Though Declan had already given me free rein to utilize Pack resources. Would this be overstepping?
I chewed my lower lip. I hated being in this position: stuck between doing right by my friend and ensuring the integrity of my position within the Pack. When it came down to it though, Mel’s life was too important.
I made the call and waited for Olivia to answer. When she finally did, I filled her in on my situation and asked if she would help.
“I’m not calling on behalf of the Pack.” I didn’t want there to be any confusion.
“You are mated to the Alpha of the Pacific Northwest Pack. Whether you are calling on their behalf or not makes no difference. Assisting you curries favor with the shapeshifters. We will help you.”
I sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Marcella may see something you’re not happy with. Her visions often end in bloodshed.”
I shuddered.
“Bring us a photo of the missing woman. We’ll see what we can do.”
It took thirty minutes to make my way from Sanborn Place to the Dishman Hills nature reserve. The heavy iron gates stood ominously open. They’d been expecting me, but driving through and watching them close in the rearview mirror had a chilling effect.
The magic was strong here. The hairs on my arms stood on end and a prickling sensation broke out across my skin. I rubbed at my bare skin to get rid of the sensation—not that it did any good.
I drove down the dirt road until it opened up into a clearing that led to … nothing.
Well, I guess this is where I get out.
I parked the Hummer—I still hated it. I still missed my Civic—and looked around. The Dishman Hills nature reserve was a woodland area smack dab in the middle of the suburbs. You had Spokane on one side, and Spokane Valley on the other. Surrounded by homes, it was a little piece of paradise, with all of its lush greenery and towering evergreen trees.
There was a park and hiking trails. Not that it was open to the public. But I’d done my research—thank you, Google—so I wasn’t surprised when I passed the cedar swing set or the play gym and monkey bars.
I wandered around for ten minutes. Someone would come and find me when they were ready to talk. For now, I might as well explore some of the hidden gems within the forest. It wasn’t like the opportunity presented itself often.
There was a series of ravines that ran parallel to one another. I followed them for half a mile, stepping over rocks and branches as I skipped my way between them.
I felt like a child again, the fresh air and rich foliage making all of my worries fall to the wayside. I’d been in the woods before. Hell, I lived in them now, what with the Compound being on one-hundred-and-seven acres of forested land. But this didn’t feel like a forest. It was magic and earth, and something about it sung deep inside my bones.
I could get lost here and I wouldn’t even mind it.
When a woman stepped out through a break in the trees, I jumped.
“Follow me.”
How the heck had she snuck up on me like that?
Doing as instructed, I walked behind her. Somehow, she managed to keep her steps light. They weren’t silent like a shifter’s, but close.
Branches didn’t snap nor did leaves crunch beneath her feet. It was almost like she glided across the forest floor. And here I was, stomping through in my worn leather boots. I couldn’t help it.
With my luck, I’d trip on a fallen branch.
If Declan were here, he’d make some comment about being heard for miles. Just the thought of him brought a smile to my face. I really was put out over missing our lunch plans. But this was more important. We’d have to find alone time some other way.
Sun filtered in through the treetops and kissed the woman’s dark skin, glittering across the beads expertly woven throughout her braided hair.
“Go straight for a bit and you’ll find Olivia’s cabin. She’s waiting for you inside.”
I nodded and did as instructed.
As promised, Olivia’s cabin wasn’t much further ahead. Though ‘cabin’ wasn’t the word I would have used for it. It was more like a two-story lodge. Made from hand-scraped logs, it had a cabin feel without any of the rustic aesthetic you would expect. It was beautiful and the longer I looked at it, the more it fit Olivia. It was strong, could weather any storm, and still managed to make you feel safe, cozy even.
It was the perfect home to raise a child in.
I paused. Where had that thought come from?
Shaking the thought away—I was way too young and we were way too early into our relationship for me to think about children—I climbed the front porch steps. The door swung open and a freckle-faced girl with shoulder-length blond hair greeted me. “Come in. Come in!” She reached for my hand and all but dragged me through across the threshold, her violet eyes filled with excitement.
“Mom, she’s here!”
“I’ll be in in a moment,” Olivia called out from what I assumed was the kitchen, judging by the smells of coffee and spice wafting from her general direction.
“You brought what I needed?” Marcella asked.
I nodded and handed her a picture of Melody. She glanced at it briefly before directing me toward the sofa. It was a well-worn leather sectional and I sank into the deep-seated cushion.
“Do you think you can … ” I waved my
