Chapter Thirty-Nine

Dom

We made our way straight for the warlock's cabin. If anyone could give us answers about magic, it would be him.

We were rounding the curve of the path when the front door slammed open. Out of it rolled a fully naked Carmine with wild eyes and protruding claws. Jerod landed on his back, pinned under her as a cloud of purple smoke emitted from the cabin. The warlock's chest was covered in shallow scratches and he looked more disheveled than I had ever seen him, including during his stint under the behemoth's contracted torture.

June groaned and covered her face with her hands. I chuckled as I watched Carmine and Jerod look up to see us.

"Hello, there," Jerod said mildly, glancing at us from his upside-down state. "Love, we have visitors."

Carmine growled a bit, then sighed as she climbed off of him.

"Bad time?" I asked.

"No worse than any other time of day," Jerod said with a devilish grin as he righted himself. "One moment, I'm not keen on receiving visitors with no pants on. I'll be right back."

I looked down at June, who was peeking between her fingers as Carmine and Jerod went back inside.

"They're gone," I said. "They'll be back with pants. Probably."

"I'm starting to doubt Jerod is actually some all-powerful warlock," June said as she dropped her hands.

"Did you see him summon a demon in the woods the other night?" I asked.

She grimaced. "Yeah. Okay, I guess he is. He's just . . . eccentric."

I chuckled as Jerod and Carmine came back outside, this time in a dress shirt and slacks and a sundress respectively.

"So, Dom. June. What brings the two of you to our little part of the mountain?" Jerod asked. Carmine stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving June a wink from over Jerod's shoulder.

I looked down at June and nodded. She was the one who'd seen the items in person. She gave me a nod back and turned to face Jerod.

"This morning the trackers found something near pack lands that was magical in nature," June said.

"And you want to know if it's mine?" Jerod asked.

"That, or if you could identify it," June answered. "It was buried under a bush."

Jerod frowned, bringing up a hand to hold his chin while he thought. "Buried? What self-respecting warlock, or any magic user for that matter, buries their supplies? No familiar? No pocket dimension?"

"It's not yours, I take it?" I asked.

Jerod shook his head. "Definitely not. Ferdinand fetches my things. Much safer that way."

"Well, if it isn't yours, would you be able to tell who it does belong to?" June asked.

"Possibly." Jerod winked. "Actually, very likely. I'm a bit of a genius in my circle."

"And humble too," I muttered.

"I don't know if I can show you, though," June said, frowning. "Tanner is telling Evander about it as we speak. If we're ordered to leave it alone, I could show you later. If Evander wants to see it for himself or guard it . . ."

"I see," Jerod said. "Well, nothing we can do about it presently, but I'll start investigating the area. That is, as long as Evander will let us stay."

"Jerod is right," Carmine said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm actually surprised he hasn't kicked us off his land yet."

"What do you mean?" June asked. "Why would he kick you off?"

Carmine shot me a knowing look, then turned to my mate to answer. "I, and any traveling young wolf really, am welcomed here to find my mate. If your mate is not found, or in my case my mate did not turn out to be of this pack, then there is no reason for me to continue to be here."

"Oh," June said. " Oh , I get it."

"The only reason Evander let me and the others back in is because we were Moonpeak to begin with. He probably thinks we aren't a threat," I added.

"Or that you're a threat he can deal with," Jerod murmured. His face hardened with concentration as he tapped on his chin.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What are you planning, warlock?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing yet." He grinned. "I don't plot until I've confirmed my theories first."

I growled a little. "I don't like the sound of that."

Jerod waved a hand at me. "Nothing to be concerned over. I'll even tell you if my suspicions are correct. For now, let's just say I need to push a few boundaries around here. Stick my nose a few places, I think. June, I've taken a look at that wax you brought me and I can tell you a thing or two for certain."

She gasped. "What do you know?"

"It's subtly magicked. The components indicate the intended purpose is some kind of persuasion. I suggest if you encounter it again, you destroy it or avoid it," Jerod answered.

"That's going to be hard to do," June said, then turned to me. "I brought him a piece of that weird smelling candle. Do you remember asking me about it at the picnic?"

My face darkened, recalling the odd smell. My wolf didn't like it then, and now I could see why. "Good to know, but who's bringing them into the village?"

"Whoever is leaving their other magic supplies around, I'd assume," Jerod said. "Just avoid them, I'm working on a solution."

Carmine brushed the hair out of her face and giggled. "You are so smart, Jerod. Maman is going to love you."

"It's less your mother I'm worried about, and more your father and brothers," Jerod said.

"Oh, and the rest of the warriors. And Alpha. And Beta too. Really, you should worry about the whole pack," Carmine added. "But I know they'll approve, even if they tease you for a while."

"Right, teasing by werewolves," Jerod said flatly. "That's something to look forward to."

June cleared her throat. "Let us know if you figure anything out. We can leave you to . . ."

June's head snapped to the left, and she stared wide-eyed toward the village.

"What is it?" I was suddenly alert, listening for anything that could indicate danger.

"It's Tess and Vernon!" June said. "A call for help on the tracker link."

"Go," Jerod said. "I'll see what I can do from here."

June started running, her first instinct still to run in her human form. I tossed off my clothes and shifted, catching up to her easily. She took one look at me and began stripping as she went. Once she stopped and dropped her shorts, she shifted, too, and we took off.

Through the trees, through the village, we ran down the slope, and all I could do was follow June. She was the only one who could hear whatever it was the trackers were saying.

But the bigger problem was that she was starting to leave me behind. I gritted my teeth. I didn't want to tell her to go on without me. Particularly not if it meant she was running into danger.

Update? I asked.

Vernon is down! No, he's getting back up, Tess is trying to defend him from a rogue.

Who all is coming? Who knows about this? I asked.

Trackers know , June said. Alpha knows.

I growled. No warriors? No Smokey?

I don't know , she answered. It sounds like it's Evander's decision not to involve them.

I snapped in anger, snarling as we ran. The hell it is!

Smokey! I practically roared in his general direction.

What is it? he asked. I'm about to catch this goose.

My anger flared. So Evander was choosing not to tell him.

There's a rogue on some of the trackers , I said. We're on our way now, heading west and south.

On my way , Smokey growled . Is June going on ahead?

No, she's with me , I said firmly.

She's faster than you , Smokey said. If a luna can't defend her own wolves, she's no use to the pack.

She's barely a turned wolf! I argued.

Dominic , Smokey said. You either trust her, or you don't.

A shiver crawled down my spine. Smokey had a bad habit of saying shit that needed to be said, right when I didn't want to hear it.

We'll meet you there , I said and closed the link.

Almost immediately, June opened a new one. Tanner says he's nearly there, and so is another pair of trackers.

I clenched my jaw as I pushed forward as hard as I could. But even glancing at June, I could tell she could go faster.

June . . . I started, swallowing my resistance. Go on ahead, I'll follow. Don't do anything foolish, but be there with those healing skills of yours.

You're sure? she asked, conflict plain in her words.

Go! I shouted.

She took off with impressive speed, so quick even I could hardly believe it. It was like she was getting faster every day.

I shook my head, watching her pull ahead bit by bit. This was no time for admiring June. I opened a new link.

Amelia, Aaron, Jack, Carson , I said. Get your asses in gear, we need some backup.

What is it? Amelia asked.

What's goin' on? Carson asked, clearly just waking up from a nap.

Our pack is being attacked , I growled for all of them to hear. West and south of the village. Get here, now.

I cut the link and checked on June's progress. Shit, she was already nearly out of sight through the trees.

All I could do now was follow and trust my mate.

My future luna.

And save our trackers.