“They aren’t as powerful as the wraith,” Oz said. “But magic won’t hurt them as much as the wraith, either. The best way to fight them is with iron.”
“Not ideal,” I said. “Unless we all want to start carrying around iron bars in our mouths whenever we shift.”
“It also means that Emma won’t be able to go after them the same way she could stand up against the wraith,” Elias murmured. “The wraith is trying to cripple her abilities.”
Oz nodded his head in concession. “Which is why I think the wraith recruited them in the first place. The less of a threat he can make Emma to him, the better. She’s the best chance we have against the wraith, unless someone else has shown up with magic powers in the last couple of months.”
“Even if someone had, I doubted they would come forward,” Drake interjected. “Most of the pack still sees magic as taboo and doesn’t trust witches. Emma’s an exception, partially because she saved the town, but more because she’s their luna. I doubt many pack members would take as kindly to another magic-user.”
Frowning, Elias slumped back, drumming his fingers on the desk as he studied them. “What’s their goal?” he asked. “How does the wraith plan on using them? We know at least part of the reason why he recruited them, but not what his endgame is.”
Drake shrugged. “Right now, we’re still trying to figure that out. They’re laying low. The only reason we even knew they were here in the first place was that Oz did that research. My guess is they still think they’re going undetected.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way,” Elias said. “Drake, I want you to keep track of the areas where we know the lesser demons are showing up. See if you can find out more about them, and don’t be seen.”
“I’m insulted that you would even think they would be able to notice me if I didn’t want them to,” Drake said with a cocky grin. The arrogance was deserved. Drake was the best in the pack at stealth and recon. There was a reason he was the one Elias turned to whenever he needed some form of infiltration.
“Just making sure we’re all on the same page,” Elias said as he gathered the pages Oz had strewn across his desk. “Thanks for this, Oz.”
Oz gave a tip of an imaginary hat. “It’s almost as though it’s my job,” he said cheerfully. “I’ll keep you updated.”
I stared down at the pages, my mouth a thin line as I wondered how these new players were going to change the game.
Chapter 5 - Rachel
I carried the sacks of flour to the baking aisle, preparing to restock them. For once, I was glad I was at the shop, because it meant I wasn’t near Sam.
Every time I saw him, it took every ounce of effort not to kiss him, not to touch him, or run my fingers through his hair. The mating bond had intensified everything. That night after the ceremony, when we had been in his living room, I had almost thrown caution to the wind and kissed him, knowing exactly what would have happened if I had. It was a miracle I had managed to refrain.
It wasn’t just our past that had stopped me from acting. There was another aspect, one that Sam didn’t know about: I was a virgin. That didn’t bother me, but I knew full well that Sam wasn’t, and there was that thought that I wouldn’t live up to expectations. I was already a disappointment as a mate to him. I wasn’t going to add that to the mix.
As those thoughts ran through my head, Alex rounded the corner and tilted his head as he watched me bundling several bags of flour in my arms. “Need help?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I said. “It’s just—”
As I turned, one of the sacks of flour collapsed on the floor, exploding and covering my jeans in flour. I squeaked in surprise, stumbling back, and only avoiding falling on my ass and dropping more flour by Alex catching me. He laughed.
“You all right?” he asked as I righted myself.
“Fine,” I said, staring down and dusting off my jeans as I grimaced. “God, this is going to be a nightmare to clean.” As Alex started laughing, I shot him a look. “Knock it off.”
“Sorry. It’s just you look like you decided to jump into a waist-high vat of the stuff,” he teased.
“It’s not funny,” I said, even as I couldn’t conceal my laughter.
“Yes, it is, and you know it.” He reached down, swiped his finger through the flour, creating a swirling line, then stood and drew it down my nose.
“Hey!” I stumbled back again, still laughing.
“Rachel?”
I blinked, surprised at the sound of Sam’s voice. When I turned, I saw him standing at the end of the aisle, shooting daggers at Alex.
“Sam,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
He didn’t answer, still glaring at Alex. I could sense his anger through the mating bond, an overwhelming sense of protectiveness, and what might have been jealousy. He marched forward, putting himself between Alex and me.
“I was coming to see you,” he finally said. “I thought I would like to see my mate.”
