Chapter 6: Ghost

Without a plan, I became a stalker. I lay in the shadows again, guarding Esmerelda while she slept. This was the best I could do. My failure to properly woo my mate decimated my confidence as a formidable pack vice president, competent intelligence gatherer for the club, and one of the top geophysicists in the country. My wolf admonished me, making it feel like a betrayal.

She wasn’t sleeping as peacefully as she did last night. I wondered if humans felt the mating bond. She gave no indication I affected her where I was obsessed—the night passed quickly while I focused on her unpatterned breathing and disturbed sleep. My wolf wanted to soothe her and lull her away from the bad dreams.

My insecurities plagued me and magnified during the night. I preferred my solitude with a career that kept me outside and a cabin deep in the woods where I could stay alone. Cyrus always sent me on missions as a diplomat or a spy to gather intelligence and investigate concerning events. My specialty was to hide in plain sight—a gift given to me at birth.

Fond memories entertained me of my mother searching endlessly for me when I was right in front of her. Cyrus, Desial, Magnus, and I caused more mischief growing up in the pack than our parents could handle. Cyrus’ father was the Alpha; little could get by him except when I was hiding. My friends got in more trouble because of it.

As dawn broke the sky, my natural cover would be lost. I returned to the compound to eat and prepare to see her again. Cyrus was itching to get my report from my mission, but I was too distracted to care.

Everything and everyone annoyed me. I had no tolerance, even from well-meaning friends.

“Ghost.”

“Jane.”

“Want some company?”

“No.” She set her breakfast down next to mine anyway. An Alpha’s mate could get away with everything.

“Can I give you some womanly advice?”

“No.” She laughed as I sulked.

“Dating is easy. Don’t think about grand gestures. The small things impress us the most: remembering what foods we like, holding our hand, and walking us home. We love to feel special. Knowing you only have eyes for us and forsaking all others is hot. Putting your coat around us when we are cold is sexy. Start simple. You can add more eventful dates as you get more comfortable with her.”

“Thanks, Jane.”

“Anytime. I like her. She’s kind and intelligent.” I scoffed because I didn’t know that. “Sandra is a problem.”

“I don’t see why. I haven’t been with her since last winter.”

“She still likes you. A lot.”

“I found my mate. End of story.”

“Women aren’t as pragmatic. If we feel scorned, rational behavior doesn’t exist.”

“Great.”

“Good luck, Ghost.” Cyrus came in search of Jane and beckoned me to his office. I followed behind, grumbling at the annoyingly happy couple.

Cyrus was a lawyer who worked at a law office in town. He and Jane shared the responsibility of managing the club and pack. She had a smaller desk in his large office at the club. Her duties eluded me. I never paid attention, but she seemed to be a computer whiz, much like her brother, Hacker. He was a legend in the computer programming field and did freelance work for large companies. He also was active in a lot of behind-the-scenes work for the shifter community.

“What is your take on the unsolved murders along the Mississippi River? It can’t be a coincidence they were all shifters.” Cyrus began.

“Most were shifters. A few older women and a young man were also victims. The cases are connected in the sense that all the victims were alone at night and shot with a rifle. The perpetrator was lying in wait outside, taking sniper shots. Ballistics confirmed that different guns were used. The victim’s patterns were known to each perpetrator.”

“They were stalked?”

“Apparently. The crime scenes were all at different locations. The gas station, laundromat, grocery store, library, but most were outside their homes.”

“What do you make of this?”

“Some person or group wants shifters dead.”

“We don’t have organized enemies.”

“That we know of.”

“Our kind has successfully stayed hidden from the human population for centuries. People like Hacker delete any compromising social media, satellite, or camera feed. Even rogue wolves are inherently discrete.” All Alphas believed they were keeping their packs safe.

“Twenty cold case victims in one area is cause for concern.”

“Well, not your concern right now. I’ll talk to the other Alphas. How’s it going with Esme?”

“You know how it’s going. Jane was very helpful. Thank you for sending her to me.” I winked at both of them. They were great friends with good intentions. I have to get my head out of my ass.

“We have a few things to take care of, and then we can go watch the game.”

“What game?”

“Does it matter?” He laughed.

“Nope.”

“I’ll see you about one.”

“Okay, boss.”

My mood lightened with the thought of seeing her again. Back in my room, I looked through my closet for something decent to wear. Halfway through my things, I began to chuckle. All my clothes were the same. Jeans. T-shirts. A couple of flannels. Hoodies. Pullovers left over from my college years. I dressed like a goddam teenager.

“JANE!” My voice carried through the whole house. This was an emergency. “JANE!”

“What are you hollering at?” She peeked into my room, watching me throw my clothes all over the floor. I paused. The broad smile on her face made me think this was a bad idea, asking for her help.

“Cyrus dresses nice.”

“I’ll let him know.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.” My fingers tangled in my hair, my nerves getting the best of me. “He didn’t dress that way before he met you…”

“I’m happy to help. Back to the office, come.” I followed behind her like a lost little puppy, and she had the keys to the tasty treats.

Cyrus looked up from his paperwork in question. “What’s wrong?”

“We have an emergency. I got this.” She kissed him on the forehead, dismissing his involvement. He looked at me like I was ripping off his right arm, taking her attention away from him.

Jane gestured for me to sit beside her while opening her computer. “Cyrus is more Armani. Contemporary, elegant, refined. Crisp lines and quality fabrics that hang perfectly. You, Ghost, are more Calvin Klein. Casual, rugged, effortlessly handsome.” She looked at me closely, batting her eyelashes, “Maybe a little edgy Tom Ford.”

“I don’t know what that means?”

“What size do you wear?”

“Extra large. 32 x 34” She rolled her eyes and popped a measuring tape from her desk.

“Stand up.” Jane took a billion measurements under the watchful eye of her mate since a few were getting very personal. “Give me your credit card.” I handed her one from my wallet. “What’s the limit on this?”

“I don’t know. I use it for business expenses.”

“Great.” She went to work clicking screens faster than I could track. “Just wear clean Levi’s and a dark T-shirt for the game. You’re lucky you have classic tastes and a sexy motorcycle jacket.” Cyrus growled at her compliment.

My graduation gift to myself was my Dune and a black Overland Jacket to match. The bomber jacket, made of soft lambskin, was long enough to fit my torso. I could easily disappear while riding in the night.

“Thanks, Jane.” She ignored me, lost in the abyss of men’s fashion. I tapped the desk, happy to turn over my pressing emergency to another.