Forget Me Not (#2, The Mystic Wolves) (18 page)

“Like Amber and her father.”

“Like many before them,” Daniel added. “There’s a reason why you can find one of the most powerful alphas living here alongside the vampire king, and leader of the strongest witch covens. That’s why it’s the central base for Council business, making it a formidable stronghold to those who reside here.”

“I love hearing how the Pack came to live here,” I said, letting out a sigh. “There’s always something new to learn about. It’s never ending.”

Daniel released a chuckle, the sound not quite as deep as Mason’s but it still reverberated within the car. “People can spend their entire existence surrounded by it all, and still only know the basics.” He winked at me, and my heart lightened.

“Here’s a question then, something I keep meaning to ask, but whenever I remember I keep getting distracted.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen how you get distracted … you two can’t keep your hands off each other, constantly joined together at the lips.”

I could feel my face heat, and ignoring his taunt, I tapped my finger on the window ledge. “Was the land ever called the Mystic?” It was a good question, especially seeing all the werewolf groups I knew were named after their primary residence. “The Alpha’s house and main property is in Woodside Hollow… shouldn’t we call ourselves that instead?”

“Oh yeah, too much kissing, not enough talking between you two.” Daniel let out a snort, as I reached back to slap him. “I have no idea how either of you get anything done!”

“Whatever,” Mason answered, a smile on his face. Looking in the rearview mirror, he shook his head at his best friend. “Well, it’s pretty simple. When the first Alpha to the pack came here, they traveled from Ireland with the hopes of making a good life for him, his family, and future descendants. Apparently word had reached him about a place that thrived, where the natives were used to things of a supernatural occurrence, and had yet to be truly claimed and mastered. Cian O’Connor married his childhood sweetheart, said goodbye to their families, and began the long journey here. When he arrived, he found a small settlement had already begun—Mystic Hollows—and with enthusiasm, began to build his pack. He was a hardworking, honest man, and his reputation soon spread. Others came to pledge their fealty to him as their Alpha, those who had been exiled or orphaned, and it wasn’t long before the Mystic Wolves was a force to be reckoned with.”

“Our Mason comes from good stock, despite the ass his father was, and the pack has been here ever since,” Daniel interrupted, grinning as I heard Mason release a friendly growl in warning.

“So Mystic was part of the original name?” I added, enjoying the story.

“Yep, and Abigail loved it. It was her dying wish, should the town ever choose to change it’s name, that the current Alpha keep the original. Pretty sweet, huh?” Judging from the wide smile across Mason’s face, he also liked retelling the story.

The twinkling of lights caught my gaze, letting us know we were finally approaching Whiskey Flats. It was larger than I remembered, maybe the same size as Woodside Hollow, and I made a mental note to come again check out the sights during the day. It had been forever since I’d been here—a few times during my childhood—so I was eager to see if much had changed.

We drove through the town in silence, the wooded area just on the other side of the city limits beckoning us, pulling at our wolves. I could feel the thrum radiating off everyone, matching my own, and I couldn’t keep from bouncing around in my seat.

Pulling off into what looked like a dusty trail, Mason threw the car into park as he jumped out of the vehicle to open the gate that blocked our entry. A huge sign hung from the metal bars, warning trespassers of the danger of crossing onto private property, and I wondered how many had strayed on nights like tonight.

Dirt rose up in a thick cloud along the side of the car, the tires kicking up loose gravel as we made our way deeper into the area. Tall trees flanked either side of us, and my wolf bayed repeatedly in excitement, the shift from human to animal imminent.

Finally bringing the car to a stop, Mason cranked the brake, and turning to Daniel and I, grinned. “Last one to change buys dinner!”

With the taste of freedom on my tongue, I threw open my door, my shoes already off.

“You’re on.”

Chapter Twenty

It was in a fit of laughter we returned to the house, Mason still picking pieces of twigs and leaves from my hair. My entire body felt like it was humming from the exhilaration of the run.

“I know it wasn’t the same, but I had fun.” He chuckled, closing the door behind him. “Nothing beats an hour of chasing and hunting to clear your mind and help you refocus.”

“I’m glad you both came,” I said, looking at both of them. “It’s really pretty out there, lots of good game and space to play in. We’ll need to take one of the pack runs to that spot we were at soon. I bet they would love it.” My voice was light and breezy, my mind already making plans for the future.

I bumped shoulders with Daniel, grinning widely, and shrugging out of my coat, I let my senses go to see if I could hear Devlin. Last time I’d seen him, he’d said something about making phone calls and seeing if there was any new gossip floating around the community. We’d agreed to meet when we returned to go over our plans, and with a fresher outlook, I was eager to start.

“Devlin, we’re home!” I sang out, hanging my jacket in the hallway closet. Signaling for everyone to follow, we raced up the stairs, and headed to the study. As I opened the door, I was rewarded to find him there, behind his desk and just hanging up his phone.

“Impeccable timing, Darcy.” Glancing between us, a look of relief crossed his face. “I see the outdoors did you good. I trust you didn’t run into any problems while you were gone?” I caught the motion of Mason shaking his head, and I broke into a smile.

“It was fabulous. Just what the doctor ordered.” I moved deeper into the room, and sat in the chair Devlin had previously been sitting in earlier that afternoon. “My heart will always belong to the woodlands surrounding the Mason’s home, but the property just outside Whiskey Flats was amazing. My wolf was in heaven out there.”

Daniel took the seat opposite me, and placing his boots on the coffee table, leaned back with his hands behind his head. “It was alright,” he teased. I threw him a glare, and looked for something to throw at him. Mason grinned, and with a friendly shove, knocked his best friend’s feet back to the floor.

“Remember your manners,” he said good-naturedly.

“So, now you’re all in high spirits, ready to get down to business again?” Devlin moved around the desk and sat on the armrest of the sofa. “I just got an interesting phone call. Seems Morgan has heard we’re looking for her, so she’s willing to come in to provide information, with a few stipulations of her own.”

“Really?” I glanced at Mason and Daniel. “This is good news, right? If she implicates Amber, we’ll be able to submit the findings to the Council and revoke the asylum petition.”

“That’s if she points the finger at Amber, though,” Devlin added. “She may just want to give us the run around.”

“Come on, let’s not kid ourselves. This has Amber written all over it. She shows up out of the blue, gives some crazy story that we can’t verify without her father … who just happens to be out of town, and then Darcy gets sick from a gift that shows up. When it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck ….” Daniel leaned forward, adding his two cents to the conversation.

“It could be a Vlad?” I joked, thinking again about the poor vampire with an identity crisis. Mason gazed at me curiously, not sure what I meant, but Devlin burst into laughter, and I grinned at him.

“So what are the conditions Morgan is asking for so she’ll talk?” Returning to the heart of the matter, Mason moved his arm around my shoulder and began to softly stroke my skin.

“She wants full immunity. She doesn’t want to go down and face the wrath of the Council,” Devlin answered. “She claims she didn’t know what her services were being hired for, but I know her, she’s just trying to cover her butt because she knows her cover is blown.”

“Why would she even use her power for something like this?” I was totally bewildered.

“You’ll get your chance to ask her tomorrow. I’m meeting her in the morning, and she wants you to be there. That was the other condition—she expects to see Darcy.”

“Absolutely not. How do we know this isn’t just a chance for her to finish whatever task she was hired for in person?” Mason wasn’t happy with hearing the terms the renegade witch had demanded. “Surely there’s something else you can offer her to get what we need.”

“There are steps we can take to ensure Darcy’s safety at the meeting. I wouldn’t blindly risk her life,” Devlin said. “I need to make another phone call to the Council, and let them know about my conversation with Morgan. I really think she realizes she made a bad business deal, and she’s trying to remove herself from it. If I can guarantee she won’t face charges for aiding and abetting in a crime, then I’m confident we can finally resolve all this.”

“What’s to stop her from leaving town? Or being attacked? She heard we were looking for her, what if word has gotten back to whoever hired her?” It was Mason who spoke up.

“I have a team of Enforcers staking out where she’s been staying. No one goes in or out without us knowing. They’ll also be there to keep Morgan safe.”

“So there’s nothing more we can do tonight then?” Daniel asked, sitting forward.

“No. We just need to sit tight, and hopefully tomorrow’s meeting will work out.”

“Then Daniel and I will head back to the Pack house,” Mason declared, standing. He pulled me up beside him. “Want to walk me out to the car?”

The four of us headed down the staircase—Mason and I holding hands, while Devlin and Daniel bantered back and forth behind us.

“Be careful tomorrow at this meeting,” Mason uttered softly.

“I will, and Devlin will be there so I’ll be safe. We won’t take any chances,” I replied. “Just think, if all goes well, I’ll be home tomorrow evening.”

“Back where you belong.”

Exiting the house, the coolness of the night air was refreshing. I raised myself up onto my tiptoes, and placed a kiss on Mason’s lips. “Love you,” I whispered.

We said our goodbyes—a sweet, tender moment, and I wrapped my arms around my body as Devlin came to stand beside me.

“I’m glad you were able to get out tonight. Spend some time together.”

“Me too,” I replied.

We headed back inside, Devlin still needing to make phone calls, and after a stifled yawn, I excused myself to my bedroom.

There was a gentle knock at the door, followed by a short pause. Knowing there was only one person left in the house, I hollered for Devlin to come in.  Sure enough, he entered wearing sweats and a t-shirt, and he came to sit on the bed.

Sitting up, and placing the novel I was reading on the bedside table, I pushed my hair away from my face and smiled.

“Getting ready to work out?” I looked him over, and he nodded. “I should probably join you, but I’m exhausted. I think the last few days have finally caught up with me. After I finish this chapter, I’m going to try and sleep.”

Tucking a stray strand behind my ear, his finger hovered close to my cheek, before he lowered it back to his side. “Sounds like a good idea. I know we have a strong plan for tomorrow, but a lot can happen. The Council has agreed to give immunity to Morgan so depending on what she tells us, things could move pretty quickly, so it’s important for you to be fully rested and ready. I just came in to say good night and see if you needed anything. You know … play the perfect host.” His smile reached his eyes, causing them to twinkle from the lamp light.

“Thanks, Devlin, you too.” I let out a sigh, and pulled my knees toward my body underneath the blanket. “I know I haven’t said it, but I appreciate you for letting me come stay. It’s meant a lot knowing I had somewhere safe to live while we sorted this mess out. You’ve always been an amazing friend to me.” I took hold of his hand, and squeezed it.

“Always, never doubt that I’ll be there for you. I’m someone you can count on to be in your corner.”

I moved my legs, and threw my arms around his neck, physically showing him how I felt.

We sat there, his hand rubbing up and down my back, and I drew strength from our friendship. Something told me I would need it in the days, months, even years to come, and I was glad for it.

“Okay, time for bed.”

Kissing him lightly on the cheek, I scooted back, fluffing the pillow before laying my head on it.

“Love you.”

“Love you, too. Pleasant dreams.”

Closing the door, Devlin left me to sleep. I couldn’t rest though, it was like someone had thrown on a switch, and I couldn’t find a way to turn off the thoughts that seemed to be churning inside my head. Releasing a groan, I tossed, looking for a comfortable spot to settle down in.

I didn’t know how long I lay there sighing, but when my pitiful attempt to count sheep didn’t lead me into the land of Dreams, I reached for my phone. Whenever I suffered from bouts of insomnia, or I couldn’t silence my mind, I would sneak into Mason’s room and talk until I finally fell asleep. Dialing his number, I relaxed and smiled when I heard his voice.