He doesn’t resist, sniffing my coat, before nuzzling his face like he’s giving it the seal of approval. I wrap him up in a cocoon before picking him up, surprised by how heavy he is for a cat. Until now, I’ve always been a dog person, but watching Larry rub his head into my chest and purr is enough to make me reconsider.
“Stay quiet, okay?” Am I going mad, talking to a fucking cat? “I’m busting you out.”
I swear, Larry nods at me, inclining his chin down as we set off. I slide the bolt across the back gate, wincing at the high-pitched screech as I let us out of the yard. As soon as I’m home free, I jog back to Hale’s car. I can see the others halfway down the street, Riven’s legs poking out from underneath a bush while Ezra and Hale are knocking on doors.
“Guys!” I call out. “I’ve got him.”
I thought I’d feel smug, playing the knight in shining armor, but all I feel is sheer relief to know that the little guy is safe. With Larry tucked in my arms, I grab my phone to call Kady. She’ll be worried sick, and I have the overwhelming urge to make sure she’s okay.
TWENTY-FOUR
Kady
“Larry!” My throat is hoarse from my fruitless calling. “Larry!”
I’ve accosted every person I’ve passed, thrusting my phone in their face and demanding they look at Larry’s photograph.
“Isn’t that Kady Sinclair?” I hear someone say as they cross the road to get away from me. “She’s gone crazy. Maybe that’s why it didn’t work out with the Blandon Pack.”
I don’t care if I’m known as the crazy cat lady as long as I get Larry back, safe and sound.
“Larry!” I call again, searching behind some tall plants and yelping in surprise when I find two baby geese staring up at me in blatant disapproval. “Oops, sorry.”
I let out a puff of air. Who am I kidding? Finding Larry on a campus this big is going to be next to impossible. Hopelessness begins to set in, making my hands tremble. What am I going to do without him?
I collapse onto a nearby bench under an oak tree and quickly skim through the messages in the group chat. No luck yet. Although Sabs found a twenty dollar bill, and Delilah came across a family of mice hiding in an empty food carton in Omega Village.
I jump when my cell starts vibrating like crazy in my hand.
“Calder?” I answer on the second ring.
His strong, commanding voice comes down the line. “I’ve found him.”
Relief floods through me. I’m glad I’m already sitting down as all the tension leaves my body at once, making my muscles deflate.
“Is he okay?” A few tears slips from my eyes. “How is he? Does he look?—”
“He’ll be okay.” Calder’s response doesn’t provide the instant relief I’d hoped for. “He’s tucked up in my blazer right now, but he seems to have cut his paw.”
“What happened? Where are you? How did you find him?” I barely take a breath between all the questions I shoot at him. “I’m coming to meet you.”
“Send your location pin to our group chat, and we’ll come get you,” Calder replies. “Hale has the car, so we’ll be there quicker.”
I do as he asks. “Hurry.”
“We will. I told you we’d find him.” I can practically hear the smirk in his voice.
I count the seconds while I wait for them to show up. Time seems to have slowed to a snail’s pace. How long does it take to drive across campus?
I also let the Stellas know.
ME
Larry’s been found! More details to follow.
SABS
Thank God!!!!!! Again, I’m so, so, so, so sorry. We’ll have to get a bell for his collar so he can’t sneak past us!
