“I’m trying to do something!” I yelled. “I’ve been trying to do something! There’s only so much I can do before—” I stopped myself. I couldn’t say it.
“Before what? Before you give up?”
I nodded. Looking back at the half built crib. “I have to believe they’re alive, but it’s getting harder to think I’m ever going to find them.”
“God, you’re such a Debby Downer,” he shook me again. I knew I could shake him off in a second, but for some reason I didn’t. I think somehow, I knew I needed to hear what he had to say even if it hurt to hear. “You’re sulking and pouting while your wife, your mate, is out there fighting for her life against a sociopath. Think about that.” He gave me one last hard shove before letting me go. Shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what an idiot I was, he left the garage.
I let out a deep pent up breath and stared up at the ceiling. I didn’t know what more I could do, except tear the world apart to find her. And I’d do it, because I’d do anything for Sophie.
I felt a new resolve roll through my body.
I’d find her and she’d be fine. So, would Beau.
And I’d gladly watch the life drain from Travis’ eyes when I got my hands on him.
* * *
“Where are you going?” Nolan stood at the bottom of the stairs with his arms crossed over his chest. He was starting to feel like an annoying babysitter.
“Why does it matter to you?” I strode right past him, heading for the garage.
“Because I’m your friend. If you’re going somewhere, I’m going with you.”
“I don’t need you to come with me.” The duffel bag of clothes thumped against my thigh. “I can handle this just fine on my own.”
“Yeah, just like you’ve been handling everything just fine on your own. You need to stop going off by yourself.” He shimmied around me so that he stood between the door and me. “If you don’t want me to go with you, then ask Bentley, or your brother. Someone. You don’t have to do this by yourself, Caeden. You have a pack for a reason, utilize them. A lone wolf is a dead wolf, you know that.”
I swallowed thickly. “What do they say about lone tigers?”
“That they’re super smart and kick ass,” he smirked.
“Fine,” I sighed dejectedly, “you can come, but if you piss me off I might punch you in the face just for the fun of it.”
Nolan grinned. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Eyeing my bag, he said, “Looks like I better pack some clothes. Apparently you’re not planning on coming back for a while.”
I shrugged. “I thought I should be prepared.”
“Don’t. Leave.” He enunciated each word carefully as he backed away from the door. He eyed me, daring me to leave without him. I’m not gonna lie, I thought about it. I didn’t need to the extra baggage of Nolan breathing down my neck and criticizing every decision I made. But I figured he’d give me the third degree if I did, and I didn’t need to hear it.
He returned not even two minutes later. “Ready.”
“Don’t make me regret this,” I warned him, grabbing the key fob for my Jeep.
“Never, Cay-berry. Let’s go on a road trip.” He smiled giddily. “I hope you have some M&Ms.”
Yeah, I was so going to end up punching him in the face.
* * *
“This is where they kept her the first time, isn’t it?” Nolan asked, hanging back behind me.
“Yeah.” I bent down, rubbing my fingers in the dirt. I’d been here a few times in the past two weeks. Each time I was hoping to find something, but I always turned up empty. She wasn’t here. Travis wasn’t here. And there was no sign that mutants had ever been here. This place was abandoned. If you entered the shack—it was too small to even be considered a cottage or house—there was still a stain on the floor where Travis’ father had bled out. The body was gone though, either taken by his pack, or eaten by scavengers. A knife speared the door and the wood was tinted a dark rust color in places. I was sure it was a result of Travis killing his father. Maybe he’d pinned his head there—that sounded like something a sociopath like Travis would do.
I straightened, tilting my head back and breathing in the cold air. Over a year ago, he’d held her here and I’d nearly lost my girl before I even had the chance to tell her I loved her. I knew now why so many people said to make every moment count—you never knew which moment would be your last.
“What are you hoping to find here?” Nolan asked, his boots crunching the ground beneath their soles.