Grant gives him a nod. Cautious. There’s history there—before Ben was taken, before everything went sideways.
“Ben.” Grant’s voice softens a fraction.
Ben just nods back, saying nothing. Waiting for my lead.
“Anything unusual about these hikers?” I ask because Grant isn’t here about missing tourists. Not really.
He pulls out a battered tablet, thumbs through to something. “Trail cams shorted out. All of them, in sequence, following the path those hikers took.” He holds up the screen. Black, with a white-hot flare in the center. “This one fried Lopez’s laptop when he tried to recover the data.”
The coffee in my hand has gone cold. I don’t remember picking up the mug. Don’t remember bringing it outside.
“You think it’s our problem?” I keep my tone neutral.
Grant sighs, pushing his hat back. “I think it’s not normal. And abnormal tends to be your jurisdiction these days.”
There’s no accusation in his voice. Just resignation. We’ve done this dance before, back when I ran security for Caleb. Back before I decided I couldn’t serve another Alpha, even one I respected.
“I’ll look into it.” I hand the mug to Ben, a silent signal. He takes it without question, disappears to alert the others.
“Appreciate it.” Grant doesn’t move to leave. “Heard you’ve had some trouble out here too.”
My jaw tightens. News travels fast in small pockets of the supernatural world. “Nothing we can’t handle.”
“Sure.” He studies me too long. “Just thought you should know—Lachlan’s been asking questions.”
That gets my attention. “About what?”
“Energy spikes. Portal fluctuations.” He shrugs. “Whatever you called them before.”
Before. When I was still part of Shadow Peak’s defense network. When my job was clear-cut: patrol, defend, report back.
Now I’ve got wolves looking to me for every answer. For safety I promised but can’t guarantee. For leadership I never wanted.
And I’ve got Nova—her taste still on my tongue and her scent embedded in my clothes. A distraction I can’t afford and can’t seem to shake.
“Tell Lachlan I’ll call.” The words scrape out of my throat.
Grant nods, eyes flickering to something behind me. Back to my face. Reading more than I want him to see.
“Take care, Vaughn.” He turns back to his truck, pauses with his hand on the door. “Whatever’s coming—you don’t have to face it alone.”
I clench my jaw, grinding down on words I won’t say. Grant’s offer hangs heavy between us—Shadow Peak’s reach extending like a hand I don’t want to take.
“I’ll handle it,” I say instead.
Grant reaches back into his SUV and pulls out a data stick. “Backup of the footage. In case your people can pull something we couldn’t.” He holds it out.
I take it. No games, no posturing. Just two men who’ve seen enough weird shit to know when cooperation matters more than pride.
The stick’s weight is nothing, but what it represents digs into my palm as I scan the compound.
Grant gives me a long look before climbing back into his SUV. The engine starts with a low rumble that fades as he pulls away, dust kicking up behind his tires.
Ben has vanished, probably alerting the others. Marcus stands by the east fence, watching. Judging.
My feet move before my brain decides, carrying me across the yard toward the outbuilding where Nova’s been working.Not sleeping—I’ve heard her moving at all hours, the soft tap of computer keys, the scratch of charcoal on paper.
Not that I know what she’s doing at all hours of the night. Not like I find excuses to patrol past the shack at all hours. Like a damn lovesick puppy. Fuck!
