05

She then turned with the sweetest smile towards Jasper. « I’m sorry about his behavior, he’s been away from the pack for a long time. »

That damn grin returned to Jasper’s face as soon as he veered his attention to his aunt and he shook her hand enthusiastically. « Sophie ! I was told you came in quite a hurry earlier. »

« Yes, Darren and I really need to speak to Alpha Liam today. « She explained, vaguely gesturing where Darren was sitting.

« Darren ? » Jasper paused once he recognized the name. « Darren Nelson ? »

Instead of replying, Darren shot up from his chair and stomped towards the receptionist where he slammed down the paperwork and began trudging out the front door.

He wasn’t sure if he could do this after all. Right now, he wanted to yell nothing but obscenities at the man, which would definitely ruin their chances of being included in the investigation. Then as he passed, Sophie grabbed his sleeve and gave him a pleading look that rooted him to the spot. Once she was sure he wouldn’t try to leave again, she returned her focus to schmoozing Jasper.

« That’s right. You two went to school together ! » Sophie chirped with fake enthusiasm. « Anyways, is there any chance we could talk with Alpha Liam ? »

« Why do you want to see Alpha Liam ? You can talk to me if it’s urgent. » The man offered with a cool grin.

« Nothing will ever be urgent enough to make us want to talk to you. » Darren muttered under his breath, then squawked in pain as Sophie jammed her heel into his foot, causing him to yelp silently as he all but doubled over.

« He means we would love to speak in private. » Sophie began, then lowered her voice as she continued, « It’s about the missing children. » A few heads in the waiting room perked up, and Jasper’s eyes immediately widened. Glancing around, he covered his mouth nervously and leaned in.

« Let’s talk in the other room. » He indicated towards the hall that they had trudged passed earlier, and she nodded excitedly, then grabbed Darren by the shirt collar and dragged him behind her. Darren’s arms flew out as he fought to maintain his balance. Once they were fully in the room, Jasper closed the doors and turned his full attention on them.

« Did you see something ? » Jasper asked gravely.

Sophie turned towards Darren, suddenly losing her spark in front of a pack superior. After a moment she swallowed her nerves and pushed on. « No. I wanted to talk about helping with the investigation. » She replied. « Darren here can help. I called him over specifically so he could. »

The man sighed dejectedly and pinched the bridge of his nose. Apparently that wasn’t what he was hoping she’d say. « Ms. Dodson, » He switched to a more formal tone. « You’re part of that volunteer group that has been searching the woods, right ? »

Sophie seemed caught off guard by the question. « Yes, that’s correct. »

« Look, Ms. Dodson, I know you’re trying to help but right now it’s been decided that it would be best to keep as few people in on this investigation as possible. » He explained with an apologetic look on his face.

Sophie didn’t like where this was going and puffed out her chest indignantly. « How is that going to help ? It’s been half a year and not a single child has been found ! If anything, we need to include MORE people ! »

« Please calm down. » Jasper held his hands up. « We just think that the less information that circulates, the better. For all we know, the person responsible is also following this case closely and might be using it to their advantage. »

« That’s absurd ! » She burst, then realized what she had done and quickly stood down. « I’m sorry. »

« I understand your frustration, but that’s what the police have decided, as well as Alpha Liam and myself. » Jasper explained.

Darren was ready to snap. For some reason he was extra wound up and needed to vent his frustration. It was irritating that the man hadn’t given Sophie a chance to explain why she brought an outsider in to help. Sure he didn’t want to reveal his powers, but considering what was on the line here, it was absurd that he wouldn’t even ask why she though Darren could help of all people. It was like he was automatically dismissing him as useless.

Just as he opened his mouth to argue, the door burst open and in walked Alpha Liam himself.

A sudden pressure filled the room. Even with the collar, he could sense Liam’s Alpha presence, which meant his aunt was probably sensing it tenfold.

The man had short grey hair slicked back on his head. He had a square jaw with salt and pepper stubble and sharp, dark eyes that appeared to stare into your very soul. He was dressed in a dark grey suit that gave him a look of authority as he walked with purpose beside Jasper.

« Ms. Dodson, I believe my second in command has already made it clear that we no longer wish for further meddling with this case. » He voice practically boomed, causing the woman to cower.

Darren didn’t like seeing her like this.

« Furthermore, you yourself have no children involved in this case, so your over eager participation is all the more unnecessary. » Liam then glanced towards Darren, his eyes flitted to the collar around his neck and darkening in recognition. « To top it off, you dare bring a rogue into the pack ? »

« He’s not…. » Sophie began, then went quiet as she lost her voice.

Liam tilted his head as he focused on her. « How is he not ? He abandoned the pack, which makes him an outsider and a risk to the investigation. If you wish to help, then I suggest you stay home and let us handle it. »

Sick of listening to this Alpha nonsense, Darren decided to speak up. « Wait a minu-«

« This does not concern you. » The Alpha snapped instantly, cutting Darren off and forcing even more supernatural pressure on him. The power of the collar trembled as it did it’s best to keep the Alpha’s presence at bay.

Darren’s knees buckled in response and he fell silent. Then, the two Alphas left the room without another word, though Jasper did cast one last glance at them before slipping out of view. As soon as the force was lifted, Sophie regained her posture and stormed out. Surprised by her abrupt recovery, Darren all but ran behind her.

« Where are you going ? » He called.

She just huffed angrily passed the reception desk. « If they don’t want us to help them, then we’ll do this ourselves ! »