Page 67 of Wicked Witch of the Wolf

I started to put the phone away when I noticed a new message had come in.

“Speaking of taking your rat for a run…” I passed my phone to Maya. “Kale just forwarded me a text from the rat pack leader. She wants to meet you.”

I wasn’t surprised Kale and Denzel had told their leader about Maya. They’d been mesmerized by her status as an omega.

“Really?” Maya read the text several times. “Do you think I could?”

“Do you want to?” I asked.

“Very much. That run last night was a reminder of everything I gave up when I married Desmond. Not that I knew it at the time.” She looked up from the phone, hope on her face. “I know this isn’t a good time. I don’t want to be any more of a nuisance to you than I already am. The most important thing is that we find Bronwyn.”

I thought it over. “Honestly, it might be exactly the right time for you to connect with the rat pack. Let’s see if she’ll agree to meet here.”

Mom had told me that rats, as a group, tended to be privy to information that other shifters weren’t. They were small and not fierce as individuals, but together they were nearly unstoppable. They understood better than most that true power lies in information,not teeth and claws. She’d taught me to always stay on the right side of a rat pack.

I took my phone and the last bite of my sandwich into my bedroom to call Karen Zurka. I needed more information about the rat leadership from someone other than Kale and Denzel. Hopefully, she’d be willing to tell me.

“Hey, Betty. The boss still hasn’t shown up here. You haven’t found anything?” Music, the clink of glasses, and the sound of people chatting were in the background. She was at the pub.

“No, and I’m getting desperate, Karen.” I gave her a quick overview of the situation with Maya.

“An omega, huh? That’s wonderful news.”

“I’m hoping if I allow the rat pack leader onto my property to meet Maya, she might share some information with me, but I don’t know how to ask without offending her. I don’t even know her name. Kale and Denzel just referred to her as Alpha.”

“Oh gods.” She did the aural equivalent of an eye roll—a teeth click and a sigh. “You know those goofballs?”

“Yeah. We had a run-in a few months ago, and they owed me a favor.”

“That’s no surprise. They’re always getting into trouble. Hang on. Let me go into the office for a minute.” A door shut, and the background noise cut off. “Lydia Vincent is her name. She took over the pack a year ago and has been whipping it into shape. I like her. She’s not controlling or cruel, but she suffers no bullshit. If you want to ask her something, be respectful and straightforward. Pretty much how you usually act. With less sarcasm.”

“Got it.”

“An omega rat is a huge boon for any pack. Our alpha won’t force Maya to join, but she will bargain hard for it. An omega brings peace. Stability. They’re very rare and precious. I can’t believe one was under our noses here for years, and we didn’t know it.”

“Her witch husband discouraged then outright forbade her fromshifting,” I said. “He’s the one behind the missing witches. Possibly behind Ronan’s disappearance, too.”

I was amazed that my voice remained steady. My despair was holding its breath, but it was only a matter of time before it exhaled, and I collapsed on the floor in tears.

No. Not yet. I couldn’t allow weakness to creep in. I had to keep fighting.

“Tell her that,” Karen said. “Tell her everything.” She paused for a moment then added, “I’ve got some feelers out, but I’ll put out a few more now that I have a lead on who might have him.”

“Thank you, Karen.”

“No problem. Ronan’s not just my boss. He’s my friend.”

“He feels the same way about you,” I said.

“Of course he does. I’m a helluva good assistant manager.” Pub sounds returned to the background. She must’ve left Ronan’s office. “By the way, Alpha Vincent’s got a sweet tooth. Serve her something with strawberries. They’re her favorite.”

We ended the call, and I texted Kale back.

Alpha Vincent is invited onto the Siete Saguaros property. Bring her directly to my door. Her security detail will have to wait off property. Only you two and the Alpha will be allowed into the park. We’re on a strict perimeter lockdown to protect the omega.

Strict perimeter lockdownsounded like the ranting of a conspiracy theorist. Still, it was accurate. It was only a matter of time before Desmond figured out where his wife was and tried to do something about it.

I had a reputation in this town, and it wasn’t only about my coarse language and dating history, either. Paranormals knew I was someone they could turn to when no one else would help. Plus, most people knew I did business with Bronwyn. If I were Desmond, I’d have figured it out already.

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