The Finding (17 page)

A niggle of
doubt worked its way into her resolve to let Kellen take the fall
for his own actions. Could she stand by and let Kellen get hurt?
She nibbled on her lip. Not really. But that didn’t mean she’d pay
off the loan shark for him. No, once she knew the facts and if
there really were threats being made against Kellen or herself,
she’d contact the authorities.

The beast
inside her whimpered and Cassie acknowledged that it had good
cause. She’d been living her life under the radar for three years
now. Her fake identity as Sandy Grant had served her well, but then
again, it hadn’t come under close scrutiny either. And her use of
drugs—not quite street drugs, but illegally purchased none the
less—wasn’t something she wanted brought to light.

An angry snarl
erupted from her mouth, surprising her. Even though it was just
days until the full moon, the creature had never done that before.
Nervously, she clenched her fists on the arm of the chair exerting
more inner control. It was getting stronger, fighting against the
restrictions she placed on it. Would she have to take medication
daily to keep it under control?

Another
discontented growl rose within her. The animal hated the drugs.
They were a chemically induced jail that kept it from roaming as it
wished. But necessary, she argued with herself, thinking of the
panic that had overwhelmed her just days ago. Las Vegas was highly
populated and werewolves were dangerous. It—she—they—could kill
someone. Hadn’t she seen the power and destruction a creature such
as herself was capable of with her own eyes?

She bit her lip
as another idea crossed her mind. If Kellen wasn’t here, how would
she get her pills? There were enough for another few months, but
then... Thoughts whirled in her mind as she contemplated all the
implications of Kellen’s gambling debt. Any course of action she
took would have far reaching consequences. Leaning her head back
against the cushions, she closed her eyes and massaged her temples
with her finger tips as she tried to reason her way through the
situation.

*****

Bryan padded
down the street, pausing to sniff at each bus stop. So far no one
had given him a second glance, probably thinking he was someone’s
pet husky that had escaped from a backyard. He paused at a corner
and sat down in the shade cast by a mailbox, panting from the
excessive late afternoon heat. Las Vegas was no place for a wolf.
His fur coat served him well in the cooler Canadian climate or even
in the north western United States where he’d grown up, but this
was ridiculous. Once he found Cassandra, he promised himself a
large, cold drink.

At least it was
cooler now than it had been in the middle of the afternoon. From
all he’d heard, the temperatures would continue to drop as night
approached. He squinted up at the sky, judging it to be around
supper time. His stomach growled in concurrence and he thought
longingly of the fast food restaurant that was directly across from
his motel.

Realizing he
wouldn’t be eating in the near future unless he managed to track
the girl down, he rose to his feet. Giving his body a shake, he
continued on his way, sniffing the ground as he went. A bus drove
past him and paused at the stop up ahead. He slowed his pace and
watched the people disembark and hurry on their way. Then the
vehicle roared to life again, spewing exhaust his way. His coughed
and sneezed as the smelly fumes irritated his sensitive nose.

Snorting to
clear his airways of the obnoxious odours, he approached the bus
stop. Carefully, he sniffed the surrounding ground, then froze when
a familiar scent tickled his nostrils. Exotic and spicy with floral
undertones... That was it! He looked up sharply and gazed around.
No one was watching him yet. He pulled his lips back in a wolfish
grin. Gotta love the way everyone minds their own business around
here, he thought to himself.

Nose to the
ground, he set off at a brisk pace, eager to find the Greyson girl
and make contact. She was a lone wolf but still young enough to be
handled with ease. It was the wolves that had been on their own for
years that could prove dangerous. A wolf’s psyche wasn’t programmed
to live a solitary lifestyle. After awhile, they usually became
unstable and then... Well, the options became more limited and less
pleasant.

But Cassandra
wasn’t that far gone; he was sure of it. She might be experiencing
a bit of mental conflict but that would be the extent of it. And
once he talked to her and she saw reason, they’d head back to his
motel. He’d grab some food and then get cleaned up. The thought of
a shower made him grin; the grit of the city had invaded his fur
and he couldn’t wait to be rid of it.

His nails
clicked on the sidewalk, the heat from the sun-baked cement
penetrating the pads of his paws. He didn’t care; the joy of
tracking filled him, pushing all other cares aside.

He sniffed the
corner of a mailbox and could almost envision her brushing against
it as she walked past. A little further down the road and he found
a spot where she’d paused to cross the street, perhaps waiting for
traffic. Her hand had been pressed against a lamp post, the sweat
and oil from her palm was as distinctive as a neon sign to him.

Bryan began to
scan ahead, wondering if he’d catch sight of her even though he
knew it was unlikely. His wolf wanted the thrill of sighting its
prey followed by a chase. Not this time boy, he told the beast.
Chasing her down won’t enamour her to us. Besides we’re in a city,
not the woods back home. We have to try to blend in. The beast
whined but conceded.

Padding around
a corner, he paused then picked up speed. Close, so close... There!
She’d gone up this sidewalk. He trotted up to the house sniffing
carefully. Yes, this had to be her home; her scent permeated the
surrounding area. His wolf rumbled happily at the knowledge that
she was nearby, his tail wagging. Circling around to the back of
the building, he continued to sniff, analyzing the location. No
pets, a motorcycle partially dismantled, fresh laundry, a male
human... The hair on his neck rose as he considered this last bit
of information.

Mrs. Mitchell,
the elderly lady at the grocery store, had mentioned that a man by
the name of Kellen lived here as well and this confirmed it. The
knowledge didn’t sit well with him or his wolf. Anger wafted from
the beast within him and he struggled to stay in control and keep
the animal in check. He had no claim on the girl and couldn’t just
attack the man she lived with, even though his presence was an
unwanted complication.

Was the man
inside at this moment? He cocked his ears and listened. The house
was silent so it was hard to know. He’d have to shift back into
human form and knock on the door. Stepping into a shadowed area
behind the house, he transformed into a man again. Straightening
his shirt, he was thankful once again that he didn’t need to worry
about the inconvenience of carrying clothing with him, like some
half-blooded Lycans did. Appearing naked at the girl’s door would
definitely not make a good first impression. And should her
boyfriend answer... He shook his head at the thought of the
fireworks that could cause.

Walking along
the side of the house, he scrutinized in the windows. Hmm...
Curious. The first window revealed a very feminine bedroom with
lace ruffled curtains while the next was a plain dark blue. He
paused and tested the air outside this last window. Even more
curious. Unless his nose was deceiving him—which he seriously
doubted—they didn’t share a bedroom; her scent was too weak. That
tidbit of knowledge pleased him no end.

Rounding the
corner, he went to the door, glancing in the front window, which
was located just to the right. Even with a set of blinds, it
offered a perfect glimpse inside the living room. Through the
partially closed slats, he noted the worn furniture, the older
style TV and Cassandra. She was curled up on the sofa, sound
asleep. Her hand cradled her cheek and her plump lips were softly
parted. He stared at them for a moment and imagined how they’d feel
against his own; soft and warm, moistly sliding... His tongue
slipped out of its own volition and wet his lips. It was as if he
could already taste her.

Curling his
hands into fists, he forced his gaze to move on, noting her lashes
were as dark as her hair and fanned out over her cheeks in a
perfect arc. They scarcely hid the dark mauve shadows marring the
skin below her eyes. He scowled. It would seem she was exhausted.
Protective instincts rose within him and he wondered why she wasn’t
getting the sleep she needed. His wolf pushed against its
restraints, wanting to immediately enter the house and curl up
around her, offering protection and warmth as she rested.

We’ll keep her
safe. Once she knows she is ours her rest will be peaceful.

Bryan laughed
softly. If only it were as simple as his wolf would like to
believe. Something told him Cassandra wasn’t going to welcome him
with open arms. And the fact that she belonged to him...er...the
pack, that is, would be a shock let alone the news about moving to
Canada.

He stood
quietly watching her for a few more minutes, appreciating her
beauty. His wolf rumbled its approval as well. At the store she’d
appeared to be of average height and build, though the cashier’s
apron she’d worn had hidden her body from view. Now, her tight yoga
pants showed shapely thighs and delightfully curved hips.

Her top had
ridden up and was twisted under her, baring part of her belly and
pulling taut over luscious breasts. Cassandra Greyson was an
enticing bundle and his palms tingled with a longing to stroke her.
Somehow he knew her golden skin would be warm and supple to the
touch. His lids grew heavy as he thought about how it would feel to
have her naked body pressed against his, her softness complimenting
his hardness, her limbs entangled with his. The stirring of his
body had him shifting uncomfortably. Damn, his wolf’s lusty
thoughts were invading his own. He cleared his throat and once
again schooled his mind to the task before him.

He raised his
hand intent on knocking, then hesitated just inches from the door.
A frown marred his brow as he glanced upwards. The sky was starting
to darken and she’d be surprised to find him at her door at this
late hour. And he still had no idea how he’d break the Finding to
her either. Besides, she was sleeping so soundly, it seemed a shame
to wake her when really nothing could happen until tomorrow.
Perhaps he should return in the morning. She might be more
receptive after a good night’s sleep.

For a moment he
weighed the pros and cons, before letting his hand fall to his
side. He knew he was coming up with excuses and couldn’t understand
why his human half was reluctant to actually make contact with her.
Was it because his wolf was so keen on her, he felt the need to act
contrary and assert his dominance over the beast?

Or because you
are denying the truth that I already know?

Bryan frowned,
displeased with the creature. His wolf was getting way too pushy as
of late. They might be as one in most things, but when it came
right down to it, his human half was ultimately in charge. Lifting
his chin slightly, he stepped off the porch and away from the
house, ignoring the animal’s protests. Tomorrow morning would be
soon enough to talk to Cassandra. He’d head back to his room, get
cleaned up and...

But what about
the other one?

Kellen? Her
live in?

The one in
the store.
His wolf whined pathetically.

Damn! He’d
almost forgotten the guy who’d been watching Cassandra. Bryan
paused mid stride, looked around and lifting his head, tested the
air. No one was about, but... Quickly, he decided to alter his
plans. He’d grab a bite then come back and spend the night under a
nearby shrub. If anyone approached, he’d be there to defend her.
And if nothing happened, well, first thing in the morning, he’d
approach her as planned.

His wolf
rumbled happily and Bryan sourly realized the beast had gotten its
own way. He sighed heavily and shook his head. We need to have a
long talk about who’s in charge, he warned the animal.

Chapter 8

Hugh pulled the
van into a parking space down the road from Anderson’s home. Eddie
wanted him to find the man and bring him in so this was the logical
place to start. It also provided another opportunity to check out
the girl. He’d watched her at work earlier in the day; a pretty
little thing, probably with a Latino background. She seemed
ordinary enough, working an early shift at a grocery store, taking
a bus to and from work. From what he’d observed she was good at her
job; quick, friendly with the customers... The only strange thing
was how she’d suddenly looked spooked and left work early.

There’d been
nothing unusual that he could see. Just a line of customers anxious
to pay for their groceries. Still, something must have happened
since she hadn’t appeared ill. Hugh knew he wasn’t the brightest
man on the planet, but he was good at his job and when something
was off, he noticed. Something was off about Anderson’s woman;
exactly what, remained to be discovered.

He glanced up
and down the street. Typical suburbia, no one home during the day
and when they did come home at night they all hid inside, watching
TV or surfing the Net. It worked to his advantage; the fewer
witnesses the better.

A hat on his
head and a pair of sunglasses served as an easy disguise. Reaching
into the glove compartment, he pulled out a picture of a dog.
Claiming he was looking for a lost pooch would explain his presence
should anyone ask.

Sliding out of
the vehicle, he crossed the street while surreptitiously checking
for observers again. He strolled down the street as though he had a
purpose for being there; peering into yards as if conducting a
search. When he reached Anderson’s, he tried to act like something
had caught his eye and walked up the driveway.