“Everything all right?” I asked.

  He glanced at me. “Fine.”

  “Talk to me.”

  “Honestly?”

  I set my bag down. “Of course.”

  “Sometimes I wish I lived in a normal pack.”

  “You mean one with a harsh alpha who demands unyielding obedience?”

  Dillon frowned. “I mean one that didn’t allow other species in.”

  “Did Ziamara use your hairspray again?”

  He glared at me. “No. I was taking a leak when your witch friend jumped through the mirror.”

  I held in a laugh, but a smile escaped.

  “It’s not funny,” he snapped.

  “No, I’m sure it wasn’t.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll talk to her about traveling through a different mirror.”

  “Yeah, well, tell her I hope she enjoyed the show, because that’s all she’s getting.” He stormed past me and went outside, slamming the door behind him.

  At least I never had to worry about life being boring. I sniffed the air and smelled the scent of a witch in the kitchen. It smelled like someone else was with her.

  I went into the kitchen. Brick was laughing with Gessilyn and Soleil. Gessilyn, as usual, looked more like a fitness instructor than a witch with her yoga pants, pink racerback tank top, and a blonde ponytail.

  They all stopped laughing when I came in.

  “Don’t stop on my account.” I went into the fridge and grabbed some juice. I sat next to Gessilyn. “Dillon says hi.”

  Her face flushed red. “I should probably place a rune on a different mirror for traveling here. You don’t mind, do you?”

  I chuckled. “The guys who use the downstairs bathroom would probably appreciate it.”

  “You won’t tell Killian about that, will you?”

  “Your secrets are safe with me, but he’ll probably find it funny, too.”

  “I know. That’s the problem.”

  “Did we miss something?” Soleil asked.

  “Nothing important.” I took a swig of my juice. “But something big did happen today.”

  “What?” Gessilyn asked.

  They all leaned closer.

  “Victoria accidentally called me Toby.” I could still hardly believe it. “I never told her my first name.”

  “Really?” Soleil asked. “You sure she didn’t find out some other way?”

  “I wouldn’t know, but she was so shaken up, she ran off.”

  “Do you think she remembers anything else?” Gessilyn’s eyes widened. “We might be getting close. Soleil filled me in on what she found out.”

  I turned to Soleil. “Did you find out anything new?”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t been able to talk to her alone, but I’ll keep trying.”

  “Does she remember anything else?” Gessilyn repeated.

  “I can only guess at this point. When I look into her eyes, I swear I see her wheels turning, but she won’t open up to me. I think we need to look into the jaguars some more.”

  Everyone nodded.

  “What do you know?” Gessilyn asked.

  “Aside from them being super rich?” Soleil asked.

  “I’ve heard some things,” Brick said.

  We all turned to him.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Rumor has it they practically rule certain parts of the world—well, the supernatural creatures, though their influence does seem to creep into human territory, too.”

  “Where?” Gessilyn asked.

  “Mostly Mexico and Central America, but as we’ve seen, they’re moving north.”

  “But what do they have to do with Victoria?” I exclaimed. “Are they behind her memory loss?”

  “That’s what it seems,” Gessilyn said. “Before you found her, all my locator spells came up with jaguars, remember? They seemed to be protecting her.”

  I frowned. “From me?”

  “Who knows?” Soleil asked. “It could be anything.”

  “Between us, we should be able to figure out something.” I stared at Gessilyn. “You’re learning new spells every day, right?”

  “It’s more complicated than that, but basically, yes.”

  I turned to Soleil. “And you can learn people’s secrets by drinking their essence.”

  “But I can’t get to what she doesn’t know.”

  “Can’t you find a way to get some jaguar essence? Like that one she was dancing with?” My stomach tightened at the memory.

  “They’re hard to get that close to. I can’t get it from across the room, and like I said, I can’t get into their club.”

  I turned to Gessilyn.

  “I’m not a jaguar.”

  “But you’re a witch. Can’t you concoct something?”

  “I can look into it. The problem is that I know so little about them. This is the first I’m aware of them being so far north. They’re probably going to hate how cold our winters are.”

  I sat back, feeling full of resolve. “Then I’m going there.”

  Brick’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do, sir?”

  “See what I can do. I won’t know until I try.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “I think I should go alone. Otherwise, they may feel threatened.”

  His face tensed. “Then I’m going to follow you, and watch from a distance. No way I’m letting you walk into that alone.”

  “I’ve already been there once.”

  “When?”

  “As a wolf.”

  “So, that’s where you went.”

  “And I’m going back, and I’m not leaving until I have some answers.”

  “Wait,” Gessilyn said. “Give me a chance to work on a spell for you. Do you want me to cloak you with invisibility? I’d offer to disguise you as one of them, but I’d need some jaguar blood.”

  My teeth gritted. “I’d gladly supply you with some.”

  Chapter 18

  Toby

  I crouched low at the edge of the woods. The building looked the same as I remembered it, though now I could read the sign. The Jag—how clever. At least I knew I had the right place.

  The parking lot was pretty empty. Just a few expensive cars sprinkled throughout.

  Jet sniffed the air. “Those jaguars have a strong odor.”

  Brick turned to me. “Sir, if we can smell them, they’ll be able to smell you. We’d better have Gessilyn whip up something to disguise your scent.”

  I shook my head. “There’s no time.” I sniffed the air. It didn’t appear Victoria was anywhere in the area, though I caught a faint trace, indicating that she’d been there recently—probably within the last day. “I need to go now.”

  Someone drove up and parked near the front. He got out and went to a door I hadn’t noticed. A bouncer let him in, disappearing inside, also.

  It was now or never. I rose and dusted some dirt off my pants. Then I headed for the building like I owned the place. I had more than enough money to start something like it if I wanted to, but I didn’t. I was happiest teaching and taking care of my pack. No, that wasn’t true. I was content. I wouldn’t be happy until Victoria was back at my side.

  As I walked across the parking lot, I could feel Brick’s and Jet’s gazes on my back. The others weren’t far behind. If I ran into trouble, at least I wasn’t alone.

  My skin prickled with excitement. I was on the hunt and in my element. My ears were hyper-aware of every sound. All the smells intensified. My muscles prepared themselves for action, whether it be running or fighting.

  I approached the door, and it opened before I reached it.

  A tall, dark, muscular man stepped outside. He frowned and crossed his arms and turned his nose down. “We don’t allow your kind here.”

  “I need to speak with someone.”

  “Then call and make an appointment.”

  I stopped about a foot from him and shook my head. “No, I need to talk now.”

  He glowered at me. “To whom, exactly?”

  “Whoever’s in charge.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “Not if you don’t give me a name.”

  We stared each other down. I tried glancing inside, behind him.

  He closed the door behind his back, leaving it open only a crack. “No name, no entrance.”

  “Can I leave a message for the person in charge?”

  “Sure, tell me who and I’ll gladly pass it along.”

  “It’s regarding Victoria.”

  His eyes widened, but then he quickly recovered, returning to his stoic expression. “So, you want to leave a message for Victoria? She’s hardly in charge.”

  “No, I can speak to her myself. I’m sure you’ll tell your boss about this conversation whether or not I tell you his name. You can tell him that I’m not going to back down until her memories are restored. She deserves to know her past.”

  He seemed to be fighting to keep his expression resolute. “You need to leave.”

  “Assure me you’ll pass it along.”

  “I promise you nothing.” His brows came together. “Leave before we have to escort you and your wolves off our property.”

  I didn’t flinch at the mention of my pack in the woods. “This isn’t the last your boss will hear from me. Pass that along.” I spun around and marched into the woods until I was out of sight from the club.

  Brick, Sal, and Jet hurried over to me.

  “What’s going on?” Sal asked. “Do you need me to tear them apart?”

  I shook my head. “I’m going to sneak in.”

  “Sir?” Brick exclaimed. “Is that such a good idea?”

  Jet and Sal looked at me like I was crazy.

  When I was a wolf, I saw what I’m pretty sure is a staff entrance.

  Sal growled. “I don’t like it.”

  “Me, neither,” Brick said. “You’ve already spoken with that bouncer. He’s sure to pass along the message. I doubt he’s going to let it sit that a wolf tried to come in.”

  “As do I,” I agreed. “But I can’t just walk away. I need to get inside and find out what’s going on.”

  “You don’t think they’ll smell you a mile away?” Sal asked. “They probably know we’re all out here.”

  “What am I supposed to do, then?”

  “Wait and see what they do,” Sal said. “Give them a chance to come to you.”

  “No. I’ve waited long enough for Victoria. Those jaguars have some kind of hold on her, and I need to find out what.”

  “Then I’m going in with you,” Sal said. “I can’t let you do this alone.”

  “Don’t encourage him,” Jet said. He turned to me. “You have the pack to think about, too. Not just Victoria.”

  I glared at him.

  “She’s fine, right?” Jet asked. “They’re not hurting her.”

  “No, they’ve just stolen all her memories,” I snapped.

  “I mean she’s safe. In no imminent danger.”

  “That we know of. I’m going in.”

  Jet’s nostrils flared. “This is a bad idea. I feel it in my bones. You said Gessilyn’s working on something, right? Have some patience. That’s what you always tell us.”

  I stared at him, hating that he was using my own advice against me.

  “Look, I don’t want to see you get hurt. Especially before you have a chance to get back together with Victoria.”

  A low growl escaped my throat. My wolf urged me to get in there and fight for our wolfess. We were only half an alpha without her on our side. If it were possible to shift right then, I would have. Instead, I burst into a run, heading for the backside of the building where I recalled seeing someone take the trash out.

  Footsteps sounded behind me. I didn’t want to bring anyone else in with me. Not only would I be putting them in danger, but it would make our wolf scent twice as strong.

  I stopped and spun around. Jet nearly ran into me. He skidded to a stop only inches from me. “You go, I go.”

  “I order you to stay back. This is my fight.”

  “We’re a pack. That’s stronger than family. You’re stuck with me.”

  “No. Go back and check on the others at home. Ziamara needs you.”

  “You need me more right now.”

  Sometimes wolf loyalty had serious drawbacks. “I’m going. You’re not. End of discussion.” I narrowed my eyes and stared him down until he looked to the ground in submission.

  “Okay, but know I don’t like it.”

  “Noted.”

  He glanced up at me. “And I’m going to keep watch from the woods.”

  “Great.”

  “If I even sense trouble, I’m going in.”

  I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t turn down backup. “Not if you sense it. You have to be sure of it.” I glowered at him until his nose faced the ground again.

  “Fine.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  Brick and Sal caught up.

  “What’s going on?” asked Sal.

  “Make sure he stays down unless I’m in trouble.”

  They both stared at me.

  “I mean it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I spun around and ran toward the dumpster before anyone could try to talk me out of it. Once there, I hid behind it and glanced at the building. The dance hall was empty and dimmed. I scanned the building, nearly missing the entrance. It was tucked behind some delivery trucks and on each side sat stacks of lumber.

  Glancing back, I could see my three pack mates at the edge of the woods. I took another look all around. There were no jaguars in sight.

  This was my chance. I crept out of my hiding spot and ran over to the door. I pulled on the handle, but it didn’t budge. Biting back a curse, I tried again.

  Nothing.

  I’d come too far to give up now.

  The others watched from a distance. They’d moved closer to the edge. Jet waved me back.

  “Over my dead body,” I muttered. Gessilyn and Soleil could continue trying to find answers, but I was done waiting for them.

  I knocked on the door and then scurried behind some lumber.

  A minute later, the door opened. A guy with a chef’s hat opened the door and looked around. He closed it before I had a chance to decide what I was going to do.

  I went over and knocked again. This time, I hid where the door would open and hide me.

  The door opened, nearly ramming into me.

  “Who’s there?” the chef demanded. “Smells like roadkill out here.”

  I shoved the door, slamming it into him. He stumbled and I jumped in front of him.

  “What the—?”

  “Sweet dreams.” I grabbed at his hat and shoved his head against the wall.

  His eyes closed and he crumpled to the ground.

  I couldn’t have done that to the front guard, so luckily the cook was easy to take care of. I had no idea what to expect with whoever I ran into inside.

  Stepping over him, I went inside and closed the door, making sure it locked behind me. I was in a hallway littered with brooms, mops, buckets, and other cleaning supplies. It smelled like dirty laundry and wet towels. I stepped in puddles of what I hoped to be water as I made my way down the hall.

  The smell of jaguar—musky and catlike—grew stronger as I came to a wider area. Food aromas came from the left, making my mouth water. To the right, cigar smoke tickled my nose and masculine laughter sounded.

  I followed the sounds until the white tile turned into a dark carpeting and bright lights gave way to smaller, dimmed ones. I came to a doorway, where laughter and conversation bellowed.

  The door was cracked, so I peeked in, careful not to be seen. I couldn’t see much, but I did see part of an intricately decorated chandelier and the corner of a table which appeared to be etched with gold decorations.

  Footsteps sounded from inside and I jumped back, ducking down an adjoining darkened hallway. A couple waiters walked past silently, carrying platters of empty plates. I followed them a little ways, but stopped.

  She was nearby.

  I sniffed the air. It was definitely her. I’d know that sweet aroma anywhere. I crept down a dimmed hallway until I came to an empty restaurant. Judging by the air, she was close and she wasn’t alone.

  Following the scent led me to a booth in a back corner.

  Victoria sat with the same well-built guy—a jaguar. He was holding her hand and gazing into her eyes.

  Inside me, my wolf howled. I struggled to keep myself from growling. I moved a little closer, careful not to be seen.

  Her face and arms were scratched and bruised.

  What had he done to her?

  My wolf clawed to get out—not that he could no matter how much either of us wanted to shift. I restrained myself from attacking the kid.

  Maybe whatever had happened to her hadn’t been at his hands. Victoria didn’t seem uncomfortable around him. In fact, she seemed entirely too comfortable.

  I studied her cuts and bruises. They didn’t appear too bad, as if she’d been through something life-threatening. Maybe a tumble.

  Oh, how I wanted to ask her what had happened but that would have to wait until tomorrow if she would even be willing to tell me. The way she’d run off earlier made me nervous about her opening up to me again.

  Footsteps sounded, heading toward their table from another direction. I headed back the way I came from without any fewer questions that when I’d started. Having seen her, I had even more.

  “There he is!”

  I spun around. The chef I’d knocked out pointed to me.

  Two men twice his size ran at me.

  I had nowhere to go.

  Chapter 19

  Victoria

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Carter asked.

  I glanced up from my laptop and nodded. “Really, it’s just a few scratches. I’m fine.”

  “Promise me you won’t go jogging in the woods.” His eyes filled with concern. “You could’ve really gotten hurt.”

  “I promise I won’t go running in the woods barefoot again.”

  His mouth crooked. “How about you won’t go in alone?”

  “I like running in nature.”

  “What are you going to do when it starts to rain for days on end?” He reached across the table and took my hand, rubbing his thumb across my knuckles.