Page 15 of Lightning Strikes

Chapter 5

Mac

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I hop out of bed and rush through my shower before hastily getting dressed in my uniform before I’m late. I’ll have to drop Max off with my parents for the day since there’s no way I have time to walk or feed him right now.

Fuck. I’m going to be late.

Damn Angela keeping me up until midnight last night refusing to talk about where she went or why she needed Lauren’s name. She’s a damn troublemaker and the smug satisfaction that was frozen on her angelic face was driving me insane.

That woman never ceases to amaze or torture me.

I still remember when we first met – her parents rolled up in a bright green hippy ass van and parked in front of the alpha house. A woman, a younger teen, and one of the tallest shifters I’ve ever seen hopped out and knocked on the door. I stayed back and hid in the trees... I wanted to see the girl’s face, because that body even at fifteen was fucking killer.

She was a lot slimmer back then but was tall as hell and looked like an angel.

Even if she’s really a demon.

The alpha hugged the three of them and they were in there for what felt like hours. I ended up rushing home and begging my parents to find out what’s going on, because that… girl. I knew it then that she was going to be my mate.

My mom laughed and told me that they’re the new residents from Idaho and the fifteen-year-old girl was going to work as our pack doctor. Fifteen and a fucking doctor? So my future mate is smart as hell, I remember myself saying out loud and my mother popped me upside the head for being crude.

Days went by and I wasn’t able to work up the courage to speak to her. Her dad worked night and day building a cabin far away from where the rest of us lived, but only about a mile back into the forest so it wasn’t too hard to keep an eye on her.

I noticed that Adam, the alpha’s heir, one of my oldest friends, also had an eye on the girl… But I was determined to get to know her, talk to her, and lock her down first. Helped me out that he was older than us and didn’t try anything until she was over eighteen. Sucks for him.

And I did… Until I was an idiot and begged her to just be friends. Then it turned intomore…and I never asked for more than that. She’s thought all of these years that I don’t love her, don’t want to be with her, don’t want to start a family with her.

The truth is, I know she’s too good for me. I’m only strong enough to be a beta thanks to her pushing me to be smarter, faster, and stronger. We worked out together, ran, watched videos and tapes of the best MMA fighters and we bought the proper equipment.

Pushed ourselves until we were unstoppable… Went off to college, then we settled back down here in Prescott. While she commuted to veterinary school, I went through the police academy… She opened up a clinic in town, and I worked my way up the ranks in the local PD. I’m not really sure when we truly began to distance ourselves from one another, but I regret it.

And then Adam slithered his way into her bed and I backed off. She was meant to be someone of importance. An alpha mate, the pack doctor, a successful businesswoman. So I had it in my head that Adam was a better choice for her. Especially after his family went and fucked off to a bigger, better pack – leaving him here alone to figure out how to be an alpha at such a young age.

I know that she loves me and would accept me following her anywhere she would end up… But what happens when she finds someone to settle down with… again? Do I stay by her side? Do I beg her for a chance? Or do I find my own way and leave her alone, truly alone, for the first time in over twenty years?

I slick my hair back and place my black hat on my head. I call out for Max while I jump into my truck and race over to my parent’s cabin.

“Mac?” My dad calls out from the kitchen window and waves me inside.

“I’m going to be late, can you watch out for Max today?” He nods and opens the front door. I lean over to the passenger side, popping open the door to let Max out to do his thing. “Thanks, pop. See you later!” I reverse and try not to speed too fast to get to work. I already have Laura on my ass, I don’t need anyone else gettin’ any ideas. The chief is a piece of shit and I would prefer to not have him in my damn face today.

I cruise through the semi-crowded streets, barely holding myself back from blaring my loud horn so that I can get into work on time. Why the fuck is everyone driving so damn slow? I weave around the cars and pull into the precinct with minutes left until my shift starts. I rush in through the clear glass doors and nod to the receptionist, Brandy, as I head down the dim halls to the meeting room and plant my ass in one of the last chairs available around the long, circular table.

“Good to see you on time today, Daniels. Let’s get started.” Chief Morrow sneers at me and glares around the room. The cockroach has thin white hair, murky blue eyes, and is dressed in a tight uniform that shows his massive beer belly. “Has anyone heard from Szabo today? She’s usually punctual.” He frowns as he stares me down and I shift in my seat.

“No, sir. I’ve had a few days off.”

He licks his lips, tilting his head before staring down his captain to his left. “Get in touch with her and haul her ass in... Moving on, there’s a rodeo comin’ in, in a few days. We need volunteers to deal with the traffic and two more to be at the actual event during the day.” He sits down in his chair at the head of the table and pulls his tablet up to his face to read through his agenda with squinted eyes. “We also need to ensure our citizens are understanding of the laws that there are no fires in or around the forest. Too many campers and hikers are lightin’ up back there and we don’t need our little town burnin’ down.”

I tune out during the rest of the meeting, staring down at the empty chair across from me. Where the hell is my psycho little partner? Angela wouldn’t have gotten rid of her, she’s not like that.

“Daniels, you’re on patrol. Keep an eye out for Szabo and keep your phone near.” I accept the dismissal and stalk out of the meeting room, heading out to the lot where I keep my patrol car parked. No way am I bringing a chipped vehicle onto pack lands. I step into the car and pull out of the lot as I start patrolling the roads in the older, shadier areas. We don’t have much gang activity up here, but lately the drugs have been running rampant around these parts. Weed, meth, and cocaine.

I sigh as I see a group of teenagers standing in a circle, chuckling to myself as they run off when they see me.

On the ground is a younger kid, probably around twelve, in the fetal position, beaten black and blue. Damn it. Now I can’t chase the little assholes. I pick up my radio to call in some backup and an ambulance before rushing over to the kid. I kneel down and can hear him breathing from where I am, but I’m no doctor or medic… I know basic first aid.

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