my way through the members of the pack, desperate to understand the chaos and the cries of my friends. I pushed through the others with a sense of panic.

  Something was very wrong.

  “Briar, listen to me, please.” Cole’s voice broke as I tried to move through the crowd, desperate to make sure my sister was okay. I hadn’t heard her voice. “Briar.” He was covered in blood. Some intuition told me to brace myself against what was coming. Nothing could prepare me for the truth.

  “Where’s Ren?” I screamed, confused why everyone was staring at me with such pity and sorrow.

  Cole pulled me into arms, mumbling the same words over and over again. “I’m sorry, Briar. Fuck, I’m so sorry.”

  Sorry for what?

  “What’s happening!? Where’s Ren?” I asked again, pulling from his grasp.

  “Don’t! Briar!” He yelled as I ran, too late to stop the horrible revelation.

  It was too late.

  Running through a gap in the crowd, I caught the sight of the bodies on the ground. Three members of our pack had been mauled to death in a brutal battle between the bear clan and the wolf pack. It wasn’t until I saw the same violet colored t-shirt that my sister had worn that morning that full realization sank in.

  “Noooooooo!” I wailed.

  Screaming, I ran forward and fell down on my knees, pulling her close as I wept, my sorrow filling the woods of Cedar Creek. My shock and grief were so great that it turned into howls of agony. Blocking out the others, I rocked my sister in my arms and prayed for God to take me instead . . .

  Chapter 8 – Briar

  Returning to the present, I clutched my arms around my waist and didn’t bother to wipe the tears that dripped down my face. Sobs wracked my body, but I couldn’t stop the desolate path of my thoughts. Cole’s return to Cedar Creek had dragged painful memories to the surface. His raw anger and hurt were also my own. I hated that I couldn’t convince Ren to stay with me that day. Worse, I hated that every time I walked down that part of the pack lands all I thought was how I wished I could trade places and bring her back.

  The funeral was the final nail on the coffin of her life and my torn soul. I felt like I would never recover, and Cole’s presence only made it that much worse . . .

  A steady drizzle fell from the gray sky as I stood in front of my sister’s grave. Thin rivulets of water trickled down my clothes, but I hardly noticed. The pregnant clouds above were relentless. Droplets clung to my eyelashes and I couldn’t discern if they came from the rain or my tears. Maybe both.

  My friends and parents watched as Renleigh’s body was lowered into the ground. I tossed a single pink rose onto the coffin as my throat closed almost to the point of suffocation. My shoulders wouldn’t stop shaking with the extent of my suffering. Dropping to my knees, I watched each and every single shovel full of dirt as it covered her final resting place.

  All coherent thought fled my brain as I became lost in memories of the past.

  Shared secrets, late night talks about boys, hopes for the future – they filled my mind until I thought my brain would burst. Ren would never fulfill those dreams or share in their joy and triumph. She’d never know how special her presence was to the person who loved her most in the world.

  My sister was gone forever. She left me. Ren broke her promise to never be far away.

  “Renleigh, Renleigh,” I repeated over and over until my voice was so hoarse with my tears and sorrow that I couldn’t speak.

  “Briar,” Cole’s ragged voice was the only sound to interrupt my grief for hours. “I’m so sorry.”

  He wasn’t the man I had known my whole life that day. A different version of him emerged. Broken, devastated, angry, and hurting – he became detached. I watched the decision as it crossed over his face and I knew the moment he was ready to say the words.

  “I’m leaving.”

  Gutted, I couldn’t believe he was leaving me just like she did. Didn’t he know how much I needed him? How bad this hurt?

  Twice as painful, the double loss left me completely shattered. “Cole,” I breathed as my arms wrapped around my stomach.

  He either didn’t care or couldn’t handle my reaction.

  That was the last time I saw Cole Baxter for three long, painful years . . .

  “Cole,” I whispered as I sank down to the ground. “You both left.” Breathing hard, I rocked back and forth. “Why? What did I do to make you leave me?”

  The world felt like it was caving in, closing around me and stealing all the oxygen.

  “Help me, please.”

  I didn’t know who I begged or why. Maybe some conscious desperate desire wanted to connect to Cole. It was like I was crawling in my skin, like I needed to scratch an itch that never went away. My soul was broken, and I didn’t know how to become whole again.

  How did I move on from this pain? Why did it hurt as much as it did three years ago?

  Why did his return cause such turmoil deep within?

  The afternoon sun was setting by the time I gathered the strength to stand and meet Elena, choosing to push beyond the melancholy that clung to my skin like an old jagged scar. Shoving the ghosts of my past away, I walked to my front door a few hours later and into the amber lights that faded into crimson across the horizon.

  My bare feet shuffled along the wooden boards of my porch until something crinkled underneath. Bending to inspect the source, I found a piece of folded paper. Strange. I hoped it wasn’t another death threat. I didn’t have the mental energy to deal with it. Opening the paper up, I was shocked to find a brief note from Cole.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11