Chapter 56

Phoenix

After an amazing dinner, with the most delicious soup I've ever tasted—and I'm not even exaggerating—it's time to discuss serious matters with the girls. The mood shifts as they clear the table, and I can feel the tension thickening in the air.

The stress I feel right now is draining the hell out of me, and it seems that every day, I find out something that makes it worse. I'd really like to table this discussion for another day, but it's important for them to know.

It's the answer we have been searching for.

"Luke, you said something you had to tell us?" Selene asks, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"Is it something gross?" Makayla chimes in. "Is that why you waited until after dinner?"

Luke shakes his head. "No, just a lot to take in."

Makayla grimaces. "Oh Goddess, did you discover more of Alpha King Philip's crimes? Is it worst than the sex trafficking ring?" she asks in horror.

"Um, I don't think anything could be worse than that," Selene murmurs.

Luke's gaze shifts from Makayla to Selene, his expression growing more serious. I know what's coming, and it's not going to be easy for my little wolf to hear.

Without thinking, I reach under the table and grab Selene's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. It's my way of grounding her, preparing her for what's about to be said. Her hand is warm, but I can feel the slight tremor in her fingers—she's already on edge.

My uncle clears his throat, his voice steady but cautious. "Selene, after we found that note in your room and discovered your personal belongings were taken, we were absolutely convinced you were the target."

Makayla and Selene exchange glances, their faces tight with concern, but they only nod in agreement. That was pretty much obvious from the start.

Now, comes the shocker.

At least, if Selene was in denial about who was involved.

Luke rubs the back of his neck, nervous energy rolling off of him in waves. I can see the sweat starting to bead on his forehead, and I wish he'd hurry up and spit it the fuck out before I do.

There's no way to break it to them gently.

"Unc, you're going to freak them out more," I tell him through mind-link, my frustration dripping from my words. "Just tell them, and I'll figure out a way to calm her down."

His blue eyes flicker to mine, acknowledging the advice, and he gives me a subtle nod. Then, he turns his focus back to the girls. "So, after you and Phoenix ran into your ex-boyfriend, Mike contacted an old friend at the police department."

The mention of her ex-boyfriend/mate makes my little wolf tense up beside me. I can feel her anxiety spike, the fear rippling through her like a current. She's already pieced it together, even before he finishes.

"You both mentioned he was in his uniform," Luke continues, trying to keep his voice stoic, but there's an underlying tension that's impossible to fucking miss. "Police cars have GPS. So, we checked his car's records, and after the confrontation at the restaurant, he was parked outside your house for 18 minutes."

The air goes still, the only sound the quiet, synchronized hitch of both girls' breaths. They lock eyes, horror etched on their faces. I'm pretty sure the horror of the situation is crashing down on them like a goddamn tidal wave right now.

Selene's hand tightens around mine, her grip almost desperate, as if she wants me to wake her up from this nightmare. I can feel her fear, it's nearly suffocating, and her eyes fill with unshed tears. She doesn't say anything—no one does.

I brush my thumb over the back of her hand in soothing circles, trying to offer some kind of comfort. But there's only so much I can do right now. She's shaken, and no amount of comforting words will take away the fear that's taken root.

"H-How?" she stammers, staring at my uncle. "Both you and Phoenix searched both the house and the area around it, and no one picked up his scent. As a matter of fact, there was a completely different scent there. I...I think I recognized it from somewhere, but it definitely wasn't his."

"It's possible he could have hidden his scent somehow or he hired someone else to do it," Luke answers. "That is what we're going to try to figure out next."

Growling in frustration, Selene shoots up from the table, ripping her hand out of mine. She paces back in forth in front of the table, running her fingers through her long, dark hair.

"It doesn't make any fucking sense," she murmurs, more to herself than anyone else. "Why....Why would he do this?"

Makayla stands up to grab her hand, but Selene just growls at her. "Don't touch me right now. I might shift," she warns.

Fuck. Her emotions are spiraling out of control, but I knew this could be a possibility.

She could shift and hurt one of us, or most importantly, herself.

"Selene," I call, and her head snaps in my direction, her eyes golden flames.

I rise from the table, taking cautious steps towards her. She stares at me, but doesn't move, her body trembling with the threat of shifting into her wolf in the house.

With urgency, I tug her into my embrace, crushing her against my chest. "Shh, it's okay," I murmur in her ear, feeling her body instantly relax.

"It's not." Her voice is muffled against my chest, but I can still hear her. "How can it be okay when my ex is a psycho?"

Because I'll protect her.

I'll never let that fucker breathe the same air as her again.

I'll rip him and anyone else who helped him to shreds for messing with what's mine, and thinking they wouldn't get caught.

And that's a fucking promise.

"We'll figure this out, little wolf," I say with a purr that I hope calms her down more. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you."