30 - Ben


    "That''s something I definitely need to see," Tommy chuckled, his mouth full as he continued eating his meal.


    "We really have to dig deeper into this whole witch business. It sounds a lot like what ra''s been dealing with over in ck w," I said, ncing over at my Delta.


    Jason had mentioned working alongside some of Ryker''s men, and he''d brought up magic too.


    "When did you get a chance to talk to him? He''s been on the far side of the arena the entire time," I asked.


    "You were too busy with your whole ''nobody''s good enough for Kennedy'' fight," Calvin teased, grinning at his own jab.


    "Shut it," I snapped.


    "Hey, he said it, not me. And honestly, neither of you are wrong," Calvin shrugged, quickly finishing thest bite in his mouth before swallowing. "I''ve got to go see my girl now. I''ll catch up with you guyster.” He gave my back a friendly p and walked off.


    "How is that even possible? I got the impression Ken wasn''t doing well being here," I muttered.


    "Are you sure you''re not just projecting your worries?" Tommy asked, following me as we headed to toss out our trash.


    "F*ck off. You felt it too, don''t pretend otherwise. Thest time we all talked to her, she was off. She''s never been good at lying, not even for a second,” I said, my voice low but firm.


    "Well, everyone here is in love with her, so it must be fine, right?" Tommy teased again.


    "I just want to be sure Ken isn''t being forced into anything," I admitted, concern tightening my chest.


    "You know Ken. Would she ever let anyone force her to do something against her will?" Tommy asked, cocking an eyebrow.


    "She''s human, Tommy. If someone wanted to, they could force her. And if that''s the case, I''m going to rip whoever did it to shreds," I growled, my wolf stirring angrily inside me. Kennedy might not be mine, but that wouldn''t stop me from protecting her with everything I have.


    "Well, I don''t think that''s what''s happening. And you need to get your head in the game-he''sing over, and neither Kennedy nor Rayna will appreciate you starting trouble with him," Tommy warned.


    I nced up just in time to see Jeremiah, Josh, and Ryker making their way toward


    us.


    "You alright?" A handnded on my shoulder, and I turned to see Jason standing beside me. I hadn''t even noticed him approach. He was trying to hide a smile.


    "F*ck off,” was all I could manage. I sounded like an idiot, and I knew it, but I just couldn''t seem to fix the mess of emotions inside me. My agitation was obvious, and thest thing I needed was for someone to think I was trying to challenge Ryker. Kennedy wasn''t my mate-she wasn''t ra. I knew that, yet the overwhelming need to protect her, to keep her safe at all costs, wouldn''t switch off. I took a deep breath, trying to distract myself. I couldn''t keep staring at Ryker like a fool. "Where were you anyway?" I asked Jason, forcing myself to focus fully on him.


    "I was following a trail," he replied.


    "What trail? We just got here," I said, crossing my arms, intrigued.


    "I know, that''s what confused me too. I caught a scent-ozone and rust-just like the cave on Junior''s territory," he said, mirroring my stance. "Exactly the same smell."


    I lowered my voice, not wanting Jeremiah or Ryker to panic over their mates. "Do you think we were followed? Or is it just a coincidence?"


    "My gut says we were followed, but if that''s true, we should have caught the scent on the way here," Jason whispered.


    "Not if it''s a witch. I''ve heard some high-ranking ones can teleport or whatever they call it," Tommy added.


    "If we were followed by a witch, the question is who they''re tracking. Is it Rayna? That''s probably Jeremiah''s first thought. Kennedy? Or maybe one of us helping out at ra''s pack?" Jason raised his eyebrows at me. If anyone thought the girls were in danger, this pack would be on lockdown immediately.


    "What''s going on?" Jer''s deep, growly voice came from behind me, and I realized I hadn''t masked my expression or feelings well enough.


    I decided to just get it out there. "Jason and I think magic might have followed us from ck w."


    "Hold on—what magic?" Josh stepped forward, squaring up to me. "We''ve got enough on our tes without dragging in whatever drama you''re involved in. Our Luna has been through hell in thest..." He shot Ryker a quick, meaningful nce that I caught, “...well, way too long. She deserves a Luna ceremony without any incidents."


    "What did you do?!" I growled, not caring that we were in the middle of his pack territory, surrounded by his warriors. If Ryker had done anything to Kennedy, he would pay.


    "All right, gentlemen. We need to change locations," Greta appeared suddenly between Ryker and me. Jer grabbed my arm, Jason stood to my left, and Tommy stayed behind me. Josh, Greta, and Danny did the same for Ryker, but he shrugged them off.


    "Not the packhouse. This way," Ryker grumbled.


    "Why not the packhouse? Why are you keeping her from us?" I spat over my shoulder, and he turned sharply. Our friends were letting us handle this but staying close enough to intervene if needed.


    "It''s her birthday, asshole. She hasn''t seen any of you in almost a year. You all being here is her present—a surprise. As protective as you are, you don''t seem to catch on quickly," he said before turning and walking into the building adjacent to the


    arena.


    I was stunned. I knew the date wasing up, but I''d been so distracted working with the southern packs that I''d lost track of time. I must have followed them inside without thinking, because suddenly we were in a meeting room that looked more suited for serious negotiations than anything else.


    "Just so we''re all clear, her Luna ceremony is a surprise as well. Be is keeping her busy today. Now, tell us about the magic you think followed you," Ryker said, closing the subject for the moment.


    Jason, Tommy, and I took turns exining everything we''d encountered in ck w and Red Fang.


    "What we''ve figured out is that teenage wolves are being used as mules for ingredients—and probably the finished drugs too. The problem is, the only time we find evidence of these drugs is when someone dies, and traces linger in their bloodstream. No neighboring packs seem to be aware of any issues. Junior and ra appear to be the main targets, likely because they''re both transitioning to Alpha under unusual circumstances. Junior''s only sixteen, so he''s seen as weak or an easy target-young and inexperienced, still learning his role," I said, daring a nce at Ryker. He was doing the same, and I knew it wasn''t easy for him. "He''s also considered vulnerable because his father is dead. ra, as a female Alpha, has faced resistance since the day her father announced she''d be the next Alpha, not her mate."


    "What does this have to do with magic?" Danny asked.


    "That ozone and rust smell is the same scent we found in the cave ra and Ben discovered on Junior''s territory near the waterfront," Jason said, pacing the room thoughtfully.