“Park there, and we’ll walk the rest of the way. I can shield the car so no one can see it.”
On both sides of the road, there’s nothing but forest. “Which way does Nolan live?”
She nods toward a narrow, paved road that reminds me of Kara’s driveway. “He lives about a half-mile up that way.”
I pull off to the side, and we both get out. Kara is close by; I can smell her. As soon as we step away from the vehicle, Evangeline waves her hand with a snap, and the car disappears.
Magic has always intrigued me. Evangeline rushes over to me and murmurs something under her breath. When she finishes, she huffs and nods toward the woods. “You’re protected. Nolan won’t be able to feel your presence.”
By the time we hike up the hill, and through the woods, the sky darkens. Through the trees, I can see bits of light coming from a large, modern-style cabin. When we get closer, Kara’s scent grows more potent. I try to locate her through the windows, but she’s nowhere in sight.
“Someone’s coming,” I hiss low. The sound of a car draws near, and I grab Evangeline to hide her behind a tree. Evangeline peeks around just as a small, black Mercedes pulls into the driveway. Before the guy gets out of the car, I have a feeling I know who he is. He’s not a wolf but a witch.
“Let me guess … Xavier?” I say to Evangeline.
Her eyes never leave him as he hops out and disappears inside. “Yes.” She swallows hard. “That’s him. I should’ve known he’d get mixed up with wolves.” Then she jerks her head my way. “No offense.”
“Why do you say it that way?” I question. “I know of other packs which have witches working for them.”
Evangeline nods in understanding. “I know that. There’s nothing wrong with witches working with wolves. It’s just the wolves in the Rich Valley pack are ambitious, mainly Nolan. Xavier’s power with his ambition is a deadly combination.”
“I want to go in there,” I growl.
Evangeline grabs my wrist. “Not yet. As soon as Xavier leaves, I can get you in. If we try now, I’ll have to go up against him. My magic is strong, but I honestly don’t know if I can defeat him. If I lose, we could both end up in some serious trouble.”
I stare at the house, my body shaking with the need to fight, the need to protect my mate. “I can’t leave her in there. Every second she’s with him, something could happen.”
Evangeline eases her grip on my arm. “I understand. I’ll do what I have to do.”
Keeping my focus on the house, I listen for Kara’s voice. But, instead, all I can hear are Nolan and Xavier. “I’ll give it some time in hopes that Xavier leaves, but if Nolan tries anything with Kara, I’m going in. I don’t care who’s around or who I have to fight. The fucker’s going to die.”
I stare over at Evangeline to make sure she understands, and she gives me a devious yet angelic smile as a glowing white light emits from her hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.”
26
KARA
When we arrived at Nolan’s house, he carried me inside and tossed me on the couch with my arms still handcuffed behind me.
“I’m heading out,” Xavier says as he walks back into the living room with Nolan. For the past thirty minutes, I’ve tried getting out of the handcuffs, but all I’ve done is rub raw sores on my skin.
Xavier comes over to me and smiles. “Have a good night,” he teases.
I scowl up at him. “I’m flipping you off right now. I know you can’t see my hands since they’re handcuffed behind my back.”
Nolan chuckles and shakes Xavier’s hand. “Thanks for everything.”
Xavier shrugs. “I wouldn’t thank me yet. I tried to do a cloaking spell on the house, but I could still sense Kara. The bracelet took away her magic, but it also makes it so no other magic can be used on her.”
Nolan’s eyes glow, and he huffs. “Fuck. If you can’t shield her, then others will come.”
Xavier shakes his head. “Not necessarily. There isn’t another pack around these parts other than yours. So you may get a couple of rogues.”
I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. If other wolves come for me, I have to depend on Nolan to fight them off. I’ve never had to rely on a man for anything, and it kills me to admit it, but I need Chase right now. Virginia will be the first place he’ll come looking. I just hope he gets here in time.
Nolan glances down at me and then back to Xavier. “If anyone trespasses, I’ll kill them. Simple as that.”
Xavier’s leer turns devilish. “Might be kind of fun. I’ll help you.” He winks at me, and Nolan walks out onto the porch with him. Since I don’t have my wolf hearing, I can’t make out what they say, but I can only imagine.
A few minutes later, Nolan strolls in and goes into the kitchen. He comes back with two small glasses, halfway filled with whiskey.
“Figured you could use a drink,” he says, setting the glasses on the coffee table. He sits beside me and holds up the handcuff keys, his grayish-green eyes twinkling with delight. “Want me to let you free?”
I glare at him. “I’m not even going to answer that.”
Laughing, Nolan reaches behind me. When the cold metal rubs against my sores, I hiss in pain, but I get instant relief as soon as the handcuffs drop away.
“Your wrists are looking rough, sweetheart. I’m assuming you don’t heal as fast with that bracelet, huh?”
When I bring my arms around, I stretch them out. “Among other things,” I grumble.
Nolan picks up the glasses and holds one out to me. “Drink.”
My throat feels as dry as the Sahara, but I refuse to drink alcohol, not after what happened with Chase. “Water will be fine, thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” Nolan swirls the amber liquid in his glass and tosses it back in one gulp. His focus switches to the couch, and he rubs a hand over the brown leather, his smile predatory. “Remember the last time we were on this couch together? Things got pretty heated.”
I slide over to put some distance between us. “That was a long time ago, Nolan.”
He winks. “Only a year ago. Things haven’t changed much since then.”
This time I let out a laugh, but it’s because his statement couldn’t be any more wrong. “Maybe not for you.”
Nolan sets his glass down and drapes an arm over the back of the couch. “Yeah, guess that’s true. I haven’t gone and pissed off the Royal pack. I don’t see how you’re not murderous with that thing on your wrist. I’d be furious if someone did that to me.”
“Believe me,” I hiss, “I detest it more than you know.”
Nolan reaches over to touch my face, but I move my head to the side. I’m soon going to run out of space on the couch. “It’s crazy,” he murmurs, sliding closer. “I always wondered how you were stronger than me. Now I know. All this time, I was fucking a royal, and I had no clue.” He slides even closer to where I have no more room to move. “I can see now why the sex was epic.”