Shaw didn’t trust anyone.
“Brock, what are you doing?” Josh, Gideon’s mate, demanded.
“I’m Brock Townsend,” he said, introducing himself.
“Mr. Townsend, my name is Shaw Iza and I’m a member of the FPA.” Shaw looked Brock right in the eye. He tried to pass a silent message with his eyes and hoped that Brock could figure out what he was really saying. “I have reliable evidence that points to you as the shifter that killed a human named Paul Darren. I’ll need you to come with me.”
Brock nodded. “I understand, sir.”
“Wait,” Ranger hissed, grabbing Shaw’s bicep. “You’re not even going to question him?”
Shaw knew that Ranger was concerned about his friend and pack member, although now Ranger worked with for the Federal Paranormal Agency. He wasn’t really part of Gideon’s pack while he worked for the agency. He needed to stay strong. Part of him trusted Ranger due to their past in the military, but when it came to Brock’s life, he didn’t trust anyone.
“I’m doing my job,” he said simply, keeping his tone neutral and unfeeling.
“Shouldn’t we at least question the suspect?” Ranger asked, the scent of aggression filling the office space.
“Ranger,” Shaw growled. “I want you to fly back to New York and talk to Abram. I’ll meet you there.”
“Wait…what…” he started, and Shaw automatically silenced him.
“This isn’t a democracy, Ranger. If you want to be a part of the agency, you need to follow orders from your superiors. You will fly back to New York,” he ordered, and Ranger reluctantly nodded.
“Yes, sir.” Ranger marched over to Gideon and shook the man’s hand before exiting the office.
Gideon stood up from the chair behind his large desk, showing off his muscular build. It was an obvious move. The man wanted to intimidate, but Shaw wasn’t concerned.
“Can I pack a bag and grab my pillow?” Brock asked from his position by the front door.
“Yes.” Shaw nodded. “Don’t do anything stupid, Brock, like try to escape.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, and Shaw could see the honesty in those bright beautiful eyes.
* * * *
Brock jogged up the stairs in shock.
He couldn’t believe it. Shaw Iza, the FPA agent, was his mate. The man was more than he ever expected. The wolf shifter stood six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a slim waist. He had long blue hair and brilliant hazel eyes. He never thought he would have a mate, not as he walked inside The Castle to face his punishment, but all that changed in a matter of seconds.
Walking into his bedroom, Brock closed the door and leaned against it. What just happened? He couldn’t believe it.
Questions ran through his mind.
Would Shaw punish him? Was the wolf shifter taking him away to finish his job or was he trying to protect him? If Shaw really wanted to protect him, why didn’t he reveal the fact that they were mates to Gideon, Ranger, and the others?
Brock was torn, but he wouldn’t run away. He came back to The Castle to shelter the rest of the pack from any negative fallout. They weren’t responsible to shield him from the decisions he made. It was his choice to go after Paul. It was his decision to punish the man for shooting Tucker in the back.
Brock looked around his suite. He unzipped the small luggage bag and dumped out the contents. He didn’t really know what he’d need, so Brock grabbed the necessities—a couple of jeans, T-shirts, socks, boxer briefs, toiletries, and…he pulled open the drawer next to the bed and grabbed the large tube of lube.
Shrugging, he couldn’t help but smile. Here he was packing lube when his own mate could be marching him to his death.
Closing the bag, his eyes darted around the room one last time. He didn’t waste any time reminiscing. Instead he left the room and all his belongings behind. When he reached the stairs, the pack of men he’d grown to love and care for immensely was standing at the bottom, waiting for him. All eyes turned toward him as he started his descent.
There was a mixture of emotions, from tears to anger and frustration. He knew the negative emotions weren’t directed toward him, though. The men staring at him were pissed at Shaw. The whole situation sucked and if he could go back to that night before killing Paul, Brock knew without a doubt that he would change his actions.
When he stepped off the last stair, everyone surrounded him, showing their support and love.
“Why did you come home?” Josh cried, hugging Brock before the Alpha pulled Brock inside his strong arms.
“Damn it…we’re going to miss you,” Gideon choked out.