Page 38 of The Wolfing Hour

“Margaux, you know what I am,” I said, my voice cracking. “Allof it.”

“Yes, I do. You’re a lot like my best friend Lila. Formidable as hell.” She opened the door and went inside.

Comparing me to Mom was a low blow. Damn her for it.

With this many wolves and witches around, it probably wasn’t essential, but I decided to walk the perimeter anyway. I sent a little magic into Yellow, the saguaro closest to Gladys’strailer. The saguaro glowed softly for a second then went back to normal.

I swung around Gladys’s place, headed to the spot between her trailer and Señora Cervantes’s. That was where the second largest saguaro, Orange, was located. I’d give Orange a boost then work my way around the park, leaving Red for last. I liked to take my time with Red. He was a good sounding board, even if he couldn’t talk back.

Television murmurs and loud snoring floated out an open window. Sra. Cervantes loved her novelas. Sometimes Trini came over and watched them with her, but I’d asked everyone to stay home tonight. Surprisingly, they’d all agreed. Even the grouchy woman currently snoring like a growling bear.

No, not bear. Growlingwolf.

The spot between my shoulder blades itched. Something was wrong here.

I peered around the corner of Sra. Cervantes’s mobile home, scanning the street. There. Standing near the streetlight at the far end of the block, was a tall, lean figure in a dark sweatsuit. From the height, posture, and shoulders, I guessed the person was male. The guy slouched against the pole, hoodie pulled over his head, hands in his pockets.

He let out another low growl. A warning?

Damn it, I was getting really tired of dealing with Floyd’s wolves. When was the bastard going to show his ugly face instead of sending his underlings? Loser.

I scooped up two handfuls of soil from the señora’s garden, letting it sizzle through my skin and into my bloodstream. I cast asilencespell, something easy and temporary, so it wouldn’t use much magic. I might need all my power to take down the bastard.

It occurred to me that I could’ve called for help. Ronan or Margaux—or even Trini, who was a strong shifter in her ownright. I shoved the idea aside. I wanted—needed—this. Kicking the ass of a Pallás wolf would satisfy the rage inside me.

For now.

The spell dampened my scent as well as the sound of my approach, so when I stepped into the glow from the streetlight and dropped it, I wasn’t surprised at the screech that popped out of the wolf. Okay, I was alittlesurprised by how high-pitched it was, but other than that, it was the reaction I’d planned and hoped for.

“Show your face, wolf,” I said. “I like to look my victims in the eye before I take them out.”

“Shit.Shit. I told him this wasn’t a good idea.” The wolf tore down his hoodie, revealing his face. He was in his early twenties with brown hair and eyes. Basic white dude, not unattractive, but he wouldn’t be starring in a soap opera anytime soon, either.

“Who’d you tell? Floyd?”

“No, the pack third—I mean, Ronan.” He held up both hands in surrender. “He asked me to keep watch over the Siete Saguaros after what happened to Ms. Jiménez today.”

Damn it, Ronan.

“That’s why you were sending out the warning growls?”

“Yes, ma’am. Just putting out a warning.”

“Please don’t call me ma’am.” I narrowed my eyes and focused on the wolf. “You’re Trey, right?”

“Yes, ma—Ms. Lennox.” He cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and blurted, “I, uh, want you to know, I never told anyone what I overheard in the park. You know how you cursed me not to tell? You didn’t actually need to do that, because I gave my word to Ronan, and I wouldn’t go back on my word, so if you, uh, want to remove the curse now, you can.”

If I hadn’t been so annoyed, I would’ve laughed.

“There’s no curse, Trey. I never put one on you.” I jabbed my index finger at him. “Doesn’t mean I can’t or won’t, only that I haven’t yet.”

“Thanks.” The kid looked so relieved it was comical.

I still didn’t laugh.

“You’re using Ronan,” I said. “Spying on him for Floyd and Mason.”

He shook his head. “No, ma—Ms. Lennox.” He cleared his throat again. “I’ve only ever wanted to do right by the pack. What Alpha did to the third—his own son—well, I didn’t think it was right. Lots of us wolves feel the same, but most are too scared of the alphas who don’t to admit it.”