“What about Westerberg?”
“Fortunately, he’s considered crazy, so people aren’t taking him seriously. You’re another matter. You’re a cop. It’s your good word that people are trusting. We appreciate the, shall we say, convincing creativity of your story.” He sat back. “I can’t tell you what my pack will decide to do. I can tell you that there’s little point in running. We’re exceptionally good trackers. Meanwhile, know that we have informants everywhere. If you decide to share the truth you’ve discovered, the results will be unf-fortunate.”
Seth frowned. “You’re threatening me?”
Cole smiled. His canine teeth dropped a little longer than Seth had ever noticed on a human. “Oh yes.”
Seth frowned. “Okay, I can understand that. I’d do the same thing in your shoes. But I’m not going to tell anyone. Hell, they’d think I’m nuts anyway.”
“Good.” Cole stood. Not many people towered over Seth, but this guy did. “We’ll let you know what the pack decides.”
“What about Jazz?”
“What about him?”
“Can I see him? Hell, he’s my friend.”
“The pack will take good care of him. He was lost to us, and now we have a lot of time to make up for. I’m sure you’ll be able to see him occasionally.” He walked the few steps to the door. “I’ll let myself out.” He opened the door and left.
Seth stared at the spot where Cole had sat. A movie. He was in a fucking movie. But if that was true, why did his heart hurt so badly?
Chapter Thirteen
Seth stared at the computer screen like he had a million times, but this was a new computer in a new world. One he didn’t understand at all. If there were werewolves, were there vampires and fairies and shit? Could he live in a world like that? Hell, it seemed like he had no choice. Unless, of course, the “pack” decided to kill him. That would be easy.
“Hey, Seth.”
He looked up at Rickson. Just a poor human who didn’t know what was going on. Lucky guy. “Hey.”
“You okay?” He perched on the edge of the desk.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“I heard you had a close call and had a kid with you.”
“Yeah. But we’re both okay.”
“Was there really a wolf?”
Now there was the question. “Yep. Came down the stairs. Almost unbelievable.”
“Shit, man, you got luck that doesn’t quit.”
Seth stared at him. Was that true? He sure as fuck didn’t feel lucky.
“And who’d have believed you and that Vanessen guy. The cop and the billionaire.”
“No, that was just a short-time thing. It’s over.” He looked down at his hands.
Rickson put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry, man. He seemed like a nice guy, in addition to being great-looking and filthy rich.”
Seth nodded. “He is. But you think so? I mean, he’s quite a queen, don’t you think?”
“Hell, man, that dude runs a company the size of England. If he wants to be queen, he’s entitled.” He laughed.
Son of a bitch.
“Zakowsky! Heads-up.” Seth looked back at the captain strolling toward him with a big grin. “Gather round, you guys.”
The other people in the office walked over. Seth stood up. “What’s up, Captain?”
The captain, a large man who took no shit from anyone, smiled huge. He held up a large envelope. “What I have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a commendation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for one Seth Zakowsky for excellence in investigation. Our brothers in Feebland do not hand these things out like candy, so congratulations, Seth.”
Everyone applauded. Well, shit. He smiled. “Thanks. Thanks a lot.”
“I had some champagne set up in the conference room, so let’s all go in and toast our fellow officer.”
The whole crew moved enthusiastically toward the champagne. A couple of people patted him on the back. One of the women hugged him. “Great job, Seth.”
Seth stared at the commendation. What he’d always wanted—the respect of his peers for his work. From the FBI, even. He’d broadcast his orientation and nobody had sneered. At least, not to his face.
Funny how little it mattered in a world populated by things that went bump in the night. The world of Lindsey Vanessen.
Seth walked into the bar. It ought to be a joke, but he wasn’t laughing. He sat on a stool and asked the bartender for a beer.
Three weeks. Three weeks to get used to the world of werewolves. He stared at every person he met, everyone he knew. People touched him and he jumped. He saw someone running and wondered if he was part of a pack. Anyone who asked a question about him felt like an informer for the pack. His body waited for something to jump out from a bush and kill him. Worse, he didn’t even care that much. Getting used to it? Not even close.
He missed Jazz like the kid was his own brother, or maybe even son.
Mostly he couldn’t get over not having Lindsey. Seth’s body ached like he’d been beaten, but that was nothing compared to his heart. How could he live like this? His whole world seemed unreal.
Someone sat down next to him, and he looked over and nodded. “Hi, Aaron.”
The big man saluted with his beer bottle. “You remembered me. I’m honored.”
“You’re hard to forget. You gave me good advice.”
“I’m gathering, since you look lower than the gum on my boots, that the advice sucked the weenie.”
Seth shook his head. “No, it was great while it lasted. Really great.” He motioned to the bartender to give them each another bottle.
“So it’s over? You looking for a little male companionship?” He laughed.
“I should be, but I seem to have had my fucking heart broken.”
“Well, shit, man, how did that happen?”
He sighed. “I guess you could say he turned out to be something different than I thought.”
“Hate it when that happens. But shouldn’t you be happy you escaped?”
“What?”
“You said you had your heart broken. Sounds to me like you got disappointed that the guy was different than you thought, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But whatever the guy actually is must be something you love, or you wouldn’t care about not having it, right? I mean, yeah, we get sad when shit doesn’t fit our pictures, but heartbreak? That, my man, is real life.”
Holy shit.
Seth’s phone started to ring. He looked down. The screen said Harker.
Lindsey sat in the lawn chair and watched the teenagers running in a pack. Jazz was right in there. Tonight was the night. Tonight, he’d shift for the first time, or at least that’s what Cole predicted, and the alphanta was seldom wrong. At least, on those kinds of issues.
Three and a half weeks. Three and half weeks since he’d betrayed the pack by revealing himself to humans. Since he’d run from the warehouse, never to see Seth again. Since his heart stopped beating.
“Hey, Linds.”