Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Not Without a Lawyer

The few steps to Nancy’s body feel like miles. Her blood has spread, a dark pool glistening in the fading light. The iron-rich scent is an assault on the senses, and I gag, fighting back the urge to vomit.

"Nancy?" I whisper, knowing it’s futile.

As I near her, my foot slips in the slick blood. I lose my balance, crashing to my knees beside her lifeless form. The warm stickiness seeps through my jeans and coats my hands, cooling at an alarming rate.

I force myself to look at her face. Her eyes stare blankly at the darkening sky, mouth slightly agape. The wound on her throat is a ragged mess of torn flesh. Her gun lies on the ground beside her.

As a human, she stood no chance against a panther shifter. But I never expected it to be so quick and one-sided.

I’m sure she didn’t, either.

"I’m sorry," I choke out, though I know she can’t hear me. "I’m so sorry."

My hands shake uncontrollably as I push myself to my feet, careful not to slip again in her blood.

Stumbling back to the car, my mind races with a single, determined thought.

I need to call someone.

My fingers leave bloody smears on the door as I wrench it open and practically fall into the driver’s seat. I hunt frantically for my phone, patting my pockets and searching the floor of the car.

Finally, I spot it wedged between the seat and the center console. I grab it, smearing blood across the screen as I try to unlock it. My heart sinks as I see the "No Service" icon in the corner.

"No, no, no," I mutter, holding the phone up and waving it around as if that might magically summon a signal. "Come on, please."

Desperation claws at my insides, but I realize I don’t even have Logan’s number saved. Penelope’s the one who has it. Even if I could get a signal, who would I call?

My eyes fall on the police radio mounted on the dashboard.

That.

That will work.

If I can figure it out.

I reach for it with trembling hands, trying to remember how I’ve seen it used in countless TV shows and movies. There’s a handheld mic attached by a coiled cord. I grab it, pressing the button on the side.

"Hello?" My voice cracks. "Is anyone there? Please, I need help."

Static crackles through the speaker. I try again, my words tumbling out in a panicked rush.

"This is Nicole d’Armand. I’m with—I was with Officer Nancy... I don’t know her last name. We’re on the mountain road near the Fernsby Mansion. There was an attack. A panther shifter. Nancy’s dead. Please, someone answer me!"

More static. Tears of frustration and fear blur my vision.

"Please," I beg into the mic. "Someone has to be listening. I need help. There’s a killer out here, and I don’t know what to do."

A crackle of static pierces the air, and a gruff voice emerges from the radio. "This is Officer Daniels. We copy your distress call. What’s your exact location?"

A sob of relief escapes my throat, my chest constricting with a mixture of hope and lingering terror. "Oh, thank God," I choke out, my voice trembling. "I’m on the mountain road, maybe two miles from the Fernsby Mansion. There’s a—" I swallow hard, fighting back another wave of nausea. "There’s a dead officer here. Nancy. A panther shifter attacked us."

"Stay calm, ma’am," Officer Daniels instructs, his tone steady but urgent. "We’re on the way. Are you injured? Is the attacker still in the area?"

I glance around frantically, my heart pounding against my ribcage. But the panther isn’t anywhere I can see. "I’m not hurt," I stammer. "The shifter ran off, but I don’t know if it’s coming back. Please hurry."

"We’re on our way now," Daniels assures me. "Stay in the vehicle and keep the doors locked."

"Yes," I whisper, my fingers tightening around the mic. "Please hurry."

"We’ll be there soon. Stay on the line with me, okay?"

I nod, forgetting for a moment that he can’t see me.

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