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I turn down the street to the address Landon sent me and see a clusterfuck of chaos. Skylar’s front door is open, and there are three officers in the doorway. River stands in the driveway with Ben. Four squad cars are lined up on the street, and residents from the houses next door stand on their front lawns, watching everything.
I recognize some of the other officers as I step out of my car, and they all do a double take as they see me.
Great.
As I head up the driveway, avoiding the awkward stares, Ben stops his conversation with River and looks at me with wide eyes. But before I can say anything, there’s a flurry of black and then pain explodes across my right cheekbone.
“You motherfucker!” River snarls, followed by the confused shouts of the officers. “This is your fault, you piece of shit!”
I really didn’t want tonight to start like this.
I’m here for Skylar. Not River, not Landon, or anyone else.
Just her.
Instinct has me swinging my fist back, and I land a good hit on River before we’re both pulled apart by officers.
“HEY!” Landon shouts, stepping in between us. “River, knock that shit off right fucking now, or I swear I’ll make them arrest you.”
My punch was better than expected; River spits a mouthful of blood on the driveway, baring his teeth at me. “This is all because of you,” he hisses, ignoring Landon. “You, making her fucking cry?—”
“River!” Landon growls, his voice laced with venom. “Shut the fuck up.”
I stare down River, wanting to spit words back at him, dredging up everything I can’t stand about him. He acts like a fucking child, he’s too emotional, he should never have been a detective?—
At least he still is one, a guilty voice inside me says. At least he didn’t quit.
I let out a deep breath, ignoring the pain across my cheek. It isn’t the first time we’ve fought, and I doubt it will be the last.
“I’m not here for your shit,” I say calmly as the two officers holding me back release me. “I’m not here for you at all. Just stay out of my way, Cain.”
I ignore his murderous look as I walk up the driveway, following Skylar’s faded scent. My inner Alpha rumbles to life after being ignored for so many years, and guilt tightens my chest.
Maybe this wouldn’t be happening if I hadn’t been so cold to her.
Maybe she wouldn’t have kicked Landon and River out, leaving her prone and vulnerable.
Fuck.
The metallic scent of chloroform grows stronger as I enter the house, and I grit my teeth.
Fuck.
I hear snippets of conversation as I stand in her front room, taking in my surroundings.
“Checking neighbor’s security footage?—”
“Sign of struggle near the back door?—”
My ears ring.
It’s been two hours since Landon called me.
Two fucking hours.
She could be anywhere by now.
“What are you idiots doing?” I snap at two of the Beta officers. “Just standing around?”
