He hesitated, as if it wasn’t a simple answer. “Yes, you can usually track through objects, but it depends on where Jewels is holed up, and how magically protected she is. The more time we give her to bunker down, the harder it will be to find her.”
It had only been a couple of days since the attack in the street, so we needed to find that item straight away. “Talon’s on his way home,” I said, turning to Slade. “Did he find anything at the compound?”
“Nothing of Jewels, since the compound was all but deserted. He did detect signs of life in the lower levels, but hasn’t checked down there per your request to stay safe. We’ll all go tomorrow as a pack.”
As per your request. Now, that was a sexy statement. Nothing like these alphas keeping their promises to me.
Slade wrapped a heavy arm around my shoulders to lead me from the training center. “We’ll see you back at home,” he called to Constantine.
I had no idea how the witch-wolf had gotten out here thismorning, but apparently he was on his own getting home. We’d taken Slade’s bike, which meant no room for a third.
It was a silent but relaxed walk through the training facility, and I assumed Slade was wrapped up in his thoughts too. When we reached his Panigale, Slade slid a helmet over my head and secured the strap under my chin. His own helmet was on in a flash, and when I moved toward the bike, he wrapped his hands around my hips and lifted me onto the back.
“Are you letting me drive, big boy?” I teased, while pretending to slide forward. I already knew there wasn’t a chance in hell, but it was fun to poke at the beast.
I jumped when his voice echoed through my helmet, connected to comms I hadn’t known were there. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I’m your backpack, Snow. I’m the alpha. I protect you.”
I snorted and pounded my chest. “Me alpha, strongggg. You omega, weakkkk.”
Slade’s chest rumbled before he shrugged, as if he couldn’t really argue with me. I’d never deny that every alpha in my pack was more dominant than me, but I had my own special brand of strength.
“Yes, you do, sweetheart,” he whispered in response to a thought he shouldn’t have heard, and I flushed over every part of my damn body. “But I have to protect you. It’s built into my very essence.”
He was stubborn and arrogant, which was partly the reason I started prank wars in the first place. To humble him a touch. It might just be time to bring it back… At least once we defeated the wicked witch.
I was already manifesting her destruction, and with that, Prank Wars would return.
Trademark pending.
CHAPTER 23
HUNTER
It had been a hell of a week. Between my father attacking the street, Jewels’ betrayal, the death of Marcus, and then Constantine showing up on our doorstep to fuck our day just a little further, I was ready to let my beast loose. Tear it all down.
My wolf cared little for Golden Claw and the rest of the shifters in it. He cared for our pack, our quintet of power, and Emme. Not in that order. My little omega was always first.
My day had consisted of meetings and product launches, but my strongest focus was on our preparations for a war between witches and shifters. Kassidy was heading up a newly formed team that was working on sending outbattle packagesto the strongest enforcer groups across the cities.
All of them would be outfitted with the best tech Reeves Industries had to offer, including our patented armored vests. It might not be enough, but I had to do something.
We didn’t really know who was friend or foe these days, so our efforts were being marketed as agoodwill gesture.A bonding between the shifter cities. Though we definitely still had some trusted allies out there. Most other shifters would fight on our side, too, as none of them would want to lose their autonomy to witches.
I’d been in the middle of a meeting with our London offices when Emme’s magic had burst to life inside me, tearing through my control over my beast, as she immersed him in her spell. I’d barely managed to keep my furious howl from spilling free, before I figured out whatshe’d done. Our little mate had merged our energies and sent all six beasts out to attack Constantine’s spell.
There’d been a long moment when Emmeline had held my beast in her grasp, keeping him beyond my control. He was hers, in all ways, but I hadn’t felt weakened. Emme’s control over our essences didn’t drain us. We were just all part of her attack, even without moving a muscle.
The scariest part was the moment after she’d unleashed our power, when she’d been almost consumed by it. But I’d never had any doubt my little omega would snap herself out of it. Emmeline did not crave more power. She craved peace and stability, which was what I’d work forever to give her.
When I was ready to leave the office for the day, Talon checked in to inform me he was almost home too. I packed up my laptop and paperwork, deciding I needed a few hours with Emme to soothe my ragged edges. I’d never realized what true peace felt like until I was bonded. I’d never had a place I could exist where the noise of our world and my responsibilities just… stopped. Emme was my peace.
As I got to my feet, Casey popped her head around the corner. “Sir, do you have a moment? There’s an alpha here to see you, and while he doesn’t have an appointment, I think you’ll want to take this meeting.”
I’d already mentally checked out of Reeves Industries for the day, but curiosity had me pausing. “Alpha?”
She nodded, expression unchanging. “Yes. Alpha Annandale.”
My wolf howled at Warrick finally emerging from his pack house. We’d been worried about our old friend. “Send him in.”
