Chapter 27

**WARNING: Spoiler Alert**
Please be aware that there is a spoiler in this chapter relating to book one *Hellhound*. If you haven't read that book and are planning to then you might want to do that first. that's unless you can live the plot line for the book being given away here.

for those of you who had read *Hellhound* you might notice we are touching on that story right now. I'm trying not to copy and paste and also we'll be in out the otherside in the next couple of chapters.

---

Kade had been shot before but he'd never been shot twice in as many days.

The cluster fuck of a situation started when he was patrolling with Eva and they had been ambushed. Both Eva and Kade had been shot but neither wound was fatal. Whoever pulled the trigger clearly didn't know what they were doing but they knew enough to get two hits in before Eva had shifted and pinned one of the culprits down.

Now, a rogue called Ian was being shipped to a safehouse after promising to reveal the identity of their murderer in exchange for protection.

As for Kade, he had been able to get some information of this witch they were seeking. He knew he wouldn't get to talk to her because she was dead but he hoped he would find some clues as to who had hired her and why. It meant he could also take a slight detour and see Thalia, a notion that had Legion growling with approval and excitement. Damned dog was practically smitten with his mate.

But that all came to a crashing halt when the front wheel of his motorcycle was shot out and he was sent hurtling down a bank and into the thick trunk of a pine tree.

The silence that followed was disorientating. Kade’s body screamed in pain while his vision tilted and rocked violently. The all too familiar taste of copper in his mouth let him know he was bleeding heavily as he tried to shake off the daze and gain control of his limbs that slipped out from under him as if he was a newborn foal learning to stand. The sound of footsteps approaching at a leisurely pace had Kade snarling, Legion threatening to take hold and attack the bastard approaching him. However, his injuries had him at a disadvantage and he grunted when a steel capped boot smashed into his ribs knocking the air from his lungs and breaking bones.

“I’m afraid I’m not as good of a shot as you.” The familiar voice mocked. “I will have to make sure I don’t miss this time.”

Kade growled, eyes flashing black like a reptile’s. This time the boot found his gut in a vicious kick, his body collapsed further onto the ground before rolling onto his back. He struggled to gain air, eyes blurring as he tried to focus on the figure towering over him.

“I’d say this is nothing personal but I won’t lie, I’m enjoying this. Of course, if the men I had hired had done their job right, you’d have been dead days ago which would have made things so much easier but here we are.”

Kade was able to clear his vision to make out the man looming over him, brown eyes bright with sadistic pleasure as they glared down at the injured wolf.

Ethan. He should have known.

“I’m going to make sure you regret this.” Kade snarled, spitting blood onto the boots standing near his face.

“I have no doubt you would..” The blonde chuckled as he raised the hunting rifle, aiming at Kade’s forehead. “But you can’t if you’re dead.”

He pulled the trigger, the shot echoing through the wilderness before there was silence.

---

Thalia knew something was wrong the moment dawn began to break over the Pennines.

It had been several days since she had last heard from Kade. He had sounded tired but promised he would see her soon. There had been another incident but Kade hadn't elaborated which had left Thalia feeling a little nervous. One thing was clear though; it didn't seem that they were much closer to catching their killer but moreover, it meant Kade still had work to do.

Thalia found it surprising she missed Kade so much. There was no denying that when they first met she had been terrified of him but then again, she had been terrified of everyone and everything for as long as she could remember. But at some point, she had let the mate bond do what it was designed to do and opened herself up to the male the goddess had blessed her with. She could tell that Kade had his own skeletons in his closet much like she did. She had seen his eyes the night his wolf rose to the surface. She had seen the scars.

All wolves were born with their own unique eye colour and the ability to heal quickly and with little scarring. However certain situations such as extreme or repeated trauma could leave permanent marks on the skin. It was rare but not impossible.

But for a wolf's eyes to go black like the night? An innocent soul would have died at the hand of the wolf.

It certainly explained some of the guilt Kade seemed to carry around like a boulder on his back but none of it explained the horrible feeling Thalia was being troubled by.

It had come on the afternoon before like a nagging in the back of her mind. At first it had been easy to ignore but then it had gradually grown into a suffocating weight of anxiety and dread that pressed on her chest. Her brain had felt wired as if she was being shocked repeatedly and between that and the morning sickness, Thalia felt awful, pacing the caravan like a caged tiger. Even fresh air didn't seem to help and come nightfall, she was equally tired as she was wide awake, her skin crawling with uneasiness.

At some point, the young she-wolf had crawled into bed wearing one of Kade's t-shirts that he had left behind. His scent wrapping around her helped calm her mind a little but the solace of slumber would not come to take her. She had laid on her side, hand on her belly as the hours had dragged by.

Eventually she realised something had happened to Kade and it didn't appear to be anything good.

Had they been fully mated, Thalia would have been able to work out exactly what had happened but all she had was a feeling.

The restlessness was back as soon as pale grey light began to pour in through the thin curtains. Thalia couldn't stay here anymore. She needed to find out why Kade wasn't here and why she couldn't shake the feeling he was in danger. Yet she had no idea where she was or when this Hellhound pack was. It wasn't like she could just walk up to someone and ask them if they knew where a pack of werewolves were hiding out.

Rain fell heavily from the blanket of dull grey clouds above as Thalia stepped outside, the cool wet air filling her lungs. Kade had said the caravan park was on Hellhound territory and was owned by the pack. That had to mean someone who worked here knew something about how to contact the pack even if they didn't actually know it was a werewolf pack. With that thought in mind, Thalia followed the signs to the admissions office. At the very best, someone would be in there but at worst, there would at least be something that told Thalia when the office would be opened.

She was relieved when she saw that the lights were on and someone was inside and quickened her steps to get out of the rain. It appeared the middle aged man was surprised to see Thalia and Thalia was relieved someone was working today. Thalia didn't care if she looked half mad with her wet hair and baggy attire. She probably resembled someone who absconded from the local prison more than someone staying in a holiday home. Thalia ignored that though, pushing her hair off her wet face.

"I wasn't aware anyone was staying here this week." The man spoke up when Thalia walked in. "That explains why I couldn't find a set of keys for one of the caravans. What can I do for you dear?"

"Hi, I'm trying to get in touch with Daniel...Daniel Wolfe." Thalia rushed out breathlessly. "It's really important."

The man frowned a little in thought but a hint of surprise flashed through his eyes. It wasn't every day a guest knew the name of the owner. "I don't have Mr Wolfe's personal number but I do have the number for his office." The man replied.

"May I please have it?" Thalia asked.

Her heart was hammering in her chest as she waited for the man to dig out the phone number in question and write it down for her. Thalia thanked the man for his help and rushed back to the caravan for privacy. The door had barely shut behind her as Thalia stepped into the caravan before she was typing the number into the phone Kade had given her and was waiting for an answer.

"Hello?" A female voice answered after the fourth ring, sending Thalia's heart stuttering.

"Hi, I'm trying to get hold of someone " Thalia stammered. "William Kade? Is he available?"

Silence stretched across the line that was heavy and uncomfortable. When it continued for a few seconds, Thalia started to think the call had dropped.

"I'm really sorry but Kade isn't available." The female voice finally spoke, tinged with sadness. "He was killed yesterday afternoon."