Page 18 of Starting a New Life

Fuck.

I let out a growl.

“What do you mean?” There, I sounded outwardly calm and collected. Internally, though, my wolf was raging.

“I urged everyone who’s been affected by the thefts to check their supplies, and there are a couple of discrepancies. Going as far back as three months. Especially at the grocery store. Never a whole box of something like last week, but single cans and stuff. Susie says she figured she’d forgotten to scan the items. These things happen, but after putting together a list, she said the discrepancies are bigger than last year.”

I sighed.

“So, you want to tell me you think that someone’s as been stealing food for months?”

Paul nodded, folding his hands in his lap. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

Fuck.

I snarled.

“And it’s just the food?”

He nodded again. “Appears like it, Alpha.” He cleared his throat, signalling that he had more to say. “I have to admit… I’m worried about whoever it is.”

“Worried?”

Paul nodded again. “We saw what happened to Levi, how rapidly his health declined when he was out in the woods. And he was only out there for a couple of days. This thief, whoever they are, I can’t imagine they’re a local. Even if they are human, someone would’ve heard something about financial problems. We’re a small community; something that has to be this grave a situation surely would’ve been noticed by someone. With them stealing camping supplies, it feels like an escalation. I know for a fact that every house in Balwood has power. Why would they steal a camping cooker? And a sleeping bag? Gray, I’m really worried that someone is roughing it out in the woods.”

So, he was thinking the same thing I was.

“I already implemented a new patrol schedule with increased focus on our woods. But we haven’t found anything suspicious.”

Paul nodded, resting his elbows on my desk, levelling me with a hard look that made him appear older than he was. “Have you considered this might have something to do with the intruders?”

I blinked, then slowly shook my head.

“I can’t say I have. What do you think?”

Paul shrugged, a blush rising to his cheeks. “It was just a spur-of-the-moment thought. I mean, it’s weird that for years nothing happens, then suddenly there’s a human abandoned in the woods, the barrier starts acting up, strange wolves start intruding on our pack lands, and now there’s some kind of thief possibly hiding out in the woods. It’s just… coincidences exist. But at this point, this would be one hell of a coincidence, wouldn’t it?”

I laughed.

“You’re right. But if you’re looking for connections between the events, leave Levi out of it. His case is already solved, and I don’t think it ties to the other events.”

Paul nodded, then shook his head. “Of course. I just meant that his being dropped on us was a true coincidence—or maybe fate at work. One coincidence is realistic. But everything else…”

I sighed. “I know what you mean. And we’re gonna find out what’s going on.” Neither I nor my wolf would rest until we’d figured it out. Even if I wanted to, my wolf wouldn’t let me.

“I know, Alpha. I believe in you. Everyone here does.”

I smiled, though at that moment, I didn’t feel their trust in me was justified.

Chapter 5

Nix

Levi: Hey, Nix, just wanted to let you know that I’m back. Do you want to meet up tomorrow? I have the day off, but we could still meet at Herb’s? I also brought all my stuff, and I think I have some clothes you might like? No pressure, but if you’re comfortable, we can go check them out after. Or, you know, I can bring a selection. That way you wouldn’t have to risk meeting Rhett.

I bit my lip, staring at the phone without moving a muscle.

Levi was back.