Star-Crossed Mates by Scarlet Hyacinth

began to shine and hover lightly against the map, as if tracking an unseen motion. It went from its current place traveling toward the main continent, its motions a bit erratic, as if it couldn’t decide where to stop.
    Hewitt grimaced. “Your Clay is on the move. And there’s something else, a dark force blocking my magic. Focus. Think of a special moment you two shared.”
    First, Klaus relived the moment when he’d first met Clay. He recalled the young spirit wolf kneeling in front of the Magistrate, then his wide eyes meeting Klaus’s, a shy smile on his lips. But Klaus had looked away, refusing his mate. It had been such a troubling time, plagued with fears, with the need to be by his mate’s side, overwhelmed by the desire to keep Clay safe.
    The pendant continued its erratic motions, and Klaus chose the first time he and Clay had sex. He could almost see it now, Clay’s 48
    Scarlet Hyacinth
    body moving with his, his tight channel squeezing Klaus’s cock in an iron-like vise. But the erotic experience had been shrouded by his increasing doubts, and he’d refrained from claiming Clay, ultimately leading to their separation. It didn’t surprise him when the pendant refused to fix on one spot.
    He chose the moment he’d first met Ross. It didn’t help at all, the anxiety of seeing his mate turn feral, making the pendant sway wildly.
    “Whatever you’re doing, it’s not helping,” Hewitt said.
    Out of options and acutely aware of how little he deserved his mates, Klaus recalled the hug between Ross and Clay. He might have been left out, but even so, the emotions he’d experienced, albeit indirectly, somehow connected him to his mates.
    At last, the pendant ceased its erratic swishing and fixed in one spot. Paris, France. Not the easiest city to find a feral in, but at least they had a general location.
    As if guessing Klaus’s thoughts, Hewitt rolled the map and handed it to Klaus, together with the still-shining pendant. “This will guide you on your way. It works like a GPS of sorts now.”
    Klaus got up, renewed decisiveness coursing through him. “Thank you,” he told Hewitt.
    Hewitt nodded in acknowledgement of his words, and then his eyes turned to Dietrich. “Anything for a friend.”
    Judging by Hewitt’s tone, Dietrich had been much more than a friend. Wolfram growled lowly, and Dietrich nudged his wolf mate with his elbow. “And we really appreciate the help. Don’t we, Wolfram?”
    Wolfram smiled tightly. “Of course.”
    It was disconcerting to see Wolfram jealous, but Klaus didn’t dwell too much on it. The strong feeling of unsettlement returned with a vengeance.
    Wolfram must have sensed his urgency—well, that, and he probably wanted to get Dietrich out of Hewitt’s proximity. “We’ll be off now. Our thanks again.”

    Star-Crossed Mates
    49
    “Certainly, Magistrate. Drop by any time. And do let me know how your search goes.”
    Hewitt led them to the exit of the club and waved as they rushed off. Klaus prayed for the witch’s well-being. Ferals seemed to be everywhere these days, and he hoped Hewitt’s aid would not draw unwanted attention.
    But the witch’s welfare became a side thought, and by the time they reached the airport once again, Hewitt turned into a very distant memory. The dark feeling had returned, growing more and more, choking him. Klaus knew they were running out of time.

    * * * *

    Whatever relief Ross felt while in Ireland disappeared after their arrival on mainland Europe. Their separation from Klaus burdened him a lot. It seemed very strange, since he hardly knew the man, but for some reason, a spiritual connected existed between them, one that made it hard for him to ignore Klaus’s dejection and self-loathing.
    Clay’s disappointment and heartbreak overflowed through their bond.
    A niggling thought told him his anxiety also stemmed from something else, but Ross pushed it aside.
    Clay had suggested for them to go to Paris, arguing they would be