The ticking of the clock on the right wall was suddenly very, very loud.
“I have a sample of Aidan’s DNA on file. I ran it against this specimen.” Dr. Bob was watching her with a very guarded expression. “They weren’t matches, Jane. I knew this wasn’t Aidan’s fur. I never told you it was.”
“But only alpha werewolves can transform. Aidan told me that.”
Dr. Bob nodded. “He told me the same thing when I first learned the truth.”
“You’re saying that our killer is an alpha?”
“Yes. Aidan isn’t the only alpha in town. And, sooner or later, the new beast will come for him. Isn’t that the way it works?”
She had no clue. But she would be finding out. Jane stumbled back. She grabbed her phone. Dialed Aidan immediately.
Pick up. Pick up.
“What’s wrong, Jane?” Aidan asked when he answered after the first ring.
“Bob says the killer is an alpha.”
Static crackled over the line. Hell, she never got good reception in that place. Jane rushed for the door. “Did you hear me, Aidan? Dr. Bob says the killer—he’s just like you.”
But Aidan didn’t speak.
“Hello?” She hurried through the building.
There was no connection. Just silence.
“Hello?”
Dammit. She ran outside, her finger sliding across her screen as she prepared to dial again.
***
Aidan paused in front of Hell’s Gate, his hand tight around his phone. Had Jane just said that another alpha was hunting?
Impossible. Not in this town. There were no other alphas in his pack.
But maybe that’s why all of my wolves are checking out when I question them. Maybe none of them are killing.
Another wolf…someone new in town…
His phone rang again. Jane’s beautiful face popped up on his screen. She’d been in bed with him when he took that picture. He put the phone to his ear when he answered the call. “Jane.”
“Aidan!” Jane’s voice was tight with worry. “Did you hear me? Dr. Bob said—”
“There’s another alpha in town.”
“Yes.” Her breath heaved out the line. “What happens now? What does it mean to have two of you in the area?”
“He is nothing like me.” With an effort, Aidan kept his voice flat.
There was a pause. “Aidan, you know I didn’t mean that.”
Yes, he did. “I’m sorry.” But he was worried. Because if there was an alpha in town… “He’ll have to challenge me. Since he’s not of my family…” I have no family. “Alphas who aren’t related fight for territory. If he’s in my city, killing under my watch, then there’s only one way for this to end,” he told her grimly.
I have to kill him.
“I need to know more about alphas,” Jane said. “Look, I mean, when do you guys first start shifting into the body of a beast? When does all this happen?”
“Around twenty-one.” When a boy finally became a man, the beast slipped out.
“That’s…that’s college age.” Her voice had turned thoughtful. “Travis and Alan were both college students. They knew each other. They knew him.”
“Jane?”
“I bet the killer went to school with him.” She was talking fast now. “I need to get back to Tulane. I want to search the campus again.”
“Jane, that’s a bad idea. Wait for me.”
“Well, get your ass to Tulane and meet me.”
“I…have to see someone first.” His gaze was locked on the entrance to Hell’s Gate. “You need to see him, too. Come to my bar.”
“Aidan, I have a lead. I need to follow this lead before someone else winds up dead.”
That was Jane. Being the hero again.
While I’m used to being the villain.
“My guards are tailing me. It’s broad daylight. And, yeah, by the way, notice I’m not bitching about having guards during the day? I’m compromising.”
His lips twitched.
“I’m compromising,” Jane said again, “and I’m doing my job. Before I head to the campus, I’ll switch to silver bullets.” Her breath rushed over the line once more. “Just meet me at Tulane as fast as you can, okay? If our killer is an alpha and he’s there, you’ll spot him.”
Yes, he would. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Great. And…Aidan?” Her voice hitched a bit. “I love you.”
The call ended.
I love you, too.
Aidan shoved the phone into his pocket. He squared his shoulders. Then he headed into Hell.
***
She was being followed.
Vivian Harris paused at the street corner, her gaze trekking slowly around the area. Something was off. The hair on the nape of her neck was rising.
I’m being hunted.
And if there was one thing a werewolf understood, it was the hunt.
Once more, she let her stare sweep around the street. Only no one stood out to her as threatening. Not the elderly man walking his dog. Not the two teen girls posing for selfies in front of the beignet shop. Not the young boy break dancing for tip money near the souvenir shop.
Where are you?