Read Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) for Free Online Page B

think.” Casey wrung her hands.
    “Want me to walk you home?” I wanted more info from Eric, but more than that, I wanted to take care of Casey. Finding out she was a Pteron was one thing, discovering she was likely part bear was just icing on the cake.
    She nodded and headed toward the door. “And I thought meeting my new grandmother was weird.”
    “You met Georgina?” I’d met the former queen when Allie was on death’s door earlier that year. To call her intimidating was an understatement. At the same time, she also struck me as someone incredibly protective of her family. I only hoped she viewed Casey as family and not an unpleasant mistake.
    “Good night, Eric,” Casey whispered as I led her outside. “I won’t be at work for the next few days.”
    “Why not?”
    “I’m doing a shopping day with Georgina and then we’re going to New Orleans.” She stepped through the doorway and headed out into the night.
    I followed and caught her hand. “You okay?”
    “As okay as I can be.”
    “When do you leave for New Orleans? And a shopping day? When did you meet Georgina? What else is going on?”
    She laughed. “Where do I start? That’s a lot of questions.”
    “Start anywhere.”
    “Georgina and Allie showed up at my apartment. We went shopping once already, but evidently that isn’t enough. I barely convinced Georgina to let me go to work this afternoon. She had someone tail me. I’m sure he’s out here somewhere. We go down to New Orleans late tomorrow. She wants to show me “my city” and some other things.”
    “Fun.” I smiled. I couldn’t picture Casey shopping with Georgina and Allie, but I’m sure it would be quite the experience. I didn’t mention that even before Georgina arrived she had someone tailing her. “Oh. Well, if you want to come back and hang out at my place…”
    She didn’t hesitate with her answer. “No, thanks.”
    “Fair enough, but call me if you need anything.” There were so many things I wanted to say, but I sensed she didn’t want to talk. I could give her the silence she wanted. I’d give her more than that. I’d get her answers.

Chapter Six
Jared
    My life was starting to feel like a series of fuck ups, and I could blame it all on letting my emotions get the best of me. It was humiliating. I trained my whole life to have the ability to close off my feelings, yet I’d let them throw me off not just once, but twice. The first time with Bryant at Angola prison was bad enough, but Casey? Did I really have to go and have crazy sex with a Pteron? The worst part was that I enjoyed it—a lot, and some part of me wanted it to happen again even though I knew it couldn’t. I couldn’t want it. I couldn’t want her.
    I ran another few miles. I’d already lifted, and was nearly out of ideas of how to get rid of the stress. I needed to get my head straight and get back in the game. If I didn’t, my job was gone. I wasn’t going to let Levi down again.
    “Trying to win a race?” Owen caught up with me. I’d been so wrapped up in my pity party I hadn’t noticed his approach. I really was losing it.
    “No, I’m trying to get away from your mother.”
    “Real original.”
    “Yeah, well, I’m not feeling particularly creative at the moment.” I slowed down slightly.
    “Get off it, man. So you slept with a Pteron. It’s not a big deal.”
    “Not a big deal? And I didn’t just sleep with her. I lost count of how many times we went.”
    Owen laughed. I wanted to smack him. “She hadn’t transformed yet, had she?”
    I sped up my pace. “No. Not if she’s telling the truth.”
    “Then get over it. She wasn’t even a real Pteron yet.”
    “Yes, she was. You’re born a Pteron. You don’t have to shift to become one.”
    “I give up, man. Just let it go. Or don’t. If you like the girl—”
    I stopped short. “What? Are you suggesting I knowingly hook up with a Pteron?”
    “It’s not like you want to mate with her. And even if you did…