Chapter 52: The Watcher

Cole came back an hour later. Still a wolf. Looking mad.

He shifted back. "Nothing. Whoever it was is gone. No scent. Nothing."

"How? You can track anything."

"Not if they hid their scent. Used something to cover it." He grabbed clothes. "This wasn't random. Someone planned it. Knew how to hide."

"So what do we do?"

"More security. More wolves on patrol. Cameras." Cole looked at my phone. At the text. "And we find out who sent this."

"How?"

"The number. We trace it."

"It's probably a burner phone."

"Probably. But worth trying." He called Andres. "Hey. Need you to trace a number. Yeah. Someone threatening Lita. Thanks."

He hung up. "Andres will work on it. He's good with computers."

"What if it's Victoria? Trying to scare me?"

"Would she?"

I thought about it. Victoria was mean. But threatening text mean?

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Or someone else. Someone who wants you to fail." Cole sat by me. "You have enemies now. People who voted against you. People who want your job."

"Great. So mystery stalkers and no money. Perfect week."

Cole smiled. "Look at the bright side."

"What bright side?"

"You're alive. We're together. Demons are gone. That's something."

He was right. But the fear didn't go away.

"I don't like being watched. Being threatened."

"I know. But we'll handle it. Together." He pulled me close. "Get sleep. I'll stay up. Keep watch."

"Cole, you need sleep too."

"I'll sleep when we're safe." His voice was firm. "Right now, I protect you."

I didn't argue. Just let him hold me until I slept.

Next morning, Andres knocked. "Got something on that number."

We followed him to his computer room. Screens everywhere. Maps.

"The number is a burner. Like you thought. But I found where it was bought." He showed a map. "Store in San Francisco. Three days ago. Cash."

"So we have nothing."

"Not quite. I hacked the store cameras. Got video of who bought it." He clicked. A video played.

A woman. Tall. Dark hair. Sunglasses. Baseball cap. Hard to see her face.

But something felt familiar.

"Can you zoom in?" I asked.

Andres zoomed on her hand. She had a tattoo. Small. On her wrist.

A crescent moon.

My blood went cold. "I know that tattoo."

"Who?" Cole asked.

"Erica. She has the same one. I saw it during training." I looked at Cole. "Is it her? Did she come back?"

"Can't be. She was kicked out. If she comes back, she dies." But Cole looked worried. "Unless she's willing to risk it."

"Why would she risk death just to watch me?"

"Revenge. Hate." Andres pulled up more video. "Want me to dig more? Try to ID her?"

"Yes. And more patrols. If Erica's back, she's dangerous." Cole looked at me. "Don't go anywhere alone. Stay with pack."

"I'm not hiding from her."

"Not hiding. Being smart." His eyes were serious. "She tried to kill you once. She'll try again."

A knock. Stacey walked in. "We have another problem."

"What now?"

"Derek. From yesterday's deal. He's breaking it already." Stacey looked mad. "His wolves hunted on Marina's side. On the wrong day."

"Are you kidding? It's been one day!"

"Yep. Marina called. She's pissed. Wants to know what you'll do."

I wanted to scream. One problem after another.

"Set up a meeting. Derek comes here. Now."

"On it." Stacey left.

Cole touched my shoulder. "You okay?"

"No. I'm tired. Scared. And Derek doesn't respect me enough to follow a simple deal." I stood. "But I'll handle it."

"What are you going to do?"

"Whatever it takes."

An hour later, Derek walked in. Cocky smile. Arms crossed.

"You wanted to see me, Luna?"

"You broke the deal. Day one. Why?"

"My wolves were hungry. They hunted. No big deal."

"It is a big deal. You agreed. You broke your word." I walked closer. "That makes you a liar. And makes me look weak."

"Maybe you are weak. You're new. Young. No one respects you yet." Derek shrugged. "The deal was dumb anyway. We should have all the land."

"The deal was fair. You signed it."

"So? I changed my mind."

Cole growled. Low. Dangerous.

"Or what? You'll fight me?" Derek looked at me. "Face it. You're not good at this. Can't even handle simple stuff."

Something inside me broke. All the stress. Fear. Threats. Doubt.

It all came out.

I shifted. Fast. My silver wolf.

Derek's eyes went huge. "What are you doing?"

I jumped. Not to kill. To scare.

My jaws closed on his arm. Not hard. Just enough for blood.

He screamed. Tried to pull away.

I held on. Let my Luna power burn through the bite. Just enough to hurt.

Then I let go. Shifted back.

"Next time you break a deal, I won't be gentle." My voice was cold. "You signed it. You follow it. Or answer to me. Clear?"

Derek held his bleeding arm. Eyes wide. "Clear."

"Good. Now get out. And tell your pack. My word is law. Break it and suffer."

Derek ran. Out the door. Gone.

The gym went silent. Everyone staring.

I'd just attacked an Alpha. Drew blood. Used force.

Smart or stupid?

Cole walked over. "That was hot."

"What?"

"You. Being commanding and scary." He smiled. "Very Luna."

"I probably just made an enemy."

"No. You made him respect you." Stacey came over. Grinning. "That was perfect. He needed that."

"Other Alphas won't like it. They'll say I'm too mean."

"Let them. You did what needed doing." The Elder appeared. "Derek needed to learn. Now he has. Word will spread. Don't cross the Luna."

"Or she bites."

"Exactly." The Elder almost smiled. "Well done."

My phone buzzed. Another text from unknown number.

"Nice show. But biting one Alpha doesn't make you strong. Makes you desperate. You're still weak. Still failing. And I'm still watching. Waiting. When you fall, I'll be there. Ready to take what's mine."

A photo attached. Me. From inside the gym. Taken seconds ago.

Someone was inside. Right now. Watching.

I showed Cole.

His eyes went black. "Everyone! Lock down! Now! Intruder!"

Wolves moved fast. Doors locked. Windows covered. Everyone searching.

But I knew they wouldn't find anyone.

Whoever this was, they were too good.

Playing with me. Watching. Waiting. Using my fear.

This wasn't about money or land or respect.

This was personal.

Someone wanted me gone. And they were patient enough to wait for the right moment.

I just had to figure out who before they struck.