Forget Me Not (#2, The Mystic Wolves)

by Belinda Boring

  A hand snaked out, taking hold of my wrist, and I growled. Glancing down to see Morgan with a tight grip, I tugged hard, and she quickly let go.

  “That was a stupid move.” Devlin’s face was as dark as thunder, and he looked as though he was ready to attack. “Is there a reason why you’re tempting my patience?”

  Taking hold of my arm, he guided me to stand behind him, shielding me with the bulk of his body. Everything had happened so quickly, but Devlin was now on high alert.

  “How else was I meant to stop you from leaving?” Morgan answered, and cocking her eyebrow, she relaxed somewhat. Peering between us, she let out a chuckle, and then signaled to the two vacated chairs. “For goodness sakes, sit down. Call me crazy, but there’s more to share. You can’t go without hearing the good stuff.”

  “If this is just a ploy to keep jerking my chain, I advise you to stop,” Devlin warned. “Pull another stunt like grabbing Darcy, and I don’t care what you have to say, you can do it before the Council. I’m sure I can dig up enough evidence to charge you with additional crimes. You’ve definitely lived a colorful enough life.”

  Forgoing the appearance of ease, Devlin sat upright and strummed his fingers on the top of the table. There would be no more fooling around with him, and I could tell he was ready to snap into action.

  Morgan let out a sigh, seeing she wasn’t able to drag the meeting out any longer. “Amber had a second request.”

  “Which was?” I interrupted, impatient at the way she seemed to draw out her comment. I was starting to feel on edge as well, eager to put this entire business behind us.

  “A second spell. She wanted one to kill and another to enchant. She worried that she wouldn’t be able to seal the deal with the person she was in love with, so she asked for me to create an obsession spell. One way or another, Amber Bracken is determined to become the mate of the Mystic Wolves Alpha.”

  I felt the air rush out of my lungs. There it was. Not only had I been her target, but she was also going after Mason. This was the proof we’d been hoping for, and glancing over at Devlin, he nodded in agreement. All we needed now was to find the deceitful werewolf and bring her to justice.

  “You will need to go on record, signing an affidavit that what you’ve shared is true,” Devlin stated. He lifted his hand, gesturing to someone, and I could see another Enforcer approaching the table.

  “Of course, provided my immunity still applies.” Taking one last sip from her cup, Morgan stood, realizing the meeting was over. “I’d like to say it was a pleasure meeting you, Darcy. Maybe under different circumstances.”

  Devlin took a few moments to confer with his colleague before the vampire began to escort the witch from the premises. I watched as she walked away, and she continued to hold her head high despite everything she’d done.

  “Wow.” I didn’t know what else to say, and I slumped back in my chair.

  Pulling his phone from his pocket, Devlin began talking to someone, providing the information we’d learned, and I studied his face. Even with the proof we now had, it still wasn’t over, and I imagined the next step would be to go and arrest Amber. The weight that had parked itself on my chest since her first appearance on our doorstep began to lessen, and I tipped my head backward in relief. Closing my eyes, I waited for Devlin to finish his call.

  “Looks like we have what we need, Darcy. The Council has given the go ahead to take her into custody.” Pulling me to my feet, we began to weave our way through the tables so we could leave the establishment.

  “We need to call Mason and let him know. He’ll also be able to tell us where to find Amber and whether she’s left the property or not,” I added, as we walked down the street toward Devlin’s motorcycle. Each step I took was one closer to freedom.

  Opening his cell again, it wasn’t long before Mason answered, and Devlin relayed the news. The call was short, but judging from how Devlin nodded and smiled, it wasn’t hard to guess the outcome.

  “She’s there. According to both him and Daniel, they haven’t seen her leave her room all morning. This should be a quick confrontation and then you, sweetheart, can move back home and get on with your life.”

  Finally beside the bike, I took the opportunity to hug him. “You’re such an amazing friend.”

  I laughed as I saw a soft blush cross his face, surprised I’d been able to put it there. Fastening the helmet’s strap under my chin, I threw my leg over the bike’s seat, and secured my arms around his waist. He revved the engine a few times, and pulling away from the curb, we were on our way.

  This fiasco was almost over.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Mason and Daniel were walking down the front stairs when Devlin and I finally arrived at the house. Even though there was important business to take care of, I took a few seconds to embrace them both, relieved to see them in one piece.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked Mason, taking in the sight of him. He appeared to be normal, but I wasn’t sure what was involved with the obsession spell, or what it would look like if he was affected. Judging from the way he smiled at me, his eyes lighting up, it was a safe bet Amber hadn’t begun.

  “I’m okay.” He caressed the side of my face softly. “I’m just glad this is almost over.”

  “Have either of you seen her since we last spoke?” Devlin asked.

  “As far as I know, she’s still in her room,” Daniel answered, and we began to walk through the front door. It was so good to see familiar items as I entered the house and know I was back to stay. Mason’s hand took hold of mine, and I squeezed it. I’d missed being here with him.

  “Where is everyone?” I looked around, it seemed like a ghost town—the usual laughter and friendly banter absent. As we passed through the living room, even the television that would be blaring with a variety of sporting events was strangely quiet.

  “We thought it was best to have everyone head out somewhere today. Once we knew Devlin would be coming to get Amber, we figured it would run smoother without a bunch of onlookers. Less likely for any complications to arise,” Daniel said. “We do have a few trusted pack members surrounding the property though, just in case.”

  “Good thinking. Who knows what tricks she might have up her sleeves if she thinks she’s caught? Best to be prepared.” Devlin nodded.

  We were coming up to my room, and I was surprised to see the door ajar. With me gone, there was no need for anyone to be in there, and I’d distinctly remembered it being closed when I’d left days ago.

  “Did you need something, Mason?” I gestured ahead, and a frown crossed his brow. He glanced at Daniel, who also looked concerned. Without speaking, I let them both pass by me so they could inspect the room. I didn’t know who it was, but there was a loud gasp before both of them disappeared inside.

  Reaching my door, I paused for a moment and took in a deep breath. I placed one hand on the wooded surface and another on the cool metal knob. Something was wrong, and part of me didn’t want to see what had happened. Did Amber come in here and destroy everything—all my memories and belongings?

  “Come on, Darcy, let’s see,” Devlin softly spoke from behind me.

  I pushed the door open, and there was no stifling the shock at what I discovered. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the destruction before me was definitely more than I anticipated. It looked as is a tornado had whipped through my room, completely decimating everything until all I could see was absolute chaos. I kept scanning back and forth, trying to make sense of everything, but it was too overwhelming.

  The room was destroyed—everything that made this my home, my private sanctuary, a reflection of my life and who I was—gone. Nothing remained in one piece. Amber had obviously taken her rage at not being able to eradicate me out on the room and my belongings. The sight caused tears to well up in my eyes.

  “What the hell?” I moved around as bile began to stir and make its way up my throat. I wanted to cry. I wanted to vomit. I wanted to scream, but most of all, I
wanted to grab Amber by her hair and tear her to shreds. With each blow she exacted, it placed another strong piece on my armor and resolve. If she thought this would break me, she was sadly mistaken. It was only adding fuel to my already flaming fire.

  “I’m so sorry, Darcy. I have no idea when she did this. It must have been recently though, because I was just in here last night, and everything was in its rightful place.” Mason’s voice held the gentlest lilt, filled with pain.

  “How could she even do this without anyone hearing? She had to have made a noise … a sound … something to signal that mass destruction was occurring.” I made a few attempts at trying to fix the furniture, but the more I moved, the more I uncovered. Amber had been extremely thorough.

  “She must’ve done this while we were waiting outside. She must know,” Daniel uttered, stepping over the discarded items of clothing. “I just assumed she was in her room. Maybe she overheard. I just don’t know.”

  “I know this hurts, but remember … it’s just things. You can replace them, and we’ll do everything we can to help you do it. Let her have this small victory. We’ll be having the last laugh soon enough,” Devlin added, and I nodded.

  “I don’t care about any of this. It’s just a shock, you know? Who hates someone this much?” I suddenly felt the need to leave, to finish what we’d come here to do, and I steeled my spine, and stood straighter. “Okay, we need to find where she is and put a stop to it. Her time here with the Mystic Wolves is over.”

  I looked down, ready to step away, when something caught my attention. Peeking out from underneath the upended dresser was the corner of a photo, obviously escaping the giant purge Amber had performed in here. Moving away from everyone, I crouched, and carefully pulled it free.

  It was the photo of Mason and I from our day at the beach. It was torn down the center and, peering behind the dresser again, I was grateful to find the other half. I held the pieces together, tenderly tracing my finger over our happy faces, and sliding open the top drawer, I slipped the picture inside for safekeeping.

  “So, how do you want to play this, Devlin?” Mason asked as the group of us stepped forward to discuss what to do. “You’re here in an official capacity, this is your show.”

  “Well, if she knows we’re on to her she may try to run,” Devlin spoke up. “Have you heard anything from those who are standing guard?”

  Checking their phones, both Daniel and Mason shook their heads in denial.

  “My guess is if she’s not in her room, she’s hiding somewhere on the property, and she’ll be desperate to get the ritual performed. She’ll be hoping with Mason under her control he’ll protect her,” I added. “It’s what I’d do.”

  “Me too,” Daniel agreed.

  “We’ll check her room then. Maybe we’ll get lucky and this will be an easy apprehension.” Devlin offered each of us a grim nod, his appearance all business. “If she’s not there, we may have to split up. When we do find her, let me take charge. The sooner I can get her in handcuffs. and under control, the better.”

  Spurred into action, I took one last look around my room. It was show time.

  “Let’s go see a madwoman about a spell.”

  Silence greeted us as one by one we filed into an empty guest room.

  “She can’t have gotten far.” Mason cursed, stalking through the room for any evidence of Amber’s whereabouts. “She has to be somewhere close by so let’s spread out and search.”

  Devlin was opening and closing different drawers, pushing aside a variety of clothes, and when he began rifling through the closet, I couldn’t help but speak up.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Morgan said she gave Amber a spell, and to do that kind of magic she’d also need tools—herbs, candles, and similar things. She wouldn’t be able to just repeat words and have it work. It would take preparing.” Closing the closet door, Devlin dropped to his knees to check under the bed. “I can’t find any kind of magical paraphernalia in here, so whatever she needs, she’s taken with her. That should slow her down. If you’re right, Darcy, and she’s planning on beginning the ritual, it should narrow down where she’s hiding.”

  “So what are we looking for? Somewhere hidden and private? That could be anywhere,” Daniel added, walking over to the window and peering outside. “In the woods alone, there are countless places she could stow away and it could take hours, days even, to sniff her out. If she’s gone in there, we’ll need to bring the pack back and have them help in the hunt.” He looked at Mason for approval, and was rewarded with a nod.

  “I don’t think she would’ve gotten that far though. Assuming she overheard you, she would’ve had limited time to grab her belongings and flee. In light of how Darcy’s room was destroyed, that cuts the timing down significantly. She wouldn’t have been able to do it all and get deep within the woods.” Devlin joined Daniel by the curtains. “Think. She’s somewhere close by. Is there anywhere within the near vicinity that is secluded from view. I don’t even think it needs to be too big—just somewhere for her to set up the spell.”

  All four of us now stood at the window, staring outside. My mind was racing as I tried to imagine a bird’s eye view of the house and everything that surrounded it.

  “She could be in the gym,” I suggested. “But I’m not sure how private that would be. People are frequently going in and out of it, unless she cleared some space in one of the cleaning closets.”

  “That’s a possibility.” Daniel said, his brow wrinkled in concentration. “Wait, there’s also that small shack that no one uses. It used to be the original Alpha’s home back when they settled here, but it was abandoned due to the structure not being safe enough. The place was becoming a death trap, so Mason’s father declared it off limits.”

  “That makes more sense. Would Amber know about it?” Devlin asked, looking at each of us.

  “She would,” Mason confirmed. I looked at him curiously, and he shook his head. “Don’t ask.” The look of shame on his face suggested it may have been a secret rendezvous place. If it was, I had no doubt she was very familiar with it. “There’s also another small cabin deep in the woods she could use. She’s been there before, and it would definitely provide her all the privacy she needs. It wouldn’t take her too long to run there if she shifted, especially if she’d already taken her supplies there.”

  “My gut says to try both of them, and if that’s a bust we’ll meet back here and brainstorm more. Agreed?”

  We did, and after reviewing the plan one more time, we made our way to the door leading to the garden. Excitement shot through me as I realized this nightmare was about to be over, and someone who had plagued Mason was finally going to be removed from his life for good.

  “Make sure you don’t give her a chance to hurt you again, sweetheart,” Mason whispered in my ear.

  I bumped my shoulder against his. “You too. Let Devlin take care of her so we can enjoy the rest of the day.”

  “You have something in mind, huh?” He grinned.

  “I always have something in mind when it comes to you,” I flirted back quickly. “Just keep safe until I can show you, okay?”

  I didn’t get a chance to catch Mason’s reply before he let out a growl and staggered on his feet.

  I turned in horror to see him drop to his knees, his hands gripping the side of his head as though he was in pain.

  “She’s started the ritual. Something bad is happening. I can feel it beginning to war inside me.”

  Calling out for Devlin, it took him only a few seconds to realize what was going on. “Mason, stay where you are, we’ll find her and put a stop to it. Just don’t follow. The last thing we need is to battle with you and Amber.”

  I saw the pained look flash across his face, followed by a brief nod. Mouthing I love you, I watched as Daniel left Devlin’s side to help protect his Alpha and best friend.

  “I’ve got him. You two go ahead and put a stop to this. Be careful.”

 
There was no time for argument, the clock ticking, and offering one last concerned look, I rushed after Devlin.

  Amber, you’re going to wish you’d never set eyes on him when I’m done with you, I thought angrily. Fury began to swell inside me.

  No one messes with those I love.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Leaving Mason behind, knowing he was under attack by magic was difficult, and I fought against the temptation to turn back. Walking beside me, Devlin was solemn, and the reality of what was about to happen hit me. We were finally going to put an end to this fiasco.

  “You heard him—there are two possible places she could be and only two of us. Judging by the way Mason was acting, Amber has started the spell, so we don’t have the luxury of checking them both together. We might find her straight away, or we might not. I’m not willing to take that risk, are you?” I looked at Devlin and saw him shake his head.

  “I don’t like it, but it would be better if we split up. We’re still going to do this my way, though. If you find her when you reach your place, you will not go in and confront her. Understand? You’ll text me and wait until I get you before you act. Promise me, Darcy. This is the only way we’re going to do this.” There was no arguing with the serious tone in his voice.

  “Agreed. I’ll text you and wait. No heroics.” Knowing we needed to part ways, I stopped and quickly hugged him. “Be careful.”

  “I’m more concerned for you, but I will. I’ll take the cabin, seeing as it’s the farthest away, and I’m the faster of us two. It won’t take me long to get back to you if needed.” Tilting my head, he stared into my eyes. “Safety first. This will all have been for nothing if we lose you.”

  “Okay.” I offered him a smile, and patting my pockets to make sure I actually had my phone, I said goodbye and began jogging toward the small shack.

  I moved quickly, covering the distance as though I’d suddenly sprouted wings and was flying. I’d contemplated changing into my wolf, but something whispered in my mind to wait and conserve energy. I didn’t know what I’d find at the old Pack home—Amber or decaying emptiness.