Feral Cravings

Chapter 9 – Unanswered Calls

Tasha’s POV

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.

Rhea was never the type to disappear.

Sure, she could be reckless—stubborn as hell, always running headfirst into trouble—but she always checked in. Even if it was just a single text, a one-word response, something.

But it had been three days.

And I had heard nothing.

I slammed my phone onto the counter, biting my lip as I tried to push down the sharp twist of panic.

She was just being Rhea.

Just doing one of her lone wolf, I don’t need anyone, screw the world acts.

Right?

Wrong.

I knew her too well.

Something wasn’t right.

I ran a hand through my hair, heart pounding. Where the hell was she?

---

The first place I checked was her apartment.

Still locked. No sign of her.

Her clothes were untouched, her keys still on the little hook by the door.

But her phone charger was gone.

Which meant she had left on her own.

The question was—with who?

And why hadn’t she come back?

I gritted my teeth, scanning the room one last time before storming back outside.

---

Next stop? The agency.

I pushed through the glass doors, marching straight to the receptionist’s desk.

A frail-looking woman peered at me over her glasses, unimpressed. “Can I help you?”

I slammed a hand down. “Yeah. I need to know the last job Rhea Calloway was assigned.”

She frowned. “I’m sorry, we don’t give out employee information—”

I leaned in, eyes flashing. “I don’t care about your policy. My friend is missing. Tell me where she went.”

Something in my tone must’ve worked, because she sighed, tapping on her computer.

A few moments later, she glanced up, adjusting her glasses.

“She was assigned to Blackthorne Mansion.”

My stomach dropped.

“Who hired her?” I demanded.

The woman shook her head. “Anonymous request. Paid in cash.”

A cold chill ran down my spine.

Blackthorne Mansion.

I had heard of it before. Everyone had.

It was off-limits.

No one lived there.

At least, no one human.

I swallowed hard. “When was the last time she checked in?”

“She never did.”

Shit.

Shit.

I spun on my heel, heading straight for the door.

If Rhea was at Blackthorne Mansion, then something was seriously, seriously wrong.

And I was going to get her back.