House of Blood and Beasts

20. Assumptions

The artwork above is not mine.

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    The week passed on waves of wind and heat. Sarai's days had returned to their former routine, now that she and Ruhn were taking a short break from their investigation. Apparently, he was having more trouble finding his wayward lion shifter than he had expected. Even some of the Wolves were on the lookout for the Shifter now.

    Towards the middle of the week, Sarai had been able to join her pack on patrols once more. Her back was now fully healed, but she bore a few scars from the ordeal. A rush of anger filled her every time she caught sight of them. She was surprised that none of her packmates seemed inclined to fuel that anger.

    When she'd first met with Blood Moon for a patrol, she had expected Rafe and Lucas to make her life Hel. Strangely, Rafe had merely acknowledged her presence while Lucas made a point to avoid her. No one would explain why, and Sarai could only guess that perhaps Connor had threatened them on her behalf.

    The male was currently lounging beside her on the sofa, playing a video game with Bronson, Zach, and Thorne. Nathalie sat at Sarai's other side, calling encouragement to Bronson, while Zelda was frantically giving Zach tips. Bryce and Danika were in the kitchen, talking over an empty pizza box.

    "You should at least give them a chance," Sarai snickered, elbowing Connor.

    He bit his lip and grinned. "If they want to win, they have to win the hard way."

    "Oh, I'm gonna kick your ass for that one, Holstrom," Bronson laughed.

    "Take him down a few pegs!" Nathalie agreed.

    "I'll take him down more than a few." Bronson's brown eyes glittered and he glanced back at Nathalie with a wink.

    She stood swiftly, a hint of pink in her tanned cheeks. "I need a drink. Anyone else want anything?" One by one, the Devils listed their requests. Sarai followed Nathalie without invitation, guessing she'd need help carrying the drinks back.

    "Are you certain it's him?" Danika was asking when they entered the kitchen.

    Nathalie continued past the females, pretending not to hear their conversation. Sarai followed her lead. They began to gather up their friends' requested drinks.

    "Positive," Bryce sighed. "I haven't been getting any texts or calls from him since that first report came in, and judging by the victim's description of his attacker..."

    "The lion shifter?" Sarai guessed, unable to help herself.

    Bryce and Danika glanced at her. Danika's caramel eyes reflected a warning, but Bryce just nodded. "I think Marcus, the Shifter I was seeing, is the same one who's been attacking people."

    "I saw him once," Nathalie said. "He's powerful, yes, but he seemed so shy and sweet. Someone like him isn't capable of randomly attacking people."

    "The descriptions match," Bryce sighed.

    Sarai hesitated, then said, ""Ruhn is in charge of that investigation. Maybe you should tell him your suspicions."

    "Ruhn can stay the fuck away from B, and she'll do the same," Danika growled. The living room had gone completely silent. Someone had even turned off the video game.

    "The more information he has, the sooner he'll be able to find the Shifter and get him off the streets. The latest attack was just outside of Moonwood, close to here, actually. Suppose you decide to go out one night and the Shifter attacks one of you? What if he attacks Bryce?" Sarai gestured to the female, who was staring at her perfectly painted toes.