I let her be, but the same goes for the next few days. Leena doesn't even come close to the pack house. Each time I find her, it's deep in the woods, far from where anyone should be.
“You're going further and further,” I tell her on one occasion. “You'll be off the IronFang's land if you keep exploring like this.”
I walk beside Leena, but this time, I'm in my human form. She maintains her wolf form, but I can already tell that weariness is starting to seep in. She's built up more strength than last time, but it'll only buy her a few more days.
“Would you like to come back to the house with me?” I persist. “I'm going into town today. It'll be nice to have my assistant back. It'll be nice to haveyouback with me.”
Leena's response to this is to run away again. It's clear that my meeting is meant to happen on my own. I sigh, watching her run away.
I hike back to the house, get my things, and head out, driving back to the city so I can take care of work. Thirty minutes out from my destination, I get a call from Graham.
“I'm already on my way,” I inform him, the second I answer.
“Oh, okay. I was just making sure. You'd said you had a situation to handle first.”
I scoff a little. “I don't think it’s handled, but it'll be fine. I'll see you soon.”
“Alright, we'll be fully set up by the time you're here.”
I end the call and press down on the pedal. My mind keeps returning to Leena, who's probably still in the woods.
The further I move away from her, the more strongly my connection feels like it wants to yank me out of the car and send me back into her arms.
My feelings for her are definitely there, only strengthened by this bond we now share. Sadly, Leena doesn't believe that what she feels comes from her own mind.
I park the vehicle in front of the huge office building, as some of the employees who see me in the parking lot scramble to greet me. I remember most of their names—wolves who share the pack house during the full moon.
I hustle through the large entryway, walking uninterrupted until I reach the elevator. It takes me right to the highest floor in the building, where I step out and head to my office.
The space is exactly how I left it; in pristine condition. It almost feels too formal, and I begin to miss being in the home office. That spot was cozy and inviting—and it had Leena.
Thankfully, I’m not alone in the office for long. I hear the usual ding of the elevator outside, followed by two sets of heavy steps coming my way.
I'm in my seat when the door opens. Graham and Nate walk in, with the former holding a laptop in his hands.
“Welcome back,” Nate says. “Where's Leena?”
“Occupied,” I respond. My tone informs them that there will be no further questions on the topic. Luckily, they get the hint and we proceed with the business of the day.
Graham sets up the computer for the call I'm about to have while Nate takes his seat. “Do you really think we'll be able to pull this off?”
“I hope so, Nate. Shifter packs are not the most…organized, but our unity is definitely better than whatever the hunters have going on. If we can get the jump on them, then we'll be able to pull it off.”
“We're good to go here,” Graham says, tapping the computer. “We've got a few minutes before the call starts.”
“Alright then, give me a rundown of everything again, just so I'm clear.”
“Well,” Graham starts, “other than the fact that the other alphas are considering mass execution of hunters, we have some stuff going on right in the city.”
“We've gotten reports of hunter activity in the forest where the lone wolves change,” Nate confirms. “Right around where Madeline was attacked months ago.”
There's a bit of anger at the recollection of what had happened to his mate. I can't blame him. I'd feel the same way–maybe even worse–if Leena was in danger.
“How many confirmed sightings?”
“None yet,” Graham confesses, “but this is in line with some suspicious activity that has been happening since certain people of interest came into town.”
I'm surprised by the sheer amount of new information I'm just learning.
