Ethan

I’m by the marina when I catch a familiar scent, and my mind instantly transports me back to the alley where we lost track of the pups’ scent in Cité de la Nuit.

My wolf howls in my head, and l immediately begin following the trail. It’s a struggle to continue hobbling along in the guise of an old man, rather than breaking into a run and chasing down my prey. Somehow I find the patience to go slowly, following the scent to a dive bar just off the pier.

Peering inside, I see a few rough looking men gathered at the bar, smoking and drinking huge pints of ale. I c0ck my ears towards the sounds of their voices, trying to match the scent to its owner.

“It’s your turn to get the tab, Griff” One of the shifters grumbles.

“I can’t. You know our job went bust” The man in question answers bitterly. “I’Il be lucky if l get paid before we get back to the continent.”

“Yeah, yeah” the first man scoffs, “it’s always the same story with you, you roll into town every few months and mooch off of us, always leaving someone else to pay off your debts. I don’t know why we put up with you.”

“Because without me you’d run out of merchandise ” Griff replies, putting enough emphasis on the word to make me think whatever he provides them isn’t legal.”This s**t hole wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without our girls.”

“That’s true enough.” Another bar fly agrees, “but you didn’t bring any this time.”

“It was a special job – l already told you.” Griff explains, “Anita said we’d make our usual shipment on

schedule, this is just a one-off.”

“A failed one- off” The first man frowns, “where is Anita anyway.”

“She went ahead to the capital – and thank the Goddess, I hate being around her when she’s in a foul mood. Talk about no fun” Griff chuckled.

so he can destroy the slimeball. Truthfully l wouldn’t mind destroying all these ruffians – it’s clear

not going to waste the opportunity. Pondering how I can extract the trafficker from the scene without drawing attention to myself, I study the small bar, noting the exits and dark corners. After a moment my eyes land on the

and the more time that passes, the more I struggle to keep hold of my wolf. I’m feeling more bloodthirsty by the minute, especially

already knew King Aimon hadn’t bought the pups, did the job end because something went wrong, or were our suspicions about the pups escaping correct? When Griff finally stands and begins weaving his way through the chairs and tables towards the restroom, I

that he’s the only man present, and that there’s a lock on the door. I quickly slide the bolt home, and approach behind him at the urinal. Extending my claws, I swiftly bring them

I greet him, my voice

are you?” He demands

deeply, catching the unmistakable scent of the kids, even if it is a few days old. “Tell me scum,”

nothing Alpha.” It compared to the way he shrivels up now. takes me a moment to realize that he’s wet himself, the stench of urine was already so strong in

“And if you want to live, you’ll tell me where

don’t have them!” He

than I expected. It’s amazing how spineless even the worst criminals can be. Then again, l could r!p his throat out

his voice shaking. “We were taking them to the capital, and they convinced us to

I remember Jane’s nightmares about the pups being alone in the rainforest, and my stomach

was she having some sort

the King’s highway.” He chokes, “just past the turn off for Alta

didn’t go after them?” I snap, trying to imagine

over the road, I still have wounds in my feet.” He whines, as if he thinks I might be a

terrified for them. It’s a relief that they aren’t with

Anita gone to the capital?” l inquire, remembering

sounding a bit sullen. “But if l had to guess, she’s gone to tell

wind themselves even tighter.”Do you have a way to get in

a phone number” He shares,

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