{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.