Chapter 19

I couldn't live in my room forever so I got dressed and called my boss and told her about the break-in, though Dash got to her first and explained the situation. She told me I could take all the time I needed but I couldn't stay in this house doing nothing another day. I told her I'd be at the old folk's home in the afternoon. I had to tell Mr Dean I failed to use the address he gave me.

I went downstairs for breakfast and braced myself for the business of the pack house but I didn't brace myself for the two women who strolled passed me and entered the living room. One blonde woman with silky bone straight hair and another one with bouncy brunette hair.

I hadn't seen Rachel since she disappeared with Dash. I didn't know the other woman but she looked welcomed. I wandered into the kitchen to grab cereal. I heard the excited feminine voices shuffling my way. I hadn't filled my bowl with milk yet so I couldn't run. Gunner entered the kitchen, dressed in dark jeans and a buttoned-up checked shirt. My heart did a little leap when our eyes met.

"Zora," he said.

"Gunner," my voice came out in a whisper.

"Gunner, when are you going to brighten up this place it's so dull and old. You need a stylish Luna," a feminine voice said.

"Sounds like you're going for the position, Lilah," Rachel said.

I froze when the woman stumbled into the kitchen.

Lilah, the blonde with mossy green eyes stopped and stared at me up and down. Her manicured hand gripped Gunner's shoulder. His jaw clenched but he looked over his shoulder at her.

"Who's this?" Lilah asked.

Rachel giggled and I mentally hoped she wouldn't bring up the whole Gunner's favourite toy thing again.

"I'll let Gunner explain," Rachel said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I willed myself to move and smiled.

"I'm Zora, I'm just visiting…"

Lilah bore her gaze into Gunner. "You let humans stay at the werewolf pack house?"

Gunner rolled his eyes upward and stepped forward. He walked passed me and opened the fridge. He came back with a bottle of milk and set it on the counter beside me. He made a point to brush his body against mine as he set the bottle down.

"I'm the Alpha I can do whatever I want. Dash has something for you."

"What?" I raised a brow.

"I guess we'll both find out when he gets here."

Lilah stared at me disapprovingly. I'd stepped on her territory. Cass told me she-wolves were territorial. I grabbed the milk and scurried out of the kitchen going upstairs was an option but Dash and Kaleb walked through the front door.

"Good. I don't have to drag your ass out of your room," Dash said.

Kaleb snickered. "Give her a break."

"I am. Living room?"

I sighed, "Yeah."

Expecting Lilah and Rachel to follow us they didn't. Gunner did and closed the double doors leading to the living room.

"What you got, Dash?" Gunner asked.

I sat on the single chair. Once again I was in the same room with the guys who made my heart leap. Kaleb hadn't shaved in a few days and the beginnings of a beard made him sexier. Dash's green eyes scanned the document he carried, the dark blue shirt he wore hugged his sculpted and muscular frame I just wanted to lose myself in his arms and then there was Gunner, calm and relaxed but I bet there was a storm brewing underneath. There always was a storm with Gunner. His calm and mysterious demeanour added to his appeal, what would have happened if I accepted his invitation to stay in his room?

I focused on my milk when I realized my thoughts. Get it together, Zora! There are three wolves in the room and they could smell desire. I poured my milk calmly. I forgot the sugar but I was too shaken to move.

I glanced up and caught Gunner's smirk.

Oh gosh, he knew!

"Okay, I managed to get my hands on the official report of your parents' murder. There are a lot of holes in this, Zora," Dash said, meeting my eyes.

"You did?" I discarded the cereal.

"The cause of death is suffocation, nothing was stolen, but they have no official cause of fire and the time of death is undetermined. The police failed to provide who called the police."

Kaleb cleared his throat. "You think the killer called the police? They don't have neighbours. That house should have burned to the ground. Sorry, Zora."

"It's okay, you're right. They couldn't have suffocated. They were killed first, but why?"

"The secret room in the basement maybe but some of those stuff is so old they could have been passed down from generations," Kaleb said.

I rubbed my temples. It made no sense. My parents were good, normal and elderly human beings. A hand rested on my back and I straightened up.

"Hey, we'll get to the bottom of this, okay?" Dash said.

I wanted to believe him but I felt helpless.

"I don't get why they didn't come back for Zora after the murder or the week after why now?" Gunner asked. He stood and paced to the fireplace.

"I don't know," my voice cracked.

I wrapped my arms around myself. "Maybe they thought I was useless or maybe my parents' death had nothing to do with the break-in. It could be the man from the old folk's home."

Gunner blew out a breath. "I hate that I don't know who that fucker is."

"I guess I just have to go out there," I sighed.

"I don't like that," Dash said.

"It's not a good idea, Zora," Kaleb added.

"No shit," Gunner finished.

I rolled my eyes and stood. "Are any of you going to compensate my salary?"

"Don't sweat it. I can give you double," Gunner smirked.

"Forget it. You know this is the only way to draw him out."

They groaned at the same time but they knew I was right.

"Have you gone to the insurance company about your parent's life insurance policy?" Kaleb asked.

"What life insurance?" I frowned.

Gunner narrowed his eyes on me. "You didn't check?"

I shook my head. "I know about a will and that's it."

The guys shared a look. "You should check it out. Most elderly folk have life insurance."

I raked a hand through my hair. This could be the solution to my problem with Keegan and the house. I had to work in the afternoon so I would make a trip tomorrow morning.

"I'm meeting Russel and Mason. I'll catch you guys later," Dash said.

He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

"I've got to run too, but I'll pick you up tomorrow if you want to go to the insurance company," Kaleb said.

I nodded eagerly. "Yeah, please."

Kaleb smiled and marched out. It was just Gunner and me as well as my discarded bowl of cereal. I'd lost my appetite.

Gunner appeared behind me and chuckled.

"What?" I asked.

Gunner invaded my personal space. His hands were in his pockets but it felt like he caressed my arms.

"What was that Zora?" He asked.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I knew what he was talking about but why couldn't Gunner leave it alone?

"I don't know what you're talking about, Gunner."

He pulled my chin with his index finger to his face. "Yes, you do. You're pink with embarrassment. Don't be. Your scent… especially when you're turned on… goddess is amazing."

"Ugh, Gunner. You imagined things. I have to go."

He held my elbow and pulled me close. "No, you don't. Now the thing is there were three of us in the room. Which one of us turned you on?"