Kieran POV
I am in a meeting with my Dad and Papa when I feel distress coming through the mate bond. My Dad is explaining something about Raven's arrival, but I am not able to focus on what he is saying. All of the blood rushes from my face the more intense the feelings become.
Quickly, I dart to my feet, knocking my chair over behind me. Dad and Papa look at me with confused looks as I move to rush out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Dad asks. "We aren't done here."
"Something is wrong with Mae," I say hurriedly as I leave my office.
Dad and Papa chase after me, trying to assure me everything is fine, but I know better. I fear that Mae is having another panic attack. She needs me by her side.
I rush down the hall to my mother's office and swing the door open. It hits the wall behind it and shakes the pictures on the walls. My mother looks up from the paperwork on her desk with her mouth opened wide.
"Have you ever heard of knocking?" She snaps at me.
My eyes dart around the room as I look for Mae but she isn't here.
"Where is Mae?" I demand to know of my mother.
"She went to find her friend," my mother responds.
"Fucking Tish," I growl.
I am snarling and foaming at the mouth as I take the steps two at a time. I know Tish is behind Mae's feelings, and I swear I will kill her this time. Mae deserves a better friend than Tish, and it is time that Mae sees that.
I pass my father in the hallway, and he gestures to Tish's room. "She is in there," he says with an awkward look.
The door to Tish's room is wide open, and I can hear Mae's crying from the hallway. Karr is on high alert in my mind, ready to rip Tish to pieces.
Stepping into the room, I look for Tish but she is nowhere to be seen. Mae is lying on the bed with a piece of crumpled paper in her hands. Loud sobs are leaving her chest. She looks up as I enter the room, and it just makes her cry harder. I don't know what Tish has done, but it must have been bad.
I walk across the room and sit down on the bed beside Mae. I rub my hands along her back, and her sobs eventually calm down. Mae lets out a sigh before she sits up beside me. She wraps her arms around me and hides her head in my neck.
Climbing onto my lap, Mae breathes in my scent. She pulls away, and I gently wipe the tears from her eyes.
"What did she do this time?" I ask carefully.
Mae's bottom lip begins to quiver, and I know she is getting ready to cry again. I wrap my arms around her and let the tingles of the mate bond soothe her. But she is still unable to speak.
I notice that she is still holding the crumpled paper in her hands. Gently, I pry the paper out of her hands and try to smooth out the wrinkles so I can read it. My eyes skim the paper, and a sense of relief washes over me, but I try not to let it show on my face.
"She left," Mae sobs. "She left without saying goodbye."
I try to keep my face neutral even though I am excited that Tish is gone. But Mae is clearly upset that she has lost her friend. I need to be supportive despite my feelings.
"I am sorry," I whisper into her hair. "I know how much she meant to you."
"I am worried about her," Mae cries. "How will she survive without me?"
"Tish is strong," I remind Mae. "I am sure she will be fine on her own."
"She won't be able to afford the apartment alone," Mae begins to panic. "She will be homeless."
"I won't let that happen," I assure Mae. "I will help her with the cost of rent."
Mae settles a little in my arms. Her breathing calms down, and she leans against my chest. Even though she is calm, I can still feel her worry through the mate bond.
"How about I send someone to the apartment to make sure she is okay?" I offer.
Mae pulls her phone out of her back pocket and opens up an app. There is a map and a small picture of Tish on the screen. Mae's eyebrow furrow in confusion.
I glance over her shoulder at the screen and I see what has Mae so confused. Tish's dot is heading in the opposite direction of their old apartment.
Without thinking, I grab the phone out of Mae's hand and study the screen. Tish's dot is moving farther into rogue territory. Now, it is my turn to be concerned.
Picking up Mae, I sit her on the bed and get to my feet. I begin to pace the floor of the guest bedroom. Why would Tish be heading into rogue territory? Even humans who aren't aware of werewolves stay away from that part of the city. It is a high-crime area.
Then fear strikes my heart. If Mae can see Tish's location, does that mean Tish can see Mae's location as well?
"Uh, Mae," I try to approach the conversation delicately. I don't want Mae to panic if she thinks her friend is in danger. "Can Tish see your location as well?"
Mae cocks her head to the side. "Of course, it is how we made sure each other were safe."
I can't wipe the fear off my face. If rogues have taken Tish, they officially have a direct map to my weakness. Tish's phone in the wrong hands could be disastrous.
"How do you turn it off?" I try to remain calm.
"Why would I want to turn it off?" Mae asks. "What if Tish needs to find me again?"
I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the worst, but Mae deserves to know the truth.
"Do you see this area right here?" I ask, pointing to the rogue territory on the map. "This is what we call rogue territory. A lot of my enemies are there, and Tish is heading right toward the middle."
"Are you saying that Tish was picked up by rogues?" Mae asks.
"I think so," I respond honestly. "Now, we need to turn off your location. How do you do that?"
Mae takes her phone from me and flips through a few screens. Her finger hesitates over the button. "Are you sure I have to do this?"
"I have to keep you safe," I plead with her.
Mae turns off her location and hands me her phone with tears in her eyes. "Are you going to save Tish?"
"I will do my best," I lie.