would rise in their place. They can’t kill their way through the Memphis pack.”
“And we don’t want to,” Jay added. “It’s too much blood to be on anyone’s hands, much less the people who came here. We just want peace.”
Eden covered Jay’s hand with her own. “Not just want it. They need it. They’ve been through too much.”
Stella rose with another mutter. “I’m going to find Shane. I need a beer.”
Jay stopped her. “Wait. Eden’s a new wolf. I need some help setting up a Guide ceremony. As soon as possible, but definitely before the full moon.”
“Yeah?” Stella propped a hand on her hip. “You two look pretty cozy. You gonna be her Guide?”
“Yes,” Eden answered for both of them, her tone a little tart. “That’s what I want.”
“And that’s what matters,” Keith said firmly. “Stella, use the spell Sasha taught you. This isn’t the time for fancy rituals.”
“We could have a little decorum, couldn’t we?” But she sighed and grabbed Jay’s hand, then Eden’s. Her eyes fluttered shut, and the air around them began to throb with power.
It didn’t feel like a wolf. It didn’t feel like anything Jay had experienced, not until the witch whispered a quiet incantation and the magic snapped like a string drawn too tight, lashing through the room.
When it settled, all Jay could feel was Eden. “That’s it?”
Stella opened her eyes. “Standard three months. If it looks like I’m not going to be here at the end of it, I’ll prepare a talisman that you can destroy to break the bond.”
Eden stared blankly, her eyes wide and dazed. Through the bond, Jay could feel her wolf, stunned but rallying. Magic rose inside her, a wave that rushed down the newly opened connection before it could crest.
Exhaling in relief, she swayed.
“Oh, hell.” Keith groaned and reached out a hand to catch Eden’s shoulder. “First lesson—don’t say fast if you don’t mean fast. I should know better by now.”
The witch blinked. “What’d I do?”
“My fault, Stella. I should have warned them.” Keith patted Eden’s shoulder as she steadied. “You’re stronger than most, sweetheart. It’ll take some time to grow into that power, but you will. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, Stella can tell you how to get in contact with my wife. She went through the same thing a few years ago.”
Still looking a little dazed, Eden murmured her thanks. But under the table, her hand found Jay’s and squeezed tight.
Stella saluted them with two fingers at her temple. “My pleasure. Now, if you don’t mind…” She snatched up her bag. “I’m getting out of here. Little house, right?”
“That’s where Shane is,” Jay confirmed, three-quarters of his attention still fixed on Eden. Her fingertips traced teasing patterns over the back of his wrist, her skin warm.
She jumped when the door swung shut behind Stella and blinked at the witch’s empty chair. Color flooded her cheeks. “I’m being a terrible host.”
“She’s used to wolves, honey. Right, Keith?”
Keith smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Stella will do just fine. She’s used to living with wolves, and she’s seen her share of trouble. She’s been itching to get out on her own and flex her spellcasting muscles without her mentor staring over her shoulder, but Sasha wouldn’t have sent her if she wasn’t ready.”
Jay dragged his focus back to the wolf sitting across from them. “Long term, what do we do about Memphis?”
“My advice?” Keith tapped his fingers on the table. “Try to find a spy, someone who can warn you if they’re going to come. But either way…be ready for war. Have wards to protect those who can’t fight, and train those who can. Have a plan in place so everyone knows which is which.”
Zack might know someone left in Memphis who’d be willing to pass on information about the pack’s movements, but even asking could put the would-be spy in mortal danger. “We have to expect them at any time. I’ve got some contacts through my job, but using them is a tricky, messy business.”
“You’re local law, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“That’ll help with the other problem, hopefully.” Keith shook his head. “You’re not as remote as I’d like, certainly not remote enough to be hidden away from humans like Red Rock. That’ll be trouble if more refugees keep showing up.”
It was a small town, and people had already been talking. “This place is a farm. Farms need labor, and little boutique organic outfits have been popping up all across the South over