“No, what I’m saying you grouchy bear, is that we’ve had our own set of troubles recently and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were related.”
Wyatt gripped the table edge and took deep breaths trying to keep his bear back. He was beyond pissed and his bear was homicidal. After he had gotten Jinger home, he’d walked out back to speak with Conner and saw that someone had spray painted the side of his cabin with red paint, ‘I know who you are’. This not only infuriated him, but it scared him that there was someone targeting his family because they are shifters.
His brothers, and himself included, had assumed the broken equipment, and inconveniences were from some environmental terrorist group. They had always dealt with them in a civil manner. He understood their deep feelings for the environment and normally they were just a nuisance. That was until they’d almost killed Sophie and now Jinger.
Now it was clear, that this was much more personal.
“We’ve had some issues on our farms. We had equipment breaking and then there was a fire that wiped out our newest vineyard.”
The Hayes family had huge wineries in the California, some of the best wine in the country.
“We had no idea who it could be until one of our farm hands went missing after the fire. His name was Tony. He’d worked for us for a number of years, he came with his older brother Marcus. There was an accident a few years back and his brother was killed. It was odd, his brother fell into a wine press. But after the accident Tony started watching us, always skulking around. My brother’s theory is Marcus might have seen something that scared him and he hid in the machine.”
“Seen what,” Conner asked over Wyatt’s shoulder.
“Us,” Dax replied.
“Shit, this just gets better and better,” Cage growled flopping down in his chair.
“Well it’s just a theory, but I’m willing to head up there and sniff around. See if I recognize the scent of anyone I know. It might help narrow down the field of possible suspects. We haven’t had any trouble since Tony disappeared. That has to mean something.”
“Hell, it’s not like I’d be able to recognize every one of our workers. It’d be too easy for a guy to blend in around here.” Conner said.
“Dax, we’d be grateful if you could make the trip up. We have to figure out who is going to so much effort to hurt us. Next time we might not be so lucky,” Cage said to the phone, but his eyes were on Wyatt.
“I’ll make arrangements and email you the info,” Dax said then hung up.
Wyatt walked over to the wall and threw a fist into the flimsy sheetrock. Not surprising his hand when through the wall to the outside.
“Nice, asshole, now I’m going to have a draft.” Cage said standing up to examine the hole.
Wyatt stomped away from the destruction he’d just caused and let his bear out to roar his frustration.
“I get it man, but you can’t let him out in here. You’ll tear the place apart,” Cage growled, letting some of his Alpha timber lace his voice. It was enough for Wyatt’s bear to respond and back down.
“Sorry,” Wyatt said, placing his hands on the back of a chair. He let his head drop down. He was so conflicted. He was furious, frustrated and mostly scared. His mate’s life hung in the balance and he was unable to protect her with his strength alone.
“No need to apologize. Best bet is for you to head home, be with your mate and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Maybe when Dax gets here he’ll be able to recognize someone’s scent. That will give us somewhere to start,” Cage offered.
“You’re right, I know it. Thanks Cage, and you too, Conner,” he said slapping his little brother on the back.
Wyatt headed out the door and jumped into his truck to head home.
Wyatt pulled up to his cabin at the same time his mom was walking out.
“You leaving mom,” he asked as he walked up to her and wrapped her in a big hug. He loved his mom and the only way he was able to leave Jinger today was knowing his mom was with her.
“Yes darling, I think you and Jinger need some alone time to talk.”
“Talk about what,” Conner asked his suspicion rising.
“She asked me to tell her about the family so I did. She knows everything there is to know. So now, it’s up to you son,” she said patting him on the cheek and walking towards her house.
Knowing his mom and Jinger had talked and she was presumably still in his house, was hopefully a good sign.
He walked in and found Jinger sitting on the couch, a cup of what appeared to be hot cocoa in her hand.
She looked up at him and offered a smile. “Hi, I missed you,” she said reaching her hand out to him.