my arm and attempts to wrench me around but I dig in my heels and plant my feet firmly on the ground. I look down at where his hands are digging into my flesh. “You will join me to further this discussion in the village.”

I swallow the bile that rises in my throat and make a mental note to award myself with a gold star for not gagging or rolling my eyes. Two can play this game. Steeling my spine, I raise myself up to my full 5 feet 8 inches and look him directly in the eye. I channel every boss I’ve ever hated and put that disdain into my voice.

I really, really, don’t want to go anywhere with him, but I don’t know how many wolves are surrounding us right now and I can’t stand the thought of putting my friends in danger.

“What do I call you?” I ask, keeping my voice light and uncaring, as if being threatened by a bunch of wolfmen in the middle of a meadow at midnight was a regular thing I did.

Fintan seems pleased by my question and he resumes his prowling.

“You may call me Alpha, or Sir, if you prefer.”

I shoo him away and gesture towards the woods where all the growling was happening, “You’ve got fifteen minutes, Alpha.”

I brush past him, ignoring the snarl that escapes his perfectly sculpted lips.

“Leave now,” he threatens my companions, “or suffer the consequences.”

Glenda, bless her golden heart, just yawns and flashes her claws at him. Asha casually juggles energy balls and he gives her a wider berth.

“Follow me,” he snaps and stomps through the brush. Asha waits until his back is turned before she throws an energy net over the beta and sends a small pink light whizzing back towards town.

“Contingency plan,” she mutters, using her magic to blast the undergrowth in front of us and make a path.

Deeper, and deeper, we go into the forest and a strong feeling of unease creeps over my shoulders. It’s more than just being watched, it’s something more sinister. It’s as if my soul is being pinched.

“Asha,” I whisper, “It feels like something’s out here. Something different than the wolves. It feels... dangerous.”

Glenda and Asha stop and stare at me. Glenda grabs my wrists and turns them over, inspecting them thoroughly. Not finding what she was looking for, she looks at my Matestone. The glow is no longer Saint Tropez blue, but rather a muddy navy color. I miss my guys something fierce.

They’re going to be so mad at me when they catch up to us. Worried too. Maybe if we make it through this they’ll have to spank me to teach me a lesson. That would be great.

I’m busy contemplating who should spank me first when I catch Glenda and Asha exchange worried glances. Asha sends off another spark of pink light towards home.

“You’re fine!” she reassures me, but we all know it’s a lie, “Sometimes there are old spirits in the woods and they can throw you for a loop.” Right. Because ghosts can make your soul feel like that.

Breaking out of the trees, we arrive at a clearing full of yurts.

At the very edge of the clearing, one yurt stands away from the others. It’s been patched many times and the roof looks like it’s threatening to cave in. It doesn’t take a genius to guess this is where we’ll end up.

Fintan approaches it and swings the door wide open. A sickly sweet smell wafts out, and it reminds me of blood and vomit, and maybe something else I don’t want to think about.

“The only accommodations we have for non-Pack guests. I trust the three of you can make do unless Ronnie wants to join me in my quarters.”

I hurry past him and climb the steps to the yurt. It could be a non-refrigerated meat locker full of rancid food and I still wouldn’t want to stay with him.

My answer is obvious, and Fintan turns on his heel and leaves us without saying a word. Asha pulls three balls of blue energy out of thin air and sends them into the yurt, zooming one after the other. Flashes of light and a cloud of pinkish grey smoke escapes the yurt and we stand downwind. After another moment, Asha nods her head and we creep in. Her zooming energy has cleaned, disinfected and transformed the yurt into something acceptable to sleep in. When I close the door, she creates another clear bubble like Timoteo did and drops it into place before leaning into a hammock, exhaustion marring her face.

She does not look well.

Glenda looks over at her and frowns, “Are your reserves that low, girl?”

Asha takes a moment before responding, her face full of anguish. “I felt the flutter while we were in the woods.”

Glenda pales, “Oh. Oh, no. We need to get you out of here. Your mates will burn the village to the ground if you don’t get home.”

Asha looks down at her feet, “They don’t know.”

I pipe up, “Who doesn’t know what? What’s a flutter?”

Glenda and Asha look at each other and then look at me.

“Asha’s powers are connected to her life force which allows her to tap energy reserves. Normally the energy she expended tonight would be far from maxing her resources, except that she just found out she’s sharing her lifeforce with a baby.”

“You’re PREGNANT?” I screech, “And I brought you literally into the wolf’s den?” I run my hand through my hair, consumed with panic and guilt.

“Glenda, what do we do? What does this mean?”

My heart is beating rapidly and I bite my nails and look at the small witch. She has risked everything for me and she doesn’t even know me.

“We need to replenish her energy stores.” Glenda says finally.

I nod eagerly, glad for a plan. “What does that entail?”

Asha just looks up, her face sad. “I’m a kinetic witch. I need energy—moving water, lightning, waves, volcanoes, earth movement.”

“A volcano? You need a volcano? How the hell

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