Chapter 17 – CAMILLE
CAMILLE
The dining hall feels different after Dean’s announcement. Conversations have shifted from normal breakfast chatter to hushed speculation about me. Ryan Williams’s father loudly doubts my ability to search out anything more than a bargain in a sale.
It’s hard to eat with every set of eyes fixed on me, burning into the top of my head every time I try to take a bite of food. Especially those belonging to the last enforcer I wanted to see sitting at Zane’s side.
Raven.
Jamie locks eyes with me and gives me a sympathetic smile. She seems to know exactly how anxious I feel, but whether that relates only to the case or to her brother-in-law, who just stormed out, I’m not certain.
“Investigator Black.”
I turn to find Zane Williams waiting, lips curling in a smile as he uses the very formal title Dean gave me. We tend to be a little more casual than that.
The head enforcer stands relaxed but alert, coffee mug in hand.
I knew he’d come to find me once Dean identified who I was.
Technically, he’s not here at the Games in an official capacity.
This is supposed to be a top-secret operation after all, but once Dean reached out, he couldn’t help himself. The man has no off switch. Or life.
“Head Enforcer Williams. I wasn’t expecting you.”
With his brother through to the last round, I thought he’d steer clear of this one, but he’s been following my stolen artifact closely. He might have other reasons for taking an interest that are well above my pay grade.
“When Dean mentioned the incidents had become more concerning, I thought it best to handle it myself, given the high-profile nature of the event.” He gestures toward the door. “Walk with me?”
I follow him outside into the morning sunlight, grateful to escape the stifling room, the oppressive scrutiny, and Raven’s intense stares.
“Ryan’s here somewhere,” Zane says, his gaze moving across the training area. “I wanted to check on him as well, make sure he’s feeling okay.”
I give Zane some serious side-eye.
“Brotherly concern?”
It’s no secret he doesn’t really get along with his brother. I’d say it’s more likely he’s here to reassure himself that Ryan isn’t involved in what’s going on.
“Something like that.”
We pass a group of younger wolves heading to morning drills, and they nod respectfully to Zane, automatically registering him as someone to stay on the good side of. He returns the gesture absently, unaware of the effect he has on those around him.
Zane stops and turns to me.
“I thought he could do with seeing a friendly face. Our father has... expectations. High ones. Being the son of a former head enforcer means you’d better measure up, or you’ll hear about it. Repeatedly.”
His father is no peach. I’ve seen him being rude to servers, expecting to be treated like royalty despite it being obvious to everyone else that they’re stretched thin and doing their best. It’s not hard to imagine his bad attitude extends to how he treats his own family.
Zane sighs and clasps his hands behind his back.
“Ryan lets it bother him more than he should. And acts tougher than he is.” Zane’s expression shifts, something protective flickering through. “He’s not a bad kid underneath the attitude.”
I had written him off as an overly cocky douche, but now, I have a little more sympathy for him. Maybe he’s trying to live up to what he believes is expected of him. I hope Zane’s right, that he hasn’t lost his way.
Movement catches my eye near the equipment shed. Lynn emerges carrying training pads, a broad smile on her face as she hands them out to the sparring partners here to help the competitors stay fight ready.
She glances our way and freezes completely, the smile immediately vanishing from her face. The pads tumble from her arms as she steps backward, face draining of colour.
Without retrieving them, she turns and practically runs, disappearing around the corner of the building, leaving a flirtatious male staring after her, flummoxed, and more than a little disappointed.
Zane watches her go, swallowing hard before wiping the stunned expression from his face and frowning.
When he sees me staring at him, he clears his throat and rolls his shoulders. “Somebody’s jumpy,” he comments, trying to make light of her quick escape, but he looks genuinely rattled.
Deciding I have enough problems of my own without worrying about my boss, I pretend not to buy it.
“The attack has everyone on edge,” I say, refocusing on the task at hand.
“I’m sure,” Zane concedes, but his attention lingers on where she vanished, and I notice his stance has shifted subtly, body turned in her direction as though he’s contemplating going after her.
But after a moment, he turns back to me. “Torres sent you to observe quietly. This definitely isn’t quiet. I assume you haven’t briefed him on your change of plan.”
I laugh, because what else can I do? Quiet went out the window as soon as someone collapsed on the training ground.
“Someone almost died last night. The situation requires… a different approach.”
If this doesn’t pan out, I’m going to be in big trouble, but I’m out of ideas and out of time.
“Did it?” he asks, not doubting my assessment but wanting to hear my reasoning. “Maybe that was the end of it. Could have been a personal grudge against that one competitor.”
I roll my eyes. Not even he believes that.
But I say nothing, watching two wolves circle each other in preparation for sparring.
We’ve reached the main training area now, where wolves are already warming up on the mats. The sound of bodies hitting padding fills the air.
“Jax Reynolds had an extreme reaction to Dean’s announcement.”
I was wondering how long it would take for him to bring that up. He was watching Jax closely from the moment his wild energy crashed into the dining hall this morning.
“He’s protective of his pack.”
No big deal. Just a practically feral wolf who sleeps chained up in a basement on the loose in the middle of a packed competition that’s already full of overstimulated and aggressive shifters.
“Is that what we’re calling it?” Zane stops walking, forcing me to face him. “Look, I’m not blind. Something’s going on there. It wasn’t his pack he was being protective of.”
He sniffs the air to prove his point and to remind me that I’m covered in Jax’s scent.
“Unstable wolves are dangerous, Camille. To themselves and everyone around them. I shouldn’t need to remind you of that. It’s Enforcer 101.”
My wolf bristles at the criticism of our mate, but I keep my voice level.
“I’m here to investigate magical interference. Personal opinions about Dean’s pack members aren’t a priority right now. Let’s deal with one thing at a time.”
A pause.
“Right.” He clearly doesn’t believe me, but reluctantly, lets it drop. “Just be careful. You know from experience that not all wolves can be brought back. Raven said...”
My wolf bristles, not wanting to hear his name.
Zane’s warning is clear. He doesn’t need to labour the point. And he definitely doesn’t need to drag my ex into it.
“I appreciate your concern.”
My mild tone betrays my wolf’s assertion that there’s absolutely no fucking way we’re letting him, or Raven, deal with my mate like some dangerous criminal that needs to be locked up.
“Good.” He glances around again. “I need to find Ryan. Try not to cause any more scenes while I’m gone.”
But something tells me it’s not his brother that he’s looking for.
With a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder to dispel the tension between us, Zane strides off across the training grounds. I watch him go, then turn my attention to the wolves preparing for morning practice.
Time to play up to my enforcer title, and be very, very visible.
Doing my best to look very serious, I approach the first pair of sparring wolves, pulling out my phone to make obvious notes. They’re mid-grapple when they notice me, and the taller one, Eli, stops what he’s doing immediately.
“Don’t mind me,” I say pleasantly as they wait for me to speak. “Just observing.”
They exchange uncertain glances before resuming, but their movements are stilted now, self-conscious. The flow of their sparring turns mechanical, each trying to look skilled rather than actually fighting.
“Investigator Black?” Eli pants between rounds before wiping sweat from his forehead. “I want you to know I’m here to win fair and square.”
Dash nods, resting his hands on his knees as he catches his breath, looking equally offended that I’m here keeping a close eye on them.
“No offense, gentlemen, but of course you’re going to say that.”
I like the twins, but I’m here to ruffle some feathers, so I give them a neutral smile, write some more notes, and move on, leaving them to worry about what I’ve jotted down about them.
Similar protests follow as I make my way around each competitor, all of whom swear their innocence with varying degrees of conviction.
Alpha Williams rolls his eyes when he sees me doing the rounds, unimpressed apparently, that Dean is kicking up such a fuss over this.
After poking through the equipment and making copious notes, I stand back and simply stare, waiting to see if anyone looks more than just a little curious.
Callum appears as planned, materializing at my elbow as I examine the equipment, their gear bags, and water bottles. “Finding anything interesting?”
“Just getting a feel for everyone’s abilities,” I reply, ensuring my voice carries to nearby wolves. “I’ll need to examine everyone’s accommodations. See if there are any magical traces remaining. And go to the clinic to check up on the patient.”
Callum nods. “Let’s do that first. I’ll escort you.”
A flash of grey moves between distant trees. My wolf recognizes Jax instantly, and warmth spreads through my chest despite everything. He’s keeping his distance but staying close enough to watch over me. When I look again, he’s melted back into the forest.