Chapter 176

Helen’s POV

Coming back to Justin’s father’s mansion was like returning to a bad dream. Even the smell of the gardens around the place conjured up horrible images in my mind and feelings in my chest. The closer we got to the property, the harder I prayed that we would find something in Juden’s library that would validate this whole trip and all of these nasty feelings. Otherwise, what a waste it would be not only to spend the time coming all the way out here but to dredge up all the joint horrors of our past.

When we arrived, Justin went to the door and tried his key in the lock. Frustration took over his face, and he tried to jam the key in a second time.

“My father’s been here,” he growled. “He’s changed the locks.”

“Should we break a window to get in?” Randy said, tossing a rock up in the air and catching it, a wicked grin on his face.

Justin shook his head. “I don’t think he’s here, or he’d have either come out to meet us himself or sent someone out to greet us, either in a good or a bad way. I don’t know which at this point. So breaking the glass will do nothing except alert him that we’ve come by. Does anyone know how to pick a lock?”

Randy set down the rock, looking disappointed. “I know a guy who lived in town before the packs combined into the True Mate’s Pack. If he’s still there, he might be able to pick the lock for us.”

“Can he do it without my father knowing that we’ve been inside?” Justin asked. “I don’t want to stir up anything with him. We only need to deal with one problem at a time.”

“I’m not sure. I think you probably can. And if my guy doesn’t know how, he’ll know who can.”

Without getting any answers, we turned around and headed back the way we came, making our way into town.

“I think I’m going to go get us a room at the hotel over there,” Russo said. He looked back in the direction of Juden’s mansion and shuddered. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not wild about spending the night there, even if we do get in tonight.”

“I think I’d rather sleep somewhere else, too,” Randy said.

“I completely agree with you,” I said. “I’m not going back there unless I absolutely have to. No offense, Justin.”

“None taken.” He looked back at his childhood home with a scowl on his face. “You know, now that I’ve been away for so long, I don’t think I’m interested in staying there either. Why don’t you get two rooms, Russo? One for Helen and I, and one for you and Randy.”

Russo arched an eyebrow. “Are the two of you going to be all right staying there together?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Justin asked.

I realized at that point that Russo had directed the question at me. “Oh,” I said. “Yes. I think I think I’ll be all right. Justin and I have been getting along a lot better. We’ll probably be okay as long as the rooms are next door to each other, just to make me feel better.” I gave Justin an apologetic look. “For both our sakes, in case either one of us hits a point where trusting becomes uncomfortable. We can always swap roommates around.”

“I can sleep on the floor in Helen’s room if it’s necessary,” Russo volunteered.

That was generous because after Randy had admitted his crush on me, I don’t think Justin would have taken kindly to him sleeping in the same bedroom as me. But Russo always was particularly insightful.

Randy tapped Justin on the shoulder. “Come on. I’ll show you the way to my friend’s house. He’s a locksmith. Thankfully, he only lives three blocks away.”

Justin asked me, “Are you coming with us, or are you going with Russo?”

“You know, I think I’m going to go get myself a glass of warm tea at that coffee shop that I always wanted to go to but was never allowed when I lived in town here.”

Justin grinned at me. “I think we’re past the point where anybody is going to give you a hard time while you’re out and about. But if they do, just remember you’re a snow white. You’re a Luna, and you’re tough. Don’t take shit from anyone.”

I grinned back at him. “I won’t. Does anybody want anything from the coffee shop? When I leave, I can bring it back to you in to-go cups.”

All three men shook their heads.

I turned to Russo. “I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby in an hour. Hopefully, by then, Randy and Justin should know whether or not Randy’s friend can get us into the mansion tonight.”

We all split and went our own ways. My walk through town took me through the rest of the late-afternoon light. It was tinged with chilly blue from the winter temperatures. But the spots where the sunlight still hit were pleasant enough, at least while wearing a coat.

It didn’t take me more than five minutes to reach the coffee shop, and when I went inside, the warm smell of tea and coffee beat back the cold winter air that blew in the door with me. A few deep, long breaths, and I was feeling warmer already.

I shrugged off my coat and walked up to the counter. The girl behind the counter was somebody that I had never seen in town before, at least, not in all of the times I’d come to the coffee shop to pick up my parents’ and my sister’s orders.

“Hi.” She grinned at me.

I smiled back at her. “I’ve only been gone a year, and I already see new faces. I’m Helen.”

She pointed at her name tag. “Lisa. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, as well.” I frowned.

Her scent was off. She didn’t smell like a werewolf.

“Have you recently married into the pack?” I asked.

A horrified look crossed Lisa’s face, and she put a finger to her lips, beckoning me to lean over. She whispered in my ear, “Don’t ask questions about my past. I’m a witch, and I’m hiding.”

“From the hunt—”

I only got half of the Huntsman’s name out before she clamped a hand over my mouth. Without trying to say anything else and catching on to what she wanted from me, I nodded.

She slowly took her hand away.

“Oh yes,” I said. “I think I remember you. You’re the little sister of the gamma’s son.”

“Cousin,” she clarified. “I’m the gamma son’s cousin.”

“Right. Right.” I grinned at her. “Well, since you’re new to the coffee shop, I’ll just tell you that I have no idea what I want. What would you recommend?”

Lisa gave me a delighted grin. “First, I need to know whether or not you like coffee or tea.”

“I prefer tea,” I said.

She nodded. “Then I would definitely recommend our spiced chai latte. It’s the perfect tea for a cold winter day.”

“I do like chai,” I agreed. “Perfect. Give me one of those.”

I watched Lisa move around behind the counter, pulling out the ingredients that she needed and setting cups underneath the machine, which would produce the warm foam in my latte. I’m not sure what about her movements sparked insight, but all of a sudden, a blazing idea hit my brain and wouldn’t leave.

I needed to find Russo a nice witch to settle down with, and here was a nice witch right in front of me. I crossed my fingers where she couldn’t see them and said a silent prayer that her answers to my next questions would be favorable.