Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
But times were changing, and it would be foolish to ignore the signs. A task force that left out these powerful women would be hamstrung.
After a few moments, Surge asked, “Any sign of lions since last night?”
All of them shook their heads.
Hayes had some thoughts to toss around. “If we assume they are more powerful than all of us, it’s possible they can block even their scent. Perhaps they did so when they snuck up on your women last night. They may have been testing us to see if anyone among the wolves could scent them.”
Hayes shuddered before continuing, “I hate to point this out, but they could have gone to every one of our homes last night. Perhaps they even split up and visited dozens of houses in a short amount of time. Rylee would be the only one who could scent a lion if he was blocking. He might have realized that before he fled.”
Felix sighed. “I agree. I’d say that’s pretty likely. When Rylee bolted awake and you turned your lights on, the lion figured out he’d found someone who could detect him. If our house was also being surveilled at the time, it’s possible we fell for the same trap when Khloe woke up gasping, causing me to turn the lights on also. However, what they don’t know is that she can’t smell them. She had a vision.”
“I couldn’t hear any of them,” Molly added, “but if they were all alone and not communicating with each other, there might not have been anything to hear.”
Damon rubbed his chin. “Fuck, this is complicated. I hate it with every fiber of my being.”
Thorn leaned back in his chair. “Agreed.” He stood.
So did Surge. “Let’s reconvene tomorrow. That will give us all time to choose who will join the task force. Shall we meet here? Noon?”
Hayes stood to see them to the door. “Yes. Thank you for coming. We really appreciate your help.”
Rylee gasped as soon as Hayes opened the front door. She ducked under his arm and inhaled deeply.
No one spoke as the bears joined her on the front porch.
“I think your friend Drow is up to something.”
“What’s that, Little one?” Surge asked her.
Hayes gripped her shoulders from behind, waiting as she closed her eyes and slowly drew oxygen into her lungs over and over. When she was done, she turned toward him and buried her face in his chest.
Hayes bent to lift her into his arms, being careful to keep her dress over her panties. He rubbed her back, confused by her reaction. “Can you tell us, Baby girl?”
She shrugged, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
Hayes held up a finger before stepping back into the house and aiming directly for their bedroom. As soon as they were alone—relatively speaking—he sat on the edge of the bed and leaned her back. “Talk to Daddy, Little one,” he whispered.
There was no way to keep their communication from Molly, but that wasn’t important. What mattered was giving Rylee a chance to collect her thoughts and not have to worry about the emotions on her face while she explained herself.
She sniffled, not meeting his gaze. “He smells like death, Daddy,” she whispered so softly it was possible no one heard her. If Molly did, hopefully she didn’t flinch.
Hayes stiffened. “What does that mean to you, Baby girl?” he murmured in response.
“I don’t know.”
He stood, set her on the bed, and squatted in front of her. He wanted to understand what she meant, but he wasn’t sure even she did. It’s not like she was used to scenting so many weird things. He’d encouraged her to smell orange and glass. What was she supposed to do with death and evil?
“Do you think he killed someone? Or he’s going to get killed?” Hayes said as softly as possible.
She shrugged. “I don’t know, Daddy,” she hissed. “Maybe he’s dying.” She threw up her arms. “I don’t know what it means,” she sobbed.
He gathered her in his arms and held her close. “Okay, Little one. It’s okay. It’s not your responsibility to figure this out. I don’t want you to stress. How about if you lie down? I’ll go talk to everyone for a minute and be right back.”
She nodded and let him help her onto her side. He pulled off her shoes, dragged a blanket over her, and kissed her temple. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
He hated leaving her there nearly in tears, but he had to make excuses, at least to Thorn and Surge. Once the bears were gone, he would talk this over with his own pack members.
Hayes slipped out of the bedroom and found everyone exactly where they’d been standing five minutes ago. The bears were still on the porch, and he joined them.
“Everything okay?” Thorn asked.
Hayes sighed. “I think she’s just shaken from so much happening in such a short time.”