Chapter 23

Lucien sighed and removed his sunglasses, pitch black eyes staring across the landscape, eyes finally coming to land on the abandoned building in the middle of the overgrown field. A cold spring breeze scuttled across the landscape while the sun sat in the sky occasionally ducking behind clouds as they sped across the blue skies, carried onwards by the gales.

He would never confess it out loud but Lucien was indeed impressed by his brother. He had always suspected Dante was capable of many things; however, the art illusion and planning a coup were not on that list. Of course, Lucien didn't have proof on the latter which was why he was here, hoping to have caught his brother off guard and found something to put in front of the council. But it seemed Dante had figured Lucien's plans out and had disappeared like a ghost, taking his illusions and his girls with him.

The once grand manor was now nothing more than a bored up shell surrounded by warning signs. There was no hint of the demon or his girls to be found. Lucien knew it was a waste of time looking. Dante wouldn't have been so sloppy. He would have protected those girls, or rather what was growing in their bellies, by any means possible, especially the she-wolf.

Ah yes, Thalia. Lucien hadn't missed the way Dante had shielded her from Lucien's gaze or the fact his scent was all over her. Dante had found himself a fine specimen indeed and no doubt was taking advantage of that. He had been particularly protective of her and it stood to reason that it had something to do with her being a shifter of alpha blood.

"Sir." A voice broke through Lucien's train of thoughts, the fallen angel turning to one of the men he had brought with him to have a look around. "We have something that might be of interest."

Lucien wasn't convinced. Unless they had found one of the girls or Dante then there really wasn't any point in being here. Time would be better served tracking down his brother or any evidence to help put a case together. Lucien didn't have time to be traipsing around the Yorkshire countryside as beautiful as it might be.

Nonetheless, he humoured his soldiers and followed them some fifteen minutes away by car into the wilderness. Several of the soulless creatures were already standing around a particular spot at the base of some cliffs when the fallen angel arrived on scene. He had to admit he was somewhat intrigued as to why he had been led all the way out here but, when he finally approached, he could see why.

Blood splattered and pooled at the base of the cliffs. That in itself was hardly a revelation but the traces of torn clothing and hair caught up in some brambles spoke of more than some unfortunate animal dying after falling off a cliff. It still could be nothing but there was only one way to find out…

Crouching, Lucien let the index finger on his right hand lazily draw through some of the drying blood before lifting the digit to his lips and pressing the blood to his waiting tongue.

The small drop was enough for Lucien to see how the blood had come to be spilt at the base of the cliffs. One of the girls had managed to escape but had fallen over the edge of the cliffs above because of the dark. She had been pursued as well which had likely led to her demise. Yet somehow the girl had survived and it became clearer the longer the blood fizzed on his tongue, that the girl hadn't been human.

*Thalia…*

Oh this was interesting but things became even more interesting when he saw another werewolf. This one was a male with silver eyes and a jacket on. He could see the name of a pack on the jacket. *Hellhounds*. Lucien was familiar with them and judging by one of the symbols on the jacket this was their Beta.

He saw the beta pick the girl up, a current of electricity erupting the moment there was skin contact.

Oh now this was *too good*. Thalia was this beta's mate? Well, that just made Lucien's life a hell of a lot easier. It didn’t take a genius to work out that Thalia was likely with this male but it was one nugget of information more than Dante probably had which gave Lucien an edge.

"Find me everything you can on the beta of the Hellhound Pack." Lucien finally spoke as he straightened, buttoning his suit jacket up. "I think he might have something that will help us "

—

"Drink." Dagmar motioned to the tea.

Kade wasn't a fan of humble pie but he was being served a huge slice of it right now as he sat in Dagmar's home yet again.

It had been less than two days since he had driven off with his mate following one of his and Dagmar's epic arguments. He had vowed he wouldn't return. He had done his time with the miserable old hag and yet, he had been pulled back once again.

This time it was for the pack but the topic of Thalia still hung in the air like Dagmar's cigarette smoke. There was unfinished business there but right now, Kade needed help finding a killer and if anyone knew everything there was about witches and how to find them, it was Dagmar.

"Still with that pack, I see." Dagmar finally spoke.

"I am."

The witch cursed and clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. She had never hidden her distaste for the Hellhounds, especially the Wolfe family.

"Let me guess. That Alpha of yours has you chasing your tail looking for clues while he sits on his throne like the king he thinks he is."

"I am beta. That is kind of my job."

"And killing? Is that in your job role?" Dagmar bit back. "Your hands are slick with the blood you have spilled while his remain clean. A fine Alpha indeed."

"It's my job, Dagmar."

"Just like it was in Afghanistan?"

Kade forced himself to keep his mouth shut and finished his tea. He didn't talk about Afghanistan for a reason and he wasn't about to start now

Dagmar's stubby fingers instantly snatched the cup away, peering in at the sediment below. She hummed in interest, raising an unkempt eyebrow as she studied whatever it was she could see. Kade waited as patiently as he could knowing that if he pushed Dagmar she would simply refuse to work and he didn't have time to stroke her ego to get her to help.

"The witch you're seeking is no longer in this realm." Dagmar finally spoke. "She helped someone she shouldn't have."

Kade frowned. "Who?"

"A wolf." Dagmar replied. "A petulant child. A brat with self-entitlement."

"That's not helping Dagmar."

"Oh I'm sorry, esteemed Beta!" Dagmar snipped sarcastically.

"Dagmar, please." Kade gritted out, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I need to know who is attacking my pack."

"Oh it's not your pack that is in danger." Dagmar smirked. "It's your Alpha and future Luna they want."

"Well great." Kade huffed and dropped his head into his hands.

"What made you think to speak with me about this?"

"Thalia." Kade muttered through his hands. "She thought of it."

"Hm." Dagmar grunted. "She's a smart girl. Strong too despite what she's been through."

"Yeah." Kade nodded, finally looking up, grey eyes meeting Dagmar's blue eyes. "I should go."

He pushed himself out of his seat wanting to get out before another argument started. He didn't have the energy for it and he wouldn't put it past Dagmar to do something petty like turn him into a frog or turn his motorcycle into a pennyfarthing. Dagmar wasn't usually the sort but even after so many years she still managed to surprise him. Usually he could handle it and often gave as good as he got but right now, between the pack and Thalia, Kade didn't have much more energy to expend. He just wanted to get back to his mate and make sure she was okay.

"William." Dagmar suddenly spoke up, her voice serious but lacking its usual venom. If anything, she sounded concerned. "You need to be careful. The gods have plans for you and your mate but the path ahead is a dangerous one."

Kade glanced over his shoulder at his old guardian and for a moment thought he saw worry in her eyes. It wasn't common for Dagmar to talk about the gods' will, especially to Kade. it had to be something if Dagmar was indeed bringing them up. But then the emotion was gone as quick as it appeared and Kade turned away, leaving without a word.

He'd deal with the gods later.