Page 52 of Wulf’s Pack
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
I hang up, and Isabella holds out a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt. “You might want some pants, sir.”
I look down at my naked body and sigh. “I’m surprised I had some left.”
She smirks. “Your drawers did look rather empty.”
I pull on the clothes, then follow Isabella to the bleachers where Ben and Bree are talking to a man and a young girl.
They both straighten nervously when I approach.
The man is a strong alpha wolf, but the girl is shocking.
She carries his scent, so I know she’s his daughter.
She’s a strong alpha as well, but she also carries the essence of a sorcerer.
Hybrid children are not unheard of, but they are rare.
Usually, when two underworlders of different races reproduce, the child inherits the stronger form.
But every now and then if the parents are very similar in strength, the child can end up with the gifts of both.
Those children are often looked down on or ostracized.
Especially in this case, seeing as both wolves and sorcerers are very elitist when it comes to mating.
No doubt his pack kicked him out when they discovered the truth.
As intrigued as I am, I’m more curious to know what they’re doing here. I don’t recognize either of them.
Bree and the others are on guard, clearly wary of our visitors, but they’re not on high alert, so I relax a little. The strangers dip their chins and lower their eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to see us, Alpha Winters,” the wolf says.
I’m not getting any aggressive vibes from either of them, so I gesture toward the bleachers. “Have a seat.”
Father and daughter sit, and I sigh internally.
We really do need some kind of reception area, or at least a couch.
I take a seat as well, instead of looming over them.
I want them to feel comfortable, especially the girl.
She can’t be more than ten, and she looks terrified.
“Isabella mentioned you might be able to help us find my mate?” I ask the man.
I hate jumping right into things without introductions, but I’m a little eager.
The man nods. “I can’t guarantee it, but we have a good chance, and we’d like to try.”
“How?” I demand.
The man stiffens and clenches his jaw while his daughter flinches back.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, kicking myself for scaring the girl.
I don’t mean to bark, but I’m hanging on by a thread, and this tiny bit of hope is stirring my wolf’s emotions.
“I’m just a bit stressed. My wolf is on edge.
” I take a breath and try again. “How do you think you could help?”
The man hesitates, trying to gauge my sincerity and if I pose a threat.
After a moment, he sighs and puts his arm around his daughter’s shoulders.
“I’m Dennis Madsen. This is my daughter, Abigail.
She’s young, but her magic is strong. She’s not had formal training, but she’s got a natural talent for scrying.
Unless your mate is being hidden by a powerful sorcerer, Abby can probably find her. ”
My wolf nearly explodes from my chest. My hope’s not far behind his. “Scrying.” I haven’t considered that possibility.
Dennis nods. “It’s not easy magic, but Abby has an affinity for divination.”
The plot thickens. Divination is a truly rare gift.
It’s mostly given to shamans, but on the extremely rare occasion, a sorcerer or sorceress will be touched by the fates.
Divination manifests a little differently in each person.
Some have visions. Some dream walk. Others scry.
Without a natural gift for divination, scrying is nearly impossible.
It’s a coveted power that people will pay handsomely for.
I narrow my eyes at the man, trying to discern his motivations. I don’t love that he’s volunteering his daughter like this. Why? What does he want? Money? Does he use his daughter often?
Dennis accurately guesses the reason for my disapproval. “I don’t use my daughter. It was her idea. She saw the news and wants to help.”
My brows fly up. He’s not lying. I turn my attention to the girl. “Abigail?”
When the girl meets my eyes, I give her a smile. “Is it Abigail, or do you prefer Abby?”
The question surprises her. She glances at her dad, then says, “I like Abby.”
I smile again. She’s nervous, but I don’t scent real fear. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby. I’m Wulf.”
Her eyes widen, and I chuckle. It’s a response I’ve gotten my whole life. “Yes. Wulf the werewolf. I know, it’s silly.” I bring my hand to my mouth and lean forward as if to share a secret. “My parents thought they were funnier than they really were.”
The girl finally cracks a smile. “They are funny. I like it.”
“That’s because it’s not your name,” I tease, making her giggle.
Beside her, Dennis relaxes.
“How old are you, Abby?”
“Nine.”
“Nine? And you already know how to scry? You must be a powerful sorceress.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t know any other sorcerers to tell me.”
There’s melancholy in her tone that shouldn’t be present in such a young girl. It makes me even more curious about her story. Where is her mother? I want to ask, but I also don’t want to get distracted. “Why do you want to help me, Abby? You don’t know me.”
She looks at me, and her innocent, little face is so earnest when she says, “A bad man kidnapped your mate. My mom was kidnapped by a bad man too. She died.” Abby’s eyes fill with tears, and she whispers, “I don’t want your mate to die like my mom.”
Dennis chokes. I glance sharply at him. His face is white as a ghost, and his eyes gloss over with tears. He looks utterly devastated, though I’m not sure if it’s sadness for the loss of his mate or for the emotional distress of his much-too-empathic daughter.
My chest tightens. Abby is so much like Skylar. So selfless and compassionate. So concerned about others and willing to help.
“She must be so scared,” Abby says. “I can find her. Please let me help.”
There’s no way I can deny her. I share a long look with Dennis, and I know he can’t say no to her either. “Would it hurt her?” I ask him. “Or put her in danger in any way?”
Dennis shakes his head. “She’s done it many times.”
“And you’re okay with her doing it?”
He looks at his daughter, and his throat bobs. When he meets my eyes again, they fill with determination. “If it were anyone but you, I wouldn’t have brought her.”
I rear back in surprise. “Me? What have I done to deserve such trust?”
Dennis hesitates in a way that skyrockets my suspicion. Isabella is on the same wavelength as me because she asks, “What is it you’re hoping to gain? What are you asking for in return for your help?”
He still doesn’t immediately answer. Whatever it is, it’s a big ask. Hopefully it’s something I can give him, because this girl may be the key to finding Skylar. “Out with it.”
He studies me, then looks at Bree, Ben, and Isabella. Then he watches his daughter again, and his resolve crumbles. “We won’t require anything in exchange. Abby just wants to help.”
“But…?” I ask, because his answer’s not that simple.
He lets out a breath. “But…” he agrees, nodding. “I’m hoping…” He bites his lip, looks at his daughter once more, then squares his shoulders. “Abby and I would like to join your pack.”
That is the last thing I expected him to say.
I’m surprised enough that I don’t know how to answer him.
He takes my lack of response as hesitation.
“Please,” he says. “We’ve been on our own since Abby was born.
My old pack refused to take her in, and my mate’s coven killed her when they learned of us.
It was sheer luck I was gone with Abby when they attacked.
I took Abby and ran, and I’ve been hiding her ever since.
She needs family, friends, and protection. She needs a pack.”
“Why mine?” I ask. “Of all the packs in the country, what made you approach me?”
“You have a reputation in this city for being kind and helpful to all types of underworlders. You were a member of Nora Jacobs’s clan.
I made a mistake once, and Nora was kind and compassionate when I didn’t deserve her forgiveness.
She knows about Abby, but has kept her secret when she could have used it to take revenge on me. ”
My curiosity skyrockets. That is a story I will be getting as soon as this current crisis is over.
“I trust and respect her,” Dennis continues.
“And you are someone she cares about. You happily joined a family that included everything from vampires, to demons, to fae, and now you have a mixed-race pack.” He waves at Ben, Isabella, and Bree.
“You have a cougar and a pair of hawks. I hoped you might be open-minded and accepting of a hybrid child.”
He’s got me there. I have absolutely no problem with Abby’s underworld status.
And he’s right that she needs both pack and protection.
Not just her. I’ll bet Dennis needs a pack as badly as she does.
Most wolves do. I really was a rare exception as a true lone wolf.
I don’t know Dennis, but he clearly loves his daughter, and Abby has a beautiful soul.
He can’t be that bad. They need us, and it wouldn’t hurt to have another strong alpha, though having Abby could add another target on our pack.
One look at the girl, and I know she’s worth the trouble it might take to keep her safe. I can’t turn them away. “You’ve been packless a long time,” I say. “Could you accept the rule of an alpha?”
Dennis stiffens, but both surprise and hope light up his face. “I’ve never had a problem with authority, and you are a man I already respect. I would be honored to call you Alpha.”
I nod, then turn my attention to Abby. “And how about you? Would you like to join our pack?”
Abby’s eyes pop wide, and she nods vigorously. “I’ve always wanted a pack!”