Rising Within

Looking for Ghosts

Blake

Night setting in – Check! Nose ready – Check! Follow the lead… Yeah!?! Who was I kidding?

I’m a skilled tracker. It’s why Elias called me. But, looking at the facts, I had s**t to go on and I was genuinely scared to come back to my best mate with absolutely nothing. He has so much going on right now. I could see how torn he was leaving, knowing his mate could be out there, somewhere and he couldn’t be the one to hunt down those bastards.

Think Blake!

Chlorine, jewelry heist and missing human babes… what could they possibly have in common? I checked out the local pool, and any gyms that had pools. Next were any chemical storage sites in the area. But, nothing seemed to add up, unless things got heated and our bad boys needed to silence the girls and cover their tracks, fast.

Something’s eating at me, and I can’t shake the feeling that maybe the heist was a cover up for a kidnapping. Who were these girls? And what did they want with them?

My vibrating pants quickly pulled me out of my mind boggle. Soph. s**t! I was supposed to pick her up an hour ago for dinner!

“Soppphh babe, I am an i***t! Before you say anything please let me explain…” I blurted out.

The line was silent. She must be pissed!

“My best mate, Elias, has had something go down at home. I don’t know what yet, but it looks bad. He called me to come and help him look for his new girl. She’s gone missing after work…” I couldn’t say anymore before she interrupted me.

“Elias? What a coincidence. Dionne was supposed to meet with an Elias after work. You think it’s the same guy?” I heard panic rising in her voice, her words coming at me like a running bull.

Well, s**t. How did this happen? Now, I was just as invested in this as Elias if this turned out to be true. I couldn’t bother Elias yet, so I suggested the next best thing, while trying to comfort Soph.

“Look babe, who knows how many Elias’ there are out there, let’s just give her a call and check in. I’m sure she’s enjoying a nice night out. I’m sorry I messed up our night!” f**k, who was I kidding?

I knew almost everyone in town and our Elias was the one and only. Knowing his taste, fiery Dionne was right up his alley. I couldn’t control the smirk on my face as I shook my head. I hadn’t introduced Soph to him yet because things were still new, and she was lying low from a previous bad relationship.

If this was any good day, I’d be proud of my man for finally finding a chick worthy of fighting for, but now that triumph had to wait. And so did I, rubbing my hands on my temples waiting for Soph to kick me back into gear. It felt like hours waiting for her to call me back. Finally, I felt my phone before I heard it.

“Blake, I can’t get through to her It’s going straight to voicemail who the f**k took her and what the hell’s going on?” She did not pause at all, I could sense she was losing it.

I decided that I couldn’t do anything more, especially without a decent scent. It was like looking for ghosts! I had to grab something of Dionne’s and start again with a fresh scent. I hoped that she wouldn’t have to spend the night missing!

I knew she could handle herself, but I didn’t know what s**t she had been dragged into. It was time to let Elias in on this. It would have been much easier if we were in the same pack. I could really dig the mindlink for times like these!

…….

“Bro, how is it going at home?’’ I softened my voice.

Elias let out a long breath and sniffed. He didn’t have to say anything. I knew it must be bad enough that he hadn’t even had a chance to check in with me. And now, I had to pump him with more bull. My shoulders felt heavy knowing that I was going to leave him with more questions than answers. Not only about Dionne, but me and my mate.

I hoped with everything in me that what was to come ahead would not bring Soph to the surface. She had a past and that’s where it belonged. And when she was ready, ‘cos it was killing me, and my wolf not letting the world know she was MINE, there’d be no more hiding under rocks! As my brain spiraled with all the burden, I must have let out a growl.

“I haven’t even told you what’s going on and you’re already huffin’,” Elias let out a chuckle.

I was glad that even in all of his darkness he could laugh.

“I’m sorry boss, I haven’t found her yet, but I might be able to get a fresh scent!” Now it was his turn to growl.

“Easy boss, it’s not like that. I can’t go any further without something. Looks like we have a common person of interest!

I don’t want her out there any longer than you do, trust me!” I could almost hear the gears turning in his head.

I needed more time and I’d let him know once I knew more.

“I trust you Blake, do what must be done!” And he left me with the beep of a hang up.

Immediately shifting, I made my way to my Soph, pushing my wolf faster than I ever have. I needed to be covered in her scent. It’s the only thing that would stop my heart exploding. What if she was in danger, too? I would tear this place to the ground if I ever lost my mate. We should be bonded.

If she wore my mark, I could at least erase half of the dangers out there for her as an unmarked wolf. I could feel if she was ever in danger. My heart sank, knowing that how I loved her depended on how much she let me. My wolf whined like a lost pup, his sadness drowning me.

“I know buddy, she’ll come around. Our mate needs us to be strong for her, but she needs us to be patient, more. When she’s ready, we’ll show her every part of us.” I reminded him.