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Diana? What’s wrong?

I blinked, realizing Orion had moved in front of me. He was watching me with concern. I tried to control my breathing, slow my heart rate as I scrambled for an answer.

I am fine. But this is Cersey’s cottage. The witch of Half Moon Bay. She’s dangerous.

Orion turned back to look at the unassuming cottage covered in lichen and ivy. The windows appeared dark, like it was currently unoccupied. No one was home. His nostrils flared.What if she did something to Dad?

I didn’t have the knowledge or expertise to confront witches or magic of any kind. Not like… Selena. My heart sank at the thought. Selena was who Orion needed now.

I hardened my gaze and stood my ground.If she is the one who took him, we shouldn’t face her alone. We should get the others first.

Thankfully, Orion heeded this logic, and we turned to follow the river upstream. Jesse and Noah were on their way to meet up with us as well, confirming the scent was weaker upstream.

I think we found the source, Orion told him.The scent was strongest at this cottage.

Jesse’s lips curled over the top row of his teeth, emitting a growl that sent chills up my spine.A cottage in the middle of the river? Covered in ivy?

Orion grunted in affirmation.

That damned, good-for-nothing witch.

You know the witch?Orion asked.

I had a run-in with her a few years ago. She’s a jealous, vain, cruel harpy. She would hex our pack with a half-moon curse if she could, but your father and I took care of that. If the witch was involved, she probably kidnapped your father for revenge.

I dared not breathe, but I couldn’t help myself from asking,How?

Jesse’s brown wolf gave a satisfied snort.We stole the source of her magic. Her amulet.

I managed to choke out a second question.Where is it?

Before Jesse could answer, a clear alto voice, far too familiar for comfort, rang out from the other side of the river. “Come now, don’t keep us in suspense.”

ORION

We all turned to see a tall, lithe woman step from the trees. Her blue linen dress was rather plain and unadorned, considering her strange elegance. Jesse and Diana tensed on either side of me, and while some deep part of me wanted to do the same, I didn’t have the luxury of showing weakness. I was the son of the pack alpha, acting alpha now that he was missing.

She looked at us with piercing blue eyes that felt like frost before pursing her lips into a slight frown. “Why don’t we shift into a form we can all understand?”

Jesse growled at the suggestion from my right side, but I was already moving, taking a smooth step with my human foot.

She gave a wide grin that showed her teeth, like she innately understood the language of predators. “That’s better now. And you are… Ryan? Is that right?”

“My name is Orion,” I said firmly. “Who are you?” Despite the question, I thought I knew the answer already.

“Your friends haven’t told you about me?” Another purse of her lips, feigning offense. “I am hurt. I remember their names well. Jesse, Noah, and…Diana.”

Her voice purred over my mate’s name in a way that made me shiver. I wanted to stand in front of Diana, to shield her from this obviously dangerous witch.

“But no matter, Orion,” she continued. “My name is Cersey.”

I was tired of hearing her voice already. The way she cooed, she clearly enjoyed the way her voice sounded. “Did you take my father?”

“Your father?” she tilted her head.

Jesse, practically vibrating with rage at this point, snapped his teeth together before shifting into human form. “Enough with your lies. Tell us what you know!” he shouted at her.

She grinned again at our beta, and something dark anddangerousflashed through her eyes, like she was the wolf and Jesse was her prey.