not that I know of anyway. He hid it.” Luna had never seen the stone until they recovered it from her old home in MoonRiver.
Elise tapped Rafe on the arm, and Luna growled. Nyla glanced at her then at Elise and giggled. Then said telepathically, “I could drink in her soul.”
Luna waved Nyla off, shaking her head.
As if not paying any attention to Luna, Elise said, “There is an old mine not far from here.”
Rafe nodded and pointed at a few places on the map. “There are a few other caves around too. We’ll split up in groups to cover more ground.”
Maybe Elise will trip and fall off the mountain.
Nyla laughed louder and said telepathically. “I heard that, Lu.”
Smiling, Luna picked up a balled-up napkin and threw it at the demon. That only made Nyla laugh more and fall off the chair arm.
Rafe stared at Nyla for a moment then looked at Luna. He pursed his lips while curiosity drifted in his features.
After finishing her dinner, Luna stood and went to dispose of her trash. She caught Colt hanging out in the doorway of the bedroom he was sharing with Kirk and Nyla.
Moving over to him, Luna tilted her head at him. “You okay?”
He met her stare and smiled, showing his pointed teeth and two long fangs. Colt was among the new breed of mutants created from the serum Savannah “enhanced” before she and her mate Felix were killed by their own daughter, Sable.
The new serum was supposed to make the mutants stronger, which it did, but it also made them more human-like and smarter. When Felix was killed, the mutants were released from the mind control that kept them compliant. Since then, the mutants divided. Half sought out rebel camps to stay in because they didn’t trust shifter Packs. The other half stayed with what was left of Onyx and were now under Faelin’s control.
“This is new for me,” Colt said.
Luna scanned the room. “Which part?”
“All of it but mostly being accepted as part of the group like I’m one of them.” He nodded his head toward the living room.
Luna nudged his arm with hers, then leaned up against him like she would a packmate in need of a connection. “You are part of the group. Times are changing.” She looked up at him. “What do you know about Elise?”
He grunted. “Not much, but I’m not sure I trust her.”
Yeah, Luna felt the same. “I get that vibe too.”
He chuckled. “You don’t like her near Rafe.” Luna shrugged, then Colt said, “Elise is a witch with strong magic. It makes her a good soldier.”
Luna knew that as well and was betting that was why Rafe brought her to find the stone. “I guess we’re heading out in the morning to check out the mine and the other caves.”
Colt nodded and stiffened. Luna was about to ask what was wrong when she spotted Kasen heading her way. Glancing back at Colt, she frowned to find that he darted into the room and shut the door behind him. She would have to remember to ask him why he avoided Kasen.
Turning to the Alpha in question, Luna asked, “What have you done to Colt?”
Kasen glanced at the door. “Nothing. Most mutants don’t like my wolf.”
She could see why. Kasen had a wildness about him, and his wolf was more feral than hers. “So you came over here to run him off?”
“Not at all.” Kasen grinned, and she knew right then he had a plan. “Can’t I come over to talk?”
“Sure, whatever.” A low laugh sounded from the table. Luna glared at Elise as the female inched closer to Rafe.
“Go over there and claim what’s yours.” Kasen’s soft voice was in her ear, literally.
She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him. He chuckled and put some space between but not as much as Luna wanted. Locking gazes with him, she said, “I could say the same about you.”
He instantly searched out Nyla, who was in the kitchen area digging through the fridge. For a small being, she could put away some food. In a flash, he tore his attention away from the demon. “Laugh.”
“What?” Luna lifted her brows at him. Was he mental?
Facing her, he smiled again. “Laugh.” When she didn’t, he said, “You are imagining snapping Elise’s neck right now.”
A giggle escaped. She couldn’t help it. Kasen reminded her of Keegan with a twisted sense of humor. And yes, she was imagining ripping the bitch’s head off her shoulders. “Now,