That explains it. Nose to the ground, my wolf covered the area, approaching the spot where Herc died.
We sneezed at the smell.
Spice.
Enemy, she snarled.
He wasn’t my enemy. I disagreed.
Then why does he smell like spice?
I don’t know. He may not have been the father or uncle I believed him to be, but he wasn’t evil.
Was anyone truly evil?
Ragna wasn’t evil, though others looking in might have made that judgement. Rhona wasn’t evil, though she’d done a terrible thing. I wasn’t evil, though my lies grew bigger by the day.
Gathering my memories of that night, I pushed everything at my wolf, showing her what happened. Seemed stupid not to share these things when we were in the same mind and body.
You were very angry, she said.
Part of me still was angry at Sascha over the loss of a family member I didn’t get a chance to know. Even though I didn’t blame him. Talk about messed up.
My anger was directed inwardly, too, and at Herc for bringing the gun.
You’re angry at your mother, she whispered.
I didn’t answer.
Most of all, she added.
I don’t want to talk about Ragna. Can I have the senses now?
She handed over control without a word, and we started back, a delicious tiredness filling our legs.
Spice.
I wrinkled our nose, trying to get rid of Herc’s smell.
That’s not Herc. She dropped us to the forest floor.
Our ears twitched at the sound of movement behind us. Spice. Growing stronger. Fast.
Too fast!
Go, I urged.
My wolf burst upward, moving from stationary to a full sprint in seconds. We raced around the Sandstone quarry and through Thana Reserve toward the road.
The wolf was heavier—a male, but nowhere near the weight of Sascha which meant our speeds were matched too closely for comfort.
Forcing ourselves to maintain the sprint that was by no means comfortable for our endurance-inclined body, we stuck to the road for a time.
Claws on gravel. He’d reached the road too.
We abandoned the route in favour of the bush. We were more agile than him in denser terrain.
We’ll follow the river, she panted. We’ll be lighter on the loose pebbles and the way is easier.
He’s gaining. How far away from the car are we?
We can’t keep up this sprint the whole way back. He’ll struggle to manage it, too, but we’ve been running for hours already.
No shit.
Should we call for Sascha’s help? I could tug at the bond again or howl. Except after what Rhona did in Clay, asking him for help felt… icky. I’d made my stance on anything between us clear. I couldn’t just mess with that whenever my life was in danger.
It’s his life too.
We’ll see if we can lose spicy first, I said.
The scattering of river pebbles spurred us faster. He’d exited the forest.
I want to see who it is.
That will cost us ground, she answered.
But she was curious too. At the next bend, we looked back.
A black wolf sprinted in our wake, fifty metres back, teeth bared and head down as he hunted us.
I didn’t need to speak wolf to see he wanted to hurt us. Bad.
We renewed our sprint, weariness weighing our hind legs.
He’s gaining, my wolf snarled.
I had to call for Sascha. We were still a good ten minutes from the car.
Swimming gets rid of our scent, right? I studied a narrowing in the river.
Only for a short time. Minutes.
I sent my idea to her.
I don’t like the water.
Do you like dying? Because spicy wants a chomp out of our neck.
Not waiting for her approval, I tugged on the elastic sensation under my ribs as my wolf launched us into the river.
I took over paddling as panic swamped her. We’d barely reached the other side when I heard the telltale splash of the black wolf in pursuit.
In the tree line, as quietly as possible, I climbed a sturdy oak.
The elastic band under my ribs was loosening. Sascha was running to me, rapidly gaining.
We held our breath as the sopping-wet black wolf broke into a run past us. He stopped suddenly, and we didn’t dare move as he sniffed the air.
The Luther circled backward.
Closer.
Shit.
The wolf reached our tree, where he stopped, cocking an ear.
Fuck.
The black wolf looked upward, and we snarled loudly, tail bolt upright in warning. He crouched in preparation of jumping, and we prepared to do the reverse and bolt for the river again.
Greyson’s frantic howl filled the air, and I didn’t possess the restraint to refuse an answer. Tilting my head back, we howled, my wolf giving him details with our call in a way I didn’t yet understand.
His second howl was pure murderous promise.
The black wolf hesitated, and I renewed my snarling, standing on the branch to show him my full size.
He couldn’t beat two wolves.
And he knew it.
The black wolf sprinted for the river and was soon gone from sight.
Up here, I called when Greyson paused beneath me.
His lip curled, exposing his fangs. I thought you were in trouble.
My wolf snapped, We were followed through the river. Our attacker lost his scent.
Greyson sat back on his haunches.
Schooled. I congratulated her.
We leaped down, shaking off excess water so it flew over the massive wolf.
Who was it? he asked in a politer tone.
Black male wolf, we answered together.
Greyson lay down. That narrows things. There are around eighty black males in my pack.
Eighty! I groaned. You can’t smell him here at all?
I can only smell you and my pack. Lake Thana is a favourite running spot. I cannot hear him either, but he could easily hide with the noise of the river.
The world hated me. You have no idea who it is?
I will find out, mate.
We lay next to him and ignored his licking ministrations over our coat.
My wolf growled, How are we meant to run and shift if you can’t keep your pack in line?
Eek.
Greyson stiffened. I am both fearsome and fair. My pack are loyal, and my leadership is respected. Do not judge me by one male. Know that if you join me, your place as my queen will be secure. Our young will be safe. I will protect you, and my mother is ready to give over the rule of our she-wolves into your care without issue. You will want for nothing, female.
Greyson’s fervent words would make me explode into laughter if he wasn’t so deadly earnest.
My wolf licked his snout, working up to his ear.
Uhm, I murmured to her, are we okay with ear licking?
I grimaced as she worked down his neck. Please, stop.
She sat back and studiously ignored Greyson.
Licking and then a cold shoulder. Is this a treat him mean, keep him keen thing? I asked.
Yes. To Greyson, she said, I must leave now.
I will run with you, she-wolf.
From the way she displayed our butthole as we loped back to the river, I’d wager that he’d responded correctly.
Nothing like showing a man your butthole as a reward.
What would you do if Sascha pleased you? My wolf paused on the river edge.
If Sascha called me female, he’d probably receive a slap.
Humans came her reply.
She yelped at a nudge from behind. We toppled, twisting, into the water. I took over and directed us to the other side, listening to her furious tirade.
Greyson just undid all his hard work.
Let that be a lesson about showing your butthole to men, I told her.
&nbs
p; We were joined on the other side, and Greyson followed close in our wake as we trotted back to Ella F.
Nose in the air, I inhaled for company.
The black wolf was long gone. Coward.
I shifted back and opened the trunk. Sascha shifted, too, as I grabbed a towel.
“Thanks for coming,” I said. “I know it’s not the best time.”
His jaw clenched, but it was all I could do to keep my attention on his face.
“I want you to bother me.”
Lowering my lashes, I dried my hair. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I just mean that I don’t want to confuse things between us.”
“I hardly think more confusion matters,” he said.
Frowning slightly, I towelled my body dry. “I’m so sorry about Clay, Sascha. Is everyone alright?”
He sighed. “They all made it. Physically. Andie… my pack is furious. They want revenge.”
Couldn’t blame them. “We’re placing extra security around the manor. Any recommendations?”
“I believe a formal apology would go a long way. Most of us are old fashioned, and gestures of this level are respected.”
A formal apology would strengthen the stewards’ whispers about me, but it could save their lives. “Done.”
“They’ll be in a clearer headspace after the new moon. Until then, extra security is a good idea. I worry about you living on the outskirts of tribe territory. I’d prefer you were with me at the new moon.”
I grabbed an over-sized T-shirt from the trunk and slipped it on so at least my ass was mostly covered.
The heat in Sascha’s gaze ramped up a notch. Go figure.
“I’m not sure being around a pack who wants revenge is a great idea.” I closed the trunk. “But thanks. Is there anything else I should know about the new moon?”
He grimaced. “Don’t be surprised if your wolf catches a snack. Or tries to.”
Gross. “Right. And really, what should I do about running? That wolf is definitely stalking me.”
Sascha growled. “I always ensure the pack remains on pack lands during the new moon. I’ll have extra Luthers on watch to ensure nobody leaves. If you stick to the north side, there won’t be any trouble that night. Otherwise, I’d like to request that you let me join you on daily runs until we find the culprit.”
I played with the bottom hem of my shirt.
Like a regular meet up every day? That was a commitment. What did he mean by it? Or was I just reading too much into stuff? There was a male wolf after me, and Sascha’s presence would ensure my safety. That’s all he meant. “Uhm, sure. I mean, that makes sense. I run in the mornings usually though.”
“So do I, beautiful wolf. It’s no trouble.”
I peeked up at his honey eyes. “Okay then.”
A smile ghosted his lips which only served to increase the heat in my face by one hundred-fold.
As the tension mounted, he began to shake.
“Are you alright?”
Sascha grimaced. “Just the mating call. Nothing to worry about, little bird.”
Oh. Right. “Guess we should do the kissing meet sometime…”
I watched the black edging in around his honey irises.
“Guess we should.” The corner of his mouth lifted.
My stomach sank. “Unless, maybe it would be better after the new moon? Would that affect anything?”
He searched my face, and I scented his slight confusion. “We can wait until after. It’s not far away. If you prefer?”
I cleared my throat. We’d gone this long. What was another few days? “Sure. Sounds good. I’ll see you then?”
Sascha grabbed my hand and flipped it, resting a gentle kiss on the back. He lingered before straightening, and when his eyes met mine, I sucked in a breath at the curious warmth filling my chest.
Blinking, I drew my hand from his and spun on my heel, resisting the urge to smile like a fool and the urge to pull the bottom hem of my T-shirt down to cover my half-exposed ass.
My wolf snorted. I thought we weren’t meant to show our butthole as a reward.
22
I rolled over and smacked my nose into a wall of muscle. “Jesus.”
“Nope. Just me, baby girl.”
I located my ringing phone, scowling at the blurry name illuminated there.
Gasping, I sat in a tangle of sheets. “Roy. Hi.”
“Sorry for the early call on a Sunday, Andie. Just wanted to touch base and make sure everything was done on your end.”
Oh my god. The house sale. Thank fuck for lawyers. They’d sent through the final papers at some point. I remembered signing. “Let me just check.”
Placing him on speaker, I logged into my online banking.
Please, please, please.
My heart leaped into my mouth.
$0.00
Zero dollars. I’d never been happier to see that figure in my life.
I was out of debt—well, I owed the tribe five thousand, but that would be paid in a matter of months. There were my student loans, too, but they were interest free for another year and a half.
“Everything is in order on my end.” I could hardly believe the words. “You received the keys?”
Roy messaged when they viewed the storage shed, but I forgot to respond.
“Sure did. Congratulations, Andie. I’m very happy for you.”
I was too. Or would be when the zeros remained—or ideally, became a positive balance. But right now, the house I’d grown up in was gone, and strangely, that was all I could think about.
Tears welled in my eyes. “Thanks, Roy. Please tell the new owners there’s a week remaining on the storage shed. If they want to continue the lease beyond that, they’ll need to make arrangements so the contents aren’t carted away.”
Thanking him again, I hung up.
Wade kneaded his toes into my back. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“That I have significantly less debt now?”
He waited.
“Yes.” I dashed away a tear, my back turned.
Selling the house shouldn’t feel like another goodbye to Ragna, but it really did. And why I even cared was anyone’s guess.
Wade dragged me up, harassing me until I bounced on the bed with him.
“Andie isn’t as poor. Andie isn’t as poor!”
Cameron burst in. “What the hell is going on?”
I rolled off the bed as Wade continued, “Andie isn’t as poor.”
Jerking a thumb, I said, “I’m not as poor. The house sale just cleared.”
Cameron gasped. “Finally.”
Dragging me onto the bed again, we all engaged in another round of celebratory jumping.
Crack.
The world slanted as I was thrown into Wade’s thighs. He fell back onto the bed, and Cameron crushed the air from my lungs when she landed on top.
I wheezed. “RIP, bed.”
“Who cares. You get paid big bucks for being head steward. You’ll have enough to afford a new bed in no time.”
Sure would.
I grinned into his inner thigh as Cameron extracted her face from my ass cheeks.
“Enough about me. Today is your day.” Padding to the kitchenette, I proceeded to drag a cake out of the fridge.
“Are you insinuating that I’m the kind of person who eats triple… chocolate… fudge cake for breakfast?” he asked.
I pulled out three plates and flicked on the kettle.
Wade arranged himself in my bed as I presented him with the cake. I opened the bedside drawer and extracted the cardboard crown I made yesterday, settling it atop his blond curls.
“I hereby dub thee King Wade. Your orders are to be obeyed without question—”
“I’m not part of that,” Cameron said around a mouthful of cake.
“—by me,” I said. “May your twenty-four-hour rule be prosperous.”
Wade dipped his head regally. “Thank you, wench.”
Ugh. He’d enjoy this far t
oo much. I made our hot drinks and settled into my slice of goodness.
Cameron had located tubes already, so we were sliding into her car in no time.
“Where will we leave from?” I asked as she drove west through town.
“We’ll head out Frankton Gorge way. There’s a spot there.”
Shoot.
Could I go to Frankton Gorge?
In the back seat, I drew out my phone, pulling up Sascha’s number.
My phone vibrated.
Speaking of the devil.
Where are you going?
I texted him back.
Frankton Gorge. Is that safe?
I pressed Send.
“Have you been tubing before, Andie?” Cam asked.
“Nope. Will I die?”
“Only from fun.” Wade cranked the music.
They sang along to “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, and I checked my phone.
[Your message was not delivered.]
No reception.
Fuck.
He definitely mentioned vampires in Bluff City, and a witch coven somewhere, and a huge demon kingdom.
I couldn’t remember if the claimed territories included Frankton Gorge. That’s where they gathered after the vampires and demons, right? Or did the witches control it now?
We left the Welcome to Deception Valley sign behind, and my chest tightened.
“I haven’t left the valley in so long,” Wade groaned. “Maybe we should keep going and have a bender in Bluff City. They have this new club, Forbidden.”
Cam waggled her brows. “Sounds like my kind of scene.”
That was a definite no. “I need to be back for the announcement. Just to be a party pooper.”
“Boo,” they chorused.
I focused on listening to our surroundings. I knew nothing about any of these supernatural creatures, and with Wade and Cameron along, a run-in could be disastrous.
“Here we are.” She pulled over.
I didn’t relax as we untied the tubes and pulled on suspiciously heavy rucksacks.
Cameron locked the car and tucked the keys on top of the tire. “Sonny and Dave are returning from a run to Bluff City. Sonny said he’ll drive my car into town and leave it for us.”
“Thanks for organising this, Cam.” I felt bad that organising Wade’s big day was my task and I didn’t actually do anything except buy a cake and make a crown.
Moon Claimed: Supernatural Battle (Werewolf Dens Book 2) Page 23