Page 31 of Relics of the Wolf

“It may influence those who are young and have no reason to feel bitter toward your long absence and… choices, but they would not have attacked you regardless.”

“Maybe that’s why I like them.”

“Emilio and Jasmine are agreeable souls. That makes last night’s attack even more egregious.” Mom grimaced. “Those men were after me. The younger pack members weren’t wrong to come to the defense of their elders, but I regret that they were wounded.”

“Yeah. Why did the men come and attack? Do you know? I’m afraid it might have been retribution, but I’m surprised… I mean, I wouldn’t have guessed they knew where you live or anything about you. I didn’t even think they cared about me, just the case, and they alreadygotthat.”

“Case?”

Now that we had relative privacy, I told her everything.

Her expression changed little, though her lips flattened in disapproval whenever I mentioned Chad. I didn’t know if she was offended because he’d betrayed me or because I’d married a normal human in the first place. The last time I’d been here, she’d asked about myfertility, as if I might still return to the pack and birth werewolf young. At forty-five, with two grown sons, I didn’t feel any desire to try that, if it was even possible, but she’d suggested that the werewolf magic extended one’s years of vitality—and fertility.

“Interesting,” Mom said when I finished, not bringing up fertility in the story. “You say this wolf case was crafted with druidic magic?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure if it would be useful to werewolves in any way, but Chad is into our kind, so it might have more of a link than we’ve yet learned about.” He was a werewolf fanatic, Duncan had said, and that fit what I remembered about him. “I guess I could call and try to get some information from him, but I don’t want to speak with him.” I winced, knowing that made me sound weak and nonconfrontational. I expected Mom to call me out on that.

“No,” was what she said. “Through his actions and choices, he has declared himself your enemy. He will not answer truthfully, even if you confront him in the most logical manner. With your hand around his throat.”

I snorted, though I was pissed enough at Chad that I might be able to go that far. Only the fact that we had children together, and that the boys loved him, made me care whether he lived or died.

“Forcinga truthful answer from him might be possible. But you say he is not in the country?”

“I don’t think so. Duncan said they crossed paths in Costa Rica.”

Mom looked out the window. Duncan was still ambling around out there, but he’d retrieved his magic detector. Its antennae quivered as he turned it left and right, heading through the trees.

“Duncan,” Mom said the name slowly. “That is what he calls himself?”

“Yes. It’s the name he gave me anyway.”

Her gaze shifted to me. “He has interacted with your former mate? That does not bode well.”

“I know. I told him to get lost, but then when the case was stolen… I thought Duncan might be able to help find it. I don’t trust him fully, though he did apologize and say he regretted taking the gig. Apparently, Chad hired him to find the case and retrieve it. He’s a professional… thing finder.” I winced, but I didn’t have a better term for it. “Treasure hunter, I guess you’d call him.”

“I am fortunate he was not among the thugs who came last night. Even without a gun loaded with silver bullets, he would have been difficult to drive off.”

“He is a good fighter, but he wouldn’t…” I caught myself from saying something likeattack youorbetray me. Hadn’t Duncan already betrayed me? And didn’t I keep reminding myself that I couldn’t trust him, that I needed to make sure I was with him when we found the case so I could grab it first?

Mom lifted her eyebrows. “You are attracted to him.”

“What? No.”

Her eyebrows climbed higher, and she glanced at my shirt. No, athisshirt. Even though she had to know I’d borrowed it because I’d lost mine in the change, she could probably smell him on it and maybe even tell that we’d been close of late.

“I mean, he’s handsome, but I’m not having sex with him. He already crossed me once, and I’m not a dummy.” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Was it a lie? I’d let him rub my head not twenty minutes ago. And I’d liked it. “I’m using him to help find the case. That’s it.” I glanced toward the window, not wanting Duncan to hear that, even if the words wouldn’t surprise him, but he’d disappeared from view.

“And what is he using you for?” Mom glanced toward my chest again.

I folded my arms and glared at her insinuation. “Hesayshe regrets working for Chad and owes me. I’m fully aware that may be a lie and that he’s usingmeto find the case.”

Except… would Duncan need me for that? With his experience, he might be able to locate it, now that I’d perhaps foolishly told him it had been stolen, on his own.

“Hm,” Mom said. “Because he is attracted to you, he walks close and will defend you.”

“Oh, yeah. Middle-aged women are real catches.”

“That is not what you are. You are a powerful female from the strongest pack remaining in this part of the world, and, as a wolf, you are still in your prime.”

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