AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Being back in Dixon was so surreal. We’d only been at the archives and traveling for about a week, but I’d loved the city and the supernatural community there. The Bluffs looked the same as always as we approached. The Rivera twins waited by the gate to let us in and almost tackled Callum in a group hug as soon as he climbed out of the truck to greet them.
“I was only gone a week, guys.” He laughed. “Was it that bad?”
“Yes. These assholes are not pack,” Carlo said honestly, catching us all by surprise. Callum’s anger sparked as he gazed out at the small community.
“What did they do?” he demanded.
Antonio shrugged. “A whole fucking lot of nothing. No one wanted the shifts here. They knew the risks but apparently the mansions were the reason they came. Even Emma told them if they don’t pull their weight, they don’t eat.” I cracked up at that.
“Good on her,” I said. “She’s not one to hold back the punches.”
“No, she isn’t.” Antonio grinned. “But you’re back now anyway so we’ll survive. Outside of a few new guards and Hades, the rest need to go. Prepare yourselves. It was like the moment you left they thought they could just live free and easy.”
“Oh, they’re going to learn.” I laughed humorlessly. “The tracker has been quiet since Philly and so has the Grave Pack. That won’t last and they’ll have a rude awakening.”
“At least we came with information and a location. And lucky you, I have a project for you,” Callum said. He clapped Antonio on the shoulder and steered him inside the security building.
“I know the details, I’m heading home to my plants,” Nyx called out before Callum could get inside.
“I’m the alpha, I can handle this alone,” Callum reassured us before waving us off and closing the door. We didn’t protest. My bed sounded really fucking inviting right about now, even if it was only mid-day. Traveling was exhausting.
After finally being accepted into the Bluff Pack, I hadn’t felt out of place. But as we walked through the streets back to our place it was as if all eyes were on us. We were some kind of walking sideshow and they were spying through windows as they watched.
“What the fuck?” Leven growled. “What’s this even about? The new wolves have tripled since we left.”
“Beats me,” Nyx said as he waved to a window of onlookers not even bothering to hide their gaping. They flinched back and curtains were thrown closed to block them from view. Of course a sliver opened right back up.
“Did someone spread gossip about us? Is it our relationship? Me? The tracker?” I wondered. Yet no matter how I racked my brain for whatever had triggered their curiosity, I couldn’t figure it out. “I need to chat up Emma later and see what the fuck is going on. Right now I don’t have the fucking capacity,” I groaned.
“It’s strange. I don’t trust it,” Leven said. “If I find out a single one of them is working for the enemy, it’ll be a bloodbath.”
“Amen to that,” Nyx muttered as he flipped off the next window. Apparently as we rounded the curb, they switched windows.
I don’t think I took a full breath until we walked inside our home and closed the door behind us.
“You’re home!” Garren cheered as he rushed out of the kitchen and into Leven’s arms. They hugged for a moment before he pulled me in for one, then Nyx, surprising my copper-haired mate. “This place has gone to hell without you.”
“Yeah, what the hell is that about? They were literally watching us like fucking creeps,” Leven growled as he flopped onto the couch.
“Rumors. Apparently Vanya took the most eligible alpha so the gossip has been strong in the territory.” He laughed. “Just yesterday I heard she killed a wolf who got too close to him. I didn’t know you were such a savage.” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he winked at me.
“Wow,” I snorted. “Murder was the best they had? That’s not even creative.”
“Oh, they’ve been creative,” he corrected. “Someone thinks you’re the Moon Goddess herself, come down to fix this situation. Another speculated that you were part of some underground wolf cult here to take all the eligible wolves. It’s all jealousy.”
“Great,” I groaned. “Meaning it’s going to be awkward as fuck every time I leave the house until they go back to their own packs.”
“Well, if you weren’t such a crazy harlot,” Nyx drew out before bursting into laughter. It broke the tension bearing down on us and I shook my head.
“I’m going to need a nap before I face them for pack dinner,” I admitted with a yawn.
“I’m watering my plants then I’m doing the same,” Nyx agreed. He started to get up but Garren waved him off.
“Check on them if you want but I’ve followed your instructions,” he promised. “I know how important those sprouts are.”
“You’re amazing,” Nyx said with a grin. Just the mention of his plants had him perking up and rushing off to check on them.
“Come on, le—” Leven’s words were cut off at the sound of an explosion. It hit strong enough that our entire house shook.
