Chapter 41
Dawson
I didn’t get to bed till six in the morning. I considered knocking on Ashlynn’s door, so I could climb into bed with her, but I thought it would be rude to wake her up when I know she’s probably barely fallen asleep herself. I take my drained and tired body up to my apartment. When I open the door, I’m instantly on high alert. There’s a smell here that doesn’t belong. I flip on the lights, since the curtains to the balcony are closed, it’s dark in the living room. There’s nothing there. I must be imagining it, that’s how tired I am. I kick off my boots and walk to the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water. I down the whole thing before making my way to my bedroom. I’m stripping as I walk into my bathroom, and get right into my shower. I stand, letting the hot water run down my back, my forehead resting on the tile wall. I still can’t imagine who would have let all the horses out, although I have an idea. I just can’t fathom the why of it.
I turn off the tap, open the glass door and grab my towel that’s hanging on the hook. When I turn towards the mirror over the sink, that’s when I finally notice what it is that is out of place. In the middle of the mirror is a huge red X. Someone has been in here. I wasn’t imagining the smell. I’ve never had to lock doors before, but now I’m thinking it’s necessary.
I walk over to the mirror and run my hand across the letter. It’s paint. Red paint. Why would someone paint an X on my mirror. Does it mean something? Like I’m the target? My mind is to foggy to try to figure this out right now. I throw the bathroom door open and walk back to the living room, straight to my door and click the dead bolt in to place. I’m not usually scared, and normally I wouldn’t lock the door even after all of this, but I desperately need some sleep. I can investigate this nonsense later. I trod back to my bed, drop my towel on the floor and craw! into my bed and fall fast asleep.
I’m awoke to pounding on my door. Why can’t a guy sleep around here? I roll over and look at the clock. It’s five in the evening. Shit, I slept almost eleven hours. I hop out of bed and run to the door, forgetting that I’m naked. I throw the door open and there is Cody, looking mad as a hatter, arms crossed over his head. He looks me up and down, “What the hell man, put on some clothes.”
“Oh sorry, I forgot, ” I mumble as I walk back to my room, leaving the front door open so he can come in. I throw on some shorts and come back out, running my hand through my hair. “What’s up?”
Cody chuckles, shaking his head. “I guess we all had a rough night huh?” He walks over to my coffee maker and starts making coffee. “Listen, I think we may have found something. The trackers caught a scent that was both near the stables and out by one of the gates. They think it’s a female. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?,” Cody turns back towards me and leans against the counter.
I walk over to my couch and flop down, throwing my head back. I run my hand over my face, and realize I need to shave. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”
Looking at Cody, I realize I gotta come clean. “You should go look in my bathroom,” I gesture towards my door and he raises one eyebrow in question, but walks that way and disappears into the room.
“What the fuck is that?” Cody asks as he comes back out.
“Wish I knew man, but I think it’s a message of some kind. Oh and tell everyone to start locking their doors,” he nods his head at me and then walks over to the coffee pot and pours us both a cup. “You know, maybe send one of the trackers here, see if they smell what I did when I walked in here this morning. There was a scent that didn’t belong here, definitely wolf though.”
“Good idea,” Cody says. “You want to get dressed and come help me look through video footage? I tried this morning but I was wiped out. I just got up an hour ago, and only because I was hungry. I probably could have slept till tomorrow.”
“I hear that. Yeah ok, let me get dressed, and I will meet you in your office.” I stand and walk towards my room. “Hey,” I turn back. “Have you seen Ash? Is she ok?”
“Yeah she was coming out of the clinic when I got up, said she was just checking to make sure nothing was amiss in there. But she always locks it. She looked tired herself. She was in some sweats and had her hair thrown up in a pony tail. She said if I saw you, to tell you she was going to eat dinner and go back to bed.” Dawson gave me a smirk. “Anything I should know?” He takes another sip of coffee, looking at me over the rim of his cup.
“Yeah. She’s my mate. My fated mate, can you believe that shit? I’m still in disbelief.
Cody spit his coffee, “You’re kidding? Wow man, that’s incredible. Well congratulations. Does the Alpha know?“, his smirk is back.
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Chapter 41
“I’m not sure. He saw us come back together from the run last night, but he didn’t seem to pay it any mind. Maybe he suspects. I will tell him when Ashlynn is ready for people to know. So don’t say anything please,” I give him a pleading look, and he shakes his head yes.
“Alright, see you shortly,” he sets his cup down on the counter and walks out the door. I rush to get dressed. We’ve gotto find out who is responsible for the horses and for this stupid red X on my mirror.
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