The water erupts as a slim hand breaks the surface, followed by the face of two sirens, their eyes shimmering with otherworldly light. They each extend an arm, and we grab hold without hesitation.
The last thing I see before she pulls us under is the stunned faces of the hunters breaking through the treeline, guns raised, mouths open in shock. Then water closes over my head, and the world blurs around us.
We're moving impossibly fast through bright liquid light that isn’t actually wet, the siren's grip on my hand is firm and sure as she guides me through the world pathways only she can navigate.
Within moments we burst upward into light and fresh air. The scent of the lake water on the ranch surrounds me, but nothing sticks. I walk out of the lake as dry as I went in.
"What happened?" Maven's voice cuts through my gasping deep breaths. She stands over us, arms crossed, with one eyebrow raised.
I meet her gaze, acutely aware of the bear's blood crusting on my face and neck. The copper tang of it clogs my nostrils. I must look like the monster I try so hard not to be—a predator fresh from a kill, reeking of death. Something primal and bestial masquerading in human form.
Her expression doesn't waver, though. No fear, just annoyed concern, as if I'm a troublesome child who's tracked mud across her clean floors rather than a barely-contained beast who just devoured half a bear and nearly revealed our existence to human hunters.
Cormac marches out of the water behind me, his chest heaving. "Hunters," he manages between breaths. "They saw... something. Maybe Fen. Definitely the wolf eating the bear. And probably Fen changing back."
Maven's expression darkens. "How many?"
"Three, maybe four."
"But not the sirens?" She turns to two women who rescued us, who are floating in the shallows, their iridescent skin glinting in the light.
The siren who carried me through shakes her head. "We didn’t come up far. It’s unlikely we were seen."
Maven's shoulders relax fractionally. "Good. We'll monitor the situation, make sure it doesn't escalate." She gestures toward the path leading up to the main house. "Let's get back. Dugall arrived with Ares an hour ago, and Wraith and Boaz are expected before midnight."
We follow Maven up the winding path from the lake, the tension in my muscles easing slightly with each step toward safety. The ranch sprawls ahead of us, its stone walls and glass windows gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Despite everything, a sense of relief washes over me at the sight. Not home, exactly, but close enough for now.
We crest the final hill, and I spot a familiar figure waiting by the main entrance. Ares stands with his arms crossed. Our gazes lock across the distance, and despite everything—the failed search, the bear, the near-disaster with the hunters—I feel something tight in my chest ease at the sight of one of my brother knights.
He waits until we reach the porch. "Rough day?"
I bark a laugh that's half-growl. "You could say that."
"Let me guess," he continues, moving closer, "no mate, low ambrosia, and something triggered your wolf."
"A bear this time," I confirm. "And hunters who may have seen more than they should have."
Ares’ expression darkens. "That makes two of us with complications, then." He glances at Maven. "We need to talk. All of us."
"After you two get cleaned up," Maven says firmly. "And after Fen drinks some ambrosia, his fangs are still out."
She's right. Despite the shift back, my wolf is still agitated by the chase, the near-exposure, the lingering scent of blood..
As if reading my thoughts, Ares produces a flask from inside his jacket. "Here."
I accept it gratefully, unscrewing the cap and taking a long swallow. The honey-thick liquid burns pleasantly going down, pushing the wolf back further into dormancy. For now.
"Thanks." I hand the flask back, already feeling steadier.
"Don't mention it." He pockets the flask.
I nod, following Maven and Ares as we enter the house. Four cities, no mate, and now a possible exposure incident. Not the progress I'd hoped for.
But somewhere out there, my mate is waiting. I can feel it. And despite today's setbacks, I will find her.
I know it.
CHAPTER 5
