“I don’t know.” Asher’s eyes darkened. “But I am determined to find out. There are only so many who have the ability to trap sound.”
I gestured at the invisible structure around us. “You can do it.”
“So can Chase,” he said, “but neither of us were near Hunter when he was attacked. We had nothing to do with it.”
My statement hadn’t been meant as an accusation, but Asher’s declaration made me feel better, nonetheless.
I gnawed on my bottom lip, thinking over everything I’d learned about the Wilds shifters and my partner’s attack.
I couldn’t ignore the question that came to mind. “Do you think someone from your pack could be responsible?” It would explain how the attacker managed to pass through the Badlands’ wards.
Wards weren’t intended to keep shifters out, and the Wilds Pack was the only one I knew whose shifters could use magic.
I worried my question offended Asher, but he answered without the slightest hint of resentment. “I know all my pack member’s scents and their magical signatures. Whoever attacked Hunter didn’t leave their scent behind, and I didn’t recognize their magic.”
My shoulders sagged, disheartened by the lack of answers. “Why would anyone attack Hunter in the first place?” I murmured.
As far as packs went, ours was the most diplomatic and peaceful. We didn’t have issues with anyone—not shifters, sorcerers, or even vampires. Why would someone shoot Hunter when he was already trapped in a barbed net?
Rage swirled, darkening the blue hues in Asher’s eyes. “I don’t know, but I do know that only a full-blooded sorcerer could have managed to trespass into Badlands’ territory and attack a shifter without detection.”
I digested Asher’s accusation, then sought for more clarification. “But I still don’t understand why a sorcerer would bother to hurt Hunter. It doesn’t make sense.”
Asher’s face grew grim. “We can’t be certain Hunter was the sorcerer’s target.”
His words sent a chill of foreboding down my spine. “What do you mean? Who else could the sorcerer want to hurt?”
My thoughts immediately went to Asher and Chase. They had magic. Clearly, their pack interacted with the magical race. To me, they were the only shifters the sorcerers could have a problem with. The rest of us never dealt with them.
Asher looked to the right, staring at the empty driveway beside my guest cabin. He took a deep breath, then turned his attention back to me. “All I meant to say was that, until we discover the sorcerer’s motivation, we can’t know for sure Hunter was their intended target.”
My stomach clenched in unease. “Geez. Are you trying to scare me or something?” I tried to laugh away my worry, but it came out as a choked, broken sound.
Asher’s gaze visibly softened. His stance lost some of its tension. “I don’t want to scare you, but you need to know everything so you will accept my offer.”
I leaned back and blinked, surprised. “What offer?”
Asher drew his arms behind his back and lifted his chin. “To be my ally for the second game.”
I scoffed. For a second, I thought he must be joking. But his expression was the epitome of stone-cold seriousness.
“Yeah.No. I told you, teaming up was a one-time thing.” Our partnership had caused enough problems. I wasn’t interest in repeating my mistake.
Asher was undeterred by my rejection. “Hunter won’t be ready to join in tomorrow’s game. You will need help.”
“In case you didn’t notice, allying with you in today’s game bit me in the ass,” I snapped back.
Immediately, I felt bad.
It wasn’t Asher’s fault that Hunter and I hadn’t earned any points today.
Maybe that was the reason for his offer. He felt bad for how things turned out and wanted to make it right.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Listen, Asher… you and Chase are in the lead right now. You don’t need my help to make an impression in the games anymore.”
“I’m not asking for your help.”
My hands fell to my sides. “And I’m not asking for yours.”