Page 62 of Teeth To Rip & Tear

“The Huntsman.” I snarled. “His curse, his bargain, it took my child from me. And countless others. The Wolfkin are dying, and he doesn’t care.”

“Does killing a Mallacht Sídhe dissolve their bargains?” Dean wondered, rubbing the stubble on his chin. “You’re a wolf, just as I am. We cannot hurt him.”

“I can’t just sit back and do nothing. What will happen to me when Samhain ends, and you all go back to Locket? The Huntsman isn’t going to let me go.” A tear rolled down my cheek, and I brushed it away with my fist. “He killed Melly.”

Dean cursed, making his way over to the bed and sinking down by my side. He was so tall I bet his feet hung over the edge when he tried to sleep. Dean placed his hand on my shoulder.

“I just want to go home.” I closed my eyes as the tears started to fall.

Dean put his arms around me and let me cry.

Dean met me in front of the kennels a few minutes later. I hadn’t asked why he couldn’t walk with me until he pushed a pair of leather slippers into my hands.

“For you.” He murmured. “They should fit. Just adjust the ties.”

My stomach warmed, though I shook away the feeling, bending down to put on the slippers. The buttery leather was soft, and each slipper was fashioned like a drawstring bag.

Dean took a breath, his eyes darkening as they lingered on the bruise on my cheek. “That’ll clear up by this afternoon.” He told me.

I reached up, brushing my fingers against the swollen skin. “One of the perks of being a wolf?”

“Something like that.”

I hummed as I rubbed my thighs, waiting awkwardly for Dean to speak.

“Kaleb informed me that you could not bring any personal belongings.” Dean cocked his head to the side. His eyes were full of unspoken questions. “There is a market in the next town over. I have business to attend to there and will accompany you.” He stated.

There was a gulf between us, and my lies sat there, awkwardly.

“The market?” I eyed him dubiously.

Dean shifted from one foot to the other. “Is there an issue?”

“I don’t have any money with me.” My cheeks burned, and I looked away.

“Don’t worry about that.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Mitchell is coming too. There are plenty of things to buy in the market that aren’t available in the human realm.

I exhaled, feeling the tension leave my shoulders. “I do need some essentials. Soap. A toothbrush.”Underwear.

He nodded staunchly. “I’m happy to accompany you.”

I tightened the laces around my feet and tested the fit. “Is it a long walk?” I wondered.

“Through the Forest of Beasts, then east to the Spring Court.” He told me.

“The Forest of Beasts?” I eyed the tree line warily. “Do you have a gun? A knife?”

Dean chuckled, shaking his head. “Nothing that resides in the forest would attack one of the Huntsman’s wolves.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “And the Spring Court? Like a royal court?”

“There are two kingdoms. Unseelie and Seelie. Within those kingdoms are several courts. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and the like.” He explained. “The Forest of Beasts sits on the border of the Spring Court.”

“And the Huntsman?” I wondered. “Is he a king?” I gestured to the castle with its moving clockwork pieces as we walked across the lawn.

Dean’s lip curled. “The Huntsman is something else.”

We stood at the top of the steps. The weather was crisp but not too cold. More like spring than late fall.

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