Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Chapter Thirteen
Aster
I can’t stop the knot in my stomach from tightening when we step onto Adalwulf pack lands. Noah didn’t want me to come, and we argued over whether I’d be safe, but I assured him I would be, and there was no way for me to explain how to get there without taking him myself.
We stopped at a mountain convenience store on the way to buy me some clothes. All they had were touristy souvenir gear, so I’m looking campy in a pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt with a wolf howling at the moon, and a pair of soft leather moccasins.
I smell the familiar scents. Pack should feel like safety, like home. The only time I felt that was when Liora was raising me. She was a true caretaker, and her gentle strength is the only kindness I’ve known.
I owe her.
Beside me, Noah is silent. His expression is closed off in hawk-like focus. We argued fiercely about whether I was allowed to come with him on this mission. He thought he could infiltrate Moon Hollow without my help. In the end, I pointed out that even if he could get to Liora, her first reaction would be fear of a strange male. I could help bridge an introduction and make their meeting easier.
He didn’t like it, but he agreed. I can tell he’s got a lot of complicated feelings about meeting his mother for the first time. I can’t imagine what he’s going through, knowing his mother gave him up to save him, but chose to stay with the pack that wants him dead.
Noah sends up two scouting drones. By watching the screens for them and my intuition, we’re able to bypass the guards without too many close calls. Once or twice, we catch a whiff of a patrol and crouch down to wait, but no one discovers us.
It helped that I chose our point of entry. We hiked up Moon Rise, a giant bluff overlooking pack land–the guards are lazy and rarely patrol up this way. Moon Hollow lies in the valley at the foot of Moon Rise. We’re deep in the forest, surrounded by ancient trees. I sense the spirits of this land watching us as we sneak down the hill and head to a secluded spot Liora loves. It’s her favorite spot to rest and meditate, and my intuition tells me that she’ll make an appearance there.
If any guards come upon us, we’ll have to run. But this part of pack lands is so remote, I’m hoping we don’t run into anyone. Or if we do, Noah’s drones or my visions will warn us.
The danger is our scent. Mine isn’t so much an issue as Noah’s. The place we’re headed is coated in my scent, but one whiff of a strange wolf like Noah, and the residents of Moon Hollow will alert the guards.
I did what I could to mask both our scents. Back at the cabin, I gathered lots of wintergreen leaves and crushed them to release their minty-fresh scent. We stuffed them in our pockets just before we stepped on Adalwulf land. The plant is known as Eastern teaberry and is plentiful in the forests here, especially in the groves ringing around Moon Hollow.
Oma used the fertile soil around the Hollow as an extensive garden and ordered the devout to tend it. I extended the garden up the wooded slopes. There are secret spots where I’ve planted sweet woodruff and American ginseng, and that’s where we’re headed now. Liora is the only one I trusted to tend to the herbs when I’m not able to, and she usually makes the rounds around this time of day.
We make it to the base of the cliff, and for a moment, the sense of the land swirls around me, making me dizzy. There are benevolent spirits here but also darkness. A death place.
Noah starts to lead us on a well-worn path, and it jerks me from my stupor.
No. I tap my index and middle finger to my thumb to sign. Stop. Noah taught me a few ASL signs, so we could quickly communicate, but I don’t know how to sign, “That way leads to The Celestial Cradle, the sacred clearing where the Alpha Rites will take place under the Blood Moon.” My pained expression and tense posture probably say it all.
He nods and lands the drones in trees where they can recharge with solar, then pockets the controller he’s using to pilot the drones, so he can take my hand. His fingers flex around mine, and warmth rushes up my arm. Just his touch is grounding and healing. I lean into him for a second, smelling amber and pine sap under the sharp scent of the wintergreen leaves. Then I lead him off the worn path and head towards Liora’s favorite gardening spot, a place where she likes to sit and meditate after her gardening chores.