{After Destroying Video Evidence...}
***[POV: Kyrie Voss]***
The helicopter's rotors sliced through the afternoon air. Our company pilot didn't really care where we told him to go, because he was paid well enough to never ask.
With a city behind and a forest ahead, over the hills and more rural homes that yet
belong
to the Rimecoat territory.
I held the hunter's phone in my hand on the way. Turning it over absently while watching the terrain scroll by through the acrylic passenger window.
My mind and
heart
remained fixated on the woman I'd met in the pawnshop. My fated mate.
Unmistakably
.
The scent of her sat in my memory with
extreme clarity
, even a half hour later. Like no smell had ever done for me.
Wild and rich. The scent of a wolf that kept to nature, but also with an edge of something else.
Something that made it hers. A
uniqueness
that I intend to use to try and find her route to my city.
Find what she must have found... and then I'll
decide
what to do.
"We're approaching the border of Duskpaw territory."
Luca spoke over the noise canceling headset from the co-pilot's seat. I did not need to look away from the window to hear him better.
The channel we used was
private
to us, so that we could talk about the supernatural world without the human pilot listening in.
Vehicles like this are very useful, but werewolves - at least the ones I
manage
in my pack - don't seem to have a knack for using the controls.
Or they just do not have a strong desire to learn ways to be up in the air, because a beast's paws
belong on solid ground
.
"The full report to the council just came through. You'll want to hear this."
This time I did look up to the front. My Beta was studying the
tablet device
he'd brought in his hands.
When he looked back over his shoulder to the passenger section, I nodded for him to continue. Trying to maintain my
outward
composure.
"Official notification of rogue status for Helene Duskpaw."
He began from the top, mentioning the
unfamiliar
name.
Far less
exotic
than the one she picked to go by in front of me.
I immediately felt like it
did not fit
her. But that could just be the Duskpaw last name.
Citra Voss
... sounds a lot better.
"Female, twenty-three years of age. Recently unmated-"
"Unmated?"
My voice chills and eyes narrow at the term. I see Luca react in that sort of way... that tells me I'm being
overbearing
as an Alpha.
When even he, who is so used to me, stiffens like he doesn't know what move is safe to make... then I know I need to be more calm.
"Are you certain that's what it says?"
He glanced back at the screen and I turned my eyes away. I couldn't be the first to back down, but I don't have to remain waiting to
challenge
him again.
"That's what they've listed? Rejected by her former mate, Jace Duskpaw, then reported as required before the two days were up. Huh..."
My Beta trailed off and there was a part of me that wanted to stand up and tear the tablet from his hand. To read it myself without any
agitating suspense
.
"It says the rejection was formally accepted, but..."
While scanning further down he did it again. I decided to
count to ten
.
"But?"
"Oh. There's a notation. Supposedly, a bond remains 'anomalously' intact on the male side despite clear verbal acceptance. That's unusual."
The woman I'd met certainly hadn't carried
another wolf's mark
- my instincts would have detected it immediately. A fated pull would have been impossible.
I turned to look out the window to process that.
That pack could be lying, though putting something so wild in an
official
report to the council?
My guess is it would later be
retracted
. With something equally as outlandish as 'it solved itself and went away before you came to investigate'.
"Continue."
I urged him with a more even tone than before.
"Physical description. Five-foot-six. Black hair that might still be in a traditional Duskpaw braid. Light grey eyes. Slender build."
The image of her standing
defiantly
in that building flashed through my mind.
Pride
in her posture that a wolf can not easily fake, despite her disheveled appearance.
Slender... maybe? Her clothes left a lot to the
imagination
.
"Circumstances of departure? Did she commit some crime they knew of?"
"Says she fled after the attempted nullification of their mate bond. While displaying... suddenly unnatural behavior and possibly dangerous abilities."
That caught my full attention. They weren't describing
known
capabilities, but unknown?
"Elaborate. What was sudden about it?"
"Demonstrated uncharacteristic behavior. Spoke differently. Treated the three packmates that witnessed it all as strangers. There's also a warning to approach with extreme caution due to..."
He paused to laugh, long enough that I got to
seven
this time.
"Well, you can't make this shit up. 'Suspected witch-wolf tendencies'. They actually filed this and sent it out."
"Witch-wolf."
I repeated the phrase, unable to keep skepticism from lacing my voice. The Duskpaw were known for their
old beliefs
and superstitious natures.
Clinging to what most packs had abandoned
generations
ago. But it was also wrong to assume that there is no
fire
...
Just because the person pointing out the smoke in the distance calls it 'evil fog'.
"What specifically are they claiming she did with old magic?"
"Looks like... they suggest she may have performed some kind of dark ritual to sever the mate bond improperly. Leaving her former mate still connected while freeing herself without complication."
It would be easier to believe that the two werewolves had
never mated
in the first place, based on all I've heard.
"Ah, they also note she displayed unexplained strength and speed during her escape."
Again, easier to believe that they just did not know of her true ability or
underestimated a she-wolf
for her gender.
A mistake others have made with me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes like a teenager.
What they were describing sounded more like a woman who'd finally had enough of their
regressive
pack structure and tried to leave.
"There's more."
Luca shifted his tone to something much more serious than he already was. I knew I would not like what he would say.
"Tell me."
"The Duskpaw Alpha has authorized a full hunting party. They're requesting permission to enter our territory if her trail leads this way."
"Denied."
I
growled
out immediately. The thought of any wolves pursuing
my mate
through
my territory
made my hackles rise.
But I could not say that outright, yet. I had not explained anything to my Beta.
Luckily, it is not too strange for me to be
upset
at such a request. Essentially inviting soldiers of flimsy allegiance into your den and trusting they would not try to steal or murder.
"Send a formal receipt message, but make it clear. Any unauthorized Duskpaw wolves crossing into my boundaries will be treated as hostile."
"And if we find her first?"
I...
pretended
to consider his question carefully.
By werewolf law, a rogue found in another pack's territory could be claimed, killed, or expelled at will. My city was
somewhat
more lax and 'safe'.
Most Alphas would simply turn her over to her former pack to avoid
complications
. I've even sent some back with
proven crimes
in the past.
But she was my mate. Every fiber of my being
rejected
the idea of handing her 'back' to them.
"We offer protection. This is my right and choice as Alpha."
Luca didn't
openly
question this, but I expected his concern. If her former pack wanted to press the council then it could be a headache.
Even another secret
Lunar War
.
I stopped squeezing the device in my hand before I broke it. Then exhaled a hot breath.
"Luca, I want you to run a search on a name while I'm gone. Citra Lomdi. I don't know how to spell it."
His eyebrows rose up... and I knew that my
unusual request
and
timing
had keyed him in on something.
"Is that-"
"The name she gave me when I ran into her, yes."
After I reveal that detail, I begin to strip. I'd already left the jacket behind, so it is just today's red blouse and skirt that are both too expensive to tear since I have the time.
He looked away
politely
as I did this. No, that's not the right word.
Ever since he saw what I did to that
Delta
of ours who kept staring at my body, even after I locked eyes with him, Luca
refuses
to risk the same fate.
"I also want everything we can find on supposed witch-wolf phenomena. Historical accounts, legends, documented cases."
"You don't actually believe in that nonsense?"
"No. But when you are building a case-file, in business or law, you include all the information you can. I want to be *irrefutable* if the council is somehow moved to their side of things."
The helicopter began to descend toward a small clearing that I'd already identified from satellite imagery. Coordinates close enough to where the device had pinged on the network, once.
"Have our people monitor communications from the Duskpaw. I want to know exactly what they're planning. Openly, at least. As well as who's involved in this... hunt."
"You're taking this... very personally."
My Beta observed carefully. As my
right-hand
in all pack matters, it only makes sense that my shift in mood was not able to be hidden.
I didn't bother responding. Of course it was
personal
... and I'd already started this trip with that sort of statement.
From the moment I'd caught her scent, nothing about this situation had been anything but deeply,
irrevocably
personal.
It's just that now he knows. I met with her.
When the helicopter touched down, I pulled off the head set, opened the hatch, and hopped out. Luca started to
follow
, but I turned and gave him a look.
"She survived out here alone for days. Escaped her former pack, made it to the city, and managed to evade detection until now. I think I can handle the same."
"...Alright. I'll take care of things in your absence."
"I won't be long. Might even be back by the morning. And Luca?"
"Yes, Kyrie?"
I drew in a deep breath. Her scent called to me, letting me know that my
guesswork
was on the right track.
My wolf stirred underneath. Eager to follow the trail.
To protect what was to be mine. No matter what.
"If something happens involving her, subdue. Do not kill. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Alpha."
Within the shiny metal profile of the vehicle, I can see how my eyes had grown
orange
and
bright
.
I turn away and stalk into the forest... holding the change just long enough to keep from traumatizing the pilot.
I'd hate to have to hire
another
one.