21. Emi
Wolf stopped me at the door. “Wait inside until I”m ready. Don”t get in front of me, and don”t run, no matter what happens.” His gaze was fierce.
My face must have shown my nerves, because he lifted a hand to my shoulder. I was preparing to see him as a wolf again and to meet the others who must hate me just for being Ruby’s granddaughter. I was so anxious I flinched, automatically reaching for the dagger sheathed at my side—Juliet’s parting gift to me.
Wolf noticed. “Take it out. Keep it ready.” When I hesitated, his grip tightened. “Emi, you know what”s going to happen, right? The Mist will claim me, change me. But I swear to you, I won’t let the wolf hurt you. I will, however, get more protective the closer we get to the enclave, so I need you to give me space and follow at a distance, understand? And stay alert. Fenrir might be gone, but there are other dangers.”
Despite what I knew of Wolf, I didn”t believe this was some sort of trap. How could I, with those silverine eyes imploring me? I nodded and reached for my hood. But my hand stopped, and in a heartbeat, I changed my mind, plucking Grandma”s red hood off the hook instead.
Wolf dropped his hand. “You know, they all know that hood…”
“Yes. They”ll know exactly what I am. Who I am. I don’t want to hide from the truth anymore.”
His eyes searched mine, but whatever he found there satisfied him. “If you”re sure…”
“I’m sure. No more secrets. I have to be me.”
Wolf snugged the scarlet hood tight around my shoulders. His cinnamon curls bobbed softly in front of me as he bent his head to the task of tying the front around my throat. The fresh scent of forest and vetiver combined in a mix that had me suppressing the urge to lean in and inhale a lungful of Wolf. Skies of blue, what was wrong with me? I wasn’t here to repeat the mistake of kissing him. Today was about meeting the others and facing what my grandmother had done. I shouldn’t be thinking of anything besides what I could do to help fix her mess.
From behind the window, I couldn”t resist watching. Wolf stepped into the forest, and the sight stole my breath. The way the Mist reached for him as he drew close, closing around his ankles and arms when he stepped in, then seeming to sink clawing tendrils right into his chest… I never knew! It looked painful and possessive, claiming him right in front of me until he disappeared in a bank of white cloud and I lost sight of him.
No, I wanted to scream at it. You can’t have him, he”s mine.
I turned to shake off the insane impulse. A long howl pierced my miserable thoughts of how anyone could cast a curse that did this. I’d never know why Grandma Ruby had done it.
Gathering my wits, I opened the door and pulled my dagger. Where Wolf had vanished, there now stood a rugged wolf with fur of chestnut red over tawny brown and grey. His jaw hung open enough to see the row of fearsome teeth with long, deadly canines right where Wolf”s teeth gave him a dangerous air when he smiled that devastating smile.
I took a tentative step toward him. “You”re not going to hurt me, right?”
In answer, the wolf turned and headed into the forest, tail high and proud behind him. And, okay…I was a little impressed with him in this form, too. He was rather noble and majestic, taking long strides with powerful hindquarters. Not that I was watching a wolf’s— Nope.
With a quick shake of my head to stop myself from chuckling, I followed.
We walked for ages. Wolf must be used to making this trip much faster on four legs, but he seemed content to go at my pace, checking over his shoulder every so often to ensure I was still following in the distance. There was a trail, but it was narrow and more of a deer track than a true path, so I kept the wolf in view between rolling banks of Mist, watching his raised tail peek from undergrowth and fog like a flag to summon me. Eventually, the shoulder checks became more frequent, and I could sense tension rolling off him, like he was torn between running, turning to threaten me, or continuing. The reason became evident as a looming wall of brambles emerged through the thick Mist.
There was nothing natural about this growth. The height alone… It stretched far beyond what I could see, disappearing into the Mist. Nearby trees wove into the wall, their branches twisted with tangled vines. The whole thing pulsed with magic. Could Wolf feel it too, or did I only feel it because my own magic was responding. My body tingled with awareness, magic itching below my skin, clamoring be used.
Just when I couldn”t imagine how we would get past this wall, Wolf disappeared between one heartbeat and the next. Reining in my magic, I rushed ahead to catch up and found a slim gap where the brambles overlapped to leave a hidden opening. Mist floated right to the edge, but not through. Instead, it flowed up the wall and away where branches moved softly as if caught in an unfelt breeze, batting away stray wisps.
There was nothing for it but to follow my wolf and find out what awaited me on the other side.
I emerged into an area clear of Mist, and what awaited me was one very naked backside. Wolf yanked trousers up over his gloriously muscled ass, turning around in the process, and my neck heated at being caught in a stunned muddle. Then he had the nerve to wink at me, and flames consumed my face.
“Freckled jerk. You could have warned me,” I said lowly through my clenched jaw. At the same time, I turned my eyes firmly away to focus on the rest of what lay before me.
Which was people…A lot of people. All of whom were staring at me and not at the half-naked man beside me, which seemed rather unfair. Dropped jaws and outraged glares alike took in my red hood.
Wolf stepped to my side, pulling on a soft tunic. “Where would the fun be in that?” he teased. Then he moved between me and the huge man striding toward us. Fear prickled my belly, but it warmed me that Wolf would step between us, protecting me.
As enormous and intimidating as the man was, and as terrifying as it felt to be assessed like a threat to be eliminated, he deferred to Wolf. One large, meaty hand clamped down on Wolf’s shoulders and an unasked question passed between them.
In response, Wolf spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “This is Emi. She’s a friend.”
My stomach fluttered. I doubted they cared about the little note of pride in his voice, like he was announcing someone they”d be happy to meet. They didn”t look happy.
A woman approached. She was about my age, shorter, with light brown hair that framed her rosy cheeks. Her gaze switched from me to Wolf. “You know what you’re doing, Wolf? That hood—”
“Yes,” Wolf said quickly. “Emi is Ruby”s granddaughter. She”s a gemstone witch. Everyone, meet the Emerald Witch. Emi, meet everyone.”
Harsh whispers and movement rippled through the gathering, but all I could focus on was the way Wolf had said Emerald Witch like he was in awe, not with the distaste of a despised enemy. Some of his people ducked away, others towed friends behind them. A fresh-faced man with pure white hair wrapped his arm around a fine-boned woman and tugged her close.
The big man in front glanced between us, and suddenly I knew who this was.
I glanced to Wolf, and he gave me the encouraging nod I needed to step out from behind him. “Bear, right?” I watched surprise flicker through the honey brown eyes of the large man. Then I turned to the woman who’d questioned my presence and between her attitude and round, red cheeks, I knew who she was too. “And you must be Robin. I”ve heard a lot about you. I”m not here to hurt anyone.”
They were just being cautious. They were ready for violence—too ready, after annums living inside the threat all around them—but they weren”t eager to start it.
“I’m aware of what my grandmother did to all of you. I’d…I’d like to help, if I can.”
Bear side-eyed me while checking Wolf”s reaction. When the big man finally turned his gaze fully on me, his expression broke into a dazzling broad smile. He gave me a supportive nod as if to say, “If Wolf trusts you, that”s good enough for me.”
I practically fell over in shock. But he meant it, because he turned his back on me, exposed and vulnerable, and ambled over to Robin. Her arms were folded over her chest as if she was still deciding what she thought of me. Bear might have decided to trust me, but she’d take a little more convincing, even if she seemed willing to follow Wolf’s lead
Proving I was right about who she was, Wolf called out to her. “Relax, Robin. Emi”s not like that.”
She continued her steady assessment. I wanted to wilt, but I was wearing Grandma”s red hood and she wouldn”t have wilted for anyone. It was enough to stiffen my backbone and hold Robin”s gaze. Finally, she dropped her arms, shrugged, and went back to a pile of fabric on the ground that she must have been working on before Wolf and I burst in.
“See? All good,” Wolf said close to my ear. He placed a warm hand on my back, and the small gesture comforted me. That hand told me he was by my side, and it shouldn’t have felt so very good. “Come meet the others.”