Page 82 of Wulf's Pack
“How?” I demand.
The man stiffens and clenches his jaw while his daughter flinches back. “I’m sorry,” I say quickly, kicking myself for scaring the girl. I don’t mean to bark, but I’m hanging on by a thread, and this tiny bit of hope is stirring my wolf’s emotions. “I’m just a bit stressed. My wolf is on edge.” I take a breath and try again. “How do you think you could help?”
The man hesitates, trying to gauge my sincerity and if I pose a threat. After a moment, he sighs and puts his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “I’m Dennis Madsen. This is my daughter, Abigail. She’s young, but her magic is strong. She’s not had formal training, but she’s got a natural talent for scrying. Unless your mate is being hidden by a powerful sorcerer, Abby can probably find her.”
My wolf nearly explodes from my chest. My hope’s not far behind his. “Scrying.” I haven’t considered that possibility.
Dennis nods. “It’s not easy magic, but Abby has an affinity for divination.”
The plot thickens. Divination is a truly rare gift. It’s mostly given to shamans, but on the extremely rare occasion, a sorcerer or sorceress will be touched by the fates. Divination manifests a little differently in each person. Some have visions. Some dream walk. Others scry. Without a natural gift for divination, scrying is nearly impossible. It’s a coveted power that people will pay handsomely for.
I narrow my eyes at the man, trying to discern his motivations. I don’t love that he’s volunteering his daughter like this. Why? What does he want? Money? Does he use his daughter often?
Dennis accurately guesses the reason for my disapproval. “I don’t use my daughter. It was her idea. She saw the news and wants to help.”
My brows fly up. He’s not lying. I turn my attention to the girl. “Abigail?”
When the girl meets my eyes, I give her a smile. “Is it Abigail, or do you prefer Abby?”
The question surprises her. She glances at her dad, then says, “I like Abby.”
I smile again. She’s nervous, but I don’t scent real fear. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby. I’m Wulf.”
Her eyes widen, and I chuckle. It’s a response I’ve gotten my whole life. “Yes. Wulf the werewolf. I know, it’s silly.” I bring my hand to my mouth and lean forward as if to share a secret. “My parents thought they were funnier than they really were.”
The girl finally cracks a smile. “They are funny. I like it.”
“That’s because it’s notyourname,” I tease, making her giggle.
Beside her, Dennis relaxes.
“How old are you, Abby?”
“Nine.”
“Nine? And you already know how to scry? You must be a powerful sorceress.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t know any other sorcerers to tell me.”
There’s melancholy in her tone that shouldn’t be present in such a young girl. It makes me even more curious about her story. Where is her mother? I want to ask, but I also don’t want to get distracted. “Why do you want to help me, Abby? You don’t know me.”
She looks at me, and her innocent, little face is so earnest when she says, “A bad man kidnapped your mate. My mom was kidnapped by a bad man too. She died.” Abby’s eyes fill with tears, and she whispers, “I don’t want your mate to die like my mom.”
Dennis chokes. I glance sharply at him. His face is white as a ghost, and his eyes gloss over with tears. He looks utterly devastated, though I’m not sure if it’s sadness for the loss of his mate or for the emotional distress of his much-too-empathic daughter.
My chest tightens. Abby is so much like Skylar. So selfless and compassionate. So concerned about others and willing to help.
“She must be so scared,” Abby says. “I can find her. Please let me help.”
There’s no way I can deny her. I share a long look with Dennis, and I know he can’t say no to her either. “Would it hurt her?” I ask him. “Or put her in danger in any way?”
Dennis shakes his head. “She’s done it many times.”
“And you’re okay with her doing it?”
He looks at his daughter, and his throat bobs. When he meets my eyes again, they fill with determination. “If it were anyone but you, I wouldn’t have brought her.”
I rear back in surprise. “Me? What have I done to deserve such trust?”
