Kieran POV
After checking the video footage from the back of the restaurant, we have a lot more to go on. A license plate number and a make and model of a car.
"Contact the local police with this information," I tell one of my warriors.
"That's not necessary," another replies with a police scanner in his hands.
He turns up the volume, and a robotic voice comes over the speaker. It spits off an identical make and model of the car we are looking for that was involved in a hit-and-run just south of the North Pack. The body of a man was left dead in the streets.
"That has to be them," I say as I head to my car.
Several of my warriors get in along with me, and I race down the highway. I am driving way too fast and weaving in and out of traffic. The warrior sitting beside me is gripping his door with white knuckles. I veer into oncoming traffic, and he lets out a girlish scream as we narrowly miss the cars coming in our direction.
I turn my head slightly to the side and roll my eyes at him. But when I look into the rearview mirror, I can see the other two warriors in the back seat are just as concerned about my driving. Instead of slowing down, I press my foot down on the gas.
"Alpha," one of them says bravely. "I would prefer to get there in one piece."
"If you have a problem with my driving, then you can get out," I snap back at him.
He clamps his mouth shut and doesn't say another word, but I can hear the sound of his teeth grinding together as I continue to dodge the other cars.
The rest of the drive is silent. None of the warriors dare say another word to me or each other.
Red and blue lights are flashing up ahead, and I know we are approaching the scene of the accident. I finally slow the car down and approach the policeman who is standing in the middle of the road.
I roll down my window, and he leans into the car. "The highway is closed. You will have to take the exit."
"I don't think so," I smile in his direction. "I want to see the crime scene."
The officer laughs loudly. "What makes you think you are entitled?"
"I wish to speak to your captain," I demand.
The officer shrugs his shoulders. "He is going to tell you the same thing."
"Nonetheless," I command. "I need to speak to him."
"You aren't going to leave easily, are you?" He groans.
"Nope," I reply.
"Captain," the officer yells over his shoulder. "This crazy guy wants to speak to you."
I growl angrily, and he jumps back from the car. His eyes widen as he backs away. I keep staring in his direction until the captain approaches my car.
"Kieran," he says boastfully as he steps toward the car. "I should have known that it was your type involved. Come on then."
I pull over to the side of the road and get out. My warriors don't follow me right away. I turn toward the car and glare at them, but I don't say anything.
I push my hands into my pockets and follow the captain under the yellow tape. There isn't much to see. A man is lying dead in the streets from a gunshot wound to the stomach. A battered truck is parked on the wrong side of the road. The engine is still running.
I lift my nose to the air and inhale deeply. Several scents are mixed together. My mate's lavender scent is faint in the air, but it tells me that she was definitely here. My sister's scent is still in the air as well, but it is stronger.
I notice a trail of blood that is separate from the puddle that the man's body is lying in. I bend down and dip my fingertips into the blood. Lifting my fingers to my nose, the scent of roses fills my senses.
I hear the sound of footsteps behind me, and I turn to find my warriors. They are finally waiting for instructions.
"The Luna Queen has been injured. I believe she is still here. Search the forest for her," I command them.
"Yes, Alpha," they respond in unison, and they head into the forest.
I follow them into the trees, following my sister's scent. The trail of blood is sparse, but it is enough for me to go on. While my men wander aimlessly, I follow the smell of roses.
Raven's scent weaves in and out of the trees. Bits of golden fur are caught in the bark of the trees. That fur could have only come from Raven's rare wolf.
The sound of whimpering catches my attention. I follow the sound deeper into the forest. It is getting darker the farther I travel into the trees.
Then I see it. A pair of glimmering blue eyes staring out at me from the darkness.
I trample my way through the trees, pushing branches and twigs out of the way. Finally, I find her.
Raven is huddled on the forest floor. She is naked, and her knees are pulled to her chest. Blood is pouring from her shoulder as if the wound is fresh, and tears are streaming down her face.
I bend down to her and lift her head so she is looking at me. "Hey, Little Bird," I say softly.
"I tried to stop them," she cries. "But they took her."
I shake the disappointment from my head. "Why aren't you healing?"
"It is silver," she cries. "I can't get it out."
I look at her hands, and her fingers are covered in blood. She must have been trying to pull the bullet out herself.
"I can no longer shift," Raven says with fear in her eyes.
I know what I need to do. My claws extend from my fingertips and I press Raven up against the tree.
"This is going to hurt," I warn her.
Raven grits her teeth and growls. I sink my claw into her wound, and I hit something hard and hot. It burns my touch. I know I only have moments. I maneuver my claw underneath the bullet and scoop it out from her flesh.
Raven hisses through her teeth as the bullet breaks from her skin. More blood pours out from the wound and I fear that I haven't gotten it all.
"We need to get you to the hospital," I tell her.
I pull my shirt over my head and help her into it. Raven screams as I help her injured arm through the sleeve.
"It's okay, Little Bird," I whisper. "I've got you."
I gather my sister into my arms and carry her back toward the road. Raven rests her head on my shoulder and lets out a dreadful sigh.
"Her father," she whispers. "He is a hunter."
"Who's father?" I ask.
"Mae's," Raven groans.