Page 36 of Bullied Wolf Mate

“It’s blood magic,” I said.

“What did you find out?” I had completely forgotten about Declan until he asked that question.

I turned to look at him, unable to hide the grin growing wider across my face. “I figured it out,” I said. “I know where it is, and I know how to open it now.”

Declan watched me with an intense interest, eyes glinting with satisfaction and triumph. “How certain are you?” he demanded.

“Pretty,” I answered, tapping the page I’d been reading. “This symbol, I’ve seen it before when I was a kid. I didn’t know what it was at the time. This book says it’s related to blood magic. I think the bit about my bloodline being the only one able to open it was even more literal than we thought. The knowledge wasn’t just passed down through my family—itismy family. I have to use blood magic.”

Declan pushed past me to study the page. “You’re certain it was this symbol?” When I nodded, he asked, “How does blood magic work exactly?”

“Honestly, pretty simple,” I said. “You create a sigil like this one; there are a few. To seal the magic, you have to use some of your blood. To activate the magic later, you use some of your blood and an incantation.” I glanced back down at the page. “This one right here is apparently supposed to go down through a family. As long as you’re part of the family and know the incantation written here, you can activate the sigil.”

“How much blood?”

“When I studied it when I was a kid, most blood magic didn’t take that much.”

“And you think you know where it might be?”

I bit my lip. “I think so. Up near where I grew up.”

“So you think you can get us there?”

I bobbed my head. “Absolutely. We could go right now. I might not be the best witch, but I know how to create a portal. We can end this in thirty minutes.”

Declan held up his hand. “I’m thrilled we figured all this out. Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t know anything about blood magic.” He raised his eyebrows. “Is it going to hurt the baby?”

I shook my head, though the fact that he had even asked took me by surprise. He’d always seemed like a gruff, “at-all-costs” type of guy. Maybe I’d misjudged him.

He nodded. “I wanted to make that clear, because I know I’ve been pushing for you to do this. I think it’s the right thing, but if you’re not comfortable, I’m not going to force you to do any of it.”

“I know,” I said, and I meant it. “Trust me, I don’t feel strong-armed. If anything, I’m relieved. I feel like I’m being useful for the first time in ages. And I’m relieved we have a plan. It means I won’t have to look over my shoulder the entire time I’m pregnant.”

But that bubble of joy and enthusiasm burst when the door slammed open. One of the Gold Wolves, his blond hair coming almost to his shoulders, ran in with a stricken expression on his face. Right behind him came Mark, wearing an identical expression.

The lazy smirk on Declan’s face vanished at the sight. He straightened, his eyes locked on the blonde newcomer. “Will? What’s wrong? What happened?”

Will’s chest heaved up and down. “The witches,” he said. “Inara’s at the front door. She’s demanding an audience.”

Chapter 17 - Mark

Lorelei’s face blanched, her mouth parting in shock as her eyes widened. She glanced at me, as if trying to determine if Will was telling the truth. I gave a short nod.

I was the one who had opened the door. At first, I didn’t know who she was. It wasn’t like I had actually seen her before. I’d assumed she was a shifter or someone from nearby who needed to talk to Jameson for some reason. But I’d vaguely recognized the scent. It had tugged at my memory, though I wasn’t sure where I’d smelled it before.

“Can I help you?” I asked. Behind me, I could sense some of the other Silver Wolves coming behind me.

She raised an eyebrow. “I hear you’ve been looking for me,” she purred.

I frowned, blinking. “I don’t know who you are. I’m sorry.”

She pouted. “Really? I would have thought you’d know what I looked like, considering you broke into my den a handful of weeks ago.”

My entire body stiffened. Behind me, I heard a shocked mutter from one of the onlookers.

“Inara.” It was all I could get out.

“I knew we’d get there eventually,” she said smoothly. “I have to say, it took me a while to track you down. I’m impressed. Now, are you going to let me in so I can have a chat with Jameson, or are we going to have a problem?”

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