The way he says it has my muscles tensing, and an inhuman growl escapes my throat.
Before I can think, before I can stop myself, the shift takes over. My bones crack and reshape, my skin rippling as my body morphs into my wolf form. The world sharpens around me, scents and sounds becoming more vivid, more acute. The predatory instincts kick in, and I step closer, my claws digging into the ground with each deliberate move. My lips curl back, baring my sharp teeth, and my muscles tremble—a clear sign of the violence I’m holding back.
But to my annoyance, Penn doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t retreat, doesn’t even seem the least bit intimidated. Instead, he just smirks, a lazy, infuriating grin that makes my blood boil even more. His hands remain casually tucked in his pockets, as if he’s completely unbothered by the fact that I’m moments away from sinking my teeth into his flesh.
These are the assholes who have Ash. The thought crashes through my mind like a wave. The idea that they’re holding her somewhere, keeping her from me, only makes my rage surge higher.
Penn tilts his head slightly, his smirk widening as if he finds my display of aggression amusing. It’s like he’s daring me, testing how far I’m willing to go, and it takes everything in me to hold back, to not lunge at him and rip that smug expression off his face.
Salena takes a step toward me, and I feel a sharp flick on my ear. “That’s not getting it together, Kai!” she grits out.
“Shift back, pup. We have matters to discuss, and we don’t have all night. If you wish to find Ashwiyaa, then time is of the essence,” Penn commands, his voice sharp and impatient.
His tone snaps me into action, and before I know it, the world around me begins to swirl. The familiar sensation of my bones reshaping, muscles contracting, and skin reforming washes over me as I shift back into my human form. As soon as the transformation is complete, I waste no time stalking toward Penn with single-minded determination.
“Where is she?” I demand, my voice low and dangerous, barely containing the storm of emotions raging inside me.
“Faerie,” he replies, the single word dropping like a stone into the pit of my stomach, instantly rooting me to the spot. My feet freeze in place, and for a moment, it feels like the world has stopped turning.
“What?” The word slips out before I can even process the full weight of what he’s just said.
Faerie. Of all places, she’s in Faerie, the realm where danger lurks around every corner. The mere thought of her trapped there sends a chill down my spine.
Logan clears his throat, breaking through the silence that follows Penn’s revelation. “Let’s sit down and discuss this because I’m sure we all want to find Ash,” he urges calmly but firmly, a steady anchor in the storm of uncertainty that’s suddenly engulfed us.
Penn inclines his head slightly at Logan. A ripple of shock flashes across his face and I know the moment when Penn really takes in Logan’s presence, his eyes lingering on the scars that mar Logan’s otherwise strong and unyielding form.
Logan narrows his eyes, clearly not one to be easily intimidated, and I catch the faintest twitch of Penn’s lips, as if the dragon shifter is amused by the silent exchange.
“A human?” Penn says, his eyes shining with blatant curiosity.
Salena and several of the pack growl, but Logan simply shrugs. “Is that an issue?”
“Of course not. I’m just surprised.”
Everyone is tense as we make our way back to the deck, only some of us taking a seat.
“Talk,” Salena says, folding her arms over her chest.
“We sent Ashwiyaa to retrieve a package for us from Faerie ten days ago. She should have returned in five days, but we have yet to hear from her. It is concerning. Ashwiyaa never misses a deadline.”
With each revelation, my anxiety grows stronger, along with my anger. Ash is alone in Faerie, and as precious moments pass by, the possibilities of what could be happening to her remain unknown. An intense, possessive need courses through my veins, urging me to find her.
Penn stares at me for a long moment, as if weighing something before he speaks. “We want you to go find her.”
Salena steps forward abruptly. “No way.”
“You want him to go to Faerie?” Logan asks, confused.
Penn ignores both of them, his focus never leaving me. “Ashwiyaa is worth whatever chaos she brings to the table, and you know it.”
Penn’s piercing green eyes are intense, with a hint of madness lurking in their depths. I have a feeling Ash learned a few things from this man. Jealousy twists and turns in my stomach, leaving me agitated.
Nope, don’t go there.
“Why should we trust you?” Lucy pipes up from the back, her hand firmly gripping Grady’s.
“Who said anything about trust?” Penn replies, and as his gaze travels over the pack, he winks at Rose.
