Page 54 of Cursed Wolf

“We investigated the last incident and came up with no evidence of vampires. That was just over a week ago, if you’ll recall. The so-called witnesses in your territory were entirely unhelpful. So a better question might be, why don’t you put your shiny shoes on the ground for once and investigate what’s going on in your own city?”

Camael bristled at the thinly-veiled insult. “We have reason to believe the vampires are crossing into our territory from yours. This affects both of us, Derric.”

The Alpha shifted his eyes to Orson. “Seen any suspicious activity at the borders?”

“No, Alpha,” the wolf replied coolly. His icy gaze leveled on the angel. “I have motion-activated cameras set along our entire perimeter. We have regular patrols around the whole territory and follow-up with any unfamiliar scents. Not to mention our barrier of magic that is regularly reinforced by our witches. If so much as a blade of grass twitches anywhere on the border, I know about it.”

I knew all about our security measures, but it was still impressive to hear. Orson had made sure our border was ironclad ever since that rogue dragon shifter had snuck in and threatened Shiloh a few months ago.

Camael shook his head. “I have no doubts as to your abilities, but they must be bypassing you somehow. Our perimeter is also guarded at every point, with magically enforced barriers. They are not coming directly from Sanguine to Helios.”

“Well, they’re not coming through us.” Derric shrugged. “Maybe you have a blind spot.”

“We don’t,” the angel hissed. “My kind can fucking fly, in case you forgot. My perimeter is regularly checked from the sky. We’ve missed nothing. You wolves, on the other hand, must have your noses so close to the ground that you’ve missed what’s going on right above your heads.”

Derric stood from his chair with a low growl, teeth bared. “You want to keep talking about how your species is superior to mine, in my home? Come on, angel. Get it all off your chest.”

Several people moved in, but I was the fastest, bringing my open palm against Derric’s sternum. “Easy, Alpha. This overgrown chicken isn’t worth it.”

Laylah had stepped in front of her brother, her hands against his shoulders. Camael towered over her, looking easily able to push past her slight weight, but Laylah held him firm.

“Take a breath, brother,” she murmured to him. “Please. These people are our allies. We are guests in their territory.” Her eyes flicked up to him. “You should apologize.”

Camael scoffed like that was the last thing he would do, but his sister’s words must have reached the rational part of his brain. He took a step back, straightening the lapels of his suit jacket.

“Forgive me, Alpha. The idea that these creatures may be feeding on my people is…very upsetting. My emotions got the better of me.”

There was a beat of silence as we all waited for an ‘I apologize’, but it seemed the leading angel had too much pride for that. I glanced at Laylah, who still had metaphysical puncture marks and blood on her neck.

“The harm caused by vampires is something my kind knows well,” Derric said tightly, his heart still pounding against my palm. “Many of my pack standing here now have lost parents and grandparents to their bloodlust. Myself included.” He finally stepped back, but continued to eye Camael warily. “Believe me when I say I would never wish a vampire attack on anyone. And that my pack will do everything in our power to prevent a repeat of what happened to us.”

“Then why won’t you help us?” Camael bit out.

“We have.” Derric resettled into his chair. “And we will be happy to continue offering our support. But you coming in here and accusing our security measures of being flawed is not the way to nurture our alliance.”

Camael’s wings drooped an almost imperceptible distance in the barest sign of humility. “That was not my intention, Alpha. This matter just feels extremely urgent and from my view, our allies are in no hurry to help.”

“Respectfully, what more can we do?” Derric opened his palms. “Last week, we lent you our tracking abilities, our noses and ears, our time and energy, to no avail. Do you have anything to go on besides some unreliable witnesses?”

The angel clenched his teeth. “I just know they’ve been within my borders. Those witnesses wouldn’t make such claims for no reason.”

Derric tried his best to give a sympathetic look. “We can’t prioritize your territory over our own without more evidence. I’m sorry.”

All the werewolves in the room held a collective breath, waiting for the angel to throw another tantrum, but Camael only sighed. His wings sank lower in defeat. “I understand. I appreciate you hearing me anyway, Alpha. When I contact you again, it will be with more substantial proof.”

He turned to leave, his brethren falling in step behind him. Laylah was the last to follow. She gave a tight smile and small nod of her head to Derric, who returned the gesture.

Once the angels left, the atmosphere in the lodge immediately relaxed. Wolves murmured to each other, while I rubbed my forehead. Seeing a high-ranking angel like Laylah covered in blood was not a good sign, and it wasn’t one I would forget easily.

“What do we think?” Derric asked the room, inviting anyone to give their thoughts. “Are vampires sneaking into Helios City?”

“I’m sure Camael believes that,” Ruse scoffed. “But is it actually happening? No. He’s losing it. Flying too damn close to the sun or whatever.”

“Or his so-called witnesses are,” someone else piped up. “On some kind of angel street drug, maybe?”

“Can angels even do drugs?” another wolf wondered.

“Whatever’s going on, if anything, it’s not our business at this point.” Ruse shrugged.

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