Knot A Trace: Part One

I’m twenty minutes outside of Skylar’s town, ignoring the angry looks of officers as I walk past crime scene tape and into a house.

I’m with the Alpha Bureau. If they have a fucking problem, they can call the government.

It’s another O overdose.

This time, it’s a nineteen year old college kid.

Landon is already there, and he gives me a rundown of events.

“They think this is a new formula,” he says, frowning. “But it’s the first known overdose in this town.”

“Shit,” I say. “Fuck.”

“Very astute,” he says dryly. “I’ll be sure to give the parents your regards.”

“Hey.” One of the Beta officers I didn’t annoy comes up to us. “Are you guys working on any missing person cases right now?”

We both turn to him. “There’s a missing Omega in Isleton,” I say. “Why? Have you heard anything?”

The officer shakes his head. “Not about that. The Omega that lived here has been missing all weekend. Twenty years old. Her best friend went missing that same night, too.”

“Wait, what?” I snap. “What do you mean, they’ve been missing all weekend? Did you idiots even make a report?”

“River,” Landon warns.

The officer frowns. “Look, I get that you think you’re hot shit cause you’re with the Bureau,” he snarls. “But we do our jobs here, too. Her parents didn’t mention it until right now.”

I share a look with Landon.

Three missing Omegas within twenty minutes of each other?

“Shit,” I say, at the same time my phone buzzes.

Your friend is an asshole.

I notice she sent it to both of us, and Landon pulls out his phone and sighs.

“What did he do?” he mutters.

“He was probably himself,” I say. “His unique, charming self.”

“I really thought he could help her,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “A stupid assumption.”

“The Vincent of five years ago could,” I say. “Not whatever he is now.”

I shoot off a quick reply to Skylar before continuing to speak with the officer.

Sorry to hear that, gorgeous, but I’m not surprised. Can we stop by at your place tonight? We’re in the area.

She sends a smiley face back, and for a moment, all is right in the world.

A few hours later, everything has changed.

I drive to her house, dreading the conversation that’s going to take place.

Landon says it will go fine.

But I know her.

It won’t be fine, and she won’t want to listen.

But now, we need a united front when we talk to Skylar.

In a perfect world, I would keep her with me at all times. Take her away from Isleton and lock in her in my apartment where I can have her all to myself.

But that’s selfish, and I would drive her nuts.

Landon balances us out, as much as I hate to admit it.

I’m not even all the way up her driveway when I notice the change in her scent.

It’s slightly soured.

She’s upset, and I fucking hate it.

By the time I’m at her door, I smell the salt of her tears.

When she answers it, her eyes watery, I can’t help but pull her into my arms.

“I’ve got you,” I murmur, as she buries my head in my chest. “I’m here.”

I allow her scent to ground me, and I rumble my chest, offering a subtle purr for her.

She sighs in my hold, then steps out of the doorway so I can step in. Landon’s on the couch, a yellow macaron in his hand and a mug in front of him on the coffee table.

“Just used my French Press. You want some?” she asks, a look of defeat on her expression. She looks paler than she did before, and the dark circles are back.

“What did that asshole say to you?” I demand, following her into the kitchen. I watch anxiously as she pours a large cup of coffee, then hands it to me wordlessly. She goes to sit on the couch next to Landon, sighing.

I join on the opposite side of her, so she’s sandwiched between us.

“He has a very defeatist attitude,” Landon says. “He wasn’t very hopeful when discussing April.”

“No,” Skylar chuckles, staring at the coffee table. “He said she was probably dead.”

I clench and unclench my fists. That fucker.

There’s a way to approach those subjects, and now that Vincent stopped giving a fuck, I can only imagine what that piece of shit said to her.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t cry,” she adds, wiping at her face. “She may very well be gone. It’s just…he was so negative about it. He didn’t even want to try.” Her voice cracks and she groans. “Fuck,” she mutters, shaking her head. “What is his deal? And he said you guys aren’t even friends?”

I exchange a look with Landon, and he raises an eyebrow, as if saying I’m not the one that’s going to tell her.

It’s a story even I don’t want to tell.

“A case went sideways,” I say, doing my best to keep it brief. “And after that, he retired early. We had some disagreements.”

She looks up at me, her blue eyes shining. “He’s still a dick,” she mutters. “I almost threw my hot coffee on him.”

Landon quirks his lip. “I would have enjoyed witnessing that,” he chuckles.

We fall silent, and I relax onto her couch, sipping my coffee. It’s a peaceful moment, after the stressful day, and I want to bask in her scent and company while I can.

“Oh, well,” she says. “I could organize more searches. And when I’m back at work tomorrow, I’ll make plans with the others. I just have to keep going, so I don’t fall apart.”

She takes a deep breath and leans back against the couch and presses her legs up on the coffee table.

The sight is adorable. She’s in pink sweatpants and a grey sweatshirt, and her socks have a variety of colorful cookies on them.

I don’t want to ruin this moment.

“Sweetheart,” Landon starts, his gaze falling to her socks as well. “We need to talk to you about that.”

Landon said it would be fine. We will get her to understand.

We’re excellent negotiators, after all.

She stiffens and sits up straight. Her scent, which had started to sweeten back up, develops a hint of sourness. “About what?” she turns to him. “What’s going on?”

“Two Omegas went missing in the next town,” Landon says slowly. “And more overdoses are happening with the Omega drug.”

“And?” she snaps, her tone harsh.

I just know she’s not going to like what he’s about to say.

“We don’t think you should go back to work for the time being,” he continues.