Chapter 933 Chapter 933
Webb didn’t taste what he was eating, but he ate anyway. Every shifter learned the hard way that they had to eat often if they hoped to control their animal. Being a bear meant he had to add fuel to the tank more often because of his size. He burned through it fast.
The cafeteria was busy. Several tables had Alliance team members and Cassius’ people filling them. He glanced over at the table where the young trainees sat. It was good that all of them got along. They’d form bonds that they would need later in life.
Rhogue wasn’t here, and he wanted to ask where she was, but didn’t at the same time. It had been a rough night for him. Sleep wasn’t found because all he could do was think about her. Kissing her had surprised him. He didn’t do things without thinking them through, but before he knew it, he was holding her and tasting her mouth.
He pushed the potatoes around on his plate. Her taste still lingered. It shouldn’t, it was hours ago. Her taste was so familiar, but nothing he’d ever experienced at the same time. It had felt like he wasn’t controlling his actions. When he’d remembered the mark on her neck, he’d forced himself to stop. That had been difficult, but then he still couldn’t let her go. He’d expected to smell a masculine scent blended with her sweet fragrance, but there hadn’t been one. How was that even possible? That mark was on her throat, and it wasn’t faded or old, so why hadn’t he smelled the male the bite belonged to?
Laughing had him turn to see what was happening. He could use something funny right now.
“Speed alone should put us on top.” Blair grinned and leaned on the table so he could look directly at Mikiah. “Can you climb trees?”
The woman smiled and stood up. She handed her child to her mate and then looked back at Blair. “Have you ever noticed bears, lions, and tigers perform at a circus?”
Blair glanced at his mate for a second and then shrugged.
Mikiah’s smile was back. “Ever see any wolves doing tricks there?”
Webb watched the expression on Blair’s face fade to sober when he realized what she was getting at.
Mikiah turned to her mate and took their daughter from him. “You never will either, " she said, walking away without looking at Blair again.
Orion laughed and watched his mate leave.
Blair opened his mouth and then looked at Kobie, who was also laughing.
Webb smiled, she had a point, but more so, she managed to put Blair in his place.
Tripp and Bane came through the double doors. Their serious expressions ended the chuckles. Webb set his fork down and pushed the plate away. Just knowing the quiet morning was about to come to an end.
“Fallan’s camera caught Pike and Clayton leaving town, heading this way.” Tripp looked at Bane.
“The other one is over at the green house.”
Louann got up and picked up her daughter. “They found one of the houses. Does Cassius know?”
Bane nodded. “We radioed him. Cahir is going to keep an eye on him and see which way he heads from the house.”
Webb looked over at Blair. “I’ll go make sure Devin knows. He’s talking to Grifter with Deacon right now.”
Blair got up. “Blaise will want more patrols.” He looked at Noah, who hadn’t spoken a word the entire time they’d been all together.
Noah stood up. “I’ll meet you outside.”
“Be careful.” Louann looked from one to the other.
Blair nodded.
Webb turned so he could see the teens sitting all together. He glanced at Gia.
She nodded and got up. “They’ll have to stay inside the factory until we’re sure Pike’s men don’t come this way.”
He walked the hall, glancing in each open door as he did. He still didn’t know where Rhogue was, but as soon as he informed the prince, he was going to go find her and make sure she stayed in the factory. Of course, when he did find her, he was also going to have to ask her why she was marked with no scent of a mate. How he was going to discuss that without losing his cool, he didn’t know. She was his mate, the only one fate would ever give him. He didn’t care if she was half shifter, a quarter shifter, or not a shifter at all; she was his.
He reached the interview room and stood there for a few seconds to get his mind back on track. Opening the door, he nodded to Devin. The prince didn’t go for that bowing stuff, but Webb still acknowledged who he was, always.
“What’s going on?”
He liked how he was always straight to the point. “Pike and Clayton left town, heading this way. Calum, Wynter, and a few others have gone to find them.” He glanced at Grifter before continuing. “The other one was seen at the green house.”
Devin and Deacon exchanged a look.
“I’m guessing we aren’t talking about a building full of plants,” Grifter said.
Devin looked at him. “The women all stay at that house.”
Grifter leaned back in the chair. “He’s tracking her.”
“Her?” Devin leaned on the table and gave him a very focused look. “The one he thinks is his mate?”
Grifter sighed. “She’s not his mate. He’s done this before. Tried to claim a woman.” He shrugged. “I’ve heard it’s hard to walk away from your real mate once you find them. She had no problems running far and fast from him.”
Devin scoffed. Deacon sighed. They understood mates.
Grifter looked at Webb. “Where's the woman with the long, dark hair? Marie. Rhogue.” He waved his hand around. “She gave me two names. That’s who he’s after.”
Webb’s heart felt like it was beating harder. His bear was suddenly very close to the surface. He clamped his jaw tight so he wouldn’t growl.
“She's here and safe,” Devin answered, and Webb was glad he did because he was sure his voice wouldn’t be a man’s if he tried to speak.
“How close is that house to here?”
“Far enough away, he won’t scent her from there,” Devin said quietly.
Grifter nodded. “He’ll keep searching, moving out further until he finds a scent.” He looked at Deacon. “He's relentless if nothing else.”
Deacon took off his ball cap and put it on his head backwards.
“Let me go out and lead him into a trap.”
Deacon stood up. “No. If they have any idea that you’ve been with us, they’ll kill you.”
“So give me a gun.” Grifter got up.
Deacon looked at Devin for a moment and then shook his head. “No. Too risky.”
Devin stood. “Webb, locate Rhogue and make sure she stays close to Amari.” He looked at Grifter. “You’ve been very helpful. Thank you.” He turned. “We need to gather everyone that isn’t on patrol…”
Webb didn’t wait to hear the rest. He turned and headed down the hall toward the outer door. She liked to be outside a lot, so he needed to make sure she wasn’t out somewhere visible.
Tripp walked in from outside.
“Where’s Amari?”
He gave him an inquisitive look. “On the roof with Rhogue. Why?”
Webb pushed the door and went outside. “They’re heading this way.”
“Fuck.”
He heard Tripp behind him as he made his way up the ladder to the roof. Kiloh was after Rhogue. It was his mark on her neck. If someone didn’t kill him, Webb planned to rip him apart with his bare hands. He growled as he went up the ladder.
He didn’t even glance at Amari. He was too focused on reaching Rhogue.
“Webb, you need to settle down. The hostility coming off you is making my cat twitchy.”
He heard Tripp, but didn’t pause to respond.
“What’s going on?” Amari stepped in front of him. She searched this face.
Webb stopped and looked down at her. “Pike and Clayton were spotted in town.”
“Shit.”
“Kiloh found the green house.” He looked over her head at Rhogue. She stood there watching him. “Your house.”
Amari went over and picked up the walkie-talkie.
Webb went to Rhogue. He could see the fear in her eyes and knew it was true. Kiloh had tried to claim her. “He tried to mark you.” He kept his voice gentle, even though he wanted to scream at anything but her.
She nodded. “Tried.” Her voice was shaky.
He wanted to pull her into his arms and promise her it was over—but it wasn’t. As long as Kiloh was free, it wouldn’t be. He nodded and stepped back. “Stay with Amari. No matter what.” He turned before he changed his mind. “I’m going to check the gully.” It was the fastest route between the house she lived in and the factory. Of course, it was a dangerous obstacle course if you went down into it.
“Webb.”
He turned and looked at Amari. “I’ve got her. You be careful.”
He nodded.
“Do you want company?” Tripp was following him.
“Keep the women and kids safe.” He turned at the ladder.
“Copy that.” Tripp stood there watching him. “Grab a walkie before you go, so we can all be up to date on any action.”
Webb flexed his hands around the ladder’s sides and nodded.