A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 8

*Tex*

It's been a week, and I still haven't seen Stella or heard from her. I've searched every single local hiking trail and haven't found a trace. I didn't know much about her, but I don't think she'd just up and run. I was starting to worry, not just because I think she's cute, but because there's weird s**t that happens in this town and I care about her.

Lately, my dad's been acting weird, hiding more conversations from me, like I'm a kid again. The past few days he's been stepping out of work, talking to other people I've never met. It's a small town, everyone knows everyone here, so who are those guys? Why have I never met them? I still don't know their names, and dad has met with them every day for the past three days.

I walked outside the gun store, it wasn't very busy today, and approached dad. The stranger looked at me, smirking, his bright green eyes glistened. A shiver ran through my spine, but before I could react, dad was already yelling at me to leave.

"Go back inside, Tex!" He shouted, his blue eyes gradually darkening.

"Who is this?" I asked, pointing to the man, not listening.

"Dammit, Tex!" Dad grumbled, "I said--"

"It's okay, Edgar, he'll know me soon enough." The man smirked and held his hand out for me to shake, "My name is Riggs."

"Hello..." I said, and concealed the grimace that was fighting to expose itself.

"Like I said, Edgar, we'll take care of it. I'm locating all the locations as we speak." He grinned broadly.

"Alright, good... call me when you have them." Dad grunted, grabbing my shoulder and turning both of us around to head back towards the shop.

The store was still empty, and I made my way back to the register with my head hung low. There was something extremely weird about Riggs, the dude gave me the creeps. I noticed dad scurried back into his office, and I wanted so badly to know what was top secrete.

I tip-toed over towards his door, pressing my ear up against the c***k of the wall and door. I heard dad talking to someone on the phone, but his voice was muffled by the thick wood that separates the rooms. I pressed my ear a little harder, focusing closely on his response.

"Where was the sighting?" Dad asked. "How do you know it was her?"

Is he talking about Stella? The thought made me react before I could even process a thought. I opened his office door and stumbled in with a hopeful expression. Has someone found Stella? If so, is she okay? I was holding my breath, hoping dad would give me some kind of indication.

"We'll check it out." Dad grunted, hanging up the phone.

He glared at me with a burning rage, but soon settled himself before speaking. What made him so angry? I've only seen him that angry a few times, but when I was much younger. I stared at him speechless, unsure of what to say. I don't have an explanation for him, not one I'm willing to divulge yet. I don't know why, but having a crush on Stella was a secret, not something I wanted to go around talking about.

"What the hell is your problem, kid?" Dad barked, slamming his phone on the wooden desk in front of him.

"I'm sorry... I--uh..." I stuttered, unable to think of anything better than the truth. "Were you talking about Stella?"

"You know her?" Dad asked, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Yeah... she's my friend." I remarked, gulping, hoping he wouldn't see straight through me.

"Then you know she's missing?" He grunted, his upper lip twitching.

"Yeah, I'm the one that posted missing posters all over town..." I added, shrugging.

"Why didn't you tell me, son?" Dad asked, heaving a sigh.

"Because, I don't know, I wasn't sure if you could help... no offense." I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest, sighing.

"She was last seen in the forest, there's a new group that's starting a search for her." Dad responded, and though I wanted to find comfort from his words, I felt the exact opposite.

"Thanks, dad." I forced a smile, which faded quickly.

After a couple of hours, I clocked out and headed home. Stella's house was on the way, and a part of me was pulling towards that direction. I know she isn't home, yet I need to go in that direction. I give in to my desires, taking the way that leads me past her house. I'm just setting myself up for more heartache, but I had to check.

On the way, I started thinking about dad's 'team' that was searching for Stella. There's something he isn't telling me, I can sense it. I won't lie, I think I'm afraid of it, whatever it is. All I want is for her to return home safely. That's the only thing I care about right now. She disappeared without a trace, and I haven't heard from her since. What could have happened?

I pulled up in front of her small apartment complex, parking in a spot in the third row. I didn't turn the engine off, because I could see her apartment from here and the lights were still out. It was after seven. She would have been home from her shift by now. I sighed, feeling an ache grow within my chest, one that would have brought me to my knees if I was standing.

I noticed a black Escalade with tinted windows pulled in front of the complex. The driver exited first, walking around to the passenger side. He was a tall guy, with dark hair, and opened the door for... Stella?! What the hell?! My jaw fell to the floor and I stared in their direction, watching them walk towards her apartment together. Who the hell is that guy, and what's she doing with him? Where the hell has she been?

I was brewing with rage, and shut off the engine of my truck. I hopped out, teeth clenched, fists clenched, and began stalking towards her apartment. I was going to get some f*****g answers! If she wants to disappear with some random dude, that's her choice, but I at least want to hear why she didn't text me. Why did she let me worry about her for so long? She knew I was expecting her text. Dammit, maybe she doesn't know I was? Screw that, I'm still pissed!

I stormed up the flight of stairs, pushing my way through her already unlocked door, and found the two of them standing in her room. She was retrieving clothes from her closet, stuffing them into a bag, while the man watched from the side. He stopped and turned to me suddenly, releasing a low growl. Did the dude just growl at me? Oh hell no!