Free Wolf Pack by Crissy Smith Page B

over our friend here while you change. Jamie’s bringing a bagful of clothes.”
    Cole rose and strolled over to where Luca had been as Luca moved closer to their catch.
    It was as easy to return to human form as it had been to shift into a wolf. He panted while still on his hands and knees. He’d need to eat soon since he’d used so much energy with two transformations close together.
    “Don’t pounce!” Jamie shouted.
    Cole looked up when Jamie stepped into the small area. The big biker was a happy sight to see. Jamie could shift into a bear but usually he didn’t need to. He was pretty damn intimidating. He dropped a duffle on the ground. “Cover up, guys, I don’t want to see either of you in all your full glory.”
    Luca laughed before he came over and helped Cole to his feet. Cole’s legs were a little shaky but he was okay.
    “There’s a couple bottles of water and some granola bars too,” Jamie said.
    “Thanks, man,” Cole said sincerely.
    “So who’s this guy?” Jamie nudged the shifter.
    “Don’t know yet,” Cole admitted as he dressed. “He was watching us when we were at the Alpha house.”
    “Let’s find out,” Jamie said. He bent down. “Shift,” he demanded of their suspect.
    The brown wolf whimpered.
    “Shift,” Jamie demanded then growled.
    The air around the wolf circled and he changed. It took a little longer than Cole’s but in a few minutes a dirty young man with dishwater blond hair and blue eyes lay shivering in the open. His face was familiar.
    “Hello, Trent,” Cole said.
    “You’re kidding me.” Luca shook his head. “What are you doing here?” he asked Trent.
    “I…I needed help,” Trent told him.
    “Well looks like you might get it,” Cole responded. “Let’s get you back to the Alpha house.” He reached down and lifted Trent to his feet.
    “Let’s get going,” Jamie said. “Hopefully we can get some answers now.”

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Kendra flipped the grilled cheese she was making, then looked at the young man who was freshly showered and sitting quietly on the stool at the kitchen island. The picture of Trent from the file hadn’t been taken that long ago, under a year, but the poor guy didn’t look anywhere close to the same. He’d lost at least thirty pounds, had dark circles under his eyes and was deathly pale.
    She plated the sandwich and set it in front of Trent before going back to the stove to turn off the heat under the tomato soup. Kendra poured it into a bowl then grabbed him a spoon. Trent was halfway through the grilled cheese already but stopped and sniffed the soup. “Mmm.”
    “Comfort food,” she said. “Alpha Taylor always made it for me when I was sad or not feeling well.”
    Trent nodded. “Thank you.”
    Kendra had to smile at him. “You’re very welcome. I’ve been trying to find you for a while now.”
    “To help convict Shawn,” Trent said. He dropped his head.
    “Hey.” She reached over and grasped his hand. “What is it?”
    He shook his head. “Nothing.” Trent went back to eating. Kendra wasn’t buying his answer though.
    She glanced out of the window to where Taylor, Cole, Zak, Jamie and Luca were talking. Taylor had ordered some of the stronger wolf shifters to accompany the agents in searching the caves that Shawn’s remaining pack were hiding in. Trent had been able to get away but he hadn’t known where exactly they’d been.
    “Trent,” she whispered as she sat beside him. “If you have anything you want to tell me you can. I won’t tell anyone.”
    “You’re a Marshal. All you care about is taking down Shawn.”
    “That’s not true,” she assured him. “Yes, I’m a Marshal but I’m also a wolf shifter. I can probably understand whatever is bothering you.”
    Trent pushed his dishes aside before he stood. “Understand?” he laughed. “Yeah, right.”
    “Talk to me, Trent,” she urged. “You can’t keep whatever it is inside you. Trust me.”
    “Do you know why Shawn