Page 46 of Kin of the Wolf

Fortunately, further enemies did not present themselves. Augustus and the others were slinking off into the woods.

Seething, I was tempted to go after him, the savagery in my blood wanting to continue the battle, to utterly defeat he who’d challenged me. He who’d challenged me ignobly and cheated instead of allowing a fair fight.

But my ally—the only ally around who’d jumped in to help—had disappeared, summonedby magic that superseded the power of the wolf. The memory of the magic I’d noticed a minute before lingered, though I could no longer sense it. Soon, I could no longer sense the bipedfuris either.

Reluctantly, I let my cousins leave without giving chase. If I went after them and they realized I was alone, they would turn on me again. I might yet know defeat this night.

As I stood in the driveway, thoughts whirling, the wolf magic faded. I sank back onto my haunches as the change came. When I was once again in my human form, the night air cold against my bare skin, I rose and walked toward the cabin.

Blood dripped from the fang wounds in my shoulder, and the beams had left burn marks on my sides. The injuries throbbed as I walked. I hoped the bite, in particular, would heal quickly. That was the arm I used to clean apartments.

Rosaria had disappeared, but my mother remained on the porch.

Annoyed, I clenched my jaw as I gathered my clothes and picked up Duncan’s as well. Since Mom was old and ill, I wouldn’t have expected her to help in a fight, but she could have donesomethingwhen she’d witnessed the treachery. Yelled at my cousins toknock it off anyway. Or called Lorenzo or someone else to break up the fight—or turn off those damn magical devices.

But she’d only watched. Waiting to see if I passed the test? Something told me that was it. She’d spoken of the arbiter and driving Augustus out of the pack if he deserved it, but she wanted me to handle my problems on my own.

“Thanks for the help,” I couldn’t keep from saying sarcastically.

“What would you wish me to have done? The victory was yours to earn. If you seek to have a place of respect in the pack again, you should defeat him. It is what would convince others that you have the right to be here. And it is what you need, as well, to be sure of yourself and whether you deserve a place in the pack after your long absence.”

“I’m forty-five, Mom. I don’t need a damn coming-of-age test.”

She looked off into the woods in the direction Duncan had gone. “He can become the bipedfuris.”

Was that… reverence in her tone?

“That is what I sensed all along,” she mused. “I didn’t quite realize it. I’ve not encountered another werewolf with the power to become a two-legs, not in my entire life.” She cocked her head. “What called him away?”

“It’s a long story.”

She looked at me. “You knew he could change into that form?”

“I haven’t known for long, but yes.”

“He would be an even more suitable mate. Perhaps your offspring would also have that ability.”

I stared at her. I was naked, tired, and battered, with blood running down my arm, and all she cared about was my offspring?

Maybe she guessed my thoughts. “Do you want me to call back Rosaria?”

“To opine on Duncan’s suitability as a mate?”

“She got the gist of that when we came across you in the woods.”

My cheeks heated, and I glowered at her. Because they’dcome acrossus in the woods, Duncan and I hadn’t done anything to indicate suitability or anything else.

“To tend your wound,” Mom said, waving at my shoulder. “Come inside, if you like. I’ll get you something to drink and eat if you’re hungry.”

“I’m fine.” I laid the medallion on the porch railing for her. “I’ll wait in my truck for Duncan to come back.”

She raised her eyebrows. “I have dark chocolate with crunchy cacao nibs.”

That was the kind I’d given to the werewolf boy—to Duncan’s clone brother. I wondered if the kid had liked it or had been disappointed it wasn’t sweeter. I also wondered if Duncan would see his clone again tonight. The potion factory was the only place I could imagine him being called to.

“I’ve got my own.” I waved a curt goodnight and walked stiffly to my truck.

Maybe Mom had intended the chocolate as a peace offering, but I was still too disgruntled to accept it.

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