Krystal swallowed hard, her face pale in the dim light. "Someone who wanted to send a message," she said grimly as she scanned the destruction.
I sniffed again, trying to sort through the overwhelming scents. There, that same off smell, like rot and decay, lingered beneath the blood. This wasn't just a random break-in, a simple case of vandalism.
No, this was personal. Someone had targeted Krystal, had violated her home, and destroyed her belongings. This was personal.
Chapter 15
Nathan
My phone buzzedwith a text from Krystal. I glanced down at the message, and my heart seized in my chest.
CODE RED. Someone broke into my house. We’re OK but get over here NOW.
I turned to Gavin, showing him the text and trying to keep my voice calm for the sake of the kids. "We need to get the kids somewhere safe. Now."
He nodded, immediately grasping the situation's urgency. He quickly corralled Elle and Bryce while I texted them. Thankfully, Erin and Ashton, my dragon-shifter neighbors, were home. "Come on, we're going to visit Ashton and Erin for a bit," I said, guiding them out the door.My house was positioned on my property so that it seemed to be just another neighborhood house, but my closest neighbor was an inn. It was annoying at times, having inn guests going back and forth, and I’d had to put a fence up on that side of the property to help discourage any wanderers from coming over onto pack land, but the tradeoff was that I really liked Erin. She was a dragon now that she’d found her fated mate in Ashton. I’d known him for years but had been getting to know him better since he’d mated with Erin.
We hurried next door to the Montgomery Inn. I knocked urgently, and Ashton opened the door, his brow furrowed.
"Nathan, Gavin, what's going on? Is everything all right?" he asked as we ushered the kids inside.
"Emergency situation. Can you and Erin watch the kids for a bit? We need to handle something," I explained tersely. I’d told him about as much over text.
"Of course, they'll be safe here with us," Ashton said. "Kids, head on to the kitchen. Erin is just pulling some cookies out of the oven.”
Elle and Bryce exchanged a worried glance, but as they walked away, Elle glared at me. She didn’tlike being handed off to babysitters at her age but knew better than to argue with me.
As we walked back toward the door, Ashton said, “You just missed Zaden, actually. He headed out to check on the restaurants while he was up."
"Are all the dragons awake now?" I asked curiously, despite the tense circumstances.
"No, still just me, Drake, who you've met, and Zaden so far," Ashton replied. A small smile spread across his face. "Oh, and Nathan, Erin is pregnant. We just found out."
"Congratulations, man. That's incredible news," I said, clapping him on the shoulder. Gavin echoed the sentiment. If only we could celebrate properly, but Krystal needed us.
"Thanks. Be careful with whatever this is. The kids will be secure here, don't worry," Ashton said. I nodded gratefully, knowing the children couldn't be in safer hands than with the dragon alpha.
Gavin and I sprinted out the door and jumped into his police cruiser. He turned on the lights and headed toward Krystal's house, dreading what we mightfind. I prayed she was unharmed, that we weren't too late. Hang on, Krystal, I'm coming...
We raced up the front walkway and skidded to an abrupt halt. I blinked in disbelief. Krystal, Rissa, and Tavi were sitting on the porch steps, looking shaken but unharmed. I could see into the house behind them through the front door. It was wrecked, and the smell of animal blood drifted out.
"What are you two doing out here?” I glared at Rissa and Tavi. I didn’t know they were here too. My mate had been in danger, and I hadn’t even realized. “Why didn't you immediately leave?" I demanded, equal parts relieved and agitated to see them.
Gavin stood tensely at my side, hands clenched.
Rissa held up a calming hand. "It's fine. We searched the place. Nobody's here now, but whoever it was is seriously pissed off. They made a huge mess inside."
Red flickered across my vision. "You did what? Without backup?" I snarled.
Gavin stepped forward, voice rising. "Of all the reckless, foolish?—"
"We're not helpless," Tavi snapped back, leaping to her feet. "We can take care of ourselves."
"This isn't a game," I shouted over her. "Krystal’s house is tossed, and you decided to just waltz in and?—"
"Enough!" Rissa stuck two fingers in her mouth and let out a piercing whistle. Everybody froze as she glared at us.
"This macho caveman act isn't helping. What's done is done," she said firmly. "Let's focus on what we need to do next to keep everyone safe. Okay?"
