Cernunnos - 31. Chapter 31

Shea woke to his phone's nearly silent alarm. He reached over and instinctively hit the snooze button. Just a few more minutes. Returning his arm to its rightful place, he held Cyn in place.

"Sheamus?" The sweet voice broke the silence.

Grumbling, the wolf peeked at the back of Cyn's head, "Yeah?"

"Are we getting up?"

"In a little bit. The bed's too comfy and I want to keep holding you." It had been several days since he slept in his own bed. Having his boyfriend with him was beyond a perk. He received an agreeing hum and closed his eyes once more.

A vibration disrupted Shea's attempt to sleep. Please don't let it be Alpha. I'll give anything to have Cyn for a little longer. Rolling over to his nightstand, he snatched the phone and found his daily news update. I really need to disable that. With his eyes open, Shea rested on his back. "Come here, little man." He watched the cernunnos turn over. Cyn's head laid on his furry chest, causing the wolf to emit a low growl. "You're so perfect, you know that?"

Cyn combed his hand through the fur, "Really?"

"Yes. You're my test as a member of this pack. I was told to protect you, and that's led me to become a delta. And now I have an incredible boyfriend." He kissed the deer's messy head of head. Shea closed his eyes for a moment, but a rumbling disrupted the moment. "Hungry?"

"Yeah. Are we going to another restaurant?"

A grin came to the wolf's face, "Absolutely. It's a day off from work, and my man needs to see the world. I guess we should get going. The day won't last forever and I have a sneaky feeling Arric's going to call any minute." The two looked at each other. Feeling an urge, Shea leaned down and planted his lips on Cyn's.

Unfurling the blanket, the couple got up and donned their clothes. As Cyn walked through the doorway into the living room, Shea caught the deer's scent. Cyn's sweet woodsy scent grew spicier through the night. It's blending! Locking the apartment door, the two got in the car and headed towards the next destination.

Shea picked a local delicatessen and he assisted Cyn in pointing out the menu options. Just as they got their food, the lycan's phone rang. Looking at the screen, he cursed under his breath. He swiped to answer the call. "Yeah, Arric?"

"Hope you had the chance to rest up. I need you to head to Green Bay. Ken called about a string of deaths. He's got two bodies that look like maulings and he thinks it's Eike and Hauser's doing."

Shea sighed. "Understood. I want Kara with me."

"I assume you're taking Cyn?"

The enforcer's tone became serious. "Sorry, Alpha, but he's not leaving my sight."

"Then you're also taking Jaime. Several receipts were laying around in the floorboards of the truck and he knows where they have been. Stop here to pick them up and pack your go-bags. Ken's putting you all in a hotel for the time being."

"Yes, sir. We'll be there shortly." Shea hung up and set the phone down on the table. Figures. They wouldn't go too far, but to leave a trail? Eike's smarter than that. Either way, Cyn needs to be protected. He looked at his boyfriend, who had a curious face. "Eat up, pup. We're heading to Green Bay to do some sniffing."

Cyn's breathing haltered, but regained composure. "It's them, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so. Kara and Jaime will be with us the entire time." Mentioning his teammates brought a thin smile to the deer. "Sorry our date got cut short, but it comes with the job."

"That's okay." Cyn picked up the veggie wrap he ordered and bit. Following suit, Shea munched on his club sandwich. "Are any of the ones from last night coming too?"

"No, but we'll be working with the pack in Green Bay. Their alpha, Ken Rogier, is the chief of police. I won't be surprised if he'll meet us there." He saw the cernunnos' nervousness return. "Don't worry, his pack heavily enforces the new law protecting you."

The two finished eating and returned to the car. They arrived at Arric's manor in record time to pick up Kara and Jaime. The Turbins loaded their bags in the trunk and hopped in the backseat. "Whoa!" Jaime waved a hand in front of his nose. "Smells like you two have been busy."

Shea smirked, "Jealous?"

Cyn looked between the lycan. "What do you mean?"

Kara smacked her mate on the back of his head. "Give them a break! It's not like their scents weren't already mixing.”

As the delta started driving, he noticed Cyn’s confusion was lingering. “Got something on your mind, little man?”

“Our scents are mixing?” The deer sniffed the collar of his shirt, making his eyes grow in size. “I smell it!”

“Yeah, they’re blending since we’re spending a lot of time together.” He stuck out his hand and was met with Cyn’s. The gentle touch sent electricity throughout his veins. Before leaving town, Shea stopped and filled the car with gas. “Anyone want snacks or a drink?”

Kara snorted, “Since when do you treat missions like a road trip?”

She was met with a sneer from the enforcer, “You really need a hint?” Shea ventured inside the station and returned with several water bottles for the team. “Get cozy, we got an hour’s drive.”

***

The team was ten minutes away from Green Bay and the Turbins kept a conversation the entire time. Between Kara, Jaime, and Shea, the three had a hard time understanding Eike’s plan of action. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense for him to stick around. You would think he and Hauser would have left the state by now, right?”

Kara rested her arms behind her head. “The pack’s heard enough whispers about the whole thing. I’m sure between Sheb, GB, and the Mil, we have plenty of law enforcement on the lookout.”

A lull hit the conversation before Shea chimed in. “Maybe that’s what the plan is.” The three others turned their attention to the leader. “What’s the next step if we can’t find them in our area?”

“They get reported as rogues to the shapeshifting government and the SFBI.” Jaime leaned closer to Cyn and elaborated, “Supernatural Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

Cyn stared at the shorter lycan. Shea snickered, “Fancy policemen with big brains.” Come on, Jaime! I know he’s learning about us, but Cyn isn’t completely up to speed. “I think they’re sticking around for a while, even after the SFBI opens their search. Wisconsin would be cleared first, and once that’s done, the state wouldn’t be too hot to roam. I imagine they’ll wait for a month or two until they run for the border.” The Turbins hummed in agreement.

Continuing down I-43, movement caught Shea’s attention in the rearview mirror. Cop car. Where did he come— His thought was terminated as the blue and red flashing lights illuminated on the top of the following vehicle. Looking at his speedometer, he was going five miles per hour over the speed limit. That usually doesn’t warrant a stop. This doesn’t feel right. “Kara, Jaime.”

“On it.” Kara’s voice was cold and serious. She ejected the seatbelt without moving her shoulders, only to stick the buckle under her thigh. When Shea pulled the car to the side of the road, she unlocked her passenger-side door. Jaime mimicked his mate’s actions.

Shea turned to Cyn, “Open that compartment and hand me the red envelope, would you?”

The deer followed the instructions. “What’s going on?”

“I got pulled over, but I’m not sure why. I’ll find out when the officer gets up here. Just relax and I’ll do all the talking.” The lycan squeezed Cyn’s knee and offered a smile.

A knock at the window turned everyone’s attention. Shea lowered it and gave his best tone, “Afternoon, officer! What seems to be the problem?” The tone trooper leaned down and the enforcer sniffed. Lycan, and he’s from Rogier’s pack.

“License and registration. Got a call from the bossman a red Camry would be coming around. I didn’t expect it to be speeding.”

Shea furrowed his brow and handed over the information. Scanning the man, he took in plenty of details. Badge says Baxter. Six foot tall with a porno-mustache. “Don’t mean to argue, but a lot faster cars were passing me just a few minutes ago.” The officer walked away without responding, causing Shea to mumble, “Asshole.”

A minute went by, and the officer returned with Shea’s insurance and license. “Sorry about that. Had to verify who you people were.” The middle-aged lycan placed a hand on the roof of Shea’s car and leaned down. “Got the low-down on the Tracking Trio coming into town.”

Baxter lowered his Aviators to the bridge of his nose and turned his attention to Cyn. The man squinted, snorted, and returned to a standing position, “Alpha Rogier’s expecting you at the crime scene just off North Clay near Main.”

The officer stooped one final time, but his line of sight was interrupted by Shea’s stare. The enforcer watched as Baxter’s eyes were begging to look at the deer again. Give me a reason, I fucking dare you! Silent like his approach, Baxter left and got in his vehicle. The moment Shea’s window closed, his growl couldn’t be contained. “Kara, call Arric! Explain the whole thing. Have him contact Ken about this Baxter fuck!”

“With pleasure, Delta.”

He was seething. Shea had never been this angry before. If he was looking at my mate like I think he was, I’ll challenge him! Damn our pack alliance, that whelp is dead! The thought of his wolf ripping the officer’s throat out burned in his mind.

When the gentle hand landed on his knee, the hatred melted away. Shea knew it was Cyn’s but he couldn’t bear to look at the deer in his current state. “Sheamus, it’s okay.”

He turned to the cernunnos with a fake smile. Cyn kept a small part of his lip back with a few teeth. He’s scared. That asshole scared my Cyn! Fury slowly found its way back into Shea’s veins. “Cyn… I don’t know if you missed it, but he—”

“I-I know. He looked at me. But I knew you and Kara and Jaime were there if it got bad.” Cyn’s grip tightened, “I’ve never seen you angry. It means a lot to me you were mad at him, but he’s gone and I’m okay.”

Seeing his boyfriend’s smile calmed the delta down. “I didn’t mean to get mad in front of you. I just took his stare as a threat.” He put the car back in drive and pulled back onto the highway. “Keeping you safe is my top priority.”

As their hands connected, Kara got off the phone. “Arric’s getting in touch with Rogier. Alpha’s pretty pissed.”

“I’d say so! I don’t know who that asshole was, but I’m not exactly happy with being stopped like that.”

Jaime chuffed. “If it was a checkpoint for us to be informed about the location, a text or email would’ve been fine. I’m assuming you’re taking point, Shea?”

“Yeah, so if you two could stick close to Cyn if I get dragged away, that’d be ideal. I know this territory is safe for prey shifters, but this wasn’t a warm welcome.”

Before Shea could continue, Kara received a text. “Rogier’s meeting us at the scene, and he wants to hear our side of the story.”

Shea exhaled. “Alright. We’re getting close to the city limits.” The wolf continued until they reached Green Bay. Unfamiliar with the area, he put in a rough location in his GPS and followed it. Turning onto North Clay, he spotted several law enforcement vehicles and pulled to the side. “You ready, baby? We might need that sharp nose of yours today.”

Cyn smiled and nodded. “Whatever I can do to help.” The four left the Camry and Shea was quick to latch onto Cyn’s hand.

Crossing the street, the enforcer noticed the imposing man with a head of gray hair. He whispered, “That’s Alpha Ken Rogier. He’s like Walter with a southern accent.” As they approached the taped-off scene, the guarding officer got a boisterous order to let them through.

“Well, as I live and breathe! Commander Farren is no more, I see!” The humongous uniformed man walked up to the four. “Good to see ya, son! Turbins, also a pleasure, but I think I should introduce myself to the new guy.” He stretched a hand out to Cyn. “I’m Ken, head honcho ‘round here. You can call me Ken, Alpha Rogier, or old fart, whichever you prefer.”

Cyn shook but managed to meet the offered gesture. “I-I’m Cyn.”

Ken smirked and cocked his head. “Not to be that guy, but that’s a pretty funny name you got!”

Shea coughed, “Made the same mistake, sir. It’s spelled C-Y-N.”

“Ah!” The exclamation boomed through the air. “Cyn! I gotcha now. I also can’t help but notice you two being at each other’s hip. Something hinky here?”

“Just boyfriends, Alpha Rogier.”

A forceful slap on Shea’s shoulder caused the delta to nearly lose his footing. “We’ve worked enough to cut the titles out, kid! I’m just pulling your chain, happy to see young love! Now before we get to work, I need to clear the air about something.”

Ken directed his attention towards Cyn. “Young’n, from what I hear, my patrol treated you wrong, and it don’t reflect what I believe in as the Alpha. You, as well as any cernunnos are welcome in my lands as guests. Would you accept my apology?”

Shea stared at his boyfriend. Cyn shook and bit his bottom lip. He looks like he’s going to cry.

The deer’s breath puffed from his lips and he wiped his eyes. “Y-yes, sir.”

Cyn’s head shot up as Ken laid a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know your story, but something tells me you’re one tough son-of-a-bitch! I figure you’ve made enough friends over in Claude’s neck of the woods, but anytime you need anything, give me a call.” Taking his hand back, Ken looked at Shea. “What say we get to work? We got the bar taped off, and the body was found several blocks from here in the alley. Young thing by the name of Cloe Martin, twenty-nine, and leporidae. As soon as I found out her species in the database and got news of the bovidae across town, I called you guys.”

Shea nodded. “Let’s check the bar. We can verify the scents if Eike or Hauser were here.” The five entered the building and Cyn stood stiff. “Cyn?” The deer was unresponsive. “Baby? Hey, it’s okay. We smell him too.” He wrapped his arm around the slender man and held tight.

Ken studied the two before speaking. “I’m out of turn here, but does he know either of the suspects?”

Just as Shea was going to speak, Cyn squeezed his hand. “Go ahead, baby.”

Cyn’s voice squeaked, “He… He was here. The wolf that attacked me.”

The alpha straightened and whispered, “Hell’s bells.” Ken’s gritty tone grew in viscosity. “Farren, you sure he should be here for this?”

“No!” Cyn’s outburst attracted everyone’s attention. “I-I can do this.”

Shea’s pride was apparent. He’s not the shy deer I met! “It’s okay, Cyn. I’m right here with you.” The two shared a loving stare before turning to Ken. “Sorry about that, sir. Cyn’s come a long way lately and wants to help out when he can. It’s also handy to have him since his nose beats mine.”

“Get out of here!” Ken’s humorous attitude made a sudden comeback. "Sheamus Farren doesn't have the best nose in the state no more?"

Cyn blushed as Ken continued teasing. The conversation was hushed as the buck walked around the establishment. "What are we looking for exactly?"

"We'd like to see if we can recreate the timeline of what happened. If we can figure out their process, we can warn the public." Ken watched as the deer continued through the bar. When the cernunnos stopped at a particular stool, he questioned the action, "Got something?"

"He… he sat here." Cyn pointed.

"Sharp nose." Ken grabbed a notepad from his shirt pocket and jotted the details. "You can smell where he's been?"

The deer nodded. "I didn't smell anything outside, but that's probably the wind. The air isn't moving now. Do you know who else was here and what they smelled like?"

"The bartender had a scent of grass and buckwheat. She and one cook was on the schedule, but from his statement, he left an hour early."

Shea went to the kitchen and stooped. Going through the door, he accidentally knocked a mop bucket away. "I barely smell him in here. He stayed to clean?"

Ken grumbled, "MO would make sense if he created a false sense of security with her. Cleaning up at closing time might mean they were going home together."

Shea nodded, "We need to see the dumpsite. Any clues found there?"

"Not a damn thing, but Detective Cyn might find something." The group left the bar and Ken led the way several blocks down the street. "Body was left here. We policed the area but found squat."

Cyn's nose twitched and started down the alley. Shea and the Turbins followed closely to ensure his safety. "I smell… urine."

Shea cocked his head back to the alpha. "How far did your team go, Ken?"

"Not far enough, apparently."

The deer walked further down towards a dumpster. He halted when he passed it and doubled back. "Here. A wolf marked this wall."

Shea stepped forward and snarled. "Hauser. It's about as fresh as Eike's scent in the bar."

Ken growled. "They ambushed her. If Eike got Martin this far, then that's the only ruling."

Kara crossed her arms and shivered. "Bastards! Did… did they?"

"No, there weren't any signs. Autopsy's underway so I'll know everything by morning." The police chief yelled for two of his officers to tape off the area. "Check with the businesses nearby if this thing was emptied and follow up with landfills if need be. Get someone to go diving. Everything needs to be bagged and tagged for forensics."

Shea scowled. We're one step closer, but we don't know how far ahead they are.