Page 82 of Edge of Darkness

“And this is Terry’s partner, Alpha Axel Scheffler of the Crimson Fangs werewolf pack of San DeLain,” Kage said, introducing the other man.

“Whoa! Congratulations, you two,” Connie hollered as he and Hudson reentered the living area.

“Well, this is certainly news. Congratulations, you guys!” Hudson exclaimed as he and Connie wormed their way in beside Kit.

Kage laughed softly but gave ground. He scooted his way over to stand next to Austin.

“Thank you both,” Axel said, grinning. Then he held his hand out to Kit. “Hello, Kit.”

“Hey. I don’t know why exactly congratulations are in order, but congratulations,” Kit said, shaking Axel’s hand.

“Thank you. It’s kind of a long story and that’s not the story we’re here for.”

“Why don’t we all sit down and get comfortable. Terry? Axel? Would either of you like a glass of wine? Or something else?” Hudson asked.

“Just a soda for me,” Terry said.

“I’ll take a beer if you have it,” Axel said.

“Sure.” Hudson walked over to the bar he had in the living area. While he fixed their drinks, Connie got a couple extra chairs for Terry and Axel.

Once everybody had a drink and was seated, Kage asked Axel to go over how Nox died.

“Before he starts, let me catch Kit up on what happened with Maia. She’s one of Kage’s lieutenants, Kit. She was the one with Austin in your office,” Terry said.

“She was the one Nox forced to leave, right?” Kit asked. He sort of remembered a lovely Hispanic woman.

“Yes. She portaled immediately to me. I called Kage to her bedside. Before she fell unconscious, she repeated the threats Nox made against Austin. I examined her and deemed whatever she’d been injected with was not life-threatening,” Terry said. “Best thing for her was to sleep it off.”

“I immediately contacted Axel and asked for help,” Kage said. “When he agreed, I sent Denisha to get him and bring him to Terry’s office. The three of us quickly made a plan to rescue Austin and put an end to Nox.”

“Kage showed up and listened to Nox rant and rave about how horrible his life had been. Do you remember any of this, Kit?” Austin asked.

“Sort of? Things are a little hazy because I was scared out of my mind, but yeah, I remember everything you guys just told me,” Kit said.

“Nox made it clear he wanted me to suffer,” Kage said. “He injected Austin in the neck with king cobra venom. He gave me two options—save Austin or kill him. I chose option three,” Kage said.

Kit remembered that clearly. No sooner had Kage said that, then a shadow had extended from the couch to the ceiling. A werewolf had leaped from it—straight at Nox. Austin had jerked his head away from Nox’s hand and collapsed to the floor.

A beautiful Black lady then stepped out of the portal, and with a flick of her wrist, opened another portal to the side of Nox just as Axel had collided with the mimic. Together, they’d tumbled into the portal, snarling and yelling.

“Someone opened a portal, and Axel came through it. He attacked Nox. Another portal was opened, and they fell into it,” Kit said.

“That was my other lieutenant, Denisha,” Kage said.

“Denisha opened a portal onto my pack lands.” Axel said. “She followed us there. I killed Nox, and yes, I’m certain it was Nox. I was around him for years. I recognized his fucking scent.”

Terry gently took Axel’s hand. “You’re okay, babe.”

“Yeah, yeah, I am.” Axel’s eyes flashed yellow for a moment before returning to their original human color. Axel squeezed Terry’s hand. “Thanks to you. Anyhow, I fucking snatched his heart from his fucking chest.”

Kit shuddered.

“It’s a wolf thing,” Austin whispered.

“Damn straight it is.” Axel puffed out his chest. “As I said before, I’m glad he’s dead. It was quick, and he didn’t deserve that, but itwasNox. You can’t fool a wolf’s sense of smell. And if I have to? I’ll kill that other fucker too.”

Kit nodded. He didn’t know exactly what happened between Axel and Nox, but there was definitely a story there. The pain he saw in Axel’s eyes was heartbreakingly obvious. “I believe you.”

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