I laughed, but as she turned to leave, I couldn't help but notice the weariness in her eyes, the slight slump of her shoulders. Being a single mom was tough, especially when you were keeping secrets from the father of yourchild.
Part of me wanted to tell her to come clean, to let Bryce's dad know the truth. But it wasn't my place. Krystal had to make that decision for herself, in her own time.
So I just gave her a quick hug and stepped out onto the front porch as she walked back to her car, my heart heavy with the weight of all the things left unsaid.
Gavin pulled up just as Krystal was leaving. He stepped out of his truck, rubbing a hand over his weary face. "Damn. Long day," he muttered as he approached.
I chuckled humorlessly. "That bad?"
Gavin groaned, following me inside. "No leads. No evidence. And now the feds want to get involved."
"Shit." The missing woman case was turning into a nightmare. As beta, Gavin took the weight of responsibility seriously. I could see the frustration etched into the lines of his face.
I grabbed a couple beers from the fridge and tossed one to Gavin. He caught it with a grateful nod, and we went into the living room.
Settling onto the couch, I flicked on the TV, the low din of a football game filling the room. Gavin exhaled heavily, sinking back into the cushions. "There's not a single damn clue to help us find her."
I frowned, taking a swig of my beer. The cool liquid did little to soothe the unease churning in my gut. "You think she's dead?"
Gavin shook his head, jaw clenched. "I don't know. That's the damn problem." He scrubbed a hand over his face, looking older than his forty years. "We've got nothing to go on. It's like she vanished into thin air."
I took another sip, mulling over the possibilities. We lapsed into silence. My thoughts drifted unbidden to Rissa, to the fierce determination that had flashed in her eyes during training.
I wondered what she'd make of all this and if she'd be able to help shed some light on the mystery. She had a keen mind, a way of seeing things others missed.
But I quickly pushed the thought aside. Rissa had enough on her plate without getting dragged into human police business. As much as we suspected shifter involvement, we weren’t at all sure. And I needed to focus on the problem at hand, not thedistracting pull of attraction that flared whenever she was near.
I took another long pull of my beer, forcing my attention back to the game. But even as I watched the players clash on the screen, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were missing something vital. That the key to unraveling this mystery was hovering just out of reach.
Beside me, Gavin shifted restlessly, his own thoughts no doubt churning with the same unanswered questions. We sat in uneasy silence, two old friends grappling with a problem.
The game droned on, but my mind was miles away, lost in a tangle of thoughts and emotions.
Guilt twisted in my gut as I glanced at my beta, my closest friend and confidant. He had no idea about my growing feelings for his sister, and the thought of keeping something so significant from him was like a betrayal.
I needed to come clean and have an honest conversation with both Rissa and Gavin. But the prospect filled me with a sense of unease, a fear of disrupting the delicate balance we'd all fought so hard to maintain. Damn it. Why was this so difficult?
Chapter 14
Rissa
I stoodin front of my closet, scanning the limited options. My "going out" wardrobe had definitely shrunk since moving back to Stock Creek. I settled on a simple black top and dark jeans. Can't go wrong with the classics. I had just pulled on my boots when a knock sounded at the front door.
Must be Tavi. I glanced at the clock. She was a bit early.
I hurried to the door and swung it open, only to find my mother standing there, a huge smile lighting up her pretty face.
"Surprise!" She pulled me into a tight hug before I could even react.
"Mom, hey. Come in." I laughed, hugging her back. "What are you doing here? You should've called."
She waved off my protest. "I wanted to take you to dinner. And where's the fun in calling ahead?"
Classic Lydia, always one for spontaneity. She breezed past me into the house, making herself at home.
I closed the door, turning to face her. "I actually already have plans tonight, Mom. It's girls' night with Tavi and Krystal."
"Oh, I see." She looked slightly disappointed for a split second before her smile returned. "Well, it's wonderful that you're spending time with your friends. We can always do dinner another night."
