Chosen Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  “Guess it’s just you and me,” Jet said.

  “Looks like it.”

  He twisted his head to the left, making his neck crack. “I can’t tell you how much I wish we could turn at will. I hate being stuck in this slow form.”

  “Tell me about it.” I glanced outside at the circle of witches around the dead body. “Unfortunately, other things take precedence.”

  Jet muttered something under his breath.

  “I’m sure the guy out there isn’t too happy, either.”

  “Let’s just go. I want to hear what Tap has to say.”

  “You and me both.” I glanced at Brick. “If anyone hears from the ladies, call us right away.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  I sighed as we made our way outside.

  “Are you worried about them, too?” Jet asked.

  “Yes, but I’m sure they’re fine. The body and the dark magic is probably getting the best of us. They’re probably having the time of their lives.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  It bothered me that we both had our concerns, but with everything going on, it made sense our nerves were on edge.

  “Maybe we should ask another witch to look into breaking the curse of the moon,” Jet said as we jogged through the thick woods.

  “Others have, and they’ve all failed,” I said. “Each and every one of them. Gessilyn and her family are our best bet.”

  “When’s that going to happen? Seems like things keep coming up.”

  “Figuring out why Victoria can’t shift is more important. The rest of us aren’t in any danger because of the curse. It would be more convenient if we could choose when to shift, but we can’t.”

  “I know that. I’m not saying she shouldn’t be the priority over breaking the curse, but think about this. What if by breaking the moon’s curse, she’s finally able to turn along with the rest of us? The general moon curse might break her individual curse, too.”

  I paused, considering and then doubting the theory. “It’s possible, but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. She needs to let her wolf out as soon as possible. The rest of us can wait—we’ve waited this long.”

  “But—”

  “I’m done discussing it, Jet. As soon as Victoria’s safe—and she’s not now while she’s unable to turn—then we’ll focus our priorities.”

  He cleared his throat. “I understand. Will you give me permission to find someone else who can try to help us out with the curse?”

  “Someone better than the high witch and her family?” I grew irritated. “No, and I need you to drop it. That dead body could be a curse, now unleashed. It’s the only reason Gessilyn is pausing her search for Victoria’s personal curse.”

  “But Ziamara has connections. She—”

  A low growl rumbled from my throat. “I asked you to back off. I have the same connections she does with the vampire queen, but vampires aren’t witches.”

  “I’m talking about the dragons. They have their own breed of magic, and their own system of high witches.”

  “And from what I understand, they’ve burned some bridges. Drop it.”

  “You won’t consider it? Really?”

  “Jet, when you agreed to join my pack, you chose to accept my leadership. Just because I’m for peace and against the traditional ruling structure of packs doesn’t mean I’m going to be a pushover. I’m still alpha. If it turns out you can’t accept that, perhaps you should consider returning home.” It pained me to say it, but I couldn’t deal with the constant power struggles of a born-alpha as my second-in-command.

  “You and I both know I can’t go back. Not after turning down my position as alpha. My younger brother would never give it up, and besides, they won’t accept a vampire into the pack.”

  “So, you’ll respect my leadership?” I stopped and turned to him.

  He skidded to a stop and stared at me. “I already do. I’m just asking you to consider something else. The dragons live in their own underground world that contains a magic of its own.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of their cities. They, too, have had their own restructuring of leadership since death’s doors opened up and released so many.”

  His eyes widened. “Wait.”

  I groaned. “What now? My patience is wearing thin.”

  “That body couldn’t have been there very long, right? Not with the other side having opened so recently.”

  A headache formed at the base of my skull. I rubbed the back of my neck. “No one rose from their graves. They stepped out from one side to the other. And again, we’re dealing with black magic. I’m going to talk with Tap. You can either come with me, or you can go back to the house. We’re not bringing in vampires or dragons at this point. Understood?”

  He scowled. “Yes.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I’m serious, Yamamoto.”

  Jet flinched at being called by his last name.

  “If you go behind my back, you’re going to have to explain to your wife why you two are moving out.”

  “Will you think about it?”

  I took a deep breath. “I’m going to the Faeble. Maybe you should go home and think hard about what you want from life.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “Okay.” I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. Turning to any other species wasn’t a box I was prepared to open yet. We already had enough on our plate, and I didn’t want to add in anything to complicate the situation. Although, if Victoria didn’t turn soon, I might have no other choice except to turn to anyone available. One of the vampire queen’s daughters had married a dragon king, and Jet was right about that species having a magic all its own.

  We ran the rest of the way to the supernatural bar in silence. The scents of other creatures grew stronger as we neared it. My body relaxed with each step toward the building. Tap would know what to do. The tough little troll who’d stepped down from his own role of leadership to run the bar was a wealth of knowledge not only because of how old he was, but because of the great number of supernaturals he talked to on a given day.

  Jet and I went around the little building to the entrance. Bright lights and loud music greeted us. One of the main rooms was full of teenagers dancing and eating.

  I went over to the bar and took a seat. Tap and Quinn ran around, busily making drinks, not seeming to notice my presence. Jet sat next to me.

  “Did we come at a bad time?” I asked.

  Tap turned to me with a harried expression. “A djinn is having her sweet sixteen.”

  “Though it’s anything but sweet,” Quinn added. “They’re as wild as any creature comes.”

  “And thirsty.” Tap added another drink to a round tray and handed it to Quinn. “Take this over. I’ll work on the next round.”

  “Maybe we should come back,” I said.

  Jet shot me a look that said he thought I was crazy. “I’m not letting some blood-thirsty, teenage genies push us out of here.”

  I snorted. Djinn were hardly genies—at least not in the popular sense of the word. They looked just like anyone else, but as soon as they needed their powers, their skin turned purple and spiky.

  “I’ll get to you two,” Tap told Jet, pouring some faerie dust into a purple, sparkly drink. “Just give me a minute. I need to get their orders first. The last thing I want is an angry djinn.”

  “Can’t you make them grant you wishes?” Jet asked.

  “Human myth,” Tap said. “You’ll never see a genie in a bottle, kid. These creatures live in caves and have a poisonous touch.” He shuddered.

  “They’re that deadly?” Jet asked, eying the party.

  “A djinn’s poison is worse than death—unless you can escape.” Tap added the last drink to the tray and hurried away.

  Quinn came back a moment later. “They’re crazy! A couple started flirting with me. One nearly touched me!”

  Jet arched a brow. “What would happen if they did?”

  Quinn came over to t
he bar and leaned over it, whispering. “They’ll turn your mind into an alternate reality. It’s almost impossible to escape without outside help. There are rumors of people dragged into their caves, spending centuries in their own minds, believing that they’re living out their worst nightmares.”

  “And Tap lets them in?” Jet exclaimed.

  “These ones are supposed to be good, only using their poison against evildoers.” Quinn scrunched his face. “I can’t say that I trust them.” He stood up tall and spoke in a normal tone. “What can I get you two?”

  “How about out of here?” Jet muttered.

  I rolled my eyes. “I’ll have that rainbow glitter drink that Soleil likes.”

  Jet snickered. “Turning soft?”

  “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

  “Some other time.”

  Quinn turned to Jet. “What do you want?”

  Jet glanced over at the djinns. “The strongest thing you have.”

  “Coming right up.” He turned around and started mixing the drinks.

  Tap came over and stood up on his platform to make him appear taller. “I think that’ll hold them for a little while. What’s on your mind, Toby?”

  “That obvious?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “I can read you like a book, my friend. Still trying to find that cure for Victoria?”

  I nodded. “But that’s not the worst of it. We’ve got a dead body on my property.”

  “Oh?” Tap asked.

  “It’s shrouded in black magic.”

  The troll’s eyes widened and his face paled.

  My stomach twisted tighter than before. “What?” But I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

  Tap opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Soleil ran around the corner, her eyes wild.

  “What are you doing here?” I exclaimed. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Seattle?”

  “We have a problem.”

  Chapter 10

  Toby

  I stared back and forth between Soleil and Tap, both of whom had horrified expressions.

  “You first,” I told Soleil.

  She pulled hair behind her ears and swallowed. “Don’t freak out, but—”

  “I think you just assured he will,” Jet said.

  Soleil glared at him. “Shut it, would you?” She turned to me and glanced at Tap before looking at me. “Like I said, don’t freak.”

  “I’m going to if you don’t tell me!”

  “Victoria’s missing.”

  My mouth dropped open.

  “What do you mean by ‘missing’?” Tap asked.

  My mind spun, trying to make sense of it. “Did she wander off? Was she kidnapped?”

  Soleil twisted hair around a finger. “She and Ziamara smelled werewolf. Then something spooked Victoria, and she bolted. She was already out of sight before I realized what happened. We all ran after her, but the city is a big place.”

  “Is Ziamara safe?” Jet sprung off his stool.

  “Yeah. She’s with the other girls. They were going to keep looking, and then report Victoria’s disappearance to the police.”

  The room spun around me. I’d just gotten her back, and now she was gone? Once she returned, I was never going to let her out of my sight again. Ever. I pulled myself from the stool.

  “Do you know anything about the werewolf?” Tap asked.

  Soleil shook her head. “I never saw him.”

  “You couldn’t smell him?” Jet asked.

  She shook her head. “That’s not how I work.”

  “How exactly do you work?” I asked.

  “I drink people’s essence, remember? That’s how I find out most everything I need to know. I can sense things like black magic, but I can’t tell what different species smell like. You’re the canines, remember?”

  I frowned. “We have to find Victoria. What if one of our old packs found her?”

  “I know you’re worried about Victoria,” Tap said, “but I need to tell you what I know about the body.”

  “What?” I sat back down.

  “You said black magic is involved?” Tap asked.

  I nodded, unable to speak.

  “And the body has been unearthed?”

  “Not completely,” Jet said. “Our wolfborn found him.”

  “You picked up a wolfborn?” Tap asked.

  “What’s the news about the body?” I snapped.

  Tap crossed his arms. “You’ve been cursed.”

  My eyes nearly popped from my head. “All of us?”

  “Anyone who’s been on the property.”

  Glass broke in the next room.

  “I’d better check on those djinn.” Quinn scrambled out of sight.

  “How do you know we’ve been cursed?” Soleil asked. “There are different kinds of black magic.”

  “And yet some signs are universal.”

  Quinn returned. “They need more drinks.”

  Tap spun around and grabbed a couple glasses.

  “Does Gessilyn know?” Jet asked.

  “I’m sure she would’ve told us if she did.” I turned to Soleil. “Take me to Seattle.”

  “Me, too,” Jet said.

  “No.” I shook my head. “You’re going back to Moonhaven and telling Gessilyn that we’ve been cursed.”

  Jet’s nostrils flared. “My wife is over there, too.”

  We stared each other down.

  Soleil muttered something about the pride of alphas. “I can only take one of you, anyway.”

  I turned from Jet and arched a brow at the angel of death. “What do you mean?”

  “Some might call it teleporting.”

  Jet swore. “Seriously? You can do that?”

  “It weakens me—especially when I bring someone with me—so I don’t do it often. I might need to drink some of your essence, Toby.”

  “Fine, whatever it takes to get to Victoria. Can’t you just travel to where she is?”

  “That’d be nice, but no, I can’t. Not unless I know where she is. That’s why I’ve been given over a decade to find that dictator I’m supposed to kill.”

  “How’s the search going, by the way?” Jet asked.

  A growl escaped my lips. “Just get to Moonhaven. Call me as soon as you hear anything.”

  “You, too. I need to know Zia’s okay.”

  “She is.” Soleil turned to me. “Let’s make like a bread truck and haul buns.”

  I turned to Tap. “Do you know of anyone who can help us with either the body or finding Victoria?”

  “I know some people. Let me take care of the party first, and then I’ll see what I can do. Otherwise, I might not be any use to you if I tick off a hormonal djinn.”

  “Thanks, Tap. I’ll keep my phone on me.” I glanced at Soleil. “Right?”

  “Yep. Everything comes with you. No embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions when you travel with me.”

  “Good to know.” I glanced at Jet. “Moonhaven.”

  “Leaving now.” He finished his drink and left.

  I turned to Soleil. “How do we do this?”

  “Out in the woods. It’s too loud here.” She grabbed my drink and finished it off. “Thanks.”

  “Wait,” I said. “Maybe we should go back to Moonhaven and see if Gessilyn can run a locator spell. Wouldn’t that be better than running all over a major city, looking for Victoria?”

  “Gessilyn needs to focus on the body,” Tap said. “Victoria’s your mate. You can sniff her out from a greater distance.”

  “Unless someone rubbed wolfsbane all over her,” I grumbled.

  My phone rang. It played a love song—it was from Victoria’s new number. My heart skipped a beat.

  I reached for the phone, and it slid from my hand as I pulled it from my pocket. It fell to the ground and slid across the floor, landing under a table full of patrons. I jumped after it and crawled under the table, bumping into feet.

  “Hey, watch it!”

  “What do you think you’re doin
g?”

  “Get outta here.”

  My fingers wrapped around the still-ringing phone and I climbed out from under the table without apology. With shaking hands, I managed to answer it.

  “Hello? Victoria?”

  Dead air.

  “Victoria!”

  Nothing.

  I looked at my phone. The screen was blank. I turned it on and found Victoria in my contacts list and called her back.

  No answer.

  “Why?” I cried.

  Soleil came over and helped me up.

  I tried calling her back again, but again no answer.

  “Why isn’t she answering? She just called.”

  “Or someone found her phone. We don’t know anything.”

  “I have to call her back.”

  “Let’s go outside.”

  “She just called. That song only plays when it’s her.” I called Victoria again.

  Nothing, again.

  Soleil put an arm around me and guided me toward the exit. “We should get to Seattle.”

  “Wait!” Tap waved us over to the bar.

  I turned to him, calling Victoria again.

  “Come closer,” he said.

  We went back to where we’d been sitting.

  He lowered his voice and leaned across the counter. “I do know of someone who can help with a locator spell since Gessilyn is busy.”

  “Who?” I put my phone away.

  Tap glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “He has a store just outside of campus. The cover is a spice shop, but he’s an apothecary of sorts. He can concoct medicines and such.”

  “You mean spells,” Soleil said.

  “Yes, but he doesn’t work with just anyone.” Tap grabbed a paper and scribbled a note. “Give this to him, so he knows I sent you.”

  “Can’t you just call?” she asked.

  “He’s extremely old-fashioned. What else would you expect from someone whose cover is a spice shop?” Tap handed me the paper. “Just give him this, and you should be in.”

  I stuffed the note in my pocket next to the phone. “Anything else we need to know? What’s his name?”

  “Just give him the note, and he’ll introduce himself.”

  “Do you have an exact address?” Soleil asked. “Or are we supposed to just look for a spice shop? Not that there are likely to be many.”

  “I’m not old-fashioned. I’ll text it to you. Hurry, now. He closes soon.”