“Given that the wolf was seemingly under the influence of magic, it is best we dose you with fae potions, in case the spell is something that can affect you,” she said.
I flattened my lips. “Yeah, okay, that’s a good point. Most fae magic doesn’t affect me, but I can’t recognize the magic used, so I get it.” My shoulders briefly slumped in defeat before I straightened up and smiled at Ember. “Right. Then let’s go!”
Ember smiled encouragingly, and beckoned for me to follow her.
As we strode off in the direction of the paved road I’d taken to get to the edge of town, I heard Mayor Pearl speak.
“Magic? There is magic involved? That’s it—give me a detailed explanation now, or I’ll call the chief of police here!”
Given that her husband was the chief of police and there was a grand total of roughly a dozen officers, it wasn’t the biggest of threats. But Mayor Pearl had perfected the art of figuratively running the wolves down.
“Hector will explain it all,” Greyson promised—likely to the displeasure of his beta. “If you’ll excuse me…” He picked up the dead wolf with one hand—as if he was a sack of potatoes—then walked off, leaving Hector to deal with Mayor Pearl.
“Of course, Mayor Pearl. It was Phillipa Sabre who saw it first…”
*
That night I filled out the dozens of forms the Curia Cloisters sent me about the incident—all under Hector’s watchful eyes. But I went to work like normal the following day, and I was feeling pretty good when I left the welcome center at five.
I’m glad I went to work today. It made life feel normal.
I swung my backpack as I made my way through downtown. Rather than passing through the park and heading for the most direct route home, I ducked behind City Hall and took a paved trail that started there.
The sky was still a glorious blue, and while the shadows were starting to stretch out, the sun didn’t show even a hint of setting.
I love long summer days. They’re the best!
I was almost to the end of the public walking paths/trails, when I felt a spot tingle in my hunter senses.
Overly cautious from the previous day’s encounter, I yanked a dagger from my backpack with one hand and grabbed my phone with the other. I then whirled around, straining my ears for any sounds.
A wolf crashed through the underbrush, popping out on the path.
I was surprised—and increasingly more worried—when I saw who it was: Alpha Dolph of the Low Marsh Pack.
Chapter 4
Pip
Tall but greasy looking with sweat slicked hair and an untrimmed beard, Dolph was a wilder breed of werewolf, and didn’t strictly follow human rules of hygiene like the Northern Lakes wolves did.
The Low Marsh Pack lived in a rural patch of land with no small cities, and they kept to themselves—which was probably all around better for the health of the humans in the area.
“Phillipa Sabre,” he growled.
I raised my dagger as I flicked past the lock screen of my phone. “Alpha Dolph. What do you want?”
Dolph chuckled—which sounded almost like a rusty growl. “Easy, hunter.” He held his hands up. “I’m unarmed. Just like my wolf was that you killed.”
“I stopped him from harming kids,” I said. “He got himself killed when he wouldn’t stop.”
“As if a few kids are worth more than a werewolf.” Dolph narrowed his beady brown eyes. “Humans replicate like rabbits. They would hardly miss a child or two. Werewolves, however—each one is precious. But I suppose you wouldn’t understand that, hunter.”
“You’re not just insane, you’re wrong in so many ways.” I flipped the grasp on my dagger so it was positioned in a way that I could throw it and easily nail him. “Why are you here, Dolph?”
“To warn you.” Dolph strolled closer. “You’d best leave my wolves alone.”
“Sure. Make sure they don’t try to snack on children and stay out of Northern Lakes territory and we won’t have a problem.” I pulled my arm back into a clear throwing position as I raised my hand with my cellphone, my thumb hovering over Hector’s spot in my contacts.
Dolph shook his head. “It’s too late for that, hunter. You killed my wolf.”
“As you’ve previously stated.”
“There will be payback for his death,” Dolph said.
I narrowed my eyes. “Get lost, Dolph. Leave Timber Ridge. Now.”
Dolph, surprisingly, retreated a few steps. “Just remember, Phillipa Sabre. You can’t always hide behind that Alpha of yours.”