Knox Channon is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The second I made it back to my house this morning, Kami and Colin were already in my driveway. For the past two hours, we’ve been tracking him through Kami’s FBI satellite footage. He spent the entire morning in downtown, roaming around all the streets. Kara is in Utah, which is a lot closer to us than Chicago. My instincts tell me she’s headed this way. Until then, I have to keep my focus on Knox.
“Amelie’s going to be pissed at you,” Colin says.
Sighing heavily, I glance down at my phone. I’ve missed several calls, and I’ve avoided Amelie’s texts. I need more time to explain everything to her; it can’t be done in a text or a few second phone call.
“I know,” I grumble. “I left Amelie a note. Hopefully, it’s enough for now.” I peer over at Colin and Kami, both sitting on the couch, ready for battle. “I’m sorry to get you involved. I know it’s your first Christmas together.”
Colin snorts and turns to Kami, bumping her in the shoulder with his. “It’s okay. We like danger and adventure.”
Kami smiles sadly at me. “We want to help you, Zayne. We’ll have plenty more Christmases together just like you and Amelie.” She holds up her phone. “I can call her if you want.”
I’m just about to tell her yes when I notice Knox leaving the downtown area. On Kami’s computer, his location is a blinking blue dot. Now the blue dot is headed in our direction.
“We don’t have time for that,” I growl.
I turn the computer her way, and her eyes widen. “Do you think he found out where you live?”
Colin jumps up and pulls out his phone. “I’ll give everyone the heads up.”
He walks away, and I stare at the computer. “I don’t know.” My body burns with the need to fight. “Either way, I’m ready. This is personal. It won’t end without a fight.”
A few minutes later, Colin comes back, his serious gaze on mine. “Everyone’s on their way here. You won’t have to do this alone.”
Standing, I stretch my neck to both sides. “This is my fight, Colin.”
Kami takes my place at the computer and focuses on the screen. “He’s getting closer.”
Colin scoffs. “Does this guy seriously think he can take over our pack with so many royal alphas? We’re stronger than he is.”
I’ve thought about that. Knox has to know what he’s facing. Either he has a death wish or there’s something else going on. The first one I can deal with. I’ll be happy to rip off his head. If it’s the second, I don’t look forward to finding it out what it is. The Channons were a scheming and cunning family. In a pack, it’s beneficial to have wolves like that, but right now, it’s the last thing we need.
I march over to the window, ready to see his car pull into the driveway. “I’m going outside. That way, when he pulls up, he’ll know I’m one step ahead of him.”
“I’ll come with you,” Colin says from behind.
We get to the door, and Kami shouts. “Wait! He’s not coming here. He drove right past our turn-off.”
Growling, I rush over to her. “Where the fuck is he going?”
Colin and I stare over her shoulders at her computer, the blue dot not far past my street. The blue dot slows down the closer it gets to Amelie’s road. My eyes stay transfixed on the screen as time seems nonexistent. He slows down even more, and I can’t seem to look away from the blue dot.
“I don’t like this,” Kami says, holding a hand over her mouth.
“Neither do I. I have to call Amelie.” Grabbing my phone, I dial her number, but she doesn’t answer. I call her again and again, and still nothing. “Dammit,” I hiss, squeezing my phone so hard I can hear it crack. Knox gets closer to her street.
Kami’s cell is right beside her laptop, so she picks it up. “Let me try. She might be mad at you for ignoring her.”
Heart pounding, I listen to the line ring, hoping like hell she picks up. When she doesn’t, I get a sinking feeling in my gut. Kami looks up at me and shakes her head. “She’s not answering. What are you going to do?”
The second Knox turns down Amelie’s street, my wolf goes into full alert. I can feel him underneath the surface, desperate to break free and protect his mate.
“Fuck,” I shout, rushing to the door. “I have to get there before he does.”
“Z, I’m with you,” Colin shouts from behind. “Kami, call the others! Get them to meet us at Amelie’s!”
All I can think of is Amelie and keeping her safe. I don’t know how Knox found out about Amelie or who he talked to, but whoever it was will regret it. I take off through the field into the forest, and it’s not long before Colin catches up to me. I know I’m running as fast as I can, but my legs feel like they’re made of lead. All I want is to get to Amelie. I never should’ve left.
We get closer by the second, and I can’t feel Knox’s presence at all even though I know he’s close; he wants his energy hidden. Then, Amelie’s cabin finally comes into view, and I come to a complete halt when I see Knox get out of a brand-new black SUV. He looks the same except for his hair; it’s a dark brown instead of the blond most royal arctics are born with. My fangs grow, and I can feel the fire in my blood.
“The others should be here in a minute,” Colin says low.
I’m about to charge after Knox when the door to Amelie’s cabin opens, and she walks out. I don’t know what’s going on, but the last thing I expect to see is a smile on her face when she looks at him. Instead, her eyes tear up, and she cups her hands over her mouth. Her emotions skyrocket out of control, and I can feel them all; she’s happy. How is this possible?
Colin grabs my shoulder. “What the hell is going on?”
The rage inside of me grows. “I don’t know, but I’m sure as fuck going to find out.”