Page 14 of Found Objects

“I don’t know, but you might wanna clarify with the man before you start courtin’ one of my favorite people.”

He grunted noncommittally, but he left. Which was good. I didn’t want Desta to ever be hurt. None of my people were allowed to be hurt on my watch.

Since I’d left work early, everyone having shooed me out, I was looking forward to a relaxing night. Of course, making plans to do nothing was never a good idea. I had just made it home, right after nine, and was about to walk up the steps to my front door when an SUV rolled up my driveway. Turning, I waited on the cobblestone driveway that looped around behind the drive to my garage. There was no car inside, instead it was a workshop where I made the porcelain mugs, plates of assorted sizes, platters, sugar bowls, creamer pitchers, salt and pepper shakers, and small vases we used in the restaurant. The barware we bought, but I had been responsible for everything else since we first opened.

Reggie got out before Fletcher, and I tried not to look as annoyed as I felt. They were at my home, my refuge, my sanctuary, and why they hadn’t called, I had no idea. The only people who simply showed up at my house were friends or people who worked for me.

I scowled at them and asked if they had any idea what time it was.

“Yeah, we know.” Reggie sounded tired and sad at the same time. “But we need you to come down the mountain and speak to our alpha and his mate.”

Instead of being thrilled that I was finally being invited, I said, “Why?”

“Because they need to speak to you, and it’s important.”

“Why now?”

“There was an issue earlier.”

“I don’t understand. What kind of issue, what does it have to do with me, and when did it occur?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

I just stared at him.

“Fine. The thing happened about two hours ago, and I’d rather not say. We should let our alpha do that.”

“You could have called, and we could’ve talked earlier.”

“Yes, but there was testing first.”

“I don’t… What?”

“Just please get in the car,” he said irritably, opening the passenger-side door and gesturing for me to get in.

I crossed my arms. “Is it life and death?”

Fletcher was glowering at me. “Can you just get in the car?”

“You know, I worked all day.”

“We all worked all day and then had to have a hunt, because heaven forbid we fuckin’ move it to the weekend.”

Reggie turned to him. “Did you just complain about your alpha?”

“I asked for it to be moved, so he knew I was pissed.”

Reggie threw up his arms and turned back to me. “Get in the car!”

Was he kidding? “What kind of manners are those?”

“If you don’t come with us, they’ll send other guys who don’t know you to bring you in.”

I shrugged.

Fletcher huffed out an irritated breath. “There’s a boundary on your land, isn’t there?”

“Yes.” I answered truthfully, because why not? And I suspected they had come into contact with it during their hunt. “I told you that hunting on my land couldn’t happen.”