My lungs burn as we sprint through Wolf’s Landing, the ghost floating beside us, humming a distorted version of "Row Your Boat" while Eleanor struggles to keep pace. Snow crunches underfoot, but I barely hear it over my pounding heartbeat.
"Is the hospital far?" Eleanor pants behind , clutching her journal to her chest like a shield.
"It’s right there." I don’t slow down, but I do feel bad for the girl.
Still—my mind’s focused on Lucas and all the injuries from their fight. Vester didn’t give many details, but if they’re in the hospital, it can’t be good.
The ghost drifts ahead, twirling like a deranged ballerina. "Ring around the roses, pockets full of posies, ashes, ashes, they all fall DOWN!"
He screams the last word, swooping low over two wolves carrying supplies, who flinch despite themselves. They can’t touch him, but they sure as hell can see him.
The flying didn’t start until we entered Wolf’s Landing. He was walking before.
Grimoire, can you do anything about him? I ask desperately.
Nope.
Simple and to the point. His denial is a wall of stone. Lovely. I always wanted a spectral stalker who sings nursery rhys.
The hospital is bustling, with people rushing both in and out.
Again, Vester hadn’t said much. The key words were: vampires, ambush, several injured and/or dead.
At the entrance, I nearly collide with a young man carrying bloody bandages. It takes a second to realize it’s Wes.
"Where’s Lucas?" I demand.
"The biggest room, Luna." His eyes dart nervously to the ghost hovering behind , then to Eleanor. "The beta’s there too. Do you need—? No? I’m here if you need anything!"
His shout follows behind as I shove my way through the crowd.
"So many broken puppies," the ghost coos.
Eleanor’s still with , I think. If she isn’t, Vester will take care of her.
Not bothering to knock, I slam the door open and rush inside.
Lucas stands with his back to , his shoulders tense as he speaks with Vanessa. Kellan’s the one on a hospital bed this ti, his torso heavily bandaged, face pale, and eyes alert. Lisa hovers beside him, one hand clutching his, the other resting protectively on his shoulder. She looks up when I enter, and she looks... terrible.
Shadows under her eyes. A pale line around her lips. Sothing dark and grim in her face.
"Ava," Lucas says, turning at the sound of the door. The mont our eyes et, sothing inside uncoils. He’s alive. He’s safe.
I already knew, but—it’s still good to see it for myself.
He crosses the room in three long strides and pulls into a crushing embrace, burying his face in my hair. I lt against him, breathing in his scent of amber and campfire smoke, letting it settle my frayed nerves.
"You’re okay," he murmurs against my ear.
"You’re the one who was fighting vampires," I whisper back, my voice breaking. "I just picked up strays."
Speaking of which—the ghost twirls into the room with a flourish, floating up to the ceiling and continuing his creepy ballet above our heads. Eleanor steps in behind , her eyes wide as she takes in the scene.
Lucas stiffens, his arms tightening around as he notices our companions. "Ava," he says slowly, "who are your friends?"
Guess Vester didn’t give him a heads-up.
Then again... how does one explain the ghost?
I pull back just enough to et his gaze. "It’s a long story."
"The Alpha’s mate!" the ghost shrieks with delight, swooping down so close to Lucas that he flinches back instinctively. "The wolf who killed his father for power! But you didn’t, did you? The rumors lie, lie, lie like little dead things on the ground!"
My mate’s eyes narrow dangerously. "What the hell is that?"
"A ghost, apparently," I say, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. "He followed us from the periter. We can’t touch him, and he won’t leave."
"And her?" Lucas nods toward Eleanor, who clutches her journal tighter.
"Eleanor Wright," she says before I can answer, her voice surprisingly steady despite her obvious nervousness. "I’m a researcher of paranormal phenona. I found Ava while tracking a unique magical signature."
His eyebrows shoot up, and he looks at with a silent question. I squeeze his hand.
"She’s human," I explain quietly. "A witch."
Understanding dawns in his eyes, followed by wariness. He turns to Eleanor with a carefully neutral expression. "Welco to Wolf’s Landing, Ms. Wright. I’m Lucas Westwood, Alpha of the Westwood Pack."
Eleanor’s mouth twists. Her gaze darts between us. "You’re all wolf shifters."
"Yes," Lucas answers simply.
"And Ava is..." Eleanor trails off, staring at with new eyes.
"My mate," Lucas says, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist.
Eleanor looks like she’s been smacked with a physics textbook. "Ah-hah. Yeah. Okay. This makes sense."
The way her fingers tighten on the journal says otherwise, and I wonder what she was thinking about Vester and the others on the way here. Did she think they were pets?
I heard so humans don’t really understand packs, so it would make sense—but it’s a little disappointing.
"I’m not a wolf," Lisa pipes up from Kellan’s side, a hint of her usual humor returning despite the strain in her eyes. "Just an ordinary human caught in so furry drama."
"Oh," Eleanor says faintly. ", too."
"What happened?" I ask, finally turning my full attention to my mate’s beta. His bandages are stark white against his tanned skin.
"The Mad Prince," Lucas says, his voice going cold. "We encountered him and his vampires during the rescue mission."
My blood runs cold. "The Mad Prince? We found him, then?"
Eleanor’s confused expression only deepens, but I ignore her for now. There are more pressing matters.
"Ambushed Kellan’s group," Lucas confirms. "It was chaos, but we managed to get there in ti. Thanks to your Magister friend, anyway."
The ghost cackles overhead, spinning in dizzying circles. "The Mad Prince! The Mad Prince! Wants his little kitten back, but the wolf won’t share, no no no!"
Lisa flinches, her fingers tightening visibly on Kellan’s shoulder.
"We need to talk," Lucas says to , his voice low enough that only I can hear.
"Later," I murmur, touching his arm. "I promise. But first I need to get Eleanor situated sowhere safe." I glance at our new human companion, who’s watching everything with a mixture of fear and fascination.
"I was thinking of putting her with Magister Orion and Pip," I suggest, loud enough for everyone to hear. "She’s interested in magic, and the Magister might have insights that could help her research."
"Oh—I wanted to learn from you..."
She flinches when Lucas looks at her and backpedals imdiately. "But this Magister guy sounds nice. Is he a witch, too?"
Grimoire snorts. A Fae witch. The world has changed.
"No." I bite at my lip, trying to fight a smile. Eleanor seems a little flummoxed we’ve entered a world of wolves; how’s she going to react to a Fae? "He’s sothing better. You’ll like him."
Lisa clears her throat, sounding hesitant as she says, "That might be good for Pip, actually. Having soone new around. I think she needs more friends."
Oh? I’m so curious to know what Lisa’s learned, but—God, it feels a little like I need to make a calendar and schedule etings so I can get everything done.
Lucas sighs, rubbing his forehead. "Everything’s happening so fast again. We need to be on guard."
It’s like he’s reading my mind, only he can’t.
Not yet, Selene agrees.
"Check on Clayton and the Aspen wolves when you can," he adds, looking right at . The request is casual, without any sign of strain in his face. "Make sure they’re okay. I’m not sure how many he lost."
I nod. "No problem."
Grimoire sounds thoughtful. Is he not worried about the alpha taking you away?
Not anymore, and my shoulders feel so light for it.
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