46. Jax

46

Jax

When Anna pulled on my power, I didn't even blink, but pride swelled up inside of me. She was getting more comfortable relying on the bond.

Whatever she needed from me, I was happy to give, and it was a source of comfort to feel her inside me. Sitting across the table, Emerson had donned his innocent and humbling persona. All I wanted to do was plow my fist into his face.

Maeve was sitting as still as a statue, her power wrapped around her like an icy mask.

London had gotten antsy a few minutes ago and was pacing and staring at the woods. He wanted out of this room.

We all did, but we'd gotten nowhere. Not that we expected to. Until the witches had evidence of what we were facing, all we could discuss was strategies, and because our territories were different, our defenses were different.

"Have you received any reports back from the guards you sent to investigate the rogues who attacked me?" Emerson asked innocently. "I'm eager to know what you found."

My wolves had returned safely and found no evidence of rogue wolves being anywhere around the area. No scents or prints. Not even of Emerson and his crew getting out to piss, as he had claimed.

I'd spent a good hour mulling that over and came to the only conclusion that made sense. If I told him the truth and called him out on the lie, he would simply say that I was covering up the incident.

And around we would go, pointing fingers at each other and making it difficult to trust anyone long enough to come together and face off against the darkness.

I was not going to play his game.

"They did not pick up a trail, but they did find some scents. I already have another team on the way to try and track it to see where it leads."

Emerson narrowed his eyes. "Rogue scents?"

"What other scents would they be tracking?" Maeve snapped. "Rabbits? The rogues are not our current problem, so next time, I suggest you travel with more care."

Good old, Maeve. I almost cheered.

My phone beeped, and I glanced down. It was a text from Anna. Irene wants to try and kill Jenson after dinner to see if he can shift. Any problems with that?

Well, that was one plan.

As long as Jenson is on board.

It made sense. If Bridget had found a way to implant some kind of dormant spell in us, she'd choose Jenson as well.

"Problem?" Emerson asked innocently.

"Not at all. Confirmation," I said smoothly. "I've discovered how Irene was kidnapped and taken from my territory."

Everyone sat at attention, and I chose my words carefully. If I painted Bridget a traitor too soon, word would spread. Instead, I focused on Dean. "A werewolf I granted rogue status to several years before. He was familiar with my territory, and he still had family here. A member of my guard, who will be punished, admits to letting him in under the guise of visiting with his father."

Maeve stood. "Where is this wolf now?"

"Dead. He was killed last night."

Emerson showed no sign of having known Dean was dead or any remorse.

"How?" London demanded. "How was he killed?"

"My mate. He'd grown infatuated with her and returned to try to kidnap her as well."

"A killer indeed," Maeve murmured. "And the evidence you have that he is the culprit?"

"He confessed it to Anna. I've had people going through the security logs to corroborate it. I suggest you all make calls to your own security. Dean was an easy mark." My heart twisted even as I said it. "He requested to go rogue because he didn't get along with his father. I granted it, and I assumed he was happy. Apparently, he still needed to be tied to someone, even if it meant betraying me. I suggest you all think of anyone who is familiar with your territory who might match that description."

Maeve and London paled. They both had people in mind.

"In the meantime, there'll be a hunt tonight. All the wolves are invited to join, but you're welcome to leave your own guards with your witch if you choose."

"A hunt." Maeve's eyes sparkled. "That sounds splendid."

I didn't see Anna again until after dinner was over, and by then, I was nearly jumping out of my skin. With everything going on, I needed to see her. Needed to see that she was safe with my own eyes.

As soon as she entered our room, I snarled and enveloped her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment and relaxed. "Everything all right?"

"I just needed to touch you," I said gruffly. "You didn't text at all at dinner."

She held a finger to her lips and then handed me a bag. "Hang a piece of wood on each of the four walls."

I did as she instructed, and she relaxed. "Sorry, they're soundproofing wards. Irene thought that if I touched them, I might…well, you know. I couldn't text at dinner because the witches were there. Apparently, there's a spell to hear digital communications? She doesn't know that any of the witches had activated it, but she wanted to be safer than sorry. Jenson is fine. Irene stabbed him in the leg, with a little too much enthusiasm, I might add, and he was able to shift just fine. We had Saul there, just in case. And I managed to get Lunessa and Irene in communications. Amelia and I didn't find anything where Bridget and Dean are buried."

I relaxed just a little. "So it's not affecting all of my wolves?"

"No. Irene is doing some research; she thinks it might be a powerfully spelled salve. She touched Finn, when she killed him, and me when she kidnapped me."

Jax frowned. "She didn't touch me."

"Not at the sight, but she could have touched you at any time. We'll need to check…well, everyone. Irene is hoping that the spell has an expiration date, but until she knows for sure, anyone Bridget came into contact with is at risk."

Growling, I pulled her back into my arms. This time, she didn't stiffen at all. "You're still tense," she said quietly. "Is there something you're keeping from me?"

"Your absence at dinner was noticed. I don't want you involved in the hunt, but if you skip it, the others might take that personally."

Her eyes widened. "Jax, I can't."

"Your wolf does not have to attend. You can be the judge and hand out the prizes for the most kills and be surrounded by a dozen of my guards."

"I'll seem weak," she snarled. "Like prey."

"You are not weak, Anna. You are healing from a lifetime of trauma. Stay human. Be protected."

"Irene saw omens. She thinks someone she knows is going to die tonight."

I bared my teeth. "That someone is not going to be you."