Sheriff Cooper was already on his way.
But all I could think about was one thing.
Beast should have been back by now.
The realization settled like ice in my veins.
He should have been back.
I gripped the porch railing.
Hard.
Trying not to panic.
Trying not to imagine all the things that could have happened.
Failing miserably.
Headlights appeared in the driveway.
Sheriff Cooper's truck.
Behind him came another.
Then another.
Word traveled fast in Eagle River.
Especially when trouble was involved.
The sheriff climbed out.
One look at my face.
One look at the woods.
And his expression changed.
"How long?"
"Ten minutes."
The answer came out shaky.
Too shaky.
The sheriff immediately turned toward the trees.
That was when a gunshot echoed through the darkness.
Everything stopped.
My heart.
My breathing.
The entire world.
