Outside, Anna took in great gulps of air. Then Gustavo’s arms were wrapped around her, and she breathed in his captivating scent. The smell of home, safety, and love.
“You’re all right.” He rubbed a hand down her back. “You did good.”
Dalton tried not to let envy rule him as he watched the Spanish Alpha hold his mate. It felt like an eternity since Jewel had let him hold her, let him comfort her.
“What did you find out?” Dalton looked at Elle. Sorin stood next to her, his hand on her lower back. Dalton could still see the absolute devotion in the wolf’s eyes for the fae. It didn’t take a hug or kiss to see that Sorin was just as concerned about his mate as Gustavo was about Anna.
“Whatever evil is in there…” Elle nodded toward the building. “It didn’t affect me, but it definitely messed with Anna.”
“Messed with her, how?” Dalton clenched his jaw. “And if you could get in because of some sort of darkness in you, then why didn’t it affect you?”
Elle shrugged. “I’m not young and impressionable like Anna and Jewel. And I’m not insecure about the darkness that I know is a part of myself.”
Dalton tilted his head to the side as he studied the female. Then he pointed to Sorin. “If you have darkness in you, then how are you able to keephisdarkness at bay?”
“Because, no matter what I have in me”—Elle pointed to herself—“it’s nothing compared to the unchecked darkness of aCanis lupus.”
“Oh.” Anna pulled out of Gustavo’s arms and held up her finger. “What about an unmated male? You just saidtheirdarkness is bad. What about having one of them go into the den of skin?”
Elle snorted. “The den of skin?”
“What? There was a lot of freaking skin showing in there.”
“I think it needs to be a healer.” Dalton paused and appeared to be thinking. “Whatever is drawing Jewel into these places is specifically related to... what sheis.”
“Or who she is,” Sorin said gently.
Dalton wanted to snarl at the male, but what for? Speaking the truth? He’d be a fool to deny help, and that came in many forms, including hearing things he didn’t want to hear.
Elle nodded. “I agree. Let’s move on to the next one. Dalton, show me.”
His attention was momentarily distracted by the vibrating of his cell phone. Dalton pulled it from his back pocket and saw it was Dillon. He couldn’t answer it. If he did, his alpha could force him to tell him what was going on, and Dalton wasn’t ready to talk until he understood more. He knew Tanya would take care of Jewel, so he decided communicating with the alpha femalewould be a good idea. Dalton pulled up her contact and sent her a text.
Dalton:I’m asking you as not just the beta of our pack, but as a friend. Do not let Jewel leave the pack mansion for any reason.
Immediately, dots started moving across the screen as she replied.
Tanya:What the hell, Dalton? Dillon is ready to lose his mind, and Jewel looks like she’s been in one of those damn horror films as the possessed, weird girl that’s going to climb up the wall and crawl across the ceiling like a cockroach. What is going on?!
Dalton stared at the screen, wondering what to say. He felt like telling Tanya what was going on with Jewel, or what little he knew was going on, would be betraying his mate’s trust. But what choice had Jewel left him with?
Tanya:Hello?
Dalton:I can’t tell you that yet. I don’t even know exactly what’s going on.
Admitting he had no clue what was going on with his female made Dalton feel like a complete failure as a mate.
Dalton:I can tell you I am working on figuring it out.
Tanya:Do you need some help? No judgment and no orders. Just help from one pack mate to another?
And that’s what made Tanya an outstanding leader. She was willing to meet the needs of those she loved, even when she had no clue what they might ask of her.
Dalton:I appreciate it, Alpha, but I’ve got some people working with me.
Tanya:People who you can keep safe?
She wanted to make sure he wasn’t getting help from people that might one day hold it over his head.
