Page 12 of The Werewolf Cowboy
He wanted Katy safe more than he wanted normal.
As the front door of the bar opened, a tall Lupine emerged. “Kyle,” Aiden barked. “Get the hell over here.” When he did, Aiden pointed to Grayson. “Take a whiff of what’s on his palm and tell me what you know.”
Kyle’s expression darkened. “Dark Fae. I don’t know this scent, but we know someone who does. Prince Alexander and Princess Emma, of Clan Drakon.”
“Dragons,” Aiden mused. “Emma’s birth father is Dark Fae.”
Grayson didn’t like the connection. Dragons were friendly enough shifters, but a dragon with a Dark Fae father?
“We don’t need their help,” he told Aiden.
Aiden gave him a long, thoughtful look. “We’ll get no further information here. Kyle, Darius, bottle as much of the Dark Fae dust as you can. Grayson, you’ll come back with us to the ranch.”
Grayson started to dust off his hands, thought better of it. Gut instinct warned him to keep evidence for himself.
Aiden told his pack to leave, and when they were gone (snap your fingers, alpha, and everyone but your mate obeys), he put a hand on Grayson’s shoulder. The contact made him stiffen, though there was nothing heavy-handed or authoritative about the gesture. It was more in friendship.
Grayson hadn’t any real friends in a very long time. It felt odd, but good.
Nia stood before him, and when he looked into her eyes, he saw the worry there. They were truly concerned about Katy, as much as her own family was. Maybe this was what he’d missed out on all these years. He wouldn’t ever join them, but for now, Grayson would aid any way possible.
They knew Katy, had lived with her for most of her life. He needed information if he was going to track her down and rescue her.
“You don’t need dragons to tell you where Katy is.” Grayson removed his Stetson, ran a thumb around the brim. “I know where she went.”
Nia gasped and Aiden stiffened. “Where is she? Please, tell me.” Nia’s big blue eyes filled with tears. “We have to find Katy. She’s one of ours.”
Something dangerous uncoiled inside him. “No, she’s not. She never was yours, just yours to raise, Nia.”
His voice deepened, and he knew if the sodium lights were stronger, they’d reflect his changing eyes. “She’s in a place where you can’t get her. A place where someone can hurt her.”
Aiden growled deep. “We’ll find her.”
“I’llfind her. First, I’ll return with you to the ranch. Gonna be things I’ll need when I find her. Information about her.”
“If you’re not telling us something—” Aiden began.
Grayson gave the alpha a cool look. “All you need to know is that Katy will return to you, safe and unharmed, if you quit wasting time. That’s all I’m saying. No more. Got it, Mitchell?”
Nia tugged at her mate’s arm. “Please, Aiden, let’s go home.”
Aiden gave a brusque nod. Grayson turned and headed for his truck. He couldn’t track her from here without more information. Whoever orchestrated this was far too clever.
And whatever they planned for Katy, he knew it wasn’t good.
