Hunt pulled out his phone, scrolling through notes. “Noah wanted me to tell you that the council’s patience is running thin. They want you back at the helm, or they want Noah to officially step into the Alpha position until you’re ready.”
Not a bad idea, really. Noah would make a good Alpha. He already was one, in every way that mattered. Maybe I should just let him take over. Let myself focus entirely on Lina and the kids without the weight of the pack on my shoulders.
But that felt like giving up. And I wasn’t ready to give up on anything yet.
“Tell them I’ll think about it,” I said.
Hunt nodded and continued. “No other issues in Pine Valley. The shop is running smoothly. Mika is progressing rapidly. She’s been asking to be discharged so she can come visit Lina.”
That made me smile, just a little. Mika had nearly died protecting my mate’s legacy. She was tough as nails and apparently too stubborn to stay in a hospital bed any longer than necessary.
“Lina will be happy to hear that,” I said. “When she wakes up.”
“When she wakes up,” Hunt agreed.
“What else?”
“No threats have showed up. Anywhere. It’s been quiet.”
Of fucking course. I’d been running a tight ship since Lina was admitted. Guards stationed around the hospital. Guards at my parents’ house where the twins were staying. Guards at Sarah’s place. Guards everywhere. The rotation schedules were airtight, never the same pattern twice, never any predictable gaps. I’d made damn sure that whoever was targeting my family wouldn’t find an opening.
I wouldn’t be able to sit here if I thought my kids were at risk. The only reason I could focus on Lina was because I knew everyone else was protected.
“Cole?” I asked.
Hunt’s expression shifted. “He’s in a human town nearby. Ridgemont, I think. Checking to see if Mary passed through there.”
“And?”
“Nothing. No one’s seen her. No one’s heard of her. It’s like she vanished into thin air.”
“The private investigator?”
“Same story. Dead end after dead end. He can’t find a trace of her anywhere.”
“What about the girl from the police sketch?”
“Also nothing. The PI looked into it, the police looked into it, we all looked into it.” Hunt paused, watching my expression. “Any luck on your end? You said her face looked familiar.”
I clenched my jaw, frustration building in my chest. I’d been staring at that damn sketch for weeks, trying to place where I’d seen her before. Because I had seen her. I knew I had. The shape of her face, the way her features were arranged, it all tugged at my memory in a way I couldn’t explain.
But I couldn’t remember where. Couldn’t remember when. It was like the memory was right there, just out of reach, and no matter how hard I tried to grasp it, it slipped away.
“Nothing,” I admitted, rubbing my eyes. “It’s driving me crazy. I know I’ve seen her before. I just can’t fucking remember where.”
“Maybe it’ll come to you.”
“Maybe.” But I doubted it. I’d been trying for weeks with zero luck. Fuck.
“There is one thing,” Hunt said. “I sent the drawing to a few different packs. Figured maybe someone would recognize her. Haven’t heard back yet, but I’ll let you know if anything comes in.”
“Good thinking.” I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion weighing on me. “Thanks, Hunt. For everything.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He stood up, tucking his phone away. “You need anything else?”
“No. I’m good.”
He nodded and headed for the door. But before he could open it, it swung inward, and two small bodies came barreling into the room.
