Free A Witch's Path by N. E. Conneely Page A

wolf pack."
    Paxton leaned against the doorjamb. "It depends. What do you want to know?"
    "Have there been any changes in pack structure?" I bit my tongue trying not to say too much.  
    "Not that I am aware of. How recent would this change be?"
    "Recently enough, for a werewolf to go after another shifter a few hours ago."
    "Ah." He froze, not even blinking while he pondered. Resuming more normal actions, he continued. "I'm afraid I don't have any information for you. I wish I had more to tell you, but I haven't talked to any of my shifter friends in nearly a week. Baden is usually better informed, and I know he's home tonight. In fact, I heard him come in a few minutes ago."
    "You don't think he would mind?"
    "Under the circumstances he would understand."  
    "Thank you, Paxton. If I can return this favor, let me know."
    "Nonsense, you were merely asking a question, there is nothing to repay." He became solemn, "Best of luck with this…issue."
    I bowed my head. "Thank you." When I looked up, Paxton was gently closing the door.
    Baden's room was on the third floor and my tired body protested the climb. I hadn't gotten enough sleep before Tiffany showed up, and it didn't look like I was going back to bed anytime soon. The door opened shortly after I knocked. Baden was a large guy, nearly a foot taller than me and twice as wide. None of the width was fat, he was solid muscle.  
    "Michelle, how can I help you?" He rumbled.  
    "I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I had a few questions."  
    "I was up. Come in. I'll try to answer."  
    "Thanks." I perched on a bar stool while he held up the wall across from me. "Do you know if there's been any change in power in the werewolf pack?"
    His eyes narrowed, changing to a golden color. "Why do you need to know?"
    Baden's reaction was strange, since he wasn't a wolf and their politics shouldn't affect him. "Anything you can tell me about Adder and the wolves would be helpful. Adder may have abducted a friend of mine, a werepeahen."  
    He sighed, relaxing against the wall. "When was she taken?"
    "Earlier this evening."  
    "I was at a meeting for large cats today," Baden said.
    I nodded. He shifted into a Bengal tiger, and there weren't many of them around. It was common for shifter groups who didn't have larger numbers to band together with similar shifters.  
    "Simon missed several meetings today, and no one has been able to contact him. All of the inquiries were directed to Adder, who said his father was under the weather. Whatever is going on, the wolves are keeping quiet."
    I frowned, "If Adder is taking calls for his father…"
    "Then the slim margin of control Simon had over Adder is gone," Baden sighed. "Simon was in a bad position. He needed to get Adder to behave or kill him."
    "Adder may be in charge now, but that doesn't explain why he'd want Amber." Simon had been the only one standing between the world and two-hundred pounds of crazy werewolf.  
    "Had he met her before?" Baden asked.  
    "I don't know. Do you know her?"
    "Eh, I might. It's hard to keep track of every shifter in the area. What does she look like?"
    I described her human and shifted forms, though I'd only seen her in feathery glory twice.  
    "I've met her. Cute, nice, but not powerful as shifters go. I don't know of them crossing paths." He shook his head. "Adder is bad news. I hope you can get your friend soon."
    "Thank you for helping Amber, and me."
    "What are you going to do?"
    "Try to get the police to rescue her." Silently, I admitted that if that failed I'd go after her.
    "In that case, let me give you a number." Baden scribbled a few lines on a mini legal pad sitting next to his phone before ripping the sheet off the pad and handing it to me. "I know it's not much, but that guy might know more about Adder, and if he doesn't, he'll know who does."
    "Thank you." I gave him a hug.  
    "If I learn anything else I'll pass it along."
    Baden closed the door behind me and I headed back to my room while