Read Slade for Free Online

We all know the scents we’re looking for and I don’t trust anyone else to be as motivated as we are, right boys?”
    The affirmations of assent were loud and quick. The brothers were definitely motivated to find their mother’s killer.
    “Keith,” Griffon moved to stand in front of his cousin. “Your mission hasn’t changed. There’s nobody I trust more to watch over Belinda than you and your mate. I want you here, even though I know you’d probably rather be out there with us.” Grif placed one hand on his cousin’s shoulder and they shared a moment of silent communication.
    “My priority is Belinda and my mate, Grif. Neither of them will come to harm on my watch.”
    “Good man,” Grif clapped his cousin’s shoulder and let go. “While you guard, the rest of us will go on the hunt.” He turned to Slade expectantly.
    They spent a few moments beaming the list to each other’s smartphones and deciding who would take which sector. Slade admired the way they worked together. Like a well-oiled machine. Each brother seemed to have his own place within their family hierarchy and each had the respect of the others. It was nice to observe such a strong, well balanced group of men.
    They were all Alpha in their own way, but they all deferred to Grif as their leader. In another family, such strong personalities might’ve led to argument and bloodshed, but this group had learned how to work together smoothly, respecting each other and helping each other rather than fighting amongst themselves.
    “Kate and I will take my rental and check the desert. We might still be able to pick up the trail by either magical or mundane means,” Slade announced.
    “I’m going with you before I go hunting cars.” Grif’s tone brooked no argument. Slade could see the Alpha’s mind was made up.
    “All right, ” Slade answered slowly. He needed the Alpha to know that while he respected Grif’s authority, the search was Slade’s purview. A hard look passed between the men and Slade knew the message had been received. Not well, but it had been received. “Then we’re all set,” Slade said to the group at large as everyone started preparing to leave. “Check-ins every hour. When you complete your task, meet back here. Keith, can you or Valerie man the phone, coordinate and keep track of everyone while guarding the child?”
    “Can do,” Valerie chimed in from the entry to the living room. She walked over to her mate and smiled softly up at him.
    Keith Redstone nodded, putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders. Their magical skills were best suited to keeping the homestead and the traumatized girl safe. Slade might need their help later, but for now, this was the best place for them.
    “I’ll keep a roster, gather data, if any, and pass it along to you every hour or sooner, if there’s need,” Valerie confirmed. It sounded like she was more than capable of lending a hand to this effort.
    Slade nodded his thanks and the impromptu meeting broke up, everyone heading out in different directions. This was a lot more help than he usually had on his missions and he was glad of it, even if not all of the cougars could be trusted to keep a lid on their tempers. He’d have to watch them all closely—especially as they drew closer to their prey.
    He didn’t want anyone else dying on his watch. Or worse.

Chapter Three

    Grif sat up front with Slade in the rented SUV. Kate took the back seat as they pulled away from the cougar homestead. Slade wasn’t sure why the Alpha had decided to tag along rather than get his part of the vehicle hunt under way as soon as possible, but there had to be a reason. This Alpha was a good one. Very deliberate and very powerful. He didn’t have dominion over just his family or just his Clan, but over a far-reaching collection of shifters of all kinds who worked for his company and followed his leadership.
    Next to the Lords, Griffon Redstone was probably the most powerful Alpha in the