Page 11 of Lion Conquers All
“I follow the rules, Connie. Always.”
I would never do anything to upset you or put you in danger.But he didn’t say that aloud.
“Call me when you get back. I want to know that you’ve found Sam.”
“Of course.”
She hurried away, back into the gym, away from him.
He tried not to take it personally, but his beast didn’t possess that ability. Everything was personal. Every time she pushed him away, his lion grew more depressed and irritated that they didn’t push back.
Mine.
The voice in his head growled.
Want mate.
“I know,” he said, the words a whisper on his breath. “But she’s not ready yet.”
Mine.
His lion growled inside his head again.
“We will be patient and watch and wait for the right opportunity. Stick with the plan.”
His lion’s aggravation was normal. His beast always wanted to act first, but the most successful plans were meticulous and organized. Connie was the most important person in his entire life. He would succeed, no matter how long it took.
5
AARAV
The drive to the trailhead was uneventful sans meeting a park ranger who wanted to know what he was doing in her park. She’d been perfectly agreeable once he’d explained the situation and had even given him her cell number so that he could contact her if Sam wasn’t found soon.
He’d parked at the entrance to the Crooked Rock hiking trail just as Connie had instructed. He’d been worried he’d have to track the boys using his abilities, but everything was quite clearly marked.
The ground was soft and the land smelled inviting. Flowers bloomed on the surrounding hillsides and the sky was blue and clear of clouds. The beautiful landscape stretched out for miles in every direction.
He half ran half jogged about thirty minutes before he heard voices.
The campsite was in a small clearing near a slowly running stream. The boys were splashing about in the water and carrying-on very loudly.
No one could’ve missed them.
“Hello?” He called out to announce himself.
A couple of heads turned his way while he was counting. The four Tragher boys, and thenthree, four, fiveothers. But no Sam. He would’ve recognized Sam.
“Deputy? What’s wrong?” Oscar Tragher, Helen’s oldest approached. The young man was a senior in high school, six-two, built like a warrior, and had bright red hair like Tor. “Are mom and dad okay?”
The other boys immediately paused at that question and looked at Aarav.
“Oh, yes.” He answered back quickly to alleviate the instant flash of worry in all their faces. “I’m actually looking for Sam Roberts. His parents came home today and haven’t been able to get a hold of him. Is he out here with you?”
Several heads shook immediately.Honesty.
“He was at the house at the beginning of the week. He was planning to come out here too, but his girlfriend called and we haven’t seen him since. He’s not picking up his phone?” Oscar turned to one of his brothers. “Darren, try to call him.”
Darren dug through a backpack full of gear until he found a phone. He hit a couple of buttons and then held the device to his ear. A few seconds later he shook his head. “It’s either dead or he has it turned off. Straight to voicemail.”
