Page 22 of A Cursed Noel

“No,” I say, thoughI recognize she’s not thrilled with her own suggestion. “It willonly make us look bad.”

She crinkles her nose.“And stepping on their turf doesn’t?” she asks.

Man, she’s cute.“The guilty tend to run,” I say. “I don’t want the alpha tothink we came here to cause trouble and hauled ass to avoid gettingcaught.” I shrug. “He knows we’re here. Might as well meet him,one leader to another.”

“Do you think it willwork?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.What I do know is if we run, we’ll be perceived as threats. Thebear will be in his right to hunt us outside his jurisdiction andeven into to your home.” I frown when something occurs to me. “Howdo you know him anyway?”

“I don’t reallyknow him.” Celia makes a face. “I wandered into his territorybefore I knew there was territory to wander into. There aren’t manypacks in this state. Mostly because there’s not a lot of space forweresto run, unlike Upstate New York and the rural parts ofPennsylvania.”

“All right,” I say.“So, he approached you directly?”

“Not exactly. It’smore like he picked a fight with me.”

“What?” Okay, nowI’m pissed. “He can’t just challenge you for wandering onto histurf.”

“It’s not likethat. One of his mountain lions slapped my butt—”

Celia’s eyes widenwhen she gets a good look at my face.

“What?” Iask, my voice more beast than man.

“Ah, it was more likea stroke.” She cuts herself off, knowing she’s digging thiswerea bigger grave. “Aric, it’s all right.”

“How the hell issomeone touching you without your consent all right?” I demand.

“It’s not,” Celiasays. “Which is why I ripped his arm off and smacked him across theface with it.”

“You…” I chokeback a laugh. For all she’s sweet, my rose has some serious thorns.

She nibbles on herbottom lip. “I wasn’t quite out of Somerville when Odin got wordI’d assaulted a member of his pack. He and a few of hisweresapproached me as I reached the outskirts. He made it clear I wasn’twelcome anywhere near his pack. I think he realized I could kill oneof his own. Although he was angry, he didn’t retaliate since hispackmate acted first.”

It’s what he claimed.Given the severity of her response, and the fact that she’s anon-were, I think Odin was bothered awereunder hiswatch had disrespected a female. If I’m right, that’s a goodthing. It makes him honorable. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’ssomething to consider.

“All right,” I say.I’m still enraged at how she was treated, but I have to remain inthe here and now. “It’s only a matter of time before Odin shows.Let me do the talking. Don’t respond with violence unless we haveto.”

It’s crazy that thisis what I’m telling her. Responding with violence is my M.O.

Celia nods. “Okay.Let’s just…Let’s just make it quick. My family is probablyworried.”

I glance behind us,making sure we’re not being followed. “Maybe you should callthem, let them know you’re all right.”

Celia’s eyes glazeover, her voice ghostly. “The phones don’t work anymore,” shesays. “Nothing is going as it should. Emme and Shayna barely passedthis semester, Taran, too. They’re crying all the time. They barelyleave their room.”

I stop dead. “What ishappening to your family?”

I clasp her shoulderswhen she doesn’t respond. She jolts at my contact, lifting her handto push me away before she realizes what she’s doing. “What?”

“Aw, hell,” Imutter, realizing what’s happening. “Celia. The evil I’msupposed to stop has invaded your house. It’s why everything’sgoing wrong in your home.”

Her breathing quickensas if she’s run all day instead of a few miles. Again, her irisesglaze over. “It’s her,” she rasps. “She brought them andwon’t let them leave.”

Chapter Seven

“Who is she?” Iask. I give her a small shake. “Celia, tell me who’s in yourhome.”

Celia rams her eyesclosed as if pained, shaking her head slowly. When she opens hereyes, she appears confused. “What…what just happened?”

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