Page 18 of Claimed by the Wolf (Wild Fated Shifters #1)

NOX

O ne of my house staff members delivers the package to my bedroom as I’m getting ready for the day. I hadn’t even heard the doorbell ring.

“This came special order, Alpha,” he announces from the doorway.

I look back from the full-length mirror, frowning as I take in the plain paper package. Turning away from the glass, I peer at it curiously. It’s a personal delivery.

“Who is it from?”

“Return address reads Nottery,” he tells me, and my eyes pop.

Quickly, I stalk toward him, grabbing for the package.

Nottery. No Man’s Land, where Circe lives.

Vaguely excited, I reach for it, wondering what she might have sent.

“Thanks.” I dismiss the staff member and take the package to my bed, extending my claws to open the paper seamlessly.

Inside a note falls out among the vials, and I snatch it up curiously.

There’s no way to break the unbreakable, but Golden Shade will diminish the scent of your bond when you’re together.

Use the concoctions I sent sparingly. They only work for short periods—less than an hour.

Golden Shade is rare and dangerous in high doses.

Both mates should take it for a longer effect, but everyone around you will be unaware of the bond while it’s active.

I still think you should grow some balls and get your mate back.

Circe

I grab the vials and peer at the golden liquid inside, narrowing my eyes as I study them. Golden Shade. I’ve never seen it before, but Circe’s note tells me everything I need to know. Reaching for my phone off the bedstand, I call the number I had for the elder.

“Hello?” a timid voice answers.

“Nadia?”

“Yes? Who is this?”

“Alpha Nox. I was visiting with Circe a few days ago.”

“Oh… yes.”

“Is she available?”

The nurse falters, and I hear a small commotion in the background. “Nadia?”

“I’m afraid she’s not, Alpha,” she squeaks.

“It’s important,” I growl. “If she’s sleeping, I need you to wake her up.”

“She’s not…”

Dread overcomes me, and I sit up straighter. “Has something happened?”

“Who is this?” A sharper, clearer voice reverberates in my ear.

“Alpha Nox of Ember Hollow. Who is this?”

“This is not a good time. Why are you looking for my mother?”

Ah. The elusive Vivienne.

“I’m a friend. Has something happened to Circe?”

“You could say that,” she growls unhappily. “She went home to Willow Grove.”

Stunned, I blink, and a sense of dread overtakes my senses. “I see. Do you know how I might be able to reach her there?”

“Please don’t call here again.”

The phone disconnects in my ear, and I sit, frozen in shock.

Oh no. No, why would she go home now? This can’t be a coincidence.

This is bad news.

Immediately, I call Brax, my pulse roaring in my ears.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“You have to go to Willow Grove and check on your sister,” I tell him. “Today.”

“What? We’re going tomorrow for the ceremony.”

“No. You have to go. Now,” I command.

Brax releases a low groan. “We’re so close to being done, to securing real peace in the territory. Don’t start causing ripples now, Nox.”

“Just do it or I’ll go myself,” I threaten. It’s what I’m trying to avoid, at least for the moment. I can’t go in without a plan. But I am going in, eventually.

“What am I supposed to say to Emeric?”

“You’re Brynn’s brother. It’s acceptable. You’re family.”

“Emeric might not think so,” Brax counters.

“I need to know she’s okay,” I insist, my anxiety mounting with every second we’re wasting arguing about this.

“Why wouldn’t she be?” Alarm ignites in Brax’s voice. “What happened, Nox?”

“Just go. Now. I want an update as soon as you arrive.”

“Dammit, Nox! I hate it when you leave me in the dark! That’s why we’re in this mess to begin with. If you’d just been forthcoming?—”

“Are you going to lecture me, or are you going to check on Brynn?” I growl. “Go!”

I hang up and finish dressing at record speed, my mind racing. I have what I need now. The Golden Shade will mask our bond scent for nearly an hour. It’s not much time, but it should be enough to get Brynn out of there.

I’m not waiting for tomorrow to get my mate back.

If there’s something these past few weeks have shown me, it’s that Brynn belongs with me, and I will risk whatever it is to keep her.

Now that I have a method to get her undetected, I’m taking it.

The aftermath is going to be an absolute disaster, though.