Lib Novel Page 127
My red-rimmed eyes dart around as I search for another phone. And then I glimpse Rita’s purple cell phone. It’s lying on the floor just a few feet away. My hands are shaking as I reach out to pick it up. There’s no passcode on it, and it has some battery left. I dial the security office’s number, tears falling from my eyes.
I let out a whimpering sob as I wait for someone to answer.
Finally, a gruff voice says, “Hello?”
I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, a large hand covers my mouth, preventing me from speaking.
In my shock and fear, the phone slips from my hands. When I look up, I see Alex standing above me, his eyes cold.
Chapter 24
Sophia Hope
The sight of Alex looming over me strikes fear in me for a second.
He couldn’t have…
He puts his finger on his lips and shakes his head, a silent gesture for me not to speak. Crouching beside me, he picks up the phone and ends the call before releasing my mouth.
My heart is already crawling into my chest, my breathing short and uneven.
His voice is low when he finally speaks. “There are people watching the house, ready to make a move. What possessed you to turn on the kitchen light?”
I stare at him, my body feeling cold. “How are you here? Don’t tell me it was you—”
He gives me an annoyed look. “Of course it wasn’t me. I saw you out in the woods, and I followed you. You looked upset. And when you got here, I was going to stop you from coming inside because I could smell the blood from a mile away. I got distracted by the men outside.”
“They killed Rita.” My eyes well up again.
Alex puts his arm around me, pressing his lips to my temple. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you lost your friend, Sophia. But you can’t stay here. I have a feeling this is a trap.”
I look up at him, alarmed. “What do you mean?”
He glances toward the window, his expression grim. “They seem to be waiting for someone to arrive. Maybe you. They referred to a female; I overheard a little bit. We need to get going.”
“She knew about the Silver Wolf.” I look back at Rita’s face. “That’s why I came here. She said somebody knows, and the Silver Wolf isn’t a myth. She’s real. Rita wanted me to get here as fast as I could. She was very scared. I’ve never heard her sound so frightened.”
Alex goes still. “Are you telling me she knew who the Silver Wolf is? Her identity?”
“That’s what it sounded like. You think she was killed because of that?”
He looks around the study, his eyes sharp. “Somebody must have tapped her phone. Let’s bring it with us. See if you can find anything else.” He takes Rita’s body from me and gently lowers the dead woman to the ground. Despite the urgency of the situation, Alex’s voice is gentle when he asks, “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
I nod my head in a jerky movement. Even when his entire pack’s lives are on the line, Alex is sensitive to my feelings. He helps me to my feet and moves to the desk to start looking around. I pocket Rita’s phone and search the rest of the room for clues about the identity of the Silver Wolf. Alex digs through the drawers and finds nothing. The same goes for me with the shelves at the other end of the room.
“There’s a second cell phone in her bedroom.” I suddenly remember. “It’s black. She got a little defensive when I brought it up.” Before Alex can say anything, I hurry to the door. “I’ll go get it.”
It’s strange walking through this house knowing that Rita will never do so again. My throat chokes up, and I wipe my eyes. This is not the time to allow my grief to take over.
The bedroom door is closed, and when I open it, I see another ghastly sight.
A broken moan leaves my lips.
“Oh, Buster. Oh, no.”
The faithful dog is long gone, gashes all over his body. He must’ve tried his best to defend his mistress. I don’t know why, but Buster’s death hits me even harder than Rita’s.
I wish I could just harden my heart, do what has to be done, and leave, but I can’t stop the tears from coming out. Bile churns in my stomach, and I stagger toward the poor creature.