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“Okay, be here at eleven and don’t be late.”
“Got it.” He hung up and looked at his cell again for the time. He had just enough time to go back to the cabin, feed Baxter and let him out, and then go off to the jail.
* * *
As he flew over Shadow Falls, he saw the campfire’s glow. Was Della there? He envisioned her with Miranda and Kylie. But a less desirable image hit. One of her cozying up to the fire with Steve’s arms around her. Jealousy filled his chest.
As tempting as it was to fly low enough to see, he knew he’d set off the alarm. So he flew past the orange glow and scent of roasted marshmallows and headed for the entrance.
Walking through the gate, knowing the camera had taken his picture and let him pass, he looked back over his shoulder to see if he had a tail. He didn’t spot one, but that didn’t mean shit. He hadn’t spotted one last night, either.
He came to the trail and debated making a quick visit to the bonfire. Taking off in a quick run, he got there in less than three minutes. The fire was huge, flames reaching up to the sky, and the popping sounds of burning wood filled the night air. Laughter rang out from a group of girls roasting hot dogs on sticks. A few couples, arm in arm, enjoyed each other’s company.
Lucas, hanging out by some trees, spotted him and waved. Standing close by the blue-eyed were was Kylie. But no Della. Chase walked over.
Kylie smiled. “Hey, I heard you’re back.”
“Yeah.” He noted that the girl’s smile seemed genuine. Did that mean Della hadn’t badmouthed him too much to her? Chase glanced back at Lucas and remembered that Burnett had sent him to follow the lead on the basketball.
“Your trip back to the park lead anywhere?”
“No, I stayed there several hours. I think Burnett sent another were agent to keep an eye out.”
Chase nodded and focused back on Kylie. “Is Della around?”
“I don’t think she’s back yet.” She pulled her phone out.
“She should be,” he said.
“I texted her a while back and told her to come here.” The blonde looked up. “She hasn’t texted me back. But she might have called it an early night. I think she had a rough day.”
Her light blue eyes hinted that she worried he was part of Della’s rough day.
“Thanks, I’ll run by her cabin.”
“Or just let her sleep,” she said.
“I just want to check on her.”
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
You mean other than me being worried about her cozying up with Steve? “No.”
Walking away, he did one loop around the fire, moving in and out of the groups of people, hoping to spot Steve alone, or better yet with another girl hanging on him.
But the shape-shifter wasn’t around. Were he and Della together?
Chase took off for Della’s cabin. He landed on the porch. He tilted his head to see if he could hear anyone inside. Just a cat meowing. Then a scent hit. His nostrils flared. Blood.
And not just any blood.
Della’s.
He grabbed the doorknob and shot inside. The door hit the wall with a thud. His eyes burned and his canines extended when the scent of blood grew stronger. A quick glance around and he noted the lamps on the end tables were turned over, a couple of the kitchen chairs were downed. There had been a fight here. And considering it was Della’s blood, his heart jolted in his chest.
He shot into Della’s bedroom. Nothing looked out of place. Whatever had happened must’ve been contained to the living room.
He went back there. A growl left his lips when he spotted drops of blood on the floor by the door. He moved outside, where he spotted more blood splatter by the steps.
