Page 7 of What We Don't Say: Part Two

“She wouldn’t close the bond unless she was terrified.”

“Has Ms. Monroe been seen since you last spoke with her?”

I think of the woman at the desk. The careful face. Professor Monroe completed her scheduled appointment and left campus. “Campus says she left on her own.”

“Then at this stage, this may not meet the criteria for an emergency missing-person response. She’s an adult, and adults are allowed to stop answering calls.”

“She’s my bonded mate,” I say, and every word scrapes. “This isn’t her not answering after a fight. Something happened.”

“I can enter a welfare concern and route it for follow-up, but if Ms. Monroe has requested privacy or distance, officers can’t compel contact. You may also want to check with campus police directly.”

“Campus won’t tell me anything.”

“They may be restricted from releasing information.”

“Restricted by what?”

“I don’t have that information, sir.”

I almost laugh, but there’s no humor anywhere in me. Only the shape of Garrett’s hands all over another closed door. “File whatever you can file.”

“I can do that. Please understand that repeated attempts to contact someone who’s requested no contact can create additional complications.”

My breathing stops. “What did you say?”

“I’m speaking generally, sir.”

“No.” My voice drops. “Why would you say that specifically?”

Another pause. Longer this time. “I’m advising you to let officers handle the welfare concern once it’s entered. Do not continue attempting to locate her through restricted channels if you’ve been told information can’t be released.”

The line ends with a case number that means nothing, a string of digits I write in the notes app with hands that want to crush the phone instead. The warning stays with me: requested no contact, restricted channels, complications.Garrett has alreadytouched police language. Maybe lightly, maybe indirectly, maybe through campus, but enough that the shape is there.

By the time I reach the house, my hands are numb.

I park crooked beside Idris’ car and get out with my phone in my hand, the screen still open to Callie’s name. No reply. No read receipt. No missed call. The bond stays closed, a blank wall where there should be warmth, and for a second I can’t make myself walk inside because walking inside without her feels like accepting that I failed to bring her back.

I let myself in the side entrance.

The library has been turned into something between a medical recovery space and a war room. The blinds are drawn and only the lamps are on. Theo is on the long leather sofa wrapped in a gray blanket over one of Callie’s cardigans, his knees tucked close, his face pale against the collar. Dr. Mercer is packing her bag near the table, speaking quietly to Idris, who has his phone, a legal pad, and three printed pages arranged in front of him with too much precision.

Theo looks up when I enter. The hope on his face hurts worse than the campus refusal.

I cross the room before anyone can say anything. Theo shifts like he’s going to sit up, but I’m already there, lowering myself onto the edge of the sofa and wrapping around him as carefully as I can with all this violence still living in me. He folds into my chest, blanket and cardigan and shaking bones, and I press my mouth to his hair because I need him to feel me choosing him even while every other part of me is running toward Callie.

“I didn’t find her yet,” I say against him before he has to ask. “I’m sorry.”

Theo’s fingers grip the front of my shirt. “You came back.”

Shame hits hard enough that I close my eyes. “I came back to you,” I tell him, holding him tighter when his breath catches. “And I’m still going to find her. Both things are true.”

Idris stops talking to Dr. Mercer and looks at me. His face is composed enough for strangers. I know him too well to miss the fracture under it.

“Campus?” he asks.

“Wall.” I keep one hand on Theo’s back and use the other to set my phone on the table because if I keep holding it, I’ll call Callie again until my voice gives out. “They confirmed she completed the appointment and left campus. They wouldn’t say who with, wouldn’t show footage, wouldn’t tell me if Garrett was there. Security got close when I pushed.”

Idris' jaw tightens. “Police?”