Spiral of Need (The Mercury Pack 1)

“Are we sure that Miranda is hiding her? It makes sense,” Caleb quickly added before Nick could oppose his comment. “And I agree it’s very, very likely. But we still don’t know for certain.”

“We’ll know for sure soon enough,” Nick replied, his smile crooked and a little evil.

“Here she comes,” said Kent, who had been peeking out of the window. He skipped back over to the sofa and sat next to Caleb. Moments later, Jesse and Zander escorted Miranda and her two enforcers into the living area.

Rising, Shaya flashed her a welcoming smile that held no hint of the distaste that grazed Ally’s arms like a bristle sponge. “Miranda, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Thank you, Shaya.” Miranda’s smile was just as wide. And just as forced. “I was worried there would be some ill will after my last visit.” She looked from Shaya to Nick as he went to stand beside his mate. “Please understand that I was just concerned for you and your pack.”

“We get it,” Shaya assured her.

Miranda’s friendly gaze traveled around the room but narrowed ever so slightly when she found Ally snuggled up against Derren, who was tracing her claiming mark. The female’s spite coiled tight around Ally’s chest. “I’ll say what I should have said last time I was here: congratulations to both of you on your mating.”

Neither Ally nor Derren thanked her for those so obviously insincere words. Ally’s wolf was equally unhappy to see the bitch; she wanted to dive at the female and rake her claws across her face. The thought had some appeal. When Miranda’s narrowed gaze landed on Dan, she froze, and a red, angry flush crept up her neck and face. “A Holt family reunion. How cozy.” Settling gracefully into an armchair while her enforcers stood behind her, Miranda again forced a smile for Shaya. “As you can imagine, I’m still terribly worried for all of you. Even though the attacks on your pack have stopped, it’s still disconcerting to know that the people responsible are out there.”

“It’s sweet of you to worry, but we have this under control.”

Miranda arched a brow. “You have captured the culprits?”

“We have.” Shaya leaned forward, as if about to confide something interesting and important. “It turns out, though, that the shifters who attacked us didn’t actually have a personal problem with us. In fact, someone put a hit out on us. Can you believe that?”

Miranda stilled. “Really?”

“The hit has been canceled now, which is no doubt because anyone who attempted to attack us didn’t live to tell the tale.”

Alarm briefly flickered through Miranda, prickling Ally’s skin, as the Alpha female asked Shaya, “Do you have any idea who is behind the hit?”

“We do. The shifters we captured knew enough to point us in the right direction. Turns out it’s a scorned woman.”

“A . . . scorned woman?” Miranda’s alarm became full-blown panic; it smothered Ally like tropical humidity.

“A Seer,” elaborated Shaya. “She doesn’t like that Marcus mated our Roni. She’s jealous.” Ally noticed that Miranda’s enforcers stiffened and suddenly looked very uneasy.

“I see.” Miranda licked her lips nervously. “I’m guessing, then, that you have a name?”

“Yes. It’s only a matter of time before we find her, don’t you worry.”

“That’s good.” With a brittle smile, Miranda stood. “Well, I should be going.”

Shaya also rose to her feet. “So soon?”

“I have a busy afternoon ahead.” Miranda turned to leave . . . and almost crashed into Eli. What she hadn’t realized was that Eli and the Mercury enforcers had subtly moved to gather behind her and her own enforcers, intending to obstruct their path to the exit.

“You’re not going anywhere just yet, Miss Whitney,” Eli told her. “Or should I say . . . Miss Moore?”

Marcus tilted his head. “You wouldn’t be related to Kerrie Moore, would you?”

“Who?” Miranda sounded appropriately confused.

“She’s the Seer we’re looking for,” explained Shaya, her smile now gone. When Miranda turned back to face her, Shaya added, “But you already know that, don’t you?”

“We always thought it was likely that a family member was giving her sanctuary,” rumbled Nick. “I have to admit, I hadn’t suspected that it might be you.”

“You have this all wrong,” Miranda claimed. “I wish I could help—”

“That’s good,” said Roni. “That’s very, very good. Because you can help, can’t you? Where is she?”

“I do not know any Kerrie M—”

“Cut the shit,” spat Eli. “We know she’s your cousin. We know you used to visit her at her pack.”

Miranda sighed heavily. “That much is true,” she finally admitted. “But I have no idea where you can find my cousin.”

Still curved protectively around his mate, Derren told Miranda, “When you lie, you purse your lips.” The bitch’s mouth then set into a hard slash as she glared daggers at him.

Nick advanced on Miranda, growling. “Tell us where Kerrie is.”

Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin. Despite looking like a cornered animal and being the target of an entire pack’s anger, Miranda still maintained a haughty, antagonistic edge. “I’ll want something in exchange.”