Chapter Five
Marcus
The rain had finally stopped, leaving the forest dripping. I led Joanna back through the trees, her words still ringing in my ears.
She had been involved with Ethan. My friend. The revelation left a knot in my gut, twisting tighter with every attempt to unravel it.
Joanna walked beside me, her steps silent, and her face a collapsing wall. Tension radiated from her body like a beacon.
This hunter. A killer of my kind. Yet here she was, working with a werewolf.
We arrived back at the textile mill, and her face paled. “Where’s Maya?”
I turned to her, my wolf eyes glimmering with amusement.
“Taking him wasn’t part of the agreement, Blackwood.”
I shrugged but kept moving. When she sighed, I knew she understood. Ethan was my responsibility. And if she wanted to talk to him, it would be on my terms.
I led Joanna through the maze of old buildings, the stench of abandoned dreams thick in the air. As we descended into the tunnels, she stayed close, her eyes sharp as if memorizing every turn, her hand never far from her knife. I could smell her wariness, but beneath that, something else lingered—something sweeter. It made my wolf pace, eager to taste more.
We reached the entrance to the compound, and Joanna froze, no doubt sensing my pack’s power behind the door. I nudged her with my nose, urging her forward. As long as she was with me, she was safe.
We entered through the lower level, a labyrinth of dark, narrow tunnels snaking beneath the mainbuildings. I could sense the hunter’s unease, yet her heartbeat remained steady, a quiet rhythm in the silence.
As we ascended to the main floor, the atmosphere shifted. The cool darkness of the tunnels gave way to warm, inviting light, the scent of home filling the air. I shifted back to my human form, my body contorting as bone and muscle realigned.
Lucas, one of my more obedient pack members, appeared and handed me a robe. I nodded my thanks, slipping it on as I turned to Joanna.
Her eyes, which were so focused on my cock earlier tonight, swept over the space, taking in the subtle signs of pack life. Passing shapeshifters grimaced at the sight of her. Her small body was tense, but curiosity flickered across her face. I gestured for her to follow me, leading her to the guest quarters.
“You’ll stay here tonight,” I said, opening the door to a room. I switched on the lights, revealing simple furnishings: a bed, a dresser, a small table with a lamp. The window overlooked the forest, where the moonlight cast long shadows through the trees.
Joanna stepped into the room, her eyes darting to every dark corner. She turned to face me, arms crossed. “Tonight’s just full of surprises.”
“If you’d rather someone take you back to your car, I can arrange that.”
“Where’s Ethan?”
“He’s being held in the cells below. We won’t be questioning him tonight.” I saw the protest rise in her eyes, and I held up a hand to stop her. “He’s injured and needs rest. We all do. He’ll still be here in the morning.”
She hesitated, but finally nodded, her shoulders lowering in submission.
“Make yourself comfortable. There’s a bathroom through that door if you want to clean up. I’ll have someone bring you fresh clothes, too.”
She looked around the room again, her face a wall of silver.“Sure,” she mumbled.
I turned to leave, then paused, looking back at her. “You’re safe here, Joanna. No one’s going to harm you.”
She met my gaze, her eyes searching mine for deceit. After a moment, she nodded.“Uh-huh.”
I left her then, closing the door behind me. As I made my way to my room, my mind drifted back, still struggling to process the night’s events: Ethan’s betrayal. Joanna’s revelations.
Everything was spiraling out of control.
Maya was waiting by my door, her somber gaze unsettling. “He’s secure,” she said. “But… there’s something you need to know.”
I tensed, shifting my weight. “What is it?”
