Thirty-four

Eli pulled over reluctantly where Bas pointed, next to a rental car and an SUV. 

“They’ve gone ahead.” Remi leapt out of the rental to meet them.

He heard a wolf’s snarl close by and then more than one. 

“It’s happening. Ruby is going to be killed if Jacob isn’t in the right place. Eli-”

“I have to stay with you-”

“Ruby…” Jacob tore off through the trees without any hesitation.

“He’s going to get himself killed!” Eli took a step after him and then grabbed hold of Bas taking off after the man.

The fight wasn’t far from them. Two wolves against two. Madam Cate had pinned one but Ruby was being savaged. He dropped Bas and started to change but Jacob was already running into the middle of it. The attacking wolf lunged and he shoved something into her throat.

The fight stopped completely as Bas began muttering and the wolves changed back, Dia was coughing up Jacob’s protective necklace.

“You idiot! You leave an Alpha b***h to an Alpha b***h! I could have killed you!” Dia shuddered giving Ruby a horrified look.

“You should have been wearing your necklace,” Bas snapped walking past them all. “Where did he go? Eli, I need you to track him down. He’s mine.” 

Eli was already stripping out of his clothes, being careful to leave the protective necklace on. They were sturdy enough and long enough to remain when they changed, they’d made sure of that.

Madam Cate laughed quietly. “Good hunting, Bas. I’d claim that kill but my mate says to leave the witches to the witches.”

“He stole one of Sibbi’s protective bracelets, the one intended for Layla’s mate. You should all be heading for the house.”

“I gave my necklace to Will.” Dia stood up and came to look Ruby over with Madam Cate. “I couldn’t stand the thought of my mate being unprotected.”

He was already following the scent and he heard Bas on his heels as well as furious digging ahead. 

“Stop.” 

Bas’ quiet command stopped him in his tracks. Eli looked at him curiously. These tracks were fresh and the house was in sight. Cars and SUVs pulled up and Maeryn got out of one. 

“Lloyd Fitzgerald! You have committed too many crimes to be allowed to roam free. Consequences have come!” The voice thundered far louder than it should have.

After a moment Lloyd strutted out of the house, “You brought an audience to watch me kill you? You know I’m stronger, Mary.” Disrespect dripped from the witch’s tone.

“I was summoned by the Sibyl. Justice and Mercy. The scales shall fall into balance.”

Bas gripped a fistful of his fur as the smirking witch held up something. 

“They’re weighted in my favor.”

As he left the porch the other witch fled out of the back of the house. He and Bas followed. The man scrambled down the embankment past a gaping hole in the earth and all the way down to the sandy beach. Eli cut him off and Bas advanced on him grinning. Something resonated from the house that he could feel in his bones.

“Drew Cameron. My sister did a kindness for you and you repaid her with harm.”

“She’s been threatening me with you and now we’ll see-” The witch gaped in horror as Bas spread clawed fingers, hands of a man who could change, something the witch shouldn’t be able to do and kept coming toward him.

“She doesn’t threaten, she warns.” 

Eli kept the witch from escaping with a snarl as he turned and started in the wolf's direction. With a lunge, Bas jerked him back around and his claws ripped at the witch’s belly and throat.

He stumbled back and fell into the water gasping and gurgling and Bas bent grabbing hold of his tattered shirt and leaping onto a fallen tree with wolf-like grace and strength. Dragging Drew out until the tree dipped in the deeper water,  he dropped him there and broke off one of the dead limbs, pushing him under the water and gazing down intently for a long moment.

“He’s dead. She saw me peering down at him in the clouding water.”

Eli watched as Bas bent and rinsed his very human hands.

“How did you-”

“Wouldn’t you rather go see Grace than ask me questions?” Bas grinned at him and then laughed at his dubious look. “The shadow of the wolf is there. The urge to defend my sister with my claws brought it closer to the surface than I’ve ever felt it. The next time they’re born to this line, the Servant may not be a witch.”

“I don’t think you’re that far from being a wolf, Bas.” Eli grinned and then caught Grace’s scent.

“Clothes?” A member of the Benson pack trotted up to them holding a bundle. “Your Madam Cate suggested it. 

Eli pulled them on hurriedly and headed toward his mate’s scent. The brief conversation behind him about how Maeryn did was ignored.