“No problem,” Logan answered, turning and melting into the crowd.
“But Fionn is helping me,” Zane objected.
“Bro, shifters don’t appreciate someone sniffing them. If one of these dudes figures out what Fionn is doing, fists will fly first and then we’ll have to jump in to protect our pack member and then who knows what’ll happen. One thing Icanguarantee you is Jackson will be furious,” Dakota said.
“Then how am I supposed to find my mate if I can’t do that?” asked Zane.
“You and I will buy a beer and wander around the room,” Slate said, “and while I make small talk, you’ll surreptitiously sniff as we move among them.”
“So, the beer is my cover when I sniff?” asked Zane.
“Yes, no one will be paying attention to you because I’ll be talking to them,” Slate answered.
“Okay, let’s go. My wolf’s told me my mate’s in trouble,” Zane said.
Kieran tilted his head and, listening to his spirit, said, “The danger your mate is in won’t be found here.”
“Are you sure?” asked Zane, worrying his bottom lip.
“My mate’s correct,” Logan said, returning with Fionn at his side. “Listen up, Zane,” he continued. “Dakota, Fionn, Kieran and I will be sitting over in a booth having a drink while you and Slate do your reconnaissance…just in case we’re needed.”
“You should start on that side of the room. I could smell some of those scents but nothing strong,” Fionn suggested.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Slate, striding over to the bar with the others. Finally getting the bartender’s attention, he said, “Four Howler Dark Ales and two Lavender Lemonades, please.”
“Kieran is that okay with you or would you rather have something other than lemonade?” asked Dakota.
“No, that’s fine,” Kieran replied, grateful Slate had taken his pregnancy into account when he ordered the drinks.
Paying for the drinks, Slate handed them out and, as Logan led the others over to a booth, said to Zane, “Stay near me as I approach each shifter and when I start to talk, look down and sniff so no one gets wise to it. Got it?”
“Yup, got it.”
“Good, let’s go.” Slate pushed off from the bar, wandering among the crowd, stopping and making small talk with each shifter until Zane gave a brief shake of his head indicating ‘not the one.’ And so it went until Slate had spoken to everyone without success. Back at the bar,he set down his mug and, noting the worried and frantic look in Zane’s eyes asked, “When you were sniffing different shifters, did any have even a faint scent of your mate on them?”
“Maybe. I don’t think he’s here anymore because I’m not picking up his scent and what’s left isn’t strong and fresh. He must have gone before I arrived but how am I going to find him? I don’t even know what he looks like or his name, so I can’t do a computer search on him. What happens if I never find him? What if this is all I ever have of my mate?”
The distress in Zane’s rising voice caused shifters to glance over at them and Slate was concerned they were attracting too much attention. Grabbing Zane’s arm, he pulled him over to the booth where Logan and the rest were waiting. “Sit,” Slate said, pointing to the seat next to Kieran.
“I take it you had no luck,” said Logan.
“No, and Zane said the scent is faint now so I’m guessing his mate has left. The question now is what to do and how are we going to find him?” asked Slate.
Dakota looked at the time on his phone, then at his brother. “Zane?” Dakota said, waiting for his brother to look up and, when he did, pointed his finger. “See, in that corner?”
Zane glanced over to the corner above the bar and spotted what looked like a security camera. “Yeah?” he said, hopefully.
“And there are other cameras,” said Dakota. “If we can get copies of the video, you’ll be able to see who was here just before we arrived and then cross off the onesyou sniffed who you know are not your mate. You can also see who left…which should narrow down your search.”
“Fuckingexcellentidea, Kota,” Zane said excitedly as hope bloomed in his heart.
Logan then asked, “How are we going to get copies of all the videos? How many cameras did you spot?”
“Four, as far as I see,” Dakota said. “Maybe we just explain to the owners why we need to see them.”
“Or maybe I can access them using my software program,” Zane said.
“Would anyone know if you hacked into their video feed?” asked Slate.
