Page 47

Conall

The urge to howl grips me as I prowl through the forest surrounding the witch’s cottage. Scarlett and Hunter are inside while she works, but I was banished to the trees because my restless movements were distracting my mate.

This is our third day at the witch’s cottage. Scarlett thought she would be finished yesterday, but her grandmother shooed her out the door in the early afternoon because her paramour was coming to take her to Grimsgate for a couple of days and she needed to pack. It seems the lust spell had faded but none of her three lovers would leave her for long.

I don’t like this feeling, this… anxiety. The sensation of being watched, but no one is there. I haven’t seen or scented another soul since yesterday.

Vera’s scent lingers since it is her home, but it’s faded somewhat. Still, it feels as if there are eyes on me as I move.

I hope my mate completes her work because I feel as though I’m about to come out of my skin.

I know my disquiet is partially because of the wolfsbane still hanging in the air. I can’t be sure if it’s residue from the man who stalked my mate days ago or a determined dusting to keep me off balance. That is the pitfall of exposure—an inability to smell things as keenly. It feels especially difficult when I have a mate to protect.

Finally, I stop fighting my instincts and strip off my clothes. The shift rolls over me, faster than usual, and I land on all four feet, shaking my fur wildly. I lift my nose to the air and inhale, searching for whatever it is that has me so on edge.

All I can smell is the earth and the plants. Small animals. Wildflowers. The scents aren’t as sharp as usual, thanks to the wolfsbane, but there’s nothing else there. No undertones or hints of another person or shifter.

I circle the cottage, letting my senses open. The ruff of my neck prickles again, as if someone is watching me nearby.

As I round the corner of the house, a flash of white appears in the trees. My eyes try to lock on to the movement, but it’s gone before I can truly see it. Lowering my head, I creep out of the garden and walk in a wide circle. If someone is there, I don’t want them to see me coming. Especially since I can’t smell them.

My feet are silent as I pad between the bushes and trees. There is no scent, just the small glimpse of… something.

As I draw closer to the tree, I can hear someone breathing. I don’t know how they hid their scent, but there is someone here.

Waiting.

Watching.

I suppress a snarl, forcing my wolf to remain quiet.

Just as I’m about to walk around the tree, they sprint from behind it in the opposite direction. I get a glimpse of the man, but he’s moving much faster than any human should. I dig my paws into the ground and take off after him, releasing a deafening howl.

He still has no scent, but I can see him. And hear him. I can’t be sure it’s the same man who chased my mate days ago, but something tells me it is.

The only explanation is that he must be using magic to make himself faster and to hide his smell because he definitely didn’t smell like a shifter before.

With another howl, I leap over a fallen tree and dodge around a tangle of brambles. I can still see the man’s white shirt darting among the trees ahead of me, but he’s too far away for a clear look. Not that I would be able to identify him. I don’t know the townspeople well enough yet because I avoid town whenever I can.

Pushing my muscles to work harder and faster, I sprint through the forest after him.

I won’t let anyone harm my mate.

Ever.

Chapter Twenty

Hunter

My blood freezes at the sound of Conall’s piercing howl. It takes me a moment to determine which direction the sound is coming from, but I dart to the window as soon as I’m certain.

I see a glimpse of Conall running into the trees in wolf form, his powerful hind legs propelling him forward. I’m tempted to go outside, to try to see if I can help in some way, but I ignore the instinct. Instead, I move from window to window, looking to see if anyone else is outside.

My job right now is to protect our mate, not run out into the forest when I have no idea what’s happening.

The forest is silent and still, at least until Conall howls again. Shit. He might need help after all.

“What’s going on?” Scarlett asks, coming out of her grandmother’s stillroom.