The forest sounds changed as total darkness gave rise to twilight. The creature came alive as well, its growls returning with menace as it sensed its deadline approaching. It tried to claw at the invisible barrier protecting them, only to whine as if burned and take a few steps back.
Caster heard Mark’s increased heart rate and longed to offer comfort, but that meant touching him, and he wouldn’t fall into that trap again. At least his wounds had healed. He was an unusual wolf indeed, and perhaps it was best if Caster never found out why.
The creature’s whines increased with approaching daylight, and it paced, its smoke-like body floating along with its movements.
He stood. “It will be time to go soon.”
Mark braced himself against the tree and used the leverage to push to his feet. “We don’t even know where we are.”
“We can’t stay here.” He nodded at the restless monstrosity that seemed even more out of place in a forest alive with life. “As soon as it’s gone, we need to get out of here. Fast.”
Caster tried to call out to Riley again, and this time, there was something, an inkling of the powerful witch’s presence.
“Caster?”
The vulnerability in Mark’s voice drew his protectiveness to the fore with such intensity he had to restrain the need to rush to his side. “Yes…” He failed to sound as casual as he’d hoped.
“I will not be able to run too fast.”
He nodded. It was clear that he couldn’t transform. It explained everything, including his inability to feel the magic surrounding them or to heal his wounds. But how could it be?
He started to reassure him they would move as fast as he was able, but a change in the intensity of the magic around them stole his words. Caster braced himself for battle, only for Riley to appear in front of him, and he released the breath he’d held in anticipation of a confrontation. He’d never been so happy to see his best friend.
Riley took one look at him before the monstrous creature caught his attention. The crackle of power he always held back was on full display, aimed at the creature. But as he stepped forward to confront it, it let out one last whine and dissipated in a puff of black smoke.
“You guys, OK?” Riley’s voice was urgent, almost panicked.
“My brothers?” Mark asked.
“They’re fine. We all are.” His eyes assessed them, a frowncreasing his forehead. “You just disappeared. I couldn’t feel you.”
Caster shook his head. “I couldn’t feel you. I tried to…”
“You must have been too close to her.” Riley held out his hands to each of them. “Come on. Let’s get you home. We have a lot to talk about.”
This time, the sensation of Mark’s skin against his was different. It came with an extra spice of something he didn’t want to focus on. As Riley’s power engulfed them in a teleportation spell, Caster knew he wouldn’t try to name it. As much as he desired Mark, and he did, that much he couldn’t deny, there was too much at stake. He was responsible for too many to worry about whatever this was. Now that they knew where the witch was, perhaps they would capture her soon, and there would be no need for Mark to be in his world anymore.
§
As soon as they materialized in his study, Mark snatched his hand away. The Prime Alpha noticed the action and frowned at Caster. He shrugged. If Dean wanted an explanation for any ofthis, he’d get it from his brother.
The study was crowded. Dean, his youngest brother, Riley, Damien, and Ben were all looking at them with questions Caster wasn’t sure he had answers for. He wanted to get as far away from Mark as he could, take a shower, and find a meal. Was Nick still around?
“Where did you guys go?” Damien pinned him with a look that didn’t let him hide in his thoughts.
“We walked a few meters east after you left, and that thing was there,” Mark said, the vulnerability he’d displayed minutes earlier gone.
Caster fought every muscle in his body to keep from turning in his direction.
“What thing?” Dean asked.
“A creature I’ve never seen before.” Caster moved behind his desk, his familiar chair a world of comfort compared to the forest floor. “You saw it, Riley.”
Riley nodded. “I can’t be sure, but I think you may have found her, or at least where she spends most of her time.”
“What was that thing?” Mark asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen it before.” Riley rubbed at his left temple with his thumb. “But the darkness coming off that thing is unlike anything I’ve ever known.”