Chapter 37
Stacy placed a soft but passionate kiss on Del’s lips as they said goodbye, Del had to return to L.A to deal with work and would return the next day ready to pursue her new relationship. Neither Del nor Stacy wanted to part, but Kyle eased the separation by projecting calming thoughts into both of their minds, despite not having sex, the Mating bond was growing between the trio which would soon become a triad of love, affection and soul binding energy that none could deny.
“I have to go to work.” Stacy said to Kyle as they walked up the steps into Westingdale house.
“It’s a Sunday, you work too much.” Kyle responded by wrapping an arm around her.
“No not that work, I have to find out what happened to Marie, I can’t get that scent out of my mind.”
Kyle stood in the doorway and smiled down at his Mate, “OK, I know this is important to you, and the Pack, but I will miss you every second.”
Stacy blushed slightly, she wasn’t used to having a Mate, “I’ll miss you too, I should be back for dinner.”
Kyle kissed her forehead and entered the house while Stacy made her way to the garage, she walked past her usual SUV and jumped into one of the Predtech Humvee’s, she did prefer a military vehicle, it was slow but could take a beating, and she had a feeling she was going to need its strength.
About fifty miles from Westingdale House sits a reservation, this res’ wasn’t what most people thought, while natives technically occupied it, they were not all of one clan, but rather one species, each and every one of them was a Bear-shifter.
Just over two thousand of them, to Stacy’s knowledge it is the largest collection of any preternatural species on the planet, and Stacy just so happened to be friends with their leader.
Stacy enjoyed coming here, there was just over sixty-eight thousand square miles on the res’ and she was allowed to run on every inch of it, when the Pack still resided in the county of Riverside, before a rival Pack kicked them out, Stacy helped the Tribe with a legal matter, that could have cost them half of their land, not bad for a sixteen year old girl from Montana.
She pulled up outside the house of one of the Tribal leaders and shut the loud V8 engine off, she sat quietly for a moment and just breathed in the fresh air, it was warm and she could smell the Colorado river, she hadn’t even noticed the approaching female.
“Greetings Stacy.” the young woman said as she rested her arms on the window seal of the Humvee’s passenger door.
Stacy opened her eyes in a start and smiled, turning her head towards the woman she replied, “Greetings Chief.”
“Now you know I don’t like that title.” she said as she rounded the truck to the driver’s side.
Stacy exited the vehicle and pulled the woman in for a hug, she was about Stacy’s height, with long flowing black hair and rich skin, like always she was wearing suede pants in a natural tan colour and a white racer-back tank top.
“It’s been too long Little Wolf.”
“I know, I’m sorry Nikki, I should have visited sooner.” Stacy replied as they walked towards the cabin.
“It’s my fault too, I didn’t come to Dom’s ceremony and I didn’t offer help when your Packhouse was lost.”
“Look, I need your help identifying a scent I have never smelt before.” Stacy added as the two sat in opposite chairs in the main living area of the cabin.
“Sure, what was the combination?” Nikki asked as she leaned back in the leather recliner.
“Asian, no Oriental, with nasty bite to it, like…”
“Like decay.” Nikki finished, not as a question but stating a fact.
“You know what it is, don’t you?” Stacy stood in an attempt to convey her dominance but Nikki wasn’t easily pushed.
“Yes, I know what it is, but standing over me like a leering Werewolf will not get you answers.” Nikki’s voice had a slight rasp to it as her Bear broached the surface.
Stacy took her seat again and had a sorry look on her face.
“Don’t look like that, its an Nogitsune, a Kitsune who has turned vile, they feed on chaos, pain and strife, please whatever you do, be careful hunting this thing, they are ancient and unforgiving.” Nikki no longer had a bite in her voice; she was truly worried for her friend.
“Nikki, what aren’t you telling me?” Stacy asked noticing the tears welling in her friends deep brown eyes.
“I think it may be the same one that killed Raul.” the tears were no longer being held back; instead they were flowing free down her cheeks and dripping to her tank top.
Stacy sighed inwardly, “Fuck!”
Stacy moved to her friend and held her, just held her while she cried, Nikki wasn’t an overly emotional person, Raul was her best friend, they had known each other since they were cubs, and he was slaughtered in a similar manner to Marie.
Nikki took a deep breath and calmed herself, “Dominic has a Kitsune in the Pack, she is the one you will need to talk to, all Kitsune are taught from a very young age about the dangers of their kind, she might know how to hunt this thing, I’m sorry I can’t be more help.”
Stacy smiled and brushed away the last tear from Nikki’s eye, “You have helped more than you know, stay safe, and contact me if anything else happens.”
Nikki nodded and walked Stacy to the door, Stacy walked towards the vehicle and pulled out her cell phone, she scrolled through her contacts and pressed send.
“Hey, meet me at Predtech, and bring the Kitsune, she might have answers we need to solve Marie’s murder.” with that she hung up and started her drive.