Chapter 27

Twenty-Seven

IZZY

T he second time I wake up, it’s to the sound of my phone buzzing.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Again and again and again and again.

I grab the nearest pillow and shove it over my face, allowing a scream to break free.

My dreams last night were plagued by images of a shadowy monster tearing three men to shreds, a dark-eyed witch wrapping me in her power, and a beautiful girl screaming at me for ruining her relationship.

For the first time in who the fuck knows how long, I don’t dream of any of my so-called “mates.”

“Who the fuck is calling me?” I murmur groggily.

Did I miss my alarm clock? But…no. It’s only six thirty in the morning. My alarm isn’t set to go off until seven.

Is Ansel here already? It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if he has some sort of extracurricular he has to get to early in the morning. Isn’t he in, like, ten different clubs?

But it isn’t Ansel who’s calling me.

Five missed calls from Silas.

Seven missed calls from Hale.

Three missed calls from Gerry.

Six missed calls from Jake.

Ten missed calls from Emery.

Eighteen missed calls from Reid.

Ten missed calls from Ethan.

What the hell?

When another call comes through, I click accept, not bothering to even check who’s trying to get ahold of me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately as a plethora of possibilities flit through my brain.

Did something happen to Lissa? Seth?

“Izzy. Thank fuck.” Ethan’s voice is heavy with relief—so much relief, I can practically picture him sagging to the ground. “Em! I got a hold of her! She’s here!”

“Put her on speaker!” Emery demands, his voice sounding muffled.

“You’re on speaker, Izzy,” Ethan tells me.

“Are you okay?” Emery demands instantly. “Are you hurt?”

“What?” My first thought is that they somehow found out what happened in the alley.

Did they find the bodies? The monster?

“The theater…” Ethan swallows heavily.

“What the hell happened? You guys are scaring me.”

“There was an explosion, Izzy,” Emery bites out, his tone brisk. “At the theater. They found a body.”

I suck in a startled breath. “What?”

“They don’t know what happened yet,” Ethan cuts in. “They think it could be an issue with the gas line or something.”

“Oh my god.” I place a hand to my mouth as tears prick my eyes. “Jake? Silas? Reid?”

“They’re all okay,” Ethan reassures me. “They’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”

“What was someone doing there that early?” I ask.

The theater doesn’t even open until ten on Friday.

“I don’t know.” Emery’s voice is hoarse. “I’m just… I’m just happy you’re okay.”

“You should call Hale or Gerry,” Ethan adds. “They’re out of their minds with worry.”

A lump settles in my throat, but I find myself nodding, despite knowing the twins can’t see me. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll do that.”

“Izzy…” Emery trails off, seemingly at a loss for words.

Silence stretches between the three of us, fraught with tension, precarious in the way that glass is seconds before shattering.

“Just be careful, okay?” His voice sounds choked.

When I hang up the phone, it’s with a hollow feeling in my chest. I feel aimless and adrift. Lost.

Taking a deep breath, and steeling my resolve, I shoot off texts to everyone who messaged me.

I save Hale for last.

Izzy

I’m okay. I’m still at my friend’s house. But I think we need to talk.

Hale responds instantly.

Hale

Come to the house. Gerry and I will be here.

It’s only as I’m getting ready for the day, my movements slow and mechanical, do I receive a follow-up text from Reid.

Reid

They identified the body. It was Minnie. She was one of Sidney’s packmates. Twins are with her now.

The phone slips from my hands and clatters into the bathroom sink.

What are the odds that Sidney confronted me the same morning her packmate is killed in an explosion?

I don’t dare allow myself to look too closely at the connection.

I’m not sure I’ll like what I find.