Ogres in Oakland, Oh My!

By Steven Sterup, Jr

The trio's encounter with Xander has caused a rift between them. This leaves Zach feeling alone in his struggle to control the power he dare not give in to.

Can the trio reconcile their differences and help a family of ogres stop an evil creature more deadly than any they have yet to face? With this creature's power and magic, it might even be able to harm Zach.

But is this case just another plot of Xander's? Or was it orchestrated by their new enemy, the ancient evil that has its sights set on conquering Earth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Sterup, Jr
• Release date: Oct 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463292129

Steven Sterup, Jr

I enjoy reading and writing fantasy themed books, including romance novels. Most of my work is about fantastical worlds with magic and monsters.Since I was young I've had a strange desire to create 'something' and as soon as I started writing my first book I knew I had finally found what I was looking for.I hope you enjoy the worlds I have created and I appreciate your feedback. Feel free to contact me on my website at www.StevenSterupJr.com or email me at [e-mail].

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MOUS Investigations

Ogres in Oakland, Oh My!

Written By: Steven Sterup Jr.

Copyright 2019 Steven Sterup Jr.

Legal Disclaimer - This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

If you haven’t read books 1 through 4 yet, I strongly urge you to read them first.

Book Cover Art by 100 Covers.

Special thanks to my wife, Tammy. Without her support, none of this would have been possible.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Prologue

Cassy walked down the cold, foggy street in Condance, and something seemed off. Why was she here? Why did it feel so familiar? She had been here a lot recently, but she couldn’t remember when.

Even the garbage cans along the side, as she turned down the alley, seemed more than familiar. It was like she had come to know them, but when had she done that? She couldn’t even remember where this alley was, but she knew that she should recognize it.

As she cautiously walked forward, the dense fog making it nearly impossible to see more than ten feet in front of her, she heard a sound.

Dad! DAD!!! she heard herself scream somewhere in the distance.

Fear gripped Cassy. She hadn’t opened her mouth, but that had definitely been her voice during a particularly frightening moment from her past. Why couldn’t she remember when that was?

Then a shadowy figure could be seen. Something behind it lit the figure that she knew was a man. Some kind of disembodied light illuminated the fog, but only around the silhouette of this man. His rough hair, his wrinkled clothes. The few details she could make out told her exactly who it was.

What do you want?! Wait! she heard her father’s voice, but it was far away. It didn’t come from the shadowy figure that she knew was her father.

The figure took one step closer. Then Cassy heard a thud and the loud crash of something heavy hitting garbage cans. Next, she heard her father’s cell phone smack against the pavement. But these sounds were also off in the distance.

It was as if some part of Cassy’s mind was trying to remind her of a conversation that she had pushed to the back of her consciousness. A conversation she didn’t want to recall. She felt like she was suffocating, even her full breaths could not draw enough oxygen to satisfy her lungs. Was she hyperventilating?

Cassy took a shaky step toward the shadowy figure of her father as she gasped for breath, but the fog seemed to thicken. It was hard to make him out. Even now, as she was only a few feet from him, she couldn’t make out his face. She should have been able to, but it was obscured by this unnatural fog.

It’ll be fine, dear. The words came from behind her, much farther away now.

The shadowy figure was her father. She was certain, but the words didn’t come from him.

Dad? Cassy asked. Hoping the shadowy figure would answer, but it did not. It just took another step closer.

It’s ok, Cassy. This time the words were much closer, coming from the figure. I will always love you. Then the figure started to turn around and appeared to be leaving.

Dad? Cassy asked again, this time louder. Why was he turning around? Where was he going? Dad! she said louder, but he didn’t stop. Dad!! she screamed, but he just kept going. Why wouldn’t he stop?

Then a voice whispered in her ear. It’s ok, Cassy. Just let me go.

Cassy couldn’t move her feet. She couldn’t chase the figure she was certain was her father. Then another figure walked up behind her in the fog. She could feel him, then she could move her feet again. She spun and saw the outline and knew right away who it was. She smiled involuntarily as she saw the very recognizable outline of Zach.

Why did it make her feel so sad and happy at the same time?

As Zach walked closer, his features became clearer. When he was only a foot in front of her, the voice of her father whispered in her ear once more.

You have Zach now. Let me go.

No, Cassy rebelled. I need you.

The voice moved to her other ear. She could almost feel her dad’s breath on her earlobe.

He makes you happy. You don’t need me anymore.

Cassy shot up in bed, screaming.

No!!!

As Cassy’s mind struggled to pull itself from the dream, she glanced at the clock. It was four AM. Zach had gone back to his apartment, Maggie hadn’t come home. She was all alone. In a few hours, they would need to head off to Oakland for their next case.

She slid her feet over the edge of the bed.

These kinds of dreams were common lately, although this one had been particularly bad. What was her mind trying to tell her? What did it mean? The tears streamed down her face as she remembered her dad’s voice and her inability to save him. If only she could have been there. If only she had been able to stop Shawn Rasvondy.

Realizing that she wouldn’t be able to sleep, Cassy stood and headed down to her office. She wiped the tears and decided that since she would be awake until Zach showed up, she’d go read one of her dad’s books. Find out all there was to know about ogres. And try, desperately, to ignore the cryptic message her mind was trying to reveal to her.

The one she didn’t want to understand.

Chapter 1

What would have normally been a ride full of teasing and joking was nearly silent. Zach had shown up at a little after eight. Maggie had apparently been outside all night. Sleeping on the roof. Being that she was a panther, it only seemed a little odd. And neither of them even acknowledged each other.

When they were on their way, Cassy told them they were going to Oakland South Dakota instead of Oakland California, and neither of them even said a word. There were a few contentious stares from Maggie, but little else. The trip wasn’t long, only two hours, but it was the longest two hours any of them had ever spent.

Through the whole trip, Cassy held her tongue. She knew that her boyfriend and her sister had a rather awkward and possibly angry conversation coming as soon as they were ready to quit giving each other the silent treatment. The things Maggie had said were not something that would just go away. But, despite knowing that the two needed to talk, Cassy had decided to keep out of it. The two of them had each spoken to her, neither of them was upset with her, but they had practically ignored each other.

Zach was afraid to talk to Maggie. Although she was his best friend, she had said some very angry and hurtful things. Not that Zach didn’t understand why Maggie had said them, he felt guilty. Guilty for being exactly what Maggie had said he was. He was a coward.

Maggie’s guilt was just as strong as Zach’s. Though she didn’t regret the things she said, they were true, she regretted how she had said them. Zach was her best friend. He was more than her best friend. He was her alpha, but there was even more to it than that. Zach was the person she’d needed her whole life. Someone who understood her. He didn’t judge her, he didn’t try to change her. He just listened and accepted her the way she was.

Her sister didn’t understand her, and her father had never even had a clue who the real Maggie was. But Zach...he knew the real her. The self-conscious, worried, and scared woman that she hid so well, Zach had found. And...Zach liked the real her.

Maggie grinned a little as she stared at Zach. She had been a little harsh. He really did need to get his head out of his ass, but she should have found a better way to say it.

Her anger and her inner beast had caused her to explode. Zach could take it physically. Perhaps that was why she hadn’t been able to control her mouth. But emotionally? She wasn’t sure Zach was as strong in that respect. She needed to apologize. She had to let him know that she still needed him. Not as an alpha, although she also needed him in this way. It was more important to let Zach know that she still needed him as a friend.

She could find another alpha if she was forced to. She’d never find another friend like Zach. No one had ever gotten her like Zach did. Not her family, not her many boyfriends, no one. She doubted even Xander could understand her like Zach did, but that was ok. Her future romantic interests didn’t need Zach’s level of understanding. She already had Zach. That was if she hadn’t ruined it.

Once they arrived at the fancy hotel, Zach was the first to speak, cutting Maggie off as she tried to do the same. As soon as he got out of Cassy’s car, he turned to Maggie. He looked like he could barely keep the words in his mouth as he tried to get Maggie’s attention.

Maggie? he asked, nearly bumping into her.

Yes? she asked with an apologetic and somber tone.

You’re right. I’m a coward. He looked down then spoke again. And when you have time, could you come explain what Xander was really doing? Zach asked.

Maggie smiled sadly at him.

Sure, Zach, Maggie said, her spirits lifting a little. And I’d like to apologize. What I said...

It was all true, Zach butted in.

I know, Maggie said with a sly grin as she looked up sideways at Zach. That doesn’t give me the right to hurt your feelings.

Zach didn’t respond. He just grabbed Maggie and gave her a big hug. She always knew the right thing to say. Her words were true, but she had hurt his feelings. An apology for that was exactly what he needed.

You mind if I come? Cassy asked and looked at both of them.

Zach smiled kindly, releasing Maggie. He threw his arm over Cassy’s shoulder and smirked at her.

I just assumed…you being the boss and all, he said with a small laugh. Then he added. You’re also my girlfriend. Why wouldn’t you be welcome?

Maggie smiled and looked at her sister.

Sorry I got so mad, Maggie stated.

Sounds like you had a pretty good reason. I’d really like to hear the rest, Cassy offered.

Meet in Zach’s room in about an hour or so? Maggie asked, and both of them nodded.

Each of them grabbed their luggage and headed inside.

Once inside the hotel, they were in awe of the lobby. Even after they had checked in, they could not help but take it all in.

Cassy thought they probably looked like a bunch of tourists. Since one-star motels had become the norm to them, she had decided to splurge this time. And even Cassy was lost in the beautiful designs, pretty paintings, and lush clean carpets.

The walls were lined with stunning paintings that Cassy didn’t recognize, but judging by the intricate frames, they must have been expensive works of art. The one she had found as she waited for Maggie and Zach, who were walking around staring at the mural painted on the ceiling, was a picture of a little girl standing in the rain.

It reminded her of her childhood. This little girl looked sad and lost. She had an umbrella but chose not to open it. It drug behind her while she let her pink, flowered dress get soaked. The way the little girl stared at the water racing down the sidewalk beside her, reminded Cassy of a similar day when she was feeling all alone in the world.

She had been eight at the time. Not much older than the girl in the picture, and she knew that she was adopted. Found on the doorstep when she was a baby. But on this day, the reality of being adopted was sinking in. Now being old enough to understand that being adopted meant that your real parents didn’t want you.

During this walk in the rain, Cassy had felt abandoned and betrayed. It was almost amusing, certainly heartwarming, how much different she felt now. Her adopted parents had been everything parents were supposed to be, and more.

Her adopted mother had treated her and Maggie like princesses until they were old enough to complain about her doing so. Buying them dresses much like the one this girl was wearing, making them both feel loved and pretty.

Then there was her adopted father. Connor Mousman had loved both his little girls. Even the one he had found on his doorstep. Cassy felt misty-eyed as she remembered her father’s reaction when he found her that day. She didn’t have an umbrella like this little girl did, but the dress was fairly close. More yellow than pink, but similar.

As Connor Mousman pulled up alongside her, careful to slow his car down and not splash mud on her, he rolled down his window. The words he said to her still touched her.