“Shit. Josh crossed the room and scooped me up in his arms. - This is hard. I'm sorry, Allora. How old were you?
- Eighteen. “I rested my head on his shoulder. - Everything is fine. It's old news now. I don't want to bother you by talking about it...
“You don't bother me,” Josh murmured against my hair. "I think you're an inspiration." I'm still learning to live with this grief. But seeing what you did after losing not only your father, but also a boyfriend… you are much braver than me.
- I doubt.
Josh's words and the warmth of his arms brought a rush of emotion. A lump rose in my throat.
- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset her. I… admire you, Allora. And not just because you're hot. And now I understand why you are so picky about security. You know firsthand what can happen when things go wrong.
I sniffed.
— The pasta is boiling.
- Right. Josh pulled back, his gentle eyes searching mine. But I didn't want to break down at that moment. I wanted to keep floating in post-coital bliss. So, pushing thoughts of my dad and Ben and what might happen to Josh to the back of my mind, I went back to the kitchen and focused on stirring the sauce.
Josh continued his wanderings around the room. Occasionally he sniffed the air.
"Something smells in here."
“That's not how you talk about my cooking.
He frowned.
“That's not what I meant. It smells like an animal in heat.
“It's probably just my mother's friend Cynthia. She does tarot readings at a store downtown and they burn all kinds of incense. The scent follows her like a cloud. She would be the type of woman who would wear a perfume called Eau de Wolf. Oh, that reminds me. ’ As the pasta boiled, I dragged the huge book Derek had given me from my backpack by the door and held it out to him. “My friend Derek gave me this. He's a mythology student and I think he can help me make a case to discredit Ruth...
As soon as the book touched his hands, Josh threw it across the room. It hit the wall and bounced off, landing on the floor with a defiant clatter.
Josh looked down at his hands, his breathing shallow.
- What it was? “I touched your shoulder. He flinched.
“It's another wolf,” Josh hissed, bringing a hand to his face and sniffing deeper. “A powerful and very ancient wolf.
- Here? Fear gripped my chest. I looked around the room with fresh, frightened eyes, looking for a misplaced chair, an open window, a half-open closet.
A wolf came to my house? Could he still be waiting somewhere, hiding in the shadows, ready to strike?
"Josh, has anyone been to my house?"
“He must have been here while we were in the shower. That's the only explanation. Josh sniffed the air again. — The perfume is not strong. But it's all over the book. It was what I was feeling before.
— Could you smell a wolf that touched a book, which was inside my bag?
He told me that his senses were stronger, more attuned, but I had no idea how much.
Josh nodded, his eyes wide. He pointed his finger at the side door, leading to the alley where we kept the boxes.
"Allora, did you leave the door ajar?"
- What? “I looked at the door. He was right, it was open a little, a few drops of rain seeping through the gap and splattering onto the floorboards.
I thought about when I got home, retracing my steps from the bedroom to the kitchen to the car door. My hands were full with Derek's books. I had the keys in my mouth. I threw everything on the floor and went to look for Mom. I haven't been anywhere near that door.
- No. Did you come from there?
"I came in the front, behind you." Josh indicated the locked front door.
"Maybe Mom accidentally left it open?"
- Cum. Josh slammed his hand down on the counter. I shuddered. I hated seeing him so nervous. It was making me even more afraid of what was out there. "It wasn't your mother's forgetfulness." It's him, Allora. It's the black wolf I've seen before. He is old and powerful. He said he's killed before and more will die if I don't get out of his way.
Chills ran through my body.
"Could he still be here?"
Josh shook his head. He sniffed the doorknob, and around the door and the bench where I placed the books.
“Whoever that wolf was, he's gone now. He didn't get very far into the room and he didn't play much as far as I can tell. If the wolf was still here, I would be able to smell him, even with his disguised scent, he couldn't hide for long in such a small space.
My blood turned cold as I realized something.
“My mother wasn't here. Neighbor said someone took her out. I thought it was Cynthia, but what if it was this wolf?
“Don't worry, Allora. We will find her. Josh pointed to the phone hanging on the kitchen wall. “Call your mom's friend and whoever else she's visiting. We can still find it.
I picked up the phone and dialed my mother's cell. I hung up as soon as I heard it ringing in the hall. Panic tightened my throat. I called Cynthia next. She answered on the first ring.
- Oh yes. Elaine is here with me, honey. I found this amazing five thousand piece jigsaw puzzle of Tutankhamun's tomb paintings and we have the whole border almost complete. I drew the cards for you this month and I need to let you know…
I thanked Cynthia and hung up. Josh had the book open on his desk and was flipping through the pages, sniffing the edges and frowning.
He looked up when I finished.
"So she's safe?"
- Yes. She's with Cynthia. Looks like she had a little breakthrough. They are putting together a puzzle.
- This is wonderful. Josh frowned and lifted the book. "Allora, where did you get that?"
“I told you, Derek gave it to me.
“He's your friend from university, right? Where did he get it?
- I don't know. I grabbed my phone and wrote a frantic text to Derek. Josh clenched and unclenched his fists, the muscles in his neck swelling and tightening. A few moments later, my phone rang.
"He says he came from Astarte," I said. “It’s the new age store downtown…
“I know,” Josh said. “I've been there before.
From the pocket of his jeans, he took a small container. It looked familiar. I looked closer. Then I remembered where I had seen him before. It was identical to the one Clara showed me when I visited the store, which Caleb wanted, but she wouldn't sell it to him. I remembered her saying that Josh had taken the pills.
- It is true. You already met Clara.
“She's interesting,” Josh said. “And these pills are fantastic. My full moon transformation only lasted two nights this time. I'm wondering if Clara can tell us who played the book after her friend.
"She can probably do more than that." Clara said there were more wolves in the area than usual,” I said. — When I visited her, she ran out of these pills because you brought them. She didn't have enough to sell to Caleb. Perhaps there were other wolves in the store asking for the pills as well. She would know who they were.
Josh grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair and tossed it to me.
“Get your gloves, dear. Let's go.
“But the dough…” My stomach rumbled in protest.
“It will have to wait. We need to find out everything we can about this other wolf.
A few minutes later, we found ourselves outside Astarte. I couldn't believe I was back in this store for the second time in a week. The skeptical scientist in me silently rebelled against the crystals and dreamcatchers hanging in the window, though I had to smile at the sign by the door that read, “Tried Yoga Once, Thought It Was A Little Overdone.”
I remembered Clara's unique sense of humor and brightened. She was certainly amazing. Also, where was the skeptical scientist when you were having wild sex with a werewolf against your shower wall? My cheeks burned at the memory. I hoped Clara wouldn't be able to read that thought in my letters.
Josh smiled when he saw me hesitating.
— Do you come to this store often?
I shook my head, then pointed to the Porções Encantadas bakery across the street.
“That place is much more my style. There were a lot of hipsters and hippies in my early years of taking archeology classes, writing essays postulating the location of Atlantis and having lectures with discussions about whether aliens really built the pyramids. I find it all quite ridiculous.
"You're dating a werewolf." Isn't this ridiculous?
- Perhaps. I smiled back at him. “Depends on whether we're really dating.
He squeezed my hand.
"I am if you are."
- I did not decide yet.
I pushed open the store door. It must have been a poor day for the crystals and the DownMoor ghost tour brochures, because the shop was completely deserted. From somewhere behind, a small bell rang. The place looked exactly as I remembered it—small tables and dark mahogany bookshelves lined the dimly lit space, filled with candles, crystal, and odd books. I coughed as a wave of sweet-smelling incense hit my nostrils.
Clara slipped in from the back of the shop, carrying a stack of books that was almost as tall as she was. Her kind face broke into a smile when she saw us.
- May I help? she asked, cocking her head to the side. Josh hurried over and helped her place the books on a small round table under the window.
“Hello,” I said, suddenly feeling a little silly. "I don't know if you remember me...
- Clear. Clara smiled, showing a row of crooked teeth. She dropped her books on the counter and hurried over to us. She took my hand and rubbed it in hers, her wrinkled fingers cool to the touch. “You were the girl who just met a werewolf. And I see you brought your friend.
“Josh, this is Clara. I expected him to shake her hand, but instead he just stared at her across the counter.
"I remember you too, young man," Clara said, her eyes twinkling. “I never forget a shifter.
“You have remarkable eyesight,” Josh said.
“It's one of my gifts.
"Your other gift is teaming with dangerous wolves?"
—Josh! “I couldn't believe how rude he was being.
Clara laughed.
- Do not worry, dear. His behavior is understandable given the circumstances. Remember, I told you a wolf is always overprotective of his mate.
“I never said I was his mate.
— If you say so, darling. I assume you found some kind of object.
I held the book out to her.
— A powerful werewolf touched him. I believe it was originally brought from you. We need to know how other wolves want Lycan pills and if there's any way to find this particular wolf.
“No other wolves came in, besides you, the grumpy guy from the other day, and my regulars.
"Can the book tell you anything about the wolf?"
Clara took the book in her hands and studied the title for a long time. She slid back across the counter towards me.
"I'm afraid you won't find him until he wants to be found." It was a qualified magician who handled this book. I can't read anything by touching that book and I couldn't even when I sold it. If that wolf is as powerful as you say, I would remember him. Even my eyes cannot catch anything, except that the wolf who handled this book means much harm to you.
"My friend brought it," I said. “His name is Derek. He studies mythology. He probably comes here to buy a lot of books.
She looked startled for a moment. Then she pulled the book onto the counter and flipped through the pages again.
- Yes. she breathed. "Smells a little like Derek." I don't remember selling him that particular volume, but he buys a lot of stuff from me.
“Someone broke into my house today and left your perfume behind. Josh smelled it in the book.
"That's because he wanted you to feel it," Clara said, holding out the book and opening it in half. She pulled a small magnifying glass from the drawer beneath the register and examined the spines and edges of the pages. She pulled a slim pair of tweezers from her belt pouch and slipped them into the binding. A few moments later, she pulled out a thin feather. — Yes, this is indeed a very skilled magician.
- What is that?
"Part of a spell," said Clara, smelling pity. “A charm, actually. You need to get tested to confirm, of course, but I'm sure it's poisoned.
"Is someone trying to poison me?" I sighed.
“Unlikely. This is part of a love spell. It was developed to "poison" you against the one you love.
I looked at Josh. His face glowed red with anger.
"So what do we do?" Josh demanded.
Clara slammed the book down.
- Anything. At the time.
“Well, you've been a great help. Josh picked up the book from the table.
—Josh. “I pulled on your shoulder. "What about Caleb?"
“Of course,” Josh growled. “That scheming bastard. It must be him. He hid his true scent from me. He convinced me that he was my cousin, that we were family. And all this time he's been here to destroy everything and take you for his own.
- No! "I grabbed his arm. - That was not what I meant. I don't think Caleb is this big bad wolf. My point is, he's alone in the caves and he has no idea how powerful this other wolf is.
Josh's face darkened.
“Anyway, we need to get back to the caves.
We ran out of the store without saying goodbye to Clara. Josh threw the book into the backseat of my Mini and started to climb into the driver's seat.
- Excuse me. I pointed my finger at the passenger side.
“We don't have time for you to get possessive of your car. Josh snorted. “I'll get us there faster. Simple fact.
“I'm allowed to be car possessive. It's my car. And as for speed…” I twisted the keys around my finger. “You haven't seen anything until you see what I can do in a Mini.
Josh relented. I got in, fastened my seat belt and stepped on the gas. The Mini zoomed down Main Street and hit the first corner. We took off towards the forest at breakneck speed. I felt a flash of satisfaction when I looked over to the passenger seat and saw Josh gripping the dashboard with his knuckles.
- What is that? he said with a groan, when we were almost to the excavation.
“Josh Lowe, this is how driving is supposed to be done.
“No, that's ahead. He was already unbuckling his belt. - Stop the car.
I pulled to the side of the lane, my heart pounding as I noticed the police cars ahead. An ambulance was parked across the road, its lights off. As I got out of the car, a young officer ran towards us, gesturing for us to turn back.
"You can't stay here," she said. “Please continue.
Josh took an ID card from his wallet.
“I'm the ranger for this area,” he said, his voice grim. - What happened? Someone should have called me.
She looked at Josh's ID and frowned.
“We called you. Your phone went straight to voicemail. But since you're here now, you'll need to provide a statement to the DS. There has been a murder.
“A murder? My chest tightened. I thought of the other archaeologists, working in the cave, unaware of the werewolves lurking in the forest. - Who? I demanded.
His gaze flicked to me.
“We are not providing information to the public at this stage.