124. Vameer
Vameer
“What has happened?” Volik asks, knowing this wolf.
The shifter places his hands on his naked hips, catching his breath quickly. “Someone kidnapped a pup. Not from my pack. But a wolf.” He looks at me. “I think it’s to get you.”
I force the feeling of guilt away.
It does nothing for me now.
“Do we know where they took them?” I reach under my robe and tug my boxer briefs down.
Stepping out of them, I toss them at the naked man.
His expression is stuck between humor and a grimace. “I’d prefer the robe.”
“And I’d prefer not to have a wolf dick touch my things.”
He rolls his eyes and pulls them up his thighs. “And this doesn’t count?” He adjusts himself through the fabric.
I shake my head. “They are my brother’s.”
He lifts a brow, then holds his hands up. “You know what, I’m not gonna ask.”
The front door opens behind me, and I hear the girls rush out of the house.
“Did you say someone was taken?” Nix asks as soon as she’s beside Volik.
The wolf nods, all traces of humor gone. “A six-year-old boy in a fake traffic stop.”
Rune grips my hand in hers. “If they took one, could they have taken more?”
Her question settles heavily over us.
“I’ll text Dread. He’ll be able to find information the fastest,” Nix shouts over her shoulder, already rushing back to the house for her phone.
“The parents were drugged but are alive, as far as I know. I came straight here as soon as I heard. I don’t have—”
A portal glows to life a dozen feet away.
But Dread doesn’t step through.
No one does.
The wolf points at the black doorway. “This normal?”
“No—” I start, then I see a large crate slide through the blackness onto the grass. Followed by a crazy old man with glowing eyes. “Haruto. What the fuck? Where have you been?”
I’d almost forgotten that the clothes maker was a damn druid.
He straightens and brushes off the front of his purple tunic. “Pardon my tardiness. I was busy trying not to be murdered. But you’re welcome for hand delivering your new wardrobe.” He swings a kick at the wooden crate and misses. “I’ll take a new warehouse as payment, thank you very much.”
I sigh. “Fine. Same spot or somewhere new?”
He bends and starts to pry off the top of the crate. “Surprise me,” he grunts. And the top of the crate flips off.
“Appreciate the new stuff, but we’re in the middle of something.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my tone.
Rune squeezes my fingers.
“Yes, I know. You’ll want these.” Haruto stands, clutching two bundles of fabric, looking back and forth around the group. “This one is for your better half.” He tosses the black bundle at Volik. “This one is for you, Lovely.” He crosses the distance and holds the dark red bundle out to Rune.
She slips her hand free of mine and takes it, letting it unfurl into a robe that matches mine.
“Sorry I didn’t warn you. But…” He shrugs and pointedly looks at her horns.
I look down at the robe. At the pink silk stitching around the horn slits in the hood of her robe.
A growl starts in the back of my throat.
He cackles.
I grit my teeth. “Put yourself back on my good side and tell me you can help us find King Tosa.”
Haruto snaps a salute. “The eagles will help.” Then he drops the salute and points at the wolf. “You should know that.”
The wolf narrows his eyes.
Haruto wiggles the finger still pointed at the wolf. “When you need clothes that fit, Hunter. Come find me.”
The wolf holds his hands up, clearly and rightfully, confused. “I own clothes. I just ran here.”
“When you need clothes that fit.” Haruto repeats himself slowly.
Then a second portal glows to life on the other side of our group.
We all turn our attention as Dread steps through.
He’s looking like himself in pants, an open robe, no shoes, and that battle ax strapped across his back again.
Haruto makes a choking sound. Then he runs toward his still-open portal.
Dread flicks his wrist, and the earth under Haruto’s feet rolls, lifting him off the ground and flinging him straight through the portal.
I grin.
I like Haruto just fine, but that shit was funny.
Then Dread claps his hands once, and both portals close.
I drop my grin and narrow my eyes at my new friend. That’s not normal.
He shrugs at me. Then turns to the wolf.
“Wolf.” He nods.
My grin fights to come back. I really do like this druid.
“Magic Man.” The shifter slaps Dread on the shoulder, then gestures to where Haruto’s portal was. “Nice to see you making friends.”
Dread brushes the wolf’s hand off his robe. “Should I have offered to swap panties? Is that what I’m doing wrong?”
Rune makes a choked sound beside me as the wolf smirks.
And a part of me regrets not giving him my robe. I should keep him covered in front of my mate.
I glance at the partially naked druid and let go of the train of thought.
I am the biggest here. It doesn’t matter.
Rune presses against my side, like she’s reading my mind and telling me I’m the most attractive.
“Brother.” Volik gestures to the shifter. “This is Orion, Alpha of the Argus wolf pack.
This is my brother, Vameer. And his mate, Rune.”
I nod to the wolf. “A friend to my brother is a friend to me.”
“Appreciate that.” He turns to Rune. “Pleasure to meet you.”
I drape my arm over Rune’s shoulders, holding her to me.
She doesn’t try to move, but I can hear her smile. “Likewise. And I know this is under bad circumstances, but seeing the whole wolf thing was really cool.”
“Okay,” I say loudly, bringing the topic back around.
And as we explain the few details we have to Dread, Nix comes back outside.
“I’ll call my journalist friend.” Nix offers. And we all agree. This is not going to be swept under the rug.
We’ll do what we need to do to get that pup back. But we won’t shy away from any of the details. Anyone associated with the kidnapping of an Alt, especially a child, will pay.
“I’m coming with you. But only me.” Orion says it like we might argue. “We know this is a trap, but there’s a possibility the trap is to get us out of the way so they can attack somewhere else. And I won’t take any of my wolves away from my border.” He waits for an objection that does not come.
“It’s settled.” I turn to Rune. “You and Nix will remain here.”