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Comprehension grasped Rowan. “Ah, the Alpha of the Eastern Hemisphere Wolf Pack makes sense why you were a bit more resistant to falling in line with this mess. Do you have any idea how this adorable pup got a hold of such a thing?” The girl still hadn’t let go of Rowan’s leg, though she was now looking up at Dae as he made a descent.

“She found it in the forest during our morning hunt. As she was bringing it to me. I lost my reign on the hunting wolves when it began wrapping around her. The robe took advantage in a split second and took control.”He hung his head in what seemed to be shame. “They ran into the city and could not understand that we were out of the forest. I believe they only began hunting the civilians because they couldn’t differentiate our usual prey against the adrenaline everyone was providing here. I tried to get them back under control, but the robe put up a barrier against me.”He growled at the memory, “It isn’t coincidence Rowan Dahl. Someone put that thing there for my daughter to find. There are few items that affect our wolves like that and the Robe of Kaguya is one of them.”

“I agree. Do you have any clue as to whom?”

He shook his head.“I have to take my pack back home, but I can take you to the spot right after. Would you accompany me?”

Rowan looked down at her wound, gauging how much longer she could go without seeking the right medical treatment.

“If you’ll allow it, I could heal you.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow. While wolves were known for their own healing abilities she had never heard that they could heal others. Their access to magic was as limited as most elves. “You’re versed in healing?”

“Our saliva works wonders.”He assured and Rowan felt heat crawl up her face.

Reminding herself that it was a simple medical procedure, and that she wanted to investigate the crime scene, she lifted her shirt to expose the wound.

“What are you doing?” Dae hissed.

She turned to glare at him. “Is that your catch phrase?” She didn’t know if it was her prejudice against all Coven members, but something about Dae pushed her buttons. Even Cherry couldn’t get her riled up so quickly.

He glared at her, but fell silent.

His tongue was hot and sticky. Rowan tried not to picture Lexine’s disgusted face when she told her what first aid she had used. The tip of the tongue moved from her hip to under her breast, where she felt a bit flustered when the image of Alessandro, who had done something similar a couple of hours prior, popped into her head. The wolf’s tongue faltered, and she knew he could smell her arousal. Heat traveled up her face; she would die of shame before she would die of an actual injury.

“Sorry.” She whispered, refusing to make eye contact.

“It’s an erogenous zone.”His voice was softer and she could feel that maybe he was just as embarrassed as she was.

When he pulled away, she could see the skin stitching itself together again.

“Is it all shifter saliva that heals physical wounds, or is it special because he is the alpha?” Dae asked, making Rowan realize she had forgotten everything happening around them.

She could appreciate his curiosity. The same question had unfurled in her mind as she watched the effects.

“Let him know every canine shifter has their own power level, but even the youngest can cure the most dastardly of paper cuts.”

Rowan snorted and passed the message. “I think the scene is secure, Mr. Kang.” With her words, she dropped the cells. The wolves turned in their spots, looking around, coming to terms with the destruction they had ravaged. “Can you and the witches handle the resurrection of the city? The wolves are going to send me home.”

“I think we’ll manage. Thank you for your help, Rowan Dahl.” The sincerity of his words surprised Rowan, who would have never imagined a Coven Witch saying anything of the sort to her.

She climbed onto the wolf’s back and, with one last glance at the odd witch, she disappeared into the forest.

Chapter 10

Draconis was a buzz underneath the pictures of Elaine Hitori that hung in ornate frames around the dining hall. It had been a long time since they had lost one of their own.

Alessandro sat through dinner with his people, some who were still recovering from their injuries from the fight wrought on by the wayward woman. Not one soul blamed Elaine for her part in the incident; they were too busy being in shock with her end.

Before the attacks on the other shifters, he’d found himself convinced that her connection to the flute was a tragic happenstance.

Now he knew better. Someone was targeting shifters and doing a thorough job at shattering every progress they had made to living amongst humanity in peace.

The face of the Ursine alpha, Willow, when she realized the extent of the damage their broken totem had caused, was stuck in a loop in his mind. The shadow of her beast pacing near the surface, ready to take over control, led to his decision to leave behind a set of dragons who would alert him if she fell victim to her grief.

She’d lost a daughter and five more of her bear shifters. Like the dragons, they’d turned on each other.

The news was spitting out stories and speculations from mystic races ranging from the average brownie to giants. They were riddling the media circus with conspiracy theories that he knew would have everlasting ramifications.