Page 21 of Wolf's Reckoning
Alpha Malric was dying. Her pack was fracturing. Now, strangers were circling like vultures around carrion.
Not on my fucking watch.
We broke through the tree line, and Blueridge Hollow packland came into view—rough, stone homes, built into the forest like they’d grown there. The air was thick with the scent of wolves, firewood, and something older.
Something much, much older.
Why is this place so fucking creepy?Killian asked me, his wolf alert for any sign of danger.
Because the pack is creepy.
You serious?he demanded.I thought you were exaggerating.
Wait until you meet the druid. Then tell me I’m exaggerating.
If some fucker tries to sacrifice me to Luna or some fuckingHollowthing, I will haunt you, Wolfe.
I stifled a laugh.We need to shift. You remember the plan?
Your plan sucks,Killian grumbled.
Answer yes or no; do you remember the plan?
Yes, I remember your sucky plan.His wolfish grin made me want to lunge for him and beat his ass.
I shifted, pulling the pack from Killian, and he changed to his human form. Quickly, we dressed in simple jeans and T-shirts. Killian looped the pack over his shoulder and looked at me in confusion when I didn’t move.
“What are you doing?” he whispered, his eyes running over me, checking me for injuries or Goddess only knows what.
“I’m preparing,” I grumbled back, hating that I needed this moment to collect myself.
Killian looked around. “Preparing for what? They attack, I will rip them in half.”
“Calm down, soldier,” I murmured. “I just need a second. It’s been a long time…”
I was a leader now. Analpha.I had my own people to look after; I didn’t need to be here to ensure that a woman I hadn’t seen in years was okay. She had a pack for that. Hell, she had herself. I was sure that age had only made Rowen even stronger, fiercer, and more independent than when I left.
And yet…here I was. Under the pretense of forming alliances, but really, I was just being a nosy bastard.
With a nod to Killian, I stepped out of the trees, and the two of us joined the trail that would lead to the open ground, visible to all.
I didn’t see her as we approached the hall.
But I smelled her.
Not fresh. Not close.
But recent enough to make my jaw clench.
Her scent hit like a punch to the gut—the wild wind and something warm and sharp underneath that smelled of vanilla mixed with orchid. Unmistakably Rowen.
My wolf stirred.
Killian glanced at me. “You good?”
“Fine,” I said. My voice was like sandpaper.
He didn’t push.
