Marked Northern Shifters 1

not ‘cherry-picking’. The quad abducted Alec. Their choice, not ours. And you’ve been out searching for Alec anyway.” David’s voice was steady, but heavy with disapprobation. Liam’s nightly forays left everyone more vulnerable to the quad’s attacks. Which was why they were relatively brief and he didn’t stray too far. Liam’s fists clenched. It was also why his half-assed searches had failed to find any trace of a useful scent. But he couldn’t simply do nothing for Alec.
Veronica placed a hand on Liam’s shoulder and, with her touch, he found it a little easier to breathe.
“Seth will be here tomorrow, Liam. He’ll help protect us and you can spend your energy and time on finding Alec.”
Smothering a sob, Liam twisted away from her. It would be too late. It was already too late. But he had to try, not just leave Alec to his godawful fate. Liam rubbed his eyes.
Veronica came around and hugged him, something she rarely did because of David’s jealousy. Liam buried his face in her hair. Her breath feathered against his neck as she spoke. “I’m sorry Seth couldn’t fly until the full moon had run its course.”
Liam stepped back and jerked a nod. Traveling during the full moon was risky at best.
Yet he felt so guilty that he hadn’t protected Alec. He should have revealed himself, told Alec he was wolf—and terrified the shit out of him.
The phone rang and Liam jumped. Running a hand over his face, he pulled himself together and walked over to the wall to pick up the cordless.
“Hello?”
“Mmm, Liam, Liam?” A quick, breathy voice repeated his name, stressing the second syllable as if it was a new and strange word. Then it stopped.
“Yes,” he said, slowly, encouraging. He heard breathing as her answer and the hairs on his neck rose up. “Hello?”
“Liam?” she tried again, a mix of uncertainty and desperation.
Obviously a little girl’s voice. Liam’s shoulders felt shivery and cold, as if his haunches were rising.
“I’m Liam,” he replied as calmly as possible. Friendly-like. The voice was young, almost untried.
“Alec’s friend.” She whispered the words, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear but Liam. Then she spoke louder and in a stilted, rehearsed fashion. “Can I come home, Liam?”
“Yes. Yes .” His brain was playing catch up. “Where are you, Alec’s friend? I will come get you. Tell me where you are.”
“I don’t know.” She sounded forlorn, and for a panicked moment, Liam was stumped.
“You describe where you are to me,” he suggested. “How about that?”
“The lady wants to tell you.”
The lady? Suddenly, the child’s voice—his only connection to Alec—was gone and a lady chattered on the phone, reassuring him. “Your little girl is just fine, sir. She says she ran away?”
Liam didn’t know how to answer that.
She continued past the troubled pause. “If you’ll come to—” Liam scribbled down the name of the grocery store, its address and phone number while Veronica and David watched him intently.
“My God,” he said, because he wanted to talk to that little girl now . “It’s an hour away.”
“Oh?” The lady sounded confused. “My goodness. Well, she said you left her behind. I suppose she ran away after that…?”
Liam couldn’t explain it either. “Please, I’m begging you, keep a close eye on her till I get there. I’m six feet, blond hair, green jacket.”
The lady lowered her voice. “I should warn you, she’s quite dirty. I don’t know what she’s been into.”
“Okay.” Liam didn’t know what was expected from him. “But I just want her safe. Is she safe?”
“Yes. I’ll be watching her. And we have some crayons here.”
“Excellent.”
“I gather you don’t let her watch TV?” Huh? “Since she doesn’t seem to know what the TV is.” The lady observed this with some consternation.
“It is totally fine if she watches TV. No problem whatsoever. As long as she’s safe.”
“She’s eating now!” the lady exclaimed brightly, presumably pleased the werewolf child was showing some normal behavior.
“Perfect,” declared Liam. “I’m on my way.” He had to get off the phone and on the road. He hung up and spun to look at Veronica and David. “There’s a little girl asking for me. Says she’s Alec’s friend. She must be the girl cub.”
Veronica frowned. “Could be. Was her name Claire?”
“I didn’t ask. We have to go. Now.”
David nodded. “Absolutely.”
“We’ll stay together