Page 8 of Winning the Wolf

Handing me a small leather jacket, he nodded and finally spun to leave. Wait, why couldn’t he have just done that a few moments ago? Ugh. Men.

Shoving my arms in the jacket and my feet into my clean boots, I huffed and followed him out of the guest room. I’d wanted to go back to my apartment when we’d returned the night before, but Killick had insisted that it would save time if I stayed.

Killick’s long legs, which were encased in black jeans, strode across the landing and down the grand staircase. The soft grey carpet muffled my footsteps as I skipped down the stairs, pausing when I was halfway.

“This time,” Phileas hissed to his son in the hallway below, “keep her on track.”

They both glanced up at me as a breath left my lips. I wasn’t surprised they were frustrated by my tracking skills. I hadn’t ever had to chase my sister down before. Still, today was the day I had to find her, just for my own sanity.

“I’m ready.” I snarled, suddenly angry at the world and the two men who saw me as inferior.

Gliding down the rest of the stairs, I marched straight past them and out of the open front door.

The mansion was Georgian with a classic open entrance hallway that led to the study on the right and the dining room on the left. I’d not even looked through each door to check how many werewolves were milling around, not doubt judging me from the shadows.

The air hit my face, wiping the memory of the house from my mind. My attention refocused on Nyla and a shiver grasped my muscles. None of it made sense but today was a day for answers.

Killick’s scent hit me as I walked down the stone steps and headed for my car. We had brought it back with us the night before, knowing full well we would have to get an early morning start.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?” Killick asked, his eyebrows raised as we climbed into my car.

He eyed the dreamcatcher air freshener hanging from the mirror and shook his head. It was a protection ward, given to me by a witch in town. What was wrong with a little spell?

“Don’t tell me you’re scared of a little magic?”

A laugh shot from me as he frowned, a little too forcefully. “No.”

“Very well. I won’t tell you about the voodoo doll I have of you at home.”

“What?”

The smile that split my lips made him frown even harder. Some werewolves were suspicious of witches and vampires, afraid to engage with the other supernaturals. My sister and I had made many friends in town, inviting all people into our alternative coffee shop. We even had a physic witch who set up a stall within the side of our shop, selling her wares and giving readings. She was so much fun.

Starting the engine, I eased the car down the long driveway, which was bordered by pretty lawns all the way to the big gate at the end. Killick still looked at me from the corner of his eye. I wasn’t going to give him an answer. Better to let him squirm.

“Let’s talk about our plan of action,” he said when we were on the road, heading deeper into the woods. “My father’s team drove by your sister’s place as soon as he got the text, but there was no one home.”

“Did he really think she’d just sit on her couch, waiting for the pack to arrive?”

Killick’s scowl made me shrug. What? I was sick of being the outcast. If the bastards wanted to make me inferior, I would act it. Fuck them.

“I’ll check the property,” I said before he could answer, “and you can just… stand there looking broody.”

Steering into a small road, I kept my gaze focused on the small row of houses. Both Nyla and I had small properties near the woods at the bottom of the gorge. Most of the pack did. It allowed us access to shift and run whenever we wanted.

The eight cottages faced a small lake hidden by a line of trees. Nyla had refused to allow me to buy the cottage next door, even though we’d been glued to one another’s side since birth. Instead, I lived a mile up the road, deeper in the woods, completely surrounded by trees. I liked my silence, so it suited me well.

“We noticed that her car had gone.” Killick climbed out when I pulled up, not bothering to wait for me.

He walked ahead, going up the small pathway that led to my sister’s cottage. The air of arrogance that clung to him was as tight as the jeans and Tee he wore, although at least the denim didn’t cling to his legs. That was a big no-no in my eyes.

Following him, I stepped around him when he paused by the door and shoved my spare key in the lock. A slight panic gripped me as I pushed the door open and stepped into the hall. It was silent inside, only intensifying my nerves as we went into the living room.

“She’s not here,” I declared, sniffing the air.

The grey couch was immaculate, the material pristine and matching the carpet. My sister had always been the neat one, never allowing her home to get even a speck of dust before she cleaned it.

The stale stench of her scent meant I could date her absence to a couple of days, just as I suspected. Time to look for a reason she had followed the arsehole from the Dusk Moon Pack.