Page 39 of Silver Claw

It really didn’t matter why Voss did what he did. Jared had stayed with me for two nights, and this morning, when he knew I was stable, he took his best warriors and went to find GavinVoss. He left Leonard Bosch behind to watch the pack in his absence.

My mother leaned over to hug me. “You’re still not well, honey. Let’s get you into bed. I’ll bring you a breakfast tray.”

I patted her arm and then stood. “I’ve rested enough. I want to get back to work. I need to talk to Rick about a missing woman.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re taking on missing persons cases?”

“The ones in Lucy’s dreams, like always.”

“Oh, she had a terrible dream yesterday. Just terrible. She scared everyone at the Inn half to death.”

I frowned. “What? Why didn’t she come to tell me?”

I’d been staying in Jared’s house—and in his bed—as I recuperated, and as soon as I asked the question I knew why Lucy hadn’t come to discuss her dreams. Not only because she didn’t want to bother me while I was healing, but because Jared wouldn’t have allowed it.

But I was fine now.

I was fine.

“As long as you’re only talking,” my mother said, reluctantly. “I guess there’s nothing I can do to stop you. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t insist on going with Jared to bag Voss.”

I shrugged. “I did what I needed to do when it comes to Voss. Jared will handle him.”

“He absolutely will. And I’m grateful you took some time to recover. But if something happens and Jared doesn’t find him right away…honey, I’m afraid he’s going to come for you with his magic. And I don’t think you should be fighting that…that abomination.”

I began buckling on my belts and weapons. That alone made me feel more energetic. “When he attacked me, my bladereflected the magic back at him.” I looked at her. “You saw that. I’m the only one whocanfight it. And Jared won’t fight him. He’ll simply kill him.” I patted my demon blade, which Sam had immediately scooped up after I’d lost it during my fight with Voss. “If he comes for me, I’ll be ready.”

She didn’t want to argue with me, so she changed the subject. “Rick was here.”

I frowned. “He wanted me?”

She grinned. “That he wants you is no secret to anyone—not even your alpha.”

I could feel my face getting hot. “Rick may be human, but he’s discovered he likes the chaos.”

“Nah,” she disagreed. “He only likes the chaos if it’s attached to you. He’s crushing on you hard, Kaity. That boy wants to get jiggy with you, and eventually, you’re going to have to figure out what to do about that whole situation.”

I frowned. “There’s nothing to figure out. Rick and I are friends. We care about each other. He’s…” I shook my head, floundering. “He is…”

“I know Jared is your supernatural world man, but I’m your human world man…”

She snorted. “Yes,” she said. “He certainly is.”

“Mother. Did he say what he needed?”

“He needed to talk. But neither Jared nor I thought—”

“You should have asked me.” I grabbed my phone and headed for the door. “I’ll call him.” Then I turned back to lean down and hug her. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

“I’ll always take care of you, Kaity.”

I walked outside, then stood still for a moment, pulling fresh air into my lungs, lifting my face to the sun. The birds were as thrilled as I was that spring had come, and they were filling the morning with song.

It was already warm, as though when I’d lingered in my bed, resting from my wolf’s fight, winter had given up and died. I could smell the wildflowers, the fresh grass, even the sun burning through the air.

Shadowfield was alive, despite Voss and his wolves.

I loved it there, but I had Silverwood, and it was time to get back to my life.