Page 380 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Ryan softened further, sighing in defeat.

“What did she do, Ryan?” Jarrad asked, voice soft. “I said it badly before, but I need to know. She drew on the power of my pack to make a spell.”

His lip curled in disgust. “Still can’t let it go, even when you know you’re in the wrong. Wolves,” he said with an eye-roll. “Like bloody dogs with a bone.”

“Just tell me,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

“It was a protection spell, numb-nuts, and a bloody strong one at that. And one you’ll need if my sources are correct and an Inquisitor is on the way.”

Protection…Jarrad’s heart sank into his gut as the words registered. Ryan was nodding, the sneer still on his face. Not even Jarrad’s wolf felt like a battle now.

“Finally get it, do you? She didn’t plan it, you idiot, but she certainly used the power that came to her. Used it to protect you and your pack. Not that you appreciate it. Now she’s on her own and she could be in danger. She shouldn’t have left here at all.”

But she couldn’t stay here with him.The unspoken words ripped through his already shredded heart.

“I’m sure she’ll be back soon,” Jarrad said, unconvinced. Both he and his wolf wanted to race into town to get her. “It’s not like we’ve had any strangers in town since—”

The shrill shriek of his ringtone interrupted. “Forester,” he grunted, then relaxed as he recognised Kyle’s voice. Prematurely, it turned out.

“Trouble, Jarrad. Vicky’s in hospital. Severe trauma to the brain, unresponsive. Seems there was a break-in at her office, some files were rifled through. Want to take a guess which ones?”

Vicky. The real estate agent.

Fuck.

“I’m heading in now.”

“Don’t let your mate out of your sight. Seems the Inquisition slipped by us.”

Jarrad’s stomach roiled. And he’d driven his mate away with thoughtless accusations. He couldn’t breathe.

“Jarrad? You there?”

“Yeah,” he croaked past the lump in his throat. “But she’s not. I said something…”

Kyle was a good Beta. He read between the lines. “Where is she? I’ll head there now.”

Jarrad nodded, even though his friend couldn’t see him. “The hippie house. I’ll meet you there.” He hung up, reaching for his keys.

“I’m coming with you.” Jarrad had forgotten about Ryan.

“You need to stay with Luna,” he replied.

“Fuck!” Ryan’s fist struck the wall, leaving a burn mark behind. “I should have realised he’d already be here.”

“Who?” Jarrad asked, fangs dropping as his wolf rose.

“The Inquisitor the witches call Shadow. A number of email addresses we monitor seem to be linked to him, but we’ve never found him.” Ryan’s eyes were haunted. “What he leaves behind… it’s the stuff of nightmares.”

“And he’s after my mate? How do you know?”

“The email sent the night before last was found in one of those monitored accounts. It didn’t appear to be opened, but the town name was in the heading. I was—”

“Enough! My mate is in danger! You stay here and I’ll—”

With a sudden lurch, the thread connecting him to Tabitha tightened. Energy was pulled from him, being replaced with excruciating pain.

“Tabitha!” he howled, shifting instantly and racing for the forest. His wolf was faster than the ute over rough ground, and Tabitha needed him—NOW.

The hunt was on. Moon help the man who had hurt his mate. Because Jarrad himself would have no mercy.

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