Page 126 of The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter thirty

Danny

My blood turned to ice in my veins. "Your boss?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "What did you tell them?"

"Look, it's not a big deal," Shane said, but I could hear the defensiveness creeping into his voice. "Guy's got money, real money, and he was interested in the area. Said he might want to invest in some property up there."

"What kind of questions?" I pressed, gripping the phone so hard my knuckles went white. Bayer's hand found my shoulder, steadying me.

"Just...you know, general stuff. About the land, the people living there. How many, who owns the land." Shane's voice was getting smaller, like he was finally realizing he might have fucked up. "He seems legit, Danny. Drives a nice car, wears expensive suits."

"What does he look like?" I demanded, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"I don't know, normal? Dark hair. Really smooth skin, like he uses those fancy creams or something." Shane paused. "Why are you freaking out about this? It's just business."

I looked around the room at the tense faces surrounding me. Rhys had gone completely still, his eyes wide with something. "Shane," I asked, "where is your boss now?"

"How should I know? He pays me to do a job, not to babysit him." Shane's tone was getting more irritated. "Jesus, Danny, you're being paranoid."

"A teenager is missing," I said flatly. "Someone took him, and I think your boss might be involved."

The silence on the other end of the line stretched so long I thought the call had dropped. Then Shane's voice came back, smaller and more frightened than I'd ever heard it. "Missing? What do you mean missing?"

"I mean gone, Shane. Vanished. And if your mysterious boss had anything to do with it—"

"Bullshit," Shane interrupted, sounding angry. "You just don’t want me to succeed. He’s never asked anything about any kids; in fact, he wants to help the community and the school. He’s real interested in Emery and what he’s doing."

I frowned and stared at my bestie. “What?” I mouthed in confusion. Em returned my frown and shook his head helplessly.

"What else, Shane? What else did you tell him?"

"Nothing! Just butt out, Danny. You’re not gonna ruin this for me.” And he hung up. I called right back, but it went straight to voicemail. Then I noticed a text from my mom. I came back a day early to clean up—you know me. Dinner tonight if you're free. I made your favorites.

I closed my eyes even as I felt Bayer’s arm come around me. I looked helplessly at the rest of them. “There’s still a real possibility that Ben will turn up. Phones break. Teenagers get distracted.”

No one answered, but they didn’t need to. I wasn’t convincing anyone.

“I’m going to check in on the patrols,” Phoenix announced, and Isla straightened, resolve flashing in her eyes.

I swallowed and turned to Bayer. “My mom came back early.” My voice cracked.

“They’ve found Matthew’s car!” Phoenix almost shouted and lowered his own phone. "We need to move now," Phoenix said, already heading for the door. "Every minute counts."

Bayer turned to me, his expression torn between duty and protection. "Danny, you need to stay here with Emery. I promise my next call will be to send extra patrols to watch your mom—"

"I know," I said, though every instinct screamed to do something, anything. I felt like I was being ripped in half. "Just find him. Please."

He kissed me hard, his hands cupping my face. "I will. I promise." Then he was gone, Phoenix and Rhys at his heels.

The house emptied rapidly as pack members mobilized. Kaylan squeezed my shoulder on his way out. "We'll bring him home and make sure your mom is safe."

Within minutes, only Emery and I remained in the suddenly too-quiet living room. The silence pressed down on me, heavy with fear and helplessness.

"I should put Tia to bed," Emery said softly, his voice thick with unshed tears. "She's been asking for Ben."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. As Emery headed upstairs with his daughter, I sank onto the couch, my phone still clutched in my hand. Shane's words kept replaying in my mind. His boss. Someone with money, asking questions about the pack, about the land.

About Emery's school.