Chapter 56: Chapter fifty-five

“Sleepover!” Ainsley squealed and threw herself in my arms. “I’m so glad you’re not leaving.”

“Thanks for bringing her Ross,” I said.

He smirked and nodded. “Don’t get too excited Ainsley. Oscar’s still Alpha and when he gets out of hospital he’ll make that call.”

Ajax’s busy at the pack house with the high rank members of the pack trying to find a way forward. Ajax was a good leader he would do what was best for the pack. He’s going to be gone late so suggested I have a friend over.

Ross got comfortable on the couch. Ainsley frowned, planted her hand on her hip and popped her hip out.

“What are you doing?” Ainsley asked.

“You think I’m going to leave you girls alone?” Ross replied.

“We’re more than capable of taking care of ourselves, thank you,” Ainsley lifted her chin. “Besides, this is a sleepover for girls only. Beat it.”

“Come on, babe, I want to pillow fight too.”

I laughed. “What do you think this is? We’re not going to pillow fight.”

“Then what are we doing?” Ross asked disappointed.

I wandered into the kitchen and came back with a tray of cocktails.

“We’re going to drink!” I said with glee.

“Out!” Ainsley pointed at the door.

Ross stood. “Fine but I’ll be back in an hour. Greg’s outside watching the house.”

Ross left and Ainsley and I settled on the couch.

“Thank goodness he’s gone. I couldn’t stop thinking about what you said about curses the other day. So I went digging.”

I took a sip of the pineapple and vodka mix and pulled back. “What did you find?”

She grabbed her large handbag and pulled out a thick dusty red book.

“It’s a book on werewolf lore.”

I took the book from Ainsley. It was thicker than a dictionary. I thought I had good knowledge on wolves but there was a tone I was missing.

“Have you ever wondered why you’re a human when you come from a family of wolves?” Ainsley asked leaning forward with anticipation.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and stammered. “I-I don’t know. I don’t even know what rank my parents were. Grandma Amy came up with a lie and I just lived it.”

“It’s quite uncommon for two wolves to have a human child. No matter their rank. In most cases the moon goddess curses the offspring when the offspring is born a hybrid.”

I’m not a hybrid, at least I don’t think so.

“Or she takes the wolf to give the offspring a better gift. Isn’t that awesome?” Ainsley squealed.

I wasn’t a hybrid which meant the goddess gave me a gift, but that also made me a human cure. Which wasn’t the best thing.

“What does the book say about human cures?” I asked casually.

Ainsley eyes widened a tad. “They’re extremely rare but I knew one in my old pack. A girl. She was killed. Rumour has it she was used to cure the Alpha’s barrenness.”

I swallowed. I set my cocktail aside because I couldn’t drink anymore. How many would come after they found out what I was?

“Did she have special powers? Do you know?”

Ainsley dipped her head to the side. “Yeah… she was real good with plants. Not common for wolves so it had to be goddess magic.”

“If she was powerful why didn’t she save herself?” I asked, a hint of frustration.

“It’s easy to counter goddess magic. A few stones and maybe sage and you’re good. It’s different from attacking the moon goddess herself.”

I shivered. I was about to change the topic when Goby cried out and made us jump. He clucked as if he was being chased. I rushed to the kitchen and peeked out the kitchen curtains. Maybe Greg’s playing with him I thought.

It was pitch black outside. The backyard lights were out. All four of them! That’s beyond suspicious.

“Goby?” I whispered.

“You can’t go out there,” Ainsley hissed.

She was right. I couldn’t see anything. Not even the white feathers of my rooster.

“I thought you should lock the front door. Something’s not right.”

Ainsley rushed to lock the front door while I dealt with the back. I pushed a chair against the door for good measure.

I hoped my rooster was okay.

“Oh, what’s going on?” Ainsley asked, wringing her fingers.

“I-I don’t know but it doesn’t feel good.”

Goby had gone quiet. With shaky hands I peeked through the living room curtains for any sign of Greg or anyone.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have kicked Ross out,” Ainsley said.

“Okay, let’s not panic. It could be nothing or an animal.”

“An animal that cut the backyard power supply?” Ainsley hissed.

Yeah, we’re in trouble. The front door jerked forward and Ainsley and I jumped and screamed.

“Delanie?” Ajax called.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Open up, babe it’s me.”

I hurried to unlock the door. I eased up but Ajax scooped me into his arms and squeezed. His muscles were tense. Ross entered the house after him. His features were grim.

“Are you okay?” Ajax asked possessively.

He kept me in his protective embrace.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, afraid to hear the answer.

“Someone knocked out Greg,” Ross said. “They’re taking him to the clinic now.”

Ainsley gasped. “So someone did kill the lights out back!”

Ajax rubbed my arm and I leaned into him breathing in his body wash for comfort.

“It’s not all, mate,” Ajax shared a brief look with Ross. “Arabella’s dead.”

“The Seer?” I gasped. “How?” She looked like she was in good health when we last saw her.

“She was murdered in her home. I don’t like this, Delanie. I don’t want to freak you out but I think you’re tied into this.”

A lump formed in my throat and I couldn’t drown it.

“You think she was killed because of me?”

Ajax nodded firmly. “Whoever was here didn’t come for me either.”

An uneasy feeling settled in my gut and I couldn’t shake it.