* I had driven the entire twelve hours straight to Grant County, Idaho. My eyes were gritty from lack of sleep and my beard was scratchy, but we were here. Slade Michaels​ and I had grabbed some coffee and breakfast at a gas station. We sat in the parking lot of the police station, waiting for Sheriff Anderson. Slade had stayed pretty quiet during the travel. The sheriff was due in at eight and it was just ten minutes to eight when I decided to head in. I stretched as I closed the door to my truck and locked it. We walked inside the small station and the front desk officer looked up. * Good morning, how I can help you fellas? * I smiled at her. * We have a meeting with Sheriff Anderson. * She nodded. * He's due in any minute. If you want to have a seat, I'll let him know you're here as soon as he gets here. * We sat down to wait. The station was small, but it ran efficiently. Phone calls were handled quickly - though most seemed to be non-emergency. Maybe they had a separate station for that. Maybe it was just a quiet town. Maybe Jordan had been in a terrible accident. * Sheriff Anderson will see you now. Go on back - it's the office straight ahead. * We thanked her as we headed past her and to the office that had "Sheriff" stenciled across frosted glass. I knocked, heard the reply and stepped inside. The office smelled like fresh brewed coffee and leather. The sheriff turned around. Wolf. He was a shifter. He held his right hand out, his left hand holding a Styrofoam cup of black coffee. * Hi, I'm Sheriff Randy Anderson. You must be Slade Michaels. * I shook my head. * I'm Beck Hadrian, this is Slade Michaels. * He apologized quickly and shook Slade's hand. * Sorry about that. Please, have a seat. * He sat behind his desk and pulled out a manilla envelope, handing it to Slade. * This is all that was left of personal belongings. We do have the bo...the remains downstairs in the morgue. Your vehicle is out back in the impound lot if you would like to see it. We do have pictures from the crime scene if you would like to see those as well. * Slade held the envelope in shaking hands. I waited for him to decide what he wanted to do next. The sheriff and I looked at each other. * Can I get you guys any coffee? * I nodded. * Thank you. * He got up to get the coffee which gave Slade some time to wrap his head around what he held. *


* I had driven the entire twelve hours straight to Grant County, Idaho. My eyes were gritty from lack of sleep and my beard was scratchy, but we were here. Slade Michaels​ and I had grabbed some coffee and breakfast at a gas station. We sat in the parking lot of the police station, waiting for Sheriff Anderson. Slade had stayed pretty quiet during the travel. The sheriff was due in at eight and it was just ten minutes to eight when I decided to head in. I stretched as I closed the door to my truck and locked it. We walked inside the small station and the front desk officer looked up. * Good morning, how I can help you fellas? * I smiled at her. * We have a meeting with Sheriff Anderson. * She nodded. * He's due in any minute. If you want to have a seat, I'll let him know you're here as soon as he gets here. * We sat down to wait. The station was small, but it ran efficiently. Phone calls were handled quickly - though most seemed to be non-emergency. Maybe they had a separate station for that. Maybe it was just a quiet town. Maybe Jordan had been in a terrible accident. * Sheriff Anderson will see you now. Go on back - it's the office straight ahead. * We thanked her as we headed past her and to the office that had "Sheriff" stenciled across frosted glass. I knocked, heard the reply and stepped inside. The office smelled like fresh brewed coffee and leather. The sheriff turned around. Wolf. He was a shifter. He held his right hand out, his left hand holding a Styrofoam cup of black coffee. * Hi, I'm Sheriff Randy Anderson. You must be Slade Michaels. * I shook my head. * I'm Beck Hadrian, this is Slade Michaels. * He apologized quickly and shook Slade's hand. * Sorry about that. Please, have a seat. * He sat behind his desk and pulled out a manilla envelope, handing it to Slade. * This is all that was left of personal belongings. We do have the bo...the remains downstairs in the morgue. Your vehicle is out back in the impound lot if you would like to see it. We do have pictures from the crime scene if you would like to see those as well. * Slade held the envelope in shaking hands. I waited for him to decide what he wanted to do next. The sheriff and I looked at each other. * Can I get you guys any coffee? * I nodded. * Thank you. * He got up to get the coffee which gave Slade some time to wrap his head around what he held. *

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  1. * The coroner nodded and moved to the computer. * Looks like we have her identified as case number thirty-two-three. * His fingers tapped across the keys and he pulled up the record. His glasses reflected information. * Definitely a female, small stature. Her neck was snapped prior to anything else. There was no smoke inhalation in the lungs. Which is indicative of her being deceased prior to the fire. * The man turned and made his way over to the wall of trays that pulled out. He slid one out and there was a tiny bag laying in the middle of it. I swallowed back emotion as he gestured for us to come closer. Slade hesitated, but then stepped up. The coroner unzipped the bag and I steeled myself for what I would see. There wasn't much to see, actually. I likened it to the Egyptian mummy's. The body appeared to have curled into itself. I looked away, laying a hand on Slade's shoulder as he gazed upon her. * Identification? * Sheriff Anderson asked. * Dental records are indicative that it is +Jordan McCormick. * Slade stared at the body. I was no good in situations like these. I didn't know what to say. Should I leave? Give him space? Should I stay? I decided to step back just enough so that he knew I was there, but not crowding him. Sheriff Anderson moved to the side with the coroner and they were talking in barely a whisper as I gave Slade some space to do what he needed to do. *

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  2. * I couldn't deny anymore that she was gone. My fist clenched at my side and tears started to run down my cheeks. I sniffed. * I want to take her home. She was the beta female of the pack. She deserves a proper burial. * The coroner stuttered. * "Um, I can cremate the rest of her remains and have them delivered to you in a weeks time?" * I sniffed and nodded again. * Yeah, that'll be fine. * The male moved to his desk and picked up a clipboard with some paperwork on it. * "I know this isn't the best time and I'm truly sorry for your loss, but I need some paperwork filled out and then if you could choose an urn?" * Beck took the papers. * "I can fill these out, you go ahead and choose an urn." * I followed the coroner to a small room that housed several styles and colors of urns. At this point, I didn't really care, but I went through the motions of looking and thinking what Jordan would want. I found a black urn with an gold intricate wrap around it. She would like this, not too flashy, but black was her favorite color. * This one, she'd like this. * He jotted down the serial number and then asked me to follow him back to the other room. Jordan's body was no longer there, so I could only assume they slid her back into the wall while I was busy in the other room. * "I'm almost finished here." * Beck said as he wrote on the papers. I cleared my throat. * I think I need some fresh air. * The other three male's in the room stared at me, before Beck stepped forward. * "Take a breather, I'll tie up any loose ends here." * I nodded and walked out the door to sulk in private. *

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  3. * I finished signing consent for Jordan to be cremated. I also signed for what possessions there were to take. I settled up the cost of the urn and then turned to the sheriff. * The truck? * I scrubbed my beard with my thumb. * Scrap it. I'll take a copy of the report for the insurance company. * Sheriff Anderson nodded. * I'll get that ready for signature. * I shook the coroners hand and followed the sheriff back out. He stopped me. * Listen, I know that this is a hard situation. I wish that it hadn't happened. We'll investigate the accelerant and I'll contact you as soon as we have an answer. * I shook his hand. * We appreciate that. * He nodded. * I'll drive you back to the station. * I thanked him again and when we stepped out of the building, Slade stood up straighter. He was silent as we loaded up inside the sheriffs truck and headed back to the station. I was ready to go home. To see my mate and son. To rest. Then I'd deal with Jordan. Im the meantime, I paid attention to Slade. His control was tenuous at best. I sighed, the death of Jordan weighing heavy on me. *

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* Once +Loretta Blackstone told me what she needed I got up and left. Julian handed me his car keys and +Takahiro Yanahi DPI followed me out of the conference room. I was on the verge of losing it, my baby sister was missing. Taken by a witch and I had no idea why they would even want her. The thought's going through my mind of what might be happening to her were dark. I feared for her. I hurried down the hall and burst through the front door of the police station. I needed fresh air and solitude, I knew I couldn't hold myself together much longer. * "Kimiko, yamero." {Kimiko, stop.} * I stopped, but refused to turn around, tears slid down my face and I was ashamed that I was so weak at this moment. Taka turned me gently and pulled me against his chest, slipping the car keys from my hand. Wrapping his arms around me, he let me cry. * "Watashitachiha kaiyo o mitsukerudeshou, watashi wa yakusoku shimasu." {We'll find Kaiyo, I promise."} * I wrapped my arms around his waist. His gentle voice, embrace and his scent helped to calm me. I looked into my mate's eyes. * Why would they want her, Taka? Do you think that Senichi could be behind this? * My mate seemed to think for a minute. * "You and I know Senichi best. We could guess his next move in any situation and act on it before he even had to say anything. He knows he's gonna have to do something that we would never consider. I'm not saying he is behind this, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is." * I nodded, I knew he was right. Taka kissed me. * "Let's get to the house and get what Miss Blackstone needs." * I slipped into the passenger side of Julian's car and tried to pull myself together as Taka drove us to the house. *

* Raechel Hadrian​​ was finally sleeping as I quietly dressed and left the house. I had to deal with Mia before I dealt with the females of the pack. I was still furious, but everything with Jordan McCormick​​ overshadowed it. I still needed to tell Mikaela Kieschnick​​. Maybe I'd call Damon Kieschnick​​ first. Let him decide the best way to tell her. She'd taken to Jordan right off the bat and I think Jordan had loved Mik too. I kicked the truck engine over and rubbed my hands together. It was cold and the sky was just turning a bright orange in the eastern sky. I didn't relish the tasks ahead. I put the truck in gear and headed into town. We didn't have a large police department. It was a few offices for Slade Michaels and Cole Ross, the other enforcers were directed by them. Slade and I had talked about bringing Vincent Gaines on, but it hadn't gotten any further when we were called to help Bianca. Now that the females had pulled the stunt they did, he may not stick around long enough for me to offer him the position. We had eight holding cells, each one made with reinforced silver. They stayed empty most of the time with the exception of a drunk or two needing to sleep off their drink. I parked in the space designated for me and made my way inside. * Alpha. * Bernice ran the front desk and she greeted me with a smile. * Good morning, Bernice. * She stood up. * You look tired, sir. * She handed me the file on Mia. This was a small town, she knew why I was here. I flipped through the contents. * Its been a long two weeks. * I told her as I made sure everything was in order. * Who's running the morning shift? * I asked, closing the file. * Stretch and Monty. * They were relatively new trainees, but Slade and Cole had trained them well. * Thank you. * I nodded as I slipped past her. Stretch was working the radio system we had in place and I nodded to him as I made my way towards the basement and the holding cells. Monty guarded the door leading down. * Good morning, Alpha. * He opened the door for me. * Thank you, Monty. * He nodded in return. * Good luck with that one, Sir. * I headed down the stairs, the air growing colder. I stepped down the corridor and she was in the first cell to the left. I typed in the code and a small section of the silver bars opened, allowing me to step inside her cell. She sat up when they slammed closed. She smelled like day old booze and her make up was smeared. She stood up and made her way over to me. * Alpha Beck. * Her voice was anything but respectful. * I'd hoped you would come and see me so we could sort this misunderstanding out. * She stepped close enough to run her fingers up the arms of my jacket. She shivered. * Such big muscles. * Her eyes met mine. * Maybe we can work out a deal, hm? * Her fingertips grazed my neck and jaw and for the first time in my life, I wanted to throttle a female. I shoved the file folder between us. * For starters, seducing me will do nothing but get you killed. My mate would have your head. Secondly, we'd both suffer the mating rash. And last, I would rather be dragged behind a truck, over broken glass then continue to be this close to you. * Rage darkened her eyes. * You're a son of a bitch! * Her hand flew up to slap me and I caught her wrist. * I can be. Why don't we find out just how big of a one? * She jerked away from me. * I don't understand why you're so mad at me. Why I'm to blame. I didn't do anything wrong! * She sat on the bed in a huff. * So, you didn't steal drugs from Dr. Tukami? * She was silent. * And you didn't meet Jules and my mate to give them the drugs you didn't steal? * Her eyes snapped fire as they met mine. * Or, you did do all those things, but dont want to admit it. I find it difficult to believe that you did this for the females out of the kindness of your own heart. * I opened the file that I had. * You attempted to seduce the doctor, your boss and was fired for it. I see you lived here during O'Donnells reign of terror. Your mother left with some rogue shifter. You stayed behind with your father. * She moved from the bed. * I know my life's story. I dont need you narrating it. * She tried to snatch the folder from me. I didn't allow it. * And I dont need someone of your calibre in my pack. * That got her attention. * What do you mean? * I shrugged. * Exactly what I just said. I'm banishing you, Mia. * Tears filled her eyes. * Beck...I mean, Alpha, sir....please. * I steeled myself against her pleas. * I don't trust you. In fact, you attempted to seduce me, which means you will stop at nothing to get what you want. I have yet to determine what exactly that is. But its detrimental to my pack. And I will not allow it. * She was sobbing now. * I just wanted Julian. I just wanted him to love me! * I shook my head. * He doesn't feel the same, Mia. The last female like you caused a lot of hurt as well and she almost killed members of my pack. I cannot stand by and let this happen. I will not. You broke trust. And you crossed the line thinking you could seduce me. * She hit her knees. * Alpha, please! Give me another chance! I will stay away from Julian! I'll do anything, ANYTHING to make this right. Just please, don't banish me!! * I shook my head as I gave the signal to be let out. * You'll be escorted out tomorrow morning. You will have exactly two hours to pack and clear out your things. * She was still sobbing. * Where will I go? * I stepped out of the cell. * I don't know, Mia, nor do I care. But you won't be here. And I shouldn't have to tell you that if you attempt to come back to McGregor land, you'll be killed on the spot. * I slammed the bars closed. * I hope that you take this chance and become a better person. Perhaps find a pack that will accept you. * She hit the bars, screaming. * I don't need you or your fucking pack! I didn't act alone! And everyone knows that the only reason you won't banish the others is because of who they mated and your mate is one! * I growled. * You know nothing of what I will do. Don't push me, Mia. It's too easy for me to have you executed. And it'd be supported. * I left her screaming behind me as I made my way back upstairs. I was due to meet with Jules, Meghan and Chloe in an hour. I wanted to be done with this whole thing so I could move on. I had bigger issues to deal with and this was just pissing me off. I left Mias file for Cole to finish up and then headed to my office for round two. *

* I finished checking in at the front desk then sat down next to Caiden Bauer​. I was nervous. I worried about what they would find today. I worried that Gabriel Jericho​ was going after Quinn Cooper​. I just wanted to be tucked inside of Ama Maes bed and breakfast with Caiden. My leg bounced as anxiety pumped through my veins.