Page 42 of Pack Nightmare

The tension in the air that I took for excess energy from the storm has thickened, growing to a painful crackling along my skin like electric shocks. Whoever this Azalea person is, she’s bad news. My phone buzzes angrily in my pocket; I don’t need to take it out. I know it’s my early warning system.

“Lex,” I growl, panic giving way to the crawling sensation under my skin. “We have to go! We’ll come back another time. I will come whenever you want, I promise.”

Her green eyes are conflicted, looking around at all of us. “But we didn’t get the answers we need! I don’t understand-”

The loud rumble of an engine outside cuts her off.

It’s already too late to escape. Whoever this Azalea person is, she’s here.

Chapter Twenty-One

Layla

The growing sense of dread fills my stomach with snakes. I’ve fought my every instinct to get the answers we came for, but I know it’s too late when I hear the deep, thrumming purr of a loud engine outside.

The rain has slowed from a downpour to a light pattering against the roof, and we can hear the engine cut off and car door slam in exqusite detail.

My fated gather around me, forming a semicircle between me and the door. Derrek joins them, stepping out in front of us all, blocking my view of the door. I step to the side to see better—I always like to know what’s coming at me.

Shuya sighs heavily, sitting back in her chair and taking another sip of tea.

The arrival doesn’t bother knocking. First the screen door squeaks loudly, then the heavy wooden door pushes inside, revealing a tall, slender, cloaked figure in all black. It almost looks like a costume—who wears a long wool cape with a hood so deep you can’t see their face?—but she quickly pushes it back on her head.

She has power; I feel it prickling over my skin. But my first thought is—she looks like a movie star.

The young woman strides into the house slowly, water from her high-heeled boots pooling on the wooden floor. Her pale, oval face is flawless, with a pretty flush on her cheeks to set off full, blood-red lips, and eyes like the deep blue ocean sparkle with amusement. Her lips curl into a delighted smile, and she reaches back to fluff silky blonde hair.

Her gaze never leaves Derrek.

“Well, isn’t this a delightful surprise, cousin,” her grin widens. “It’s been too long, Leaf.” Azalea’s voice is sweet and seductive, with a smoky edge.

Every muscle in Derrek’s back is tense. “Azalea,” he grinds out from between clenched teeth. “Fancy seeing you here. Unannounced.”

“I could say the same thing, cousin. We didn’t know you were back in town, or we’d have thrown you a little welcome party. It’s a lucky thing my charms let me know when Grannie has visitors. Hey, Grannie,” she leans around Derrek and wiggles her fingers. “And… Leaf, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”

The witch saunters closer and I feel the clawing, tugging under my skin, my wolf begging to be set free.

She pulls in a deep breath, then her features twist as if she smells something bad. “Oh dear, I’m afraid you’ve made friends with kids from the wrong side of the tracks, cousin. Tsk, tsk,” she wags a finger at him with another vicious smile. “What would the alpha say?”

“I’m the alpha, and I say Derrek is free to do what he wants,” I snarl. Witch or not, I can’t take the deference he’s giving her. He’s practically frozen in place, whether from fear or something else, I can’t tell.

Her expression widens in false surprise, and she ambles closer to the dining table. “Oh, she’s feisty, the new Harridan. Not very smart though, is she?”

“You leave her alone, Az,” Derrek growls.

“Azalea, you know the rules, no magic in my house!” Shuya’s voice, while creaky, is laced with power.

The witch places a hand on Shuya’s shoulder. “I know, Grannie. I just came to check on you, make sure you’re okay. I hate that you’re out here all by yourself with no one to protect you. You never know when rogues will show up,” her voice turns from sweetly condescending to a snarl, complete with a feral glance in Derrek’s direction. Instantly, she reverts to sugary sweet. “I wish you’d move closer to the pack so we could look out for you.”

“I’m quite happy where I’m at, Azalea,” the older woman answers stiffly. “Leaf, you and your friends ought to be going now.”

“Yes, run along and play with your little friends,” Azalea sneers. “Grannie and I need to have a chat.”

The guys close ranks around me as Azalea claims my seat at the table. We walk toward the door, and I don’t dare look back until the screen door slams behind us.

“Keep going,” Derrek mutters under his breath.

The rain has almost completely cleared by now, but the gravel clearing is more of a lake than a driveway at this point. We pick our way between the puddles toward Landon’s SUV, and I pull in a deep sigh of relief, the tension uncoiling.

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