“You have no business here, Tala, nor do you have my permission to be in my room,” I said, motioning for her to leave.
She chuckled, stepping further into my space and I felt almost smug that she had to look up to meet my eye, not that it seemed to deter her at all.
“I thought it would take more than a bitch in heat willing to spread her legs to capture that wolf. An Omega no less,” she spat, shaking her head in disgust. “If you thought mating him would bounce you to the top of the pack, you’re wrong.”
Her words lit a flame, one that burned through me raging hot. My hands curled to fists but I did my best to keep my expression neutral. I wouldn’t win if I attacked her now and starting a fight in the house was disrespectful to those that lived here. I refused to bite Tala’s bait. My silence irritated her, that I could tell as frustration flashed over her features until her face contorted into a smirk.
“You’re not even worth challenging, Omega. The pack will see themselves that you’re not worthy, without me having to show them—”
I’d moved before I even thought to and Flidais yelled something as I managed to shove Tala out the room and against the hall wall. Out of my territory. Growls tumbled from my chest, my body buzzing with the presence of my wolf trying to take over and shift. Tala struggled against my strength, surprise making her look at me differently. Maybe I was ready, or maybe Tala was all bark and no bite.
“I’ve just gotten back from healing injured wolves from another pack, do not make me have to start my work here so early,” Sam warned, her footsteps coming towards me.
Movement as Flidais came to my side, her hand gently prying mine from Tala’s throat.
“Not yet, Oria. When you take her down, you want the whole pack to be watching. Let her go, or she’ll manage to spin this into something you don’t want,” she whispered gently.
Immediately, I knew what she meant. With only my friends as witnesses, Tala could tell those that listened anything she liked. With my father causing havoc, the last thing I wanted was to have rumours of my violence linking me to him. I was not my father. And even though it went against my newfound nature to let her go, Flidais was most likely correct.
I stepped back and Tala shoved herself away from the wall, glowering her hatred at me. She said nothing as she stomped her way in Sam’s direction, pausing as she reached her side. My ears strained but I heard Tala’s muttered insult to Sam and frowned in confusion.
Half-breed, Tala had called her, but Sam only smiled in response. Tala had no power over her it seemed, but now I had questions. What had Tala meant by that?
“Are you all right, Oria?” Sam asked, checking me over with clinical eyes.
“I’m all right,” I replied, letting out a huff of air. “My being mated to Quillan was meant to be kept quiet for a little while but I couldn’t keep my damn mouth shut.”
Sam chuckled. “You’re a wolf, Oria. There was no way this would have been kept secret for long. Either you or Quillan would have given it away, and what better way for it to be known than this? Tala pushed you and you pushed back, you showed your teeth. I’m proud of you.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. She was right, even if I’d let Tala go, I’d won this little standoff.
“It may not have seemed it, but she was scared. She thought you were going to attack and she wasn’t sure she’d win, that’s a first for her,” Flidais added before shifting on her feet and mumbling, “Do you forgive me, Oria?”
I considered her a moment despite having already made up my mind, and the longer I stayed quiet, the more Flidais seemed to sink towards the ground. It wasn’t fair to make her suffer more.
“Don’t be silly, Flidais. I forgave you the second Quillan took me to bed,” I teased, watching her face light up.
Sam coughed and held up her hand. “My bed. You never cleaned up and I’ve been sleeping on my couch.”
I cringed and blushed. “We can go right now and I’ll change the sheets for you.”
She nodded and turned on her heel to leave and Flidais watched me with nervous eyes. I gave her a comforting smile but she shook her head. There was something else bothering her than our fall out.
“Quillan won’t be happy if you leave the house and put yourself in danger,” she said.
“Then I shall try and get back before he does. Besides, we’re in the heart of pack land, nothing can get to me here,” I replied confidently, unsure if I was trying to fool myself or her. The note from my father was found at the inner border and I was sure if he could have left the letter closer then he would have, I told myself. Pack patrols were doing their job. Flidais didn’t seem convinced but I think she knew arguing was futile. I gave her another smile and quickly made my way after Sam. Despite what I’d said, I knew Flidais was right about one thing; Quillan would be less than pleased about me leaving the protection of the house unless I made it back before he could find out.
Sam was waiting by the door for me, wrapping herself up excessively in scarves and hats. I couldn’t help the laugh that left me as I pulled on a jacket.
“I refuse to become sick again so I’m taking precautions,” she explained, tugging the bobble hat firmly over her ears.
“So you’ve taken to dressing like an Eskimo?” I teased, stepping out the front door into crunchy white snow.
She laughed, closing the door behind her before we began the trek to the clinic. “Make fun of me all you like, wolf. I shall be nice and cosy while you do.”
She sniffed and shoved her hands deep into her pockets then looked over at me. I knew there was something wrong. Sure she was smiling and joking with me, but there was a strain to her features and I wondered if it had anything to do with what Tala had said. I’d never questioned why Sam was here, a human doctor amongst the wolves, and it wasn’t really my place to ask, but curiosity was beginning to get the better of me.
“Are you really okay, Sam?”
She sighed, looking up at a cloud-filled sky that threatened to drop more snow. “You heard her then.”
I nodded, feeling oddly guilty for hearing something Sam wasn’t ready to explain.
“I have the feeling that I was meant to, she didn’t exactly say it too quietly,” I pointed out.
“It isn’t any great secret and I’m not ashamed of it. People like Tala, they think they’re better than others, especially those who are not like they are. One day I’ll tell you my story, but I’m tired and I just want to sleep,” she said, smiling to show that she wasn’t angry for me asking.
I nodded my understanding, not pushing any further despite the curiosity that was hard to bite back. We fell silent again for a while, both of us watching the small flakes of snow that began to flurry down again. It was oddly quiet, as if the snow itself was muting the sounds of nature. When the clinic came into view, Sam turned to me, her expression firm.
“What Tala says, it holds no power over me because I don’t let it, because I’m not ashamed of what I am. Do you understand? If you know who you are and you accept it, she can’t use it against you,” she advised. “They’re just words, Oria, said by someone who knows nothing of the real world. Her actions will eventually turn the pack against her, you’ll see. She’s just another Brenna, and we all saw how she rose just to fall even further,”
My lips quirked into a smile and I soaked in her words that strengthened my spine. “Yes, oh wise one.”
She gave me a look but I could see the glitter of amusement in her eyes. I really had missed her. “If you change the sheets quickly, I may part with more of my wisdomous knowledge for you.”
Just as I was about to point out that I was sure ‘wisdomous’ wasn’t actually a word, the wind changed direction and blew with it a coppery scent that stuck to my throat. My gut twisted but Sam was none the wiser.
“Sam, stop!” I blurted out, grabbing her arm as I scanned the woods and scented the air again, my eyes glowing the crystal blue of my wolf.
“What is it?” she asked in a hushed w
hisper before pressing herself instinctively closer to me.
Breathing in again, the same metallic smell bombarded my nose and fear began to crawl up my spine. “Blood. I can smell blood.”
Chapter 16
Threat
“We need to go back, Oria. Quickly,” Sam urged, tugging at my arm. Her worry and fear were palpable, beating against me until I thought I could taste her fear. There was oddly little fear in my heart. Perhaps I’d decided if my time was coming, I was ready. I shook Sam’s hand from my arm, trying to separate the mess in my head. Instincts demanded that I investigate, my wolf already settled in her position as Beta Female and what that entailed, but Sam was right. It wasn’t safe to linger here alone and we needed to go and let our Alpha know what we’d found. Yet, I’d already made my decision. Someone could have been hurt and it was my duty to check. I’d never forgive myself if I ran and someone lost their life because of my cowardice.
“You run back, someone could be hurt, and if there is danger, better I run into it than you,” I ordered, pushing her gently in the direction of safety.
She opened her mouth to argue but something in my look must have made her change her mind. I watched her skid in the snow as she started running. Unable to keep my wolf back any longer, I morphed. Electricity fizzled over my skin as my shift took hold, the air crackling around me until I landed on strong paws. I didn’t waste time stretching muscles that were always stiff after shifting and instead followed the scent of blood around the back of Sam’s home.
I crept silently, snow making the barest of noises beneath my steady paws. Keeping low in case the attacker was still near, I scented the air with every inhale but from this far away, the copper tang of blood was overwhelming any other smell.
When I turned the corner, I paused, my ears twitching for even the slightest of sounds.
At first I saw nothing out of the ordinary despite the smell being so strong, then I spotted the bundle of black and orange fur in the snow. My stomach twisted, acid burning my throat as I crept closer. Bright red was splattered against white stone walls like paint, the only splash of colour to be seen. It was so vivid, nothing like in the movies, that for a second I could have fooled myself into thinking that it really was just paint. If it wasn’t for the smell.
My ears pinned back against my head and a thunderous growl rolled from my chest. My father’s scent was all over this area but he left no trace other than the small body that was torn up. His threat was clear however, he’d shown that he could get into pack land and he’d shown that he could cause harm.
Poor Mirren might have just been the cat in the wrong place at the wrong time and I cursed the creature that had hurt her. What kind of monster would prey on something so much smaller and weaker than itself simply to send me a message?
A growl from behind had me whipping around, head lowered and teeth bared until I realised it was Quillan and Ben. The snow had kept their approach quiet, and that had a shiver rolling through me. What else could be slipping around just as quietly, watching us in the distance? Obviously my father had the skill to remain hidden and slip past the borders.
Black eyes swirling with gold considered me and somehow I knew I was in trouble without any words. Ben’s brown wolf turned away from us to keep his eyes on the trees while Quillan’s form came towards me. His anger was strong through the bond. I lowered my body and stretched out my neck, submitting to the fact that I deserved a scolding. I shouldn’t have come here alone, I should have waited for help.
Quillan’s presence was overwhelming as he stood tall above where I lay in the snow. Sharp fangs gripped the scruff of my neck in a show of dominance and I whimpered my apology. He let out a ferocious growl, his teeth sinking through my fur in warning before he released me.
Ben almost looked sheepish where he stood with his tail between his legs, making it too obvious that he was trying not to watch what passed between my mate and me. Though I had to admit that if I were in his position, I would be curious as well. As it was, I was embarrassed at having been scolded by my mate in front of him. I wanted to argue that it was my responsibility to have done so but I would wait to make that point later, when Quillan and I were on our own. He’d already moved in to sniff around Mirren’s body, searching for prints, scents, and whatever else he could find that made him the expert tracker.
Slowly I got back to my feet, the fur on my belly soaked from cowering in the snow. I could have sulked, Quillan hadn’t forbidden me from leaving the house so I’d not actually gone against any order, but I knew I’d made a mistake anyway. What if my father had been here? What if he’d attacked? For a moment I forgot about everything else, craving only the forgiveness of my mate so I could bask in the safety of his presence. Keeping my body close to the ground, I brushed myself against Quillan’s side. His ears perked in my direction and I let out another small whimper. When he turned his head to lick my cheek, I knew all was forgiven. It was his relief that flooded the bond now. I stayed still as he checked me over for injury, my tail flicking in agitation.
I wanted to hunt down my father, or at least know where he was so I could stop being so scared of my own shadow. Once certain that I was okay, Quillan nudged me to go and stand beside Ben while he finished scouting the surrounding area. Ben’s muscled body nudged into mine in greeting and I felt a little like we’d both been side-lined. I sat unhappily in the snow, not caring about my now thoroughly soaked fur as I watched Quillan become part bloodhound in his checks of the area. Unfortunately, it had been snowing on and off most of the day, so whatever tracks could have been there were now hidden. Who knew how long Mirren had been here? Sam didn’t have the senses Wulvers did, she couldn’t smell the blood. For all we knew this could have happened anywhere from minutes ago to almost hours ago. No more than a day. Sam would have noticed and said something if her cat hadn’t come in from the cold last night. I didn’t know enough about dead bodies or blood to be able to tell how long it had been here. I imagined Quillan did.
Deep down though, we all knew he’d come up with nothing. My father was a master at disappearing, he left his scent only in places he wanted it to be found; like a horrific signature of proof of his presence. Come find me, I was here.
After Quillan had thoroughly looked around the area, he growled and nudged me back in the direction of home. I shook my head, widening my stance, making it clear that I wouldn’t go home until we’d searched for my father. Ben hunkered down, turning away so he wouldn’t have to witness me being put in my place again but I was adamant. How could we just return home? How could we just leave Sam’s cat lying mutilated in the snow?
Quillan bared sharp fangs at me in warning, the dominance coming from him making it hard to stay standing tall. I repeated Weylin’s instructions in my head, breathing in deeply so my chest puffed up. He took slow steps towards me, growls tearing from his chest but I could see in his eyes how he hated to do this. When I began to tremble, unable to hold my ground anymore, he turned away and made a start for home, knowing I would follow. I stared back at the treeline before reluctantly following my mate, avoiding the sight of Mirren’s bloody body.
He stayed glued to my side as we made our way back and I was glad because every little sound had me jumping in fear. I saw the ghost of my father in the shadows only to blink and his image would disappear. I was beginning to wonder if he was as feral as we’d believed if he was capable of such coherent thought. He could be watching us right now and I wouldn’t know.
My wariness only made Quillan more tense, his ears flicking towards even the smallest of disturbances in the air. He stayed that way until we reached the safety of the house where Roarke was trying to push Cathwulf back inside. When my friend spotted me she ran forward and called my name in relief. Her fingers sank into my fur and I pressed myself against her, seeking comfort.
My mate shifted back, standing tall, and even though I’d seen him naked before, I still averted my eyes. I held back a growl when Cathwulf’s eyes wandered over him bu
t she seemed to just be checking for injuries, there was no hunger in her gaze. She’d been worried about us.
“He got right up to the clinic,” Quillan growled out to Roarke, fisting his hands.
Roarke shook his head, his brow furrowing. “Impossible.”
“It’s obviously not, Roarke. Somehow he’s managed to slip past our patrols. We need to be more careful,” Cathwulf cut in, her fingers staying curled in my fur.
“We need to hunt him down and kill him before he does anything else,” Quillan added, holding his Alpha in his gaze.
I morphed back at that statement, emotions overruling any embarrassment I felt about being vulnerable. “You can’t kill him!”
Three sets of eyes fell on me but I remained firm. My father may have done horrible things, but he was still my blood. I was all for locking him away for the rest of his days but his death would hurt me. I couldn’t be responsible for the death of my mother and my father. That would break me.
“Oria, he’s feral. He has to be put down and he has to answer for his crimes,” Cathwulf insisted, taking my hand gently in hers.
The sympathy in Roarke’s eyes nettled me and he looked away as he stated, “I want every scout out looking for him as soon as possible. We don’t stop until we find him.”
“Alive, find him and keep him alive—”
Quillan sighed. “Oria…”
“No!” I protested, stepping up to him with stern eyes before looking pleadingly at my Alpha. “He’s the only family I have. I know he’s done wrong, but we aren’t killers.”
“Just go inside, please. Let us deal with this. Focus on your lessons with Athena, this isn’t any of your concern,” Quillan dismissed, turning away from me.
Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 18