This was just another reason I was ready to walk away from all of it. I didn’t want to be in the middle of a feud between packs. I wasn’t cut out for this kind of stuff.

  Before I had to think of a reply, we arrived at a cabin identical to Embry’s, but it had colorful flowers planted around the edges of the house.

  Embry knocked on the door and Serene answered. “About damn time. What was Kyle doing here?”

  “Being nosy. I’m sure there was an ulterior motive, but I couldn’t figure out what. Hopefully, Roman did,” Embry answered as we moved inside.

  Beatrix was standing at the table with several bowls in front of her. “Where is the mate?” she asked.

  “He got tied up,” Embry answered.

  Beatrix looked at me. “How much time did you spend with him?”

  “Almost an hour.”

  “Did you get close to him?” she asked, and my cheeks blushed. “That’s answer enough for me. Come here.”

  “You’re going to tell me all about that when we’re done here.” Embry snickered as I moved toward the witch.

  I most certainly was not.

  Beatrix took my blood again. This time, I knew the blade was coming and looked away while she did her thing. She healed me again without asking, and I thanked her even though she’d caused the injury.

  “How long until you know something?” Embry asked as I stepped back.

  Beatrix didn’t answer. She dipped the blood-soaked dagger into one of the pots, then swirled it around. Purple smoke filtered into the air, moving in slow circles. She then stirred the other two pots and spooned some of the liquid from each into a fourth one.

  As she did, the smoke lessened from the first bowl and changed colors on the last, going from blue to green to fuchsia. “What does that mean?” I asked.

  Beatrix held up a hand, not answering any questions. She was starting to annoy me, but I was smart enough to keep my thoughts to myself.

  Minutes later, there was no more smoke, and Beatrix finally looked at me. “I won’t know your bloodline until after I’m back home. Ancestral tracking isn’t something that can be done quickly, but you’re definitely not human.”

  “That’s super helpful. Thank you so much.” My words dripped with sarcasm.

  “But you’re also not a wolf shifter,” she added.

  “How can she be Roman’s true mate if she’s not a shifter?” Embry asked.

  Beatrix smirked. “I never said she wasn’t a shifter. Just not a wolf.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  The witch didn’t answer right away. Instead, she focused again on the bowls and dipped her fingers into the one that put off the purple smoke. “You have the magic of a shifter, but you do not contain an animal within you. I’ve only heard legends of such a being before.” She paused and lifted a finger covered in my blood to her mouth.

  Oh, God. She was going to taste it. There were a lot of things I’d felt like I’d done a good job at accepting, but this was not going to be one of them.

  Sure enough, Beatrix licked her crimson fingertips and hummed. “So much pure energy. You’re lucky I’m a good witch.”

  “What are the stories, and what do they have to do with Cait?” Embry asked.

  “Centuries ago, it’s said that a being existed who could shift into any animal. Their soul was not bound to one and they lived without a pack, protecting the humans until a group of dark supernaturals attacked the being and stole the energy for themselves,” Beatrix answered.

  “Did this being die?” I asked.

  “Nobody knows. Like I said, these are just legends. We don’t even know if the being was a woman or man, but your blood was even stronger after being with Roman, so I’m not certain this is what you could be.”

  “Wouldn’t stronger be better?” Embry asked.

  Beatrix shook her head. “Not stronger as in more powerful, but as in Cait felt more like a wolf than anything else. I assume if she stays with Roman, then she will gravitate toward your wolf ways, and if she chooses not, then she’s in for the fight of her life.”

  The way the witch spoke about me as if I wasn’t there should have pissed me off, but I couldn’t focus on anger.

  “Is there a way to get the energy out of me?” I asked, trying not to sound hopeful.

  “With the right setting, there’s a possibility, but you can’t take power from someone without consequence. I would have to absorb it, and that’s not something I need to deal with right now,” Beatrix answered.

  “Wouldn’t it only make you stronger?” Embry asked.

  “A smart witch knows that stronger isn’t always better. I have no desire to draw that kind of attention. I prefer the slow build and to keep my business my own.”

  “But someone else could. Someone could find me and take the energy, then do whatever they wanted,” I said as a realization I didn’t care for set in.

  Beatrix nodded. “They could and, if they weren’t careful, there’s no guarantee you’d survive. Mixing witch and shifter magic isn’t recommended, for many reasons that usually end with death. If you want me to figure out another solution as to where your energy goes, I’ll be happy to test some theories, but as I said, you might not like the results.”

  Yeah, I bet she’d have been ecstatic to make me her guinea pig. Too bad for the witch, I didn’t feel like testing fate when it came to my life.

  As much as I didn’t want to be supernatural, I also didn’t want to be dead.

  22

  Roman

  Pretending Cait meant nothing to me was harder than I thought it would be, but I knew it was going to be necessary as soon as I saw Kyle. What hurt me the most, though, was how I’d gotten no reaction out of Cait when I did so.

  There wasn’t a sign of hurt on her face when I’d said she was nothing. It was as if my opinion of her meant nothing, and that was worse than what I expected.

  I wanted to kill Kyle for touching Cait, but starting a war between our two territories was the last thing we needed. I had no doubt our pack would come out on top, but we’d still lose in ways none of us wanted to deal with.

  “You’re smart to send that fae mutt off. Those bastards are tricky supes. You should watch your back,” Kyle said, and I let out a bitter laugh.

  “I appreciate the concern.”

  He shrugged. “You know, if you trusted us and we worked together, our wolves could be the most powerful in the world.”

  “And why would I need to be the most powerful?” I asked.

  “Do you not fear being challenged again?” he countered.

  “You mean am I afraid my own grandfather will try to have me killed again? If Cohen wants to keep coming for our territory, I’ll be here to protect it. You’re welcome to remind him of that when you run on home,” I said, keeping my voice even. Kyle wanted to rile me. He wanted to know he could get under my skin, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he was anything but an annoyance.

  Kyle grinned. “Oh, I’ll be sure to tell him of everything I’ve seen while I’ve been here.”

  “And how long has that been?” I asked.

  We had a group of guards that circled the lands we occupied most but relied on video surveillance and motion sensors that alerted us to any movements. It was the only downside to having so much territory to protect. There were a lot of ways for people to get through.

  “Oh, not long. Now, where is Auntie Mo Mo?” Kyle asked, using my mother’s childhood name. One she despised to this day, because her father had always called her that.

  “She’s busy. I think it’s time for you to leave,” I said.

  “Who’s busy? Me?” Sam’s voice called from the stairs.

  Kyle stiffened. He and Sam had history, and not the wholesome, family kind.

  “Nice to see you, Kyle. How’s the arm?” Sam asked as she joined me at my side.

  “Better than ever. How’s your mouth? Still in need of—” Kyle said, but she cut him off.

  “If you want to keep your balls attached, I wouldn’t finish that sentence,” Sam warned.

  Kyle winked at me. “Might be worth it.”

  Sam lunged for him, and I grabbed on to her arms. “Definitely not worth it,” I said to her.

  She snarled at him. “One of these days, I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t be able to forget.”

  “I look forward to it, sweetheart.” Kyle blew her a kiss before walking out the door.

  Sam turned to me. “Let me kill him. Please.”

  “Not today. Not on our pack lands. Find him in a dark alley and he’s all yours,” I said, moving to follow Kyle. I didn’t want eyes off of him until he was long gone.

  I need the guards in the woods. I want updates every minute until this piece of shit is off our land, I said to Vaughn mentally.

  Already on it, boss. I called in everyone, and we’ve got wolves every half mile on the road leading out of here, and each one will move ahead as Kyle passes. We won’t let him out of our sight, Vaughn replied.

  Where did he come in at? I asked since Kyle had found us in the forest area.

  Southwest corner and down the county road. Came in on foot and knew where all the sensors were or got lucky. We’ll be moving them tonight and adding another dozen, Vaughn replied.

  “Kyle?” I called out as he nearly reached the woods.

  He turned back but didn’t say anything.

  “The next time you come on my property uninvited, I will treat you as a trespasser. This is the only warning you’ll get.”

  He shook his head. “That’s no way to treat family, Roman. As I said before, it’s bound to bite you in the ass. Just remember I tried to warn you as well.”

  “About what?”

  “About turning your back on blood,” he replied before shifting and racing off into the trees.

  Something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what. We needed to prepare for another challenge, or possibly a bigger fight. Cohen wanted something from our pack, and I wasn’t going to give it to him.

  Sam and my mom came out. “What did he want?” Mom asked.

  “Not sure. Asked about the Tuttle property and you several times, actually,” I replied.

  Mom glanced past me, toward the tree line, and whispered, “Did he see her?”

  “Unfortunately, Julie was around. He knew she was a fae hybrid,” I answered louder than necessary.

  Sam laughed. “Well, at least he’s smarter than he looks.”

  “The sooner she’s gone, the better. How long does Embry expect to keep her here?” Mom asked, and I was glad they were all catching on.

  When we were in human form, our hearing only went so far, but in wolf form, it stretched for miles if we wanted. Kyle could still be listening, and this was the smartest play to keep him from coming back anytime soon.

  “Just another few days from the sounds of it,” I answered before gesturing for all of us to go inside.

  Beatrix tested Cait’s blood again. Is Kyle gone? Embry’s voice sounded in my head.

  Vaughn is giving updates by the minute. He’s almost at the south edge of the property. Stay where you are. I’ll come to you, I replied.

  We should have hunted him and tore his throat out for touching what’s ours, my wolf hissed.

  That would have only brought war and you know it, I replied.

  But I would have felt better.

  I sighed. Only temporarily, I promise you that.

  He huffed in reply and quieted down.

  Once we were back inside, I turned to my mother and Sam. “I want the two of you to stay inside until Kyle is far from here. He came here for more than one reason and I don’t like that he was asking about you, Mom.”

  “I’m not afraid of them. I’ve stood up to Cohen plenty of times and I’ll do it again. He won’t ever get what he wants from this pack," she answered.

  “Damn right, he won’t. Why didn’t you get me when Kyle got here?” My dad came from the hallway. “I can smell him in the house.”

  “Listen, I handled it and I don’t have time for more questions right now. I need to get to Serene’s and see Cait,” I said, trying not to let the anxiety choke me from being away from her and knowing Kyle was still so close.

  “Go find your mate, Son. We’ll catch up soon. I’ve got things here,” Dad said.

  I nodded and headed out the back door, shifting as soon as my feet hit the grass. Run, I told my wolf, and he had no problem complying.

  By the time I got to Serene’s cabin, Beatrix was gone, which only slightly disappointed me. Hopefully, Embry asked enough questions before the witch disappeared.

  When my eyes landed on Cait’s, I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms, but then I remembered I was in my wolf form and she’d never seen me this way.

  They were standing outside, and I slowed down, trotting for Cait.

  She tensed up, and I hated that she was afraid.

  “It’s just Roman,” Embry said.

  “Oh,” was all Cait said, but she didn’t run away, so I moved closer to her, wondering if she’d treat me differently in this form.

  Of course she will. I’m more handsome than you, my wolf said.

  I couldn’t deny that my wolf was striking. Not because I was cocky, but because of the two-tone color of his coat. He was a rich silver on top, and the underneath fur was an ebony color. Most wolves were only one color with offsetting markings. My wolf enjoyed being unique.

  He nudged her hand, forcing it on top of his head.

  “Oh, that’s softer than I expected,” Cait said, making Embry and Serene laugh.

  Cait’s hand stroked my wolf’s head, and he wrapped his body around her. Don’t push her, I warned, not wanting to scare Cait.

  My wolf ignored me, and I tried not to be irritated when she dug her fingers into his coat and gave him a good scratch. A rumble left his chest, and Cait jumped back.

  “What was that?” she asked, pressing herself against the house.

  “You ruin any of my flowers and you’re going to find a different reason to be scared,” Serene huffed, shooing Cait away from the precious garden.

  Alright, she’s had enough, I said to my wolf as I took back control.

  He relented easily, and I was back on two legs within seconds. “Sorry about that. He was excited.”

  My wolf growled at me. Don’t make me sound like a child. I’m centuries old.

  Yeah, that isn’t going to help your case, either, I replied, trying to keep the smile off my face.

  Cait’s eyes were wide. “You just… changed.”

  “Would you have rather I stayed a wolf?” I asked.

  “No. I mean, I don’t care. That was just, well, unexpected,” she replied.

  “Cait hasn’t seen anyone shift yet,” Embry added.

  I wanted to tell her she needed to get used to it, but I knew she was trying to pull away from me. I didn’t need to give her any more reasons to do so by talking down to her.

  23

  Cait

  What in the actual fuckery? I hadn’t been prepared for Roman to be a wolf one minute and man in the next. My eyes blinked rapidly, trying to understand what I’d seen.

  I’d been admiring his remarkable silver fur that was coarse on top and surprisingly soft underneath, then the next, I was pressed against the cabin without thinking my actions through.

  A growl had slipped from the wolf, and I’d thought I’d done something wrong, but now that I’d had a minute to think about it, maybe that had been his way of purring like a cat.

  After that, the wolf had started to shimmer, and I heard bones pop while my eyes tried to focus on all the things happening in just a couple of seconds. Fur disappeared, replaced by skin, and then clothes. I tried to remind myself I needed to be grateful that Roman wasn’t naked, but it was harder than I liked.

  He stepped toward me cautiously with his hands relaxed at his sides. “Tell me what happened with Beatrix.”

  The change in conversation was welcome, but also reminded me of my limited options. Basically, death or arranged marriage. I was having a great day.

  “She said I’m a shifter, but I don’t have an animal and there’s a chance I could take the form of a different species if I chose to be on my own,” I said.

  “Chose? Like if you left the pack?” he asked as his kissable lips downturned. Damn him for being sexy.

  “Yes,” I answered, my chest rising and falling rapidly as he moved closer.

  “But if she leaves the pack, she could have the power within her sucked out and possibly die,” Serene added, and I glared at her. “If he’s going to know, he needs to know everything.”

  She wasn’t wrong, but I wouldn’t have worded it so callously. I already knew Roman was an overprotective man. If he had any idea I wanted to leave, he’d never let me out of his sight, and I wasn’t going to be a prisoner here.

  Embry joined my side, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Cait isn’t going anywhere. These are all just assumptions. Beatrix couldn’t be certain what Cait is, and to me that’s a good thing. If a witch as powerful as her didn’t figure it out and Kyle assumed that she was fae, then it means we have a chance at keeping her safe. That’s what’s most important here.”

  Roman nodded. “Yes. You’re right, Embry.” He took a step back and met my eyes. “So, you’ll stay?”

  I didn’t want to lie to him. There was a physical ache within my chest at the thought of doing so. “For now,” I answered, because that was all I could promise.

  The frown lines on his face deepened, but he didn’t push the subject.

  “It’s been a day, and I’m getting tired. If we’re all done here, I’d like to go rest,” I said. My mind was spent, and I had a lot to think about after Beatrix’s ominous words.

  “I was hoping we could work together today,” Serene said.