I look around the room at these dangerous, powerful beings who are trusting me—however reluctantly—to help solve murders and stop an apocalypse. The absurdity of my situation hits me suddenly. A week ago, I was in London, living my life blissfully unaware of any of this. Now I'm standing in an ancient Scottish abbey, mated to an alpha wolfshifter, planning an investigation into ritual murders and ancient evil.
You okay?Declan's mental voice is warm in my head.
Define 'okay,'I send back, testing this new ability.
His lips quirk slightly, though his expression doesn't change.Fair point.
"I'll need access to all my aunt's papers." I close the notes app. "I've found her journals, but there must be more—research notes, interviews, reports. Everything she documented about the island, the families, the convergence points. If she was working on this for more than forty years, there has to be additional material."
"There is." Declan has the grace to look slightly guilty. "We secured boxes of her research after her death—files, recordings, correspondence. We've had them hidden at Clifftop House. I know you've been searching for additional materials."
"You've been hiding them from me?" My voice comes out sharper than I intend. "I've been tearing that house apart looking for...”
"I'm sorry." He squeezes my hand. "We were being cautious. We didn't know if you'd stay, if you could be trusted. Now that you're pack..." He trails off. "I'll show you where everything is tonight."
"Then that's where we start." I look at each of them in turn. "Four more people are going to die unless we stop this. My aunt died protecting this island and its secrets. I'm not going to let her death be in vain."
Tessa stands, and something in her expression has changed. Not quite acceptance, but maybe the beginning of respect. "The pack meeting tomorrow night. You should come. Let them see you, hear you. Show them you're not just some human who's going to sell us out."
"Is that safe?" I glance at Declan.
"I'll be there." His voice is firm. "No one will harm you."
"Jax and I will be there too," Tessa adds. "As will Finn and the others. You'll be surrounded by allies."
"Allies is a strong word." Jax mutters, but there's less hostility in his voice than before. "But Tessa's right. They need to see you're useful. That you bring something to the table beyond being the alpha's mate."
"Then I'll prepare a presentation." The words come out automatically—old professional habits. "Show them what I've found, what I can contribute. Treat it like pitching a story to an editor."
Finn laughs, the sound unexpected and oddly melodic. "A human journalist pitching an investigation to a pack of wolves. This should be entertaining."
"Terrifying is the word I'd use," I mutter, but Declan's pride and confidence in me flow through the bond like warmth.
You'll be brilliant,he sends.They'll love you.
Or eat me.
Not while I'm breathing.
The absolute certainty in his mental voice, backed by the emotional weight of the bond, settles something in my chest. I'm not facing this alone. Whatever comes, I have my mate at my back.
"We should move quickly." Finn stands. "I'll contact the selkies about the journals. It may take time to arrange access."
"I'll start identifying the remaining bloodline carriers." Tessa pulls out her phone. "Cross-reference family trees with magical ability reports. Should have a preliminary list by tomorrow."
"I'll coordinate security." Jax moves toward the door. "Make sure we have eyes on the remaining convergence points. If the summoner makes a move, we'll know."
They file out, leaving Declan and me alone in the study surrounded by maps and red pins marking death. His exhaustion bleeds through the bond, mixing with determination.
"You should rest," I say. "You haven't had much rest since...”
"Since you arrived and I claimed you." His arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me back against his chest. "And I won't sleep until I know you're safe. Until I know this threat is ended."
"Then we work together." I lean into his warmth, into the solid strength of him. "My investigative skills, your supernatural knowledge. We'll find whoever's doing this."
"Four more deaths." He murmurs against my hair. "Four more families about to lose someone they love."
I turn in his arms, looking up at his storm-grey eyes. "Then we make sure that doesn't happen. We have something the summoner doesn't—we know what they're trying to do. That gives us an advantage."
