Page 142 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“We need to find that woman,” he says eventually through clenched teeth.
“Dr. Hannah?” Axel asks.
“Yes.”
“Find her?”
“She’s missing,” Silver says, “has been since your abduction.”
“Then maybe something’s happened to her too. Maybe–”
“Bea, sweetheart, she was feeding you the wrong drugs. She was forcing your heat to come early. This woman is right in the center of whatever went down.”
“She may not have a choice …”
“There’s always a choice,” Silver says gruffly, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.
I lean my head on Axel’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to think about it any more. It’s in the past. I want to sort out this job and prepare for this heat.”
Now I’m wrapped in Axel’s arms, away from the doctor (however nice he was), I feel less wobbly. More resigned and determined. I didn’t know what was coming last time. Plus, I was half in denial about the entire situation. This time I’m going to be prepared.
“Do you think we could swing by to pick up Courtney from the department store?” I ask, pulling out my phone to message my cousin.
“Sure thing,” Silver answers, without so much as a query as to why.
We collect her from the side walk a half hour later and then drive her around to the Stormgate house.
She stands on the doorstep gaping, and I have to take her hand and drag her through the house as she mutters about the size of the place. In the kitchen, we find Molly baking what looks like macaroons.
“Molly,” I say, “this is my cousin, Courtney. Courtney meet Molly.”
The two exchange hellos and then look at me with curiosity.
“I need some advice,” I tell them both. “Girlie advice.”
“Oh goodie, This sounds fun,” Courtney says jumping up on a stool.
“It does,” Molly agrees, “let me make us some tea, though.”
She wipes her hands on her apron, unties it from her waist and then boils the kettle. A few minutes later she hands around cups of some herbal concoction, and the two other women look to me again.
I blow across my drink, making the surface ripple.
“Bea,” Courtney says, “out with it.”
“I have another heat coming.” They both nod. “Soon. Like, probably in a matter of days.”
Courtney’s face crumples and she drops her cup on the countertop and attempts to hug me. “Oh Bea, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” Molly scoffs. “Have you seen how hot her six alphas are?” She motions towards the door.
“Yoursix alphas?”
“Uh huh, we’re giving it a try.”
Courtney’s gaze flits around my face. “Are you sure about this, sweetie? You don’t have to plumb for the first group of men who show up on your door and–”
