“Are you scared?”
Presley’s question took him by surprise. He could answer it one of two ways, really. He could be truthful and admit that he was scared, but would she think less of him for it? He couldn’t risk that.
“No,” he said after another moment of silence. “I’m not scared. We can take them.”
“You’re damn right we can,” Mr. Bamey commented as he stepped closer. “This ends tonight.”
Lorcan turned his head to gaze at his father, understanding the look the older male gave him in that moment. It was a look that said ‘Take care of yourself, don’t get killed.’
Lorcan would do his best not to. After all, his future was looking brighter by the second. The golden haired beauty that stood so bravely at his side was a damn good reason to stay alive.
A low growl sounded from somewhere in the woods, and it was countered by Dimitri’s angrier one. Lorcan turned his head to stare at the red wolf as he moved closer, digging his claws into the ground.
“It’s okay, Dimitri,” Lorcan said softly as he glanced towards the woods again. “We’ll be all right.”
The sound of a rapid heartbeat caused Lorcan to gaze at Presley once more. She was standing there, her gun still aimed towards the woods as she closed one eye. She didn’t seem to be afraid at all. Maybe she wasn’t.
Maybe I need to be more like her, he thought. He licked his lips, swallowing the lump in his throat as he caught a glimpse of glowing eyes between the trees.
“Get ready,” Mr. Bamey whispered. “This is it, fellas.”
Lorcan caught Presley’s gaze as she glanced at him, and he smiled gently.
“I love you,” he mouthed.
And much to his surprise, right before the wolves sprang towards them…
She mouthed it back.
Thank you for reading The Truth about Kadenburg!
Other books by T.E. Ridener:
The Descendants Series
The Fire King’s Daughter (Book #1)
The Water King’s Bride (Book #2)
The Ice King’s Heart (Book #3) Coming soon!
The Blood Betrayal Series
Blood Betrayal (Book #1)
Mirela and Her Vampire (Book #1.5)
Blood Revelations (Book #2)
Blood Resurrection (Book #3) Coming soon!
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Keep reading for an exclusive sneak peek at book #2 in The Kadenburg Shifters Series, Return to Kadenburg.
Sneak Peek
Return to Kadenburg
One
Why was he coming back after all this time?
29 year old Rutley Holter was still trying to find a sufficient answer to that question as he watched the aged buildings slowly pass by. Kadenburg, the one horse town where dreams were diminished daily, was the last place he ever thought he’d see again.
Yet here I am, he thought as he pulled into the parking lot of the sheriff’s department and killed the engine on his Subaru Impreza. That car was his baby. He’d worked so many hours of overtime just to make the down payment, and it was almost paid off; almost.
He allowed his baby blues to gaze around the small town, taking in every last boring brick and mundane window sign as he exhaled softly. “I have not missed you,” he stated as he shut the car door and made his way towards the front entrance of Kadenburg’s finest.
He pulled it open, listening to the small ding signaling his arrival as the warmth of the office enveloped him. He shivered, frowning. Yeah, he totally didn’t miss the cold weather. He was longing for the sandy beaches of Florida already.
Yeah, no. It’s best to stay away from Florida for a bit, don’t you think? He asked himself as he stepped up to the empty receptionist’s desk. There wasn’t a soul to be seen, which wasn’t all that surprising considering this was the Kadenburg Sheriff’s Department. People in this town seriously had no idea what a good worth ethic consisted of.
If he had his guess, the person that was supposed to be sitting there was probably out back, enjoying some nicotine.
“Hello?” He called out.
He drummed his knuckles against the countertop as a muffled conversation sounded over the police scanner nearby. It sounded like two deputies talking back and forth, but he could barely make out anything they were saying.
“No trace of them” and “headed back to the station” was the only parts he could understand before the static became so unbearable he had no choice but to tune it out.
“Can I help you?”
Rutley lifted his gaze to the young deputy standing in the doorway of the hall. He had a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, and a pack of Marlboro Reds in the other. He was around the same age as Rutley.
What a poor soul, stuck here in Kadenburg, he thought with a small grin. “Uh yeah, I’m here to see the sheriff.”
The young man snickered, giving a roll of his eyes as he slid down into the squeaky office chair behind the counter. “Get in line, pal,” he stated as he sipped at his coffee. “He’s not back yet.”
“I had no idea,” Rutley countered as he lifted a brow. “I mean, it’s not like I didn’t notice the cruiser missing outside,” he leaned over the counter and narrowed his eyes on the young deputy. “Get on that little radio you’ve got there and tell him he’s got a visitor.”
The deputy scoffed as he leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. “You think you get special privileges around here just because you drive that shiny little car out there? I don’t think so, buddy. You can sit your ass down right over there and wait for him to get back.”
Rutley fought to keep a grin at bay as he glanced in the direction the deputy was pointing. “Over there?” He asked, nodding to the small waiting area. “Sure thing.”
He sank down into one of the old, leather chairs, rubbing at the back of his neck as he glanced at the clock. 4:35.
“Will he be back soon?” Rutley questioned after a few beats of silence.
The deputy sighed audibly before peering over the top of the counter. Rutley didn’t have to see his whole face to know he was scowling. He could see the irritation in his eyes. “Hell if I know,” he replied. “He’ll be here when he gets here, okay?”
“Okay,” Rutley nodded, sinking back into silence as his eyes wandered over the wallpaper. It was definitely in need of a modern touch. Who even used faded green flower designs anymore? Geez.
It was only a few minutes later that he heard a car pulling up outside. Something on that vehicle needed fixed, he could hear the rattle growing louder before it suddenly died away. Then the door was opening and the sheriff walked inside.
The older male pulled his hat off, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand as he made his way towards the counter. “Have you heard anything?”
The deputy seemed to be much more hospitable as he stood from his chair, rummaging through various papers on the desk before he shook his head. “No, Sir,” he replied. “The only thing that’s changed since you were here is that fancy pants snot head over in the corner,” he nodded in Rutley’s direction. “Apparently he wants to talk to you something awful.”
Rutley’s eyes met the sheriff’s as the aged man turned to look at him. Rutley grinned. “Long time no see, Dad.”
The deputy’s face immediately fell, and he might’ve gotten a little pale as he realized the strong resemblance between the two men.
“Hi, Son,” Sheriff Holter said with a nod. “Want to step into my office?”
Rutley pushed himself up from the chair he’d been warming for the last few minutes, giving another grin to the deputy as he strolled past him. “Don’t mind if I do,” he said, walking into the office and slumping into a chair as his father closed the door.
“Some staff you’ve got there,” he commented as he watched his father ease into his office chair. “
He seems nice.”
“He’s a punk kid,” Sheriff Holter muttered as he pulled open a folder and glanced up to meet his son’s gaze. “That’s Roy Helton’s son. He needed a job. What was I supposed to do?”
“That’s Randy?” Rutley asked in surprise. “No shit.”
“No shit,” his dad replied as he started flipping through pages, sighing. “Thanks for coming on such short notice, Rut. I half expected you to say no.”
“I’m just as surprised as you are,” Rutley replied as he tilted his head back to stare the ceiling momentarily. “I mean, obviously I must be crazy to come back after you called me a sinful little heathen and told me I was going to hell.”
The sheriff’s jaw went slack as he stared at Rutley, and then the muscle tensed as he straightened up in his seat. The paperwork was seemingly forgotten as he cleared his throat. “Listen, son, I’m sorry about how things ended back then. I realize I don’t deserve the father of the year award, but you know I love you, don’t you?”
Rutley rolled his eyes. He didn’t come back to Kadenburg to make his dad feel guilty over how things played out nearly ten years ago. He came back because he heard the urgency in his voice and he knew he needed help. It was purely professional, and he intended to keep it that way.
“I’m over it,” Rutley replied as he leaned forward in his seat, reaching across the desk to grab the file his father had been looking at. “What’ve we got?”
“Four missing persons and none of the witnesses will talk,” Sheriff Holter frowned. “It’s been two days and I have zero leads. I needed another set of eyes, and another brain to help me out.”
“Uh huh,” Rutley nodded, his eyes scanning over the pictures of the missing persons. “Not just any brain, huh?”
He lifted his eyes to meet his father’s gaze, noting the concern etched on his face. Sheriff Holter shook his head slowly. “None of my deputies will ever be able to make heads or tails of the situation, Rut. I need your help. You’re the only other person who’s been…trained for this type of thing.”
Rutley heaved an exaggerated sigh as his eyes lingered on the snapshot of a pretty blond with bright green eyes. He remembered her. He knew her. In fact, he knew two of the others as well; Presley Goult, Gregory Kress, and Lorcan Bamey. They were all missing?
“Who’s this guy?” He asked, flipping the page to read more information about the case. “Dimitri Fridolf? What do we know about him?”
“Not much,” his father responded as he tapped a fingertip against the desk. “But some of the stuff I’ve found leads me to believe he’ll be the easiest one to find.”
Rutley licked his lips as his brows lowered on his forehead. “Are you seriously insinuating that we’re dealing with werewolves?” He asked. “Dad, we’ve not had any issues with wolves since back in the eighties. We chased them all off, remember?”
“Did we?” His father asked as he scratched at the scruff on his chin. “I’m not so sure, Rut. There’s been an awful lot of questionable activity going on lately,” he stood from his desk and moved to the filing cabinet. He tugged it open and removed another folder, tossing it onto the desk for his son to see.
“I’m retired,” Rutley commented as he leaned forward, flipping the folder open without a second thought. He immediately regretted his decision.
“Shit,” he whispered as his lips anchored into a frown. “Is that Liam Bamey?”
“Uh huh,” the sheriff nodded. “I told his parents a damn mountain lion killed him. They didn’t really believe me, I don’t think…”
“A mountain lion?” Rutley repeated as he glared up at the other male. “Dad, this is…this isn’t just some random body you can show me,” he felt his throat closing in on him as he closed the folder and pushed it away from himself. “Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
“Because I reckon I didn’t want to bother you with work stuff.”
“Work stuff,” Rutley repeated bitterly. “He was my childhood best friend, Dad. You couldn’t even pick up a damn phone and call me? Did they have a funeral for him? Did you even bother to tell his parents you didn’t call me? God almighty, Dad. You’re a real piece of work.”
“The Bameys have been dealing with a lot lately,” Sheriff Holter frowned. “Trust me, Rut. I’m sure they were more than understanding on why you didn’t come back. Nobody ever comes back to Kadenburg.”
“Yeah, well I’m here,” Rutley replied as he stood from his chair and glowered down at his father. “And I want to find the son of a bitch that killed Liam.”
“You’re not the only one,” his father stated as he stood from his desk and moved to the window. He pulled the blinds back to peer outside. “I’ve got a feeling that Lorcan and his friends had a similar goal,” he glanced back at his son again. “And if we don’t find them soon, there’s a good chance they’ll end up dead, too.”
Rutley felt the anger boiling within. His nostrils flared as his hands balled into fists. “Consider me reinstated,” he muttered.
Coming soon.
Characters
Presley Goult – A 26 year old female ursithrope who returns to Kadenburg after experiencing a harsh breakup with her very human boyfriend. Her last name means “gold”.
Lorcan Bamey – A 28 year old male ursithrope residing in Kadenburg. His first name means ‘little fierce one’ and his last means ‘brave as a bear’.
Arnold Goult – Presley’s uncle. He raised her as his own after his twin sister abandoned her. He is an ursithrope.
Richard Bamey – Lorcan’s father. He’s an ursithrope.
Charlotte Bamey – Lorcan’s mother. She’s an ursithrope.
Liam Bamey- Lorcan’s older brother. He was an ursithrope murdered by werewolves because he was mated to one of their kind. Liam was 29 when he died.
Jim Proffitt – The owner of Jimbo’s. He’s a human.
Alma Proffitt – Jim’s wife. She’s a human.
Dimitri Fridolf – Liam’s lycanthrope mate. He’s been on the run from Breslin ever since Liam’s death and he becomes an ally to the ursithropes in hopes of destroying Breslin for good. He is an orphan and does not have a true pack. He’s 28 years old. It is said that people with the name Dimitri have a great desire to help humanity. His last name, Fridolf, means ‘peaceful wolf’.
Thomas – Breslin Connor’s Beta. Dimitri killed him when he tried to attack Presley, thus proving where his true loyalty lies.
Breslin Connor – An ambitious, cold-blooded lycanthrope who wants to claim Kadenburg as his territory. He murdered Pierce Carroll before Presley was born, and he is seemingly determined to abduct her and kill her. He is also responsible for Liam Bamey’s murder. His age is unknown.
Pierce Carroll – Presley’s father. A male ursithrope killed by Breslin Connor in the late 80’s.
Caroline Goult – Arnold Goult’s twin sister; Presley’s mother. A female ursithrope. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Natalie Carroll – Pierce’s older sister; Presley’s aunt. A female ursithrope. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Nana Hettie – Owner of the local diner who presumably has a personal vendetta against Presley for her behavior as a teen. She’s a human.
Davey Berdine – An elder male ursithrope.
Gregory Kress – An 18 year old male ursithrope. He’s a firefighter from Virginia.
Colin Grimes – A male ursithrope. He is 30 years of age and is said to be a professional football player.
Parson Downing – A male ursithrope.
Kyle Frey – A male ursithrope.
Gabby Kress – Greg’s little sister. A female ursithrope.
Luke – A lycanthrope.
Urseth – The Russian god of the bears. When a young Russian man serving as a soldier during the Civil War pleaded to Urseth to save his life, Urseth sent aid in the form of fierce bear warriors. He then granted the bears a peaceful existence among the humans, as long as they followed his laws.
ener, The Truth About Kadenburg
The Truth About Kadenburg Page 20