Page 55 of Wild Wolf

I flipped open the cupboard beneath the sink and rummaged around until I found the dye removal potion lurking in there and headed to the shower with it.

I cranked the water up to scalding, sighing as I stepped beneath the flow, allowing the rush of liquid to soothe the throbbing ache in my muscles, the tender flesh between my thighs. It was almost a shame to heal it all away. But I needed to focus today and having a constant reminder of how good it felt to be pinned between my men likely wouldn’t be very helpful.

Magic tingled from my palms as I washed myself clean before dumping the dye removal potion into my hair and standing beneath the rush of water until the water ran clear again around my feet.

I dressed in a pair of stonewashed jeans and a black crop top, my wet hair dripping down my spine as I padded downstairs on bare feet to the delicious scent of my aunt Bianca’s cooking.

I strode into the kitchen, finding several of my cousins looking up at me and smiling widely as I arrived. Dante was lounging in his seat at the head of the table which took up the heart of the huge room, his eyes on a newspaper though he tipped a nod my way that told me he was aware of my arrival.

“Let the Alphas eat in peace,” Bianca shot at the Wolves who were edging closer to greet me and they grumbled as she hustled them out of the room with violent swats of her dishcloth and loud hissing sounds.

I snorted in amusement, dropping into my spot at the opposite end of the table to Dante and thanking my aunt as she piled pastries hot out of the oven onto a plate before me alongside a bowl overflowing with fruit, a steaming mug of coffee and a tall glass of orange juice.

“Your food might just be the thing I missed most while I was locked up in that hellhole,” I admitted, reaching out for a cinnamon bun and sinking my teeth into it with a prolonged moan of pleasure.

“Oh hush,” Bianca chastised though the smile biting into her cheeks made it clear she was pleased by the compliment.

She washed her hands off and bustled out of the room, murmuring about the state of my hair as she went and I smiled into the next bite of my food.

“Fourteen hours,” Dante mused, turning a page in his paper.

“What’s that?” I questioned.

“That’s how long the FIB spent sifting through our things, trampling around the vineyards, abusing Mama’s home.”

A sourness twisted my gut at his words and I set my pastry down with a sigh.

“Any arrests?” I asked.

“Fernando couldn’t help mouthing off and Clarissa threw a punch. Both have been released on caution already. Surprisingly most of the others managed to behave themselves or at the very least clear out of here rather than hang around to make trouble.”

I nodded, my relief clear and Dante set his paper aside, his gaze boring into mine.

“I know the famiglia is suffering because of what I brought to our door-” I began but he waved me off.

“There isn’t a Wolf among us who would have wanted you to do a thing differently, piccola regina. I only want to be certain it is all worth it. I don’t want any of you getting caught – not even that Incubus who’s been swinging from the lemon tree and riling the pups up relentlessly. I want this done so that we can all move on.”

I nodded, my mind fixing on what it would take to achieve that.

“I need to get Roary’s Lion back and kill the motherfuckers responsible for taking it. That kind of knowledge can’t be allowed to spread. If the idea of swapping and trading Orders catches on then this is only the beginning of the fucked up lengths some Fae will go to just to be able to claim their pathetic desires. Poor and underprivileged Fae with powerful or prized Orders will be hunted or convinced to part with them for a pocket full of gold. There will be kidnappings, murders. It will lead to all kinds of further depravities and it will hit the Fae with the least the hardest. Alestria itself could fall.”

“I know,” Dante said, his voice a rumbling growl, his eyes flashing into reptilian slits as his Dragon raised its head and peered out at me. “Which is why this needs doing quickly and quietly. Before more depraved assholes set their sights on it. The less who know about it, the better.”

I nodded my agreement. “I have someone whose speciality is finding people who don’t want to be found. I’m going to meet with him today in the hopes that he can point me to Vard.”

“Good.” Dante picked his paper up again, his attention swallowed by it and I returned to my meal, resolution steeling my soul in iron.

Aunt Bianca returned and I relaxed a little while she brushed and braided my hair, the soft tug of her fingers through the silken strands making some of the tension in me subside. The moment she was done, I pushed to my feet, heading for the door without another word and calling for Sin to join me.

Ethan appeared with him and I gave him a lingering look in the black sweatpants which hung low on his hips, his blonde hair still mussed from sleep and whatever other activities had occupied us for the night.

“Down boy,” I said, pressing my fingertips to his chest and halting him where he was. “This is something I only need Sin for and I think it’s best we avoid being out in public in too large a group for now.”

Sin whooped, throwing his arm around my waist and hoisting me against his chest before twirling us around. His new bird pet was on his shoulder again, having slept stars knew where last night, but the creature looked happy enough.

“Tough luck, kitten,” Sin purred, patting Ethan on the head as he backed us towards the front door.

“Don’t be too long,” Ethan called after us, his brow furrowing as he watched us leave.

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