dorm. It was vacant now, and he kind of missed living there with the others who weren’t mated. When he first moved in, it had been a change from growing up in his parents’ home. His mother kept everything quiet. She wasn’t much for television, but she did play the radio on occasion when she was in the mood for some Christmas music or easy listening while she cleaned.
The males who lived in the dorms were loud, and at times, the games of pool or movie nights got a little wild. He didn’t like it at first, but with time, he grew to love his time with the others. As he matured, and the other males decided to move out on their own so they could have a home ready should they find their mates, Taze made the decision to stay for a little longer. He hadn’t bet on Malaki staying, too.
They had lived on opposite ends of the dorm, only seeing each other in passing. They’d come to an unspoken agreement in their living arrangements. The only time they had come together without fighting or arguing was when Jade had moved into the dorms and they’d had a few drinks with the female while she was settling in to the pride.
Since then, both of them had built their own cottages and moved out. Taze’s house was a few doors up from the healer and Malaki had built his on a new road on the other side of the alpha’s home. It kept them away from each other, but he’d specifically chosen his land because it had a direct line of sight to Calla’s tiny home.
The lights flickered overhead as he dropped his bag on the bench by the door. He grabbed the remote for the sound system and fired it up to drown out the hum from the fixture over his head. Once he found the local rock station, he slipped on his gloves and made his way over to a hanging bag in the corner.
Bouncing on his toes, Taze prepared his body, stretching every muscle he could before taking out his frustrations on the red bag hanging from the ceiling. Feeling his muscles bunch, he swung and connected. For the next hour, he worked until he was bent over at the waist, panting heavily as his heart raced from the workout.
It was well after dark when he finally sat on the bench and leaned back, using his teeth to tear away the Velcro on one of his gloves. His body was sore, but it was a good feeling to take some time to himself with the old bag.
His head jerked to the side when the door opened. His immediate response was a harsh curse word under his breath the moment he saw Malaki enter the room. “I was on my way out. You can have the place to yourself.”
He stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder with every intention of slipping past Calla’s brother, but it didn’t work out quite that way.
The punch Malaki threw connected with his jaw. “Where the fuck is my sister!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Taze replied, feeling his canines extend as his body tried to shift to heal the damage.
“Did you run her off?” Malaki accused. The blond male circled Taze as if he was about to attack. “What did you say to her?”
“Malaki, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Taze defended. “I’ve been asleep all day. I just came here for my morning workout, and I sure as hell didn’t stop by your sister’s house. I’m pretty sure my scent would’ve been all over her doorstep if I had.”
Okay, Taze pushed that a little. He wanted her brother to accept the fact the two of them were mates. If goading him was one way to do it, then so be it. He’d take the beating Malaki thought he was entitled, but he wouldn’t go down without a fight.
“She’s gone,” he replied. “No one knows where she is, and she called out of work for the week.”
Taze’s panther snarled in his head. “Have you talked to Talon?”
“Not yet,” Malaki cursed. “I thought you’d know where she is.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t.” Taze tried not to show any emotions in front of Malaki. If Calla had left, it was for a damn good reason. Worry turned to fear as his mind went over everything from this past weekend. He prayed she wasn’t in danger.
“Fuck! Fine!” Malaki snarled. “If you hear