The pack enforcers were buzzing around like a chaotic hive, five or six of them pulling all-nighters to patch me up. I could barely focus on the frantic energy in the room as my body lay there on the table, cold and still. The sight of all those severed body parts made my stomach churn.
Victor leaned over, his voice steady as he pointed a gloved finger, “Look, the head’s gone, fingers too, and there’s a chunk missing from the ankle.”
Ryker stood off to the side, his expression unreadable. His eyes narrowed, scanning the scene as if he could piece together the story behind each severed limb. After a tense moment, he finally broke the silence. “So, who’s the unlucky one?”
Victor shook his head, frustration evident. “We gotta wait for the DNA results. As soon as someone files a missing person report, we’ll jump on it and try to ID our mystery guest.”
My husband nodded, but his gaze flickered away from my body, avoiding the gruesome sight. Was he grossed out? I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anger. After all, this whole mess was thanks to him.
At an emergency meeting with the PEA, Victor leaned forward, his voice steady but charged with urgency. "I've analyzed recent cases, and a pattern emerges. Nightfang Haven's been hit with similar atrocities: gutting, bleeding, and dismembering. Someone's seeking notoriety."
Ryker's eyebrows shot up, disbelief flickering across his face. "Nightfang Haven... You’re suggesting a copycat of the rogue pack's M.O.?"
Victor nodded, his expression serious. "Essentially, yes."
Ryker's jaw clenched, determination radiating from him. "Get the other pack leaders on board. We need their insight." He paused, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "This could be more than a lone wolf; it might be a pack-wide threat."
As the tension in the room mounted, two other members of the team, seated at the back, exchanged glances before one of them spoke up.
"We should also consider the possibility that this could be an inside job," the first one suggested in a low voice. "Someone within our pack may have done this."
The second member leaned forward, nodding in agreement. "I agree. We need to vet everyone closely. Trust is crucial right now, and any hint of betrayal could cost us dearly."
Ryker turned to them, appreciating the insight. "You're both right. We can't overlook the potential for internal threats. Victor, can you start gathering intel on our members? We need to ensure loyalty before we move forward."
Victor nodded, taking note of the suggestion. "I’ll set up a series of interviews. We need to assess who’s been acting suspiciously and ensure our defenses are secure."
The room was buzzing with ideas, and everyone was excited to pitch in for the plan. They all knew that the safety of the entire pack relied on working together to prevent more murders.
As the meeting wrapped up, the atmosphere buzzed with a mix of admiration and tension. Ryker, the alpha of the pack, stood tall at the front, even in the low murmurs of the PEA team. They exchanged hushed praises, their voices barely audible, but Ryker could pick out fragments—words like "brilliant" and "quick thinking" floated through the air. But Ryker just made his way out of the room. From childhood, he had so many admirers that he got sick of hearing that kind of praise a long time ago.
Kaida, however, lingered at the edge of the crowd, simply observing everything. As Ryker left the room, he went after him, saying, "Alpha, I think I might have an idea to aid the investigation."
Ryker turned, his brow slightly raised, but Kaida's gaze was suddenly fixed on something else. It was then that I noticed—a single, curly hair clung stubbornly to the fabric of Ryker's jacket.
"Allow me," Kaida said, reaching out cautiously to pluck the hair. "How’s the Luna by the way?”
Ryker's expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. "She's fine," he replied curtly, but the tension in his voice suggested otherwise. "What does that have to do with this?"
Kaida hesitated, sensing the change in the alpha's demeanor. "I just haven’t seen her around since I started visiting the pack house.”
"Stay focused on the investigation, Kaida. Personal matters are not your concern," Ryker’s tone was as cold as ice. "And learn to mind your business,” he added before snatching the hair and shoving it in his pocket.
When Kaida said nothing else, Ryker just strode off.
Left behind, Kaida awkwardly rubbed his nose, wondering what he had said wrong. I wished I could give him a pat on the back, but my hand just passed through him.
I wanted to tell him, if he found my head, he'd see I had short, straight hair. That one on Ryker’s shoulder belonged to Elara. That night I got murdered, she was snuggled up to my husband, leaving behind that little souvenir.
