Page 11 of Wolf's Prize

Aimon looked away. Ever the reminder of his origins—turned, not born.

“Whatever the situation,” said Lance, giving both Aimon and Godfrey a warning glance, “we need to find her. Either Gaharet, or Ulrik, may have begun the turning. She needs our help.”

“I crossed paths with Gaharet and Erin early on that night,” Aimon spoke up. “I can return there and try to track where they went. Erin may recognize me.”

Lance nodded. “If her turning has begun, you are also the best to understand her suffering.”

A cart trundled into view and all of them tensed, hands hovering near the hilts of their swords. The conversation turned to innocuous talk of training horses and commissioning of equipment until the wagon had passed beyond their sight. They breathed a collective sigh and relaxed back into their saddles. Aimon’s lips curled. They were worried about a farmer and his wagon, while a traitor lurked in their midst.

“When we pledge allegiance to Lothair,” continued Lance, picking up their conversation, “I plan to petition him for Gaharet’s demesne.”

Aimon struggled to keep his expression neutral. Could it be that simple? Had one of them schemed, all along, to gain what Gaharet had had—leadership of the pack, power, immense wealth and now a mate?

“We cannot leave it open for anyone to take. It should remain within the pack,” said Lance.

Edmond snorted. “You may want to rethink that idea.” He leaned back into his saddle and crossed his arms across his broad chest.

“Oh?”

“Have you not heard? Lothair has already redistributed it.”

“What? So soon? To whom?”

“It is the talk of Langeais. Lothair has made no secret of it. He has handed the entire estate to Farren Beauchene. Did you not see the keep guard in the village loading up wagons?”

“Gaharet’s uncle?” Aimon’s mind flitted back to a freckled nose and a bold stare.

Well, that makes things more complicated.

“Yes. I talked to the guard. Lothair insisted they occupy Gaharet’s keep from today.”

“They?” asked Lance.

“He has a daughter, Kathryn, of marriageable age.” Edmond cast them all a knowing smile.

Aimon’s wolf shifted within, a restless energy beneath the surface. He frowned. Did his wolf know something, sense something, he did not? An image of Kathryn’s smile hovered in his mind, and his darker half pushed to the surface with more force. He willed it away. Now was not the time.

“What game is Lothair playing at? He has to know every eligible man will petition for her hand,” said Godfrey.

“Including us,” rumbled Aubert.

“I would imagine that is the point. Perhaps there is some truth to your theory, Godfrey. That the blame for all our circumstances does not rest entirely with Ulrik.” Lance’s eyes grew troubled. “If you are right, then this may be a ploy to draw out Renaud’s informant.”

Aimon’s blood froze. Clever, but damned inconvenient. If his suspicions about Kathryn’s true nature had foundation, Lothair’s gambit put her in danger from the very person who had brought about the loss of all the pack’s females.

Edmond shrugged. “A clever trap, but easily avoided.”

“Not if we want to keep the d’Louncrais wealth in the pack,” muttered Godfrey.

“Spread the word the Beauchenes are to be left alone, that they are under our protection for now,” commanded Lance. “Make it clear any who seek them out will face our wrath. Few would dare challenge us, and the ones who do we can deal with. If need be, we can consider one of us taking Kathryn as a wife in time, but for now, we will all keep our distance. I will speak to Lothair and see what can be done. If nothing else, we must ingratiate ourselves back into his favor.”

Aubert huffed. “I do not like your chances. He turned on Gaharet, the closest person he had to a friend.”

Edmond snorted. “Lothair has friends? This is the first I am hearing of it.”

“That may be so, but I must try. Aimon, you will track Gaharet and Erin’s last movements. Aubert and Edmond, you look into Renaud. Find out anything you can on him. Let him see you doing it. Let him know we have him in our sights.” Lance turned to Godfrey. “Godfrey, we cannot get access to the d’Louncrais library, but your father kept an extensive collection of scrolls and tomes. See if you can find anything on circumventing wolfsbane and silver. We need to free Ulrik from Langeais Keep.”

“One of us should talk to the witch in the forest,” suggested Edmond.

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