Page 12 of Mated in Darkness

“I’m not alone out here. There are two other lieutenants that are helpful.”

“As long as they don’t get in your way.”

I held back a smile. “No, only you do that here.” My wolf patted at me then, and I froze. “I’ve got to go. There’s something. I think I scent something.”

“Shit, Kaylee. Be careful.”

“I will. I promise. There’s just something out there.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

“Thanks for that. I love you, too.”

“I love you. Check-in.”

“You know I will.” I hung up the phone, stuck it back in my pocket, and trotted towards the lieutenants. “I have something.”

“Okay. We’re behind you.” Dane pulled out his phone, and I gave him a look. “I’m texting our Alpha and giving him an update.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

We moved through the trees, the live oaks tickling my nose. I hadn’t realized I could have allergies as a wolf, but apparently the oaks and cedars down here were enough to make my eyes water. It was hard to scent through all of that, but I blew out through my nose and then sucked in another breath, trying to sense what I needed to, and my wolf froze, so still, I was afraid I saw death.

But that wasn’t it, at least not yet.

“I scent him. He’s close.” I let out a low growl, my claws sliding through my fingertips. “And he’s not alone.”

“On it,” Rio said from my side.

We moved through the brush, quiet, stalking. We went in a three formation, having each other’s backs while making sure we were silent enough.

I could scent Spencer now. We were so close. But that wasn’t the only smell. Not even the stranger’s scent could overpower the coppery scent that assaulted my nostrils.

Blood.

There was blood.

I moved through the trees, and the sight before me chilled the blood in my veins.

A man stood over Spencer’s body, his hands over Spencer’s chest, blood coating him. Spencer lay still, unmoving underneath the man’s attentions, and I could already smell the rot and decay of newly made death.

A growl slipped through my lips, and I pounced, pulling the human back away from Spencer, and slammed the man into the soft muddy dirt. It didn’t hurt him, it wouldn’t break anything, but it was hard enough for him to let out an oof of air.

“Who are you?” I asked him, my voice a deep growl. I knew my fangs had elongated, my claws sharp enough to prick his skin. Even though my hand was around his neck, I was cautious not to make him bleed.

The man with green eyes and dark hair below me stiffened, and I ignored the sweet, honeyed scent of him that lay beneath the blood.

This man was human, not a witch, not a shifter. He held nothing but the knowledge of our existence like all the other humans in the world.

But he was covered in Spencer’s blood, and I needed to know why.

“My name is Jason,” the man growled, his voice deep, surprising me with the strength and tenacity.

“Why were you with Spencer? Why did you kill him?” I asked, because I knew the truth. Spencer was dead. Rio stood over Spencer’s body, checking for a pulse, seeing if there was anything that we could do with a healer. Dane was behind me, protecting my flank, and I was grateful.

I didn’t see a weapon on Jason, and if he wasn’t a witch, that meant unless he had thrown the weapon away, Jason hadn’t killed Spencer.

Somebody had, and I needed to know who.

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