She grinned. “That’s a start.”
And gods, that smile. It did something to him; stirred something profound and unruly he hadn’t expected.
He swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
His gaze dropped to her fingers, lightly tracing idle circles in the dirt. “For being here. For me.”
She paused, then reached over, her hand brushing his. “Anytime.”
That was when the thought crept in.
He wasn’t just grateful for her presence. He wanted her.
The way her touch lingered. The way his body reacted to something as simple as her fingertips grazing his skin. He tried to shake it, to shove it down, but the warmth that flooded his chest and burned low in his abdomen betrayed him.
Alaric shot to his feet, clearing his throat as he shoved the thought away. What the hell was she doing to him?
Heidara raised an amused brow, clearly noticing the change in him. She stood. “We should get some sleep,” she said, tossing the words over her shoulder as she turned to walk away.
Alaric didn’t respond, couldn’t. He watched the sway of her hips, the way her leather clung to every curve, and desire clawed at him.
Fuck.
***
According to the map, they were now only days away from reaching the end of the route, which would lead them just past the northern mountain range and into the frozen lands of Nerathar—Vaelora’s domain.
They were likely deep beneath the mountains, the temperature dropping fast, the cold seeping into their bones. The metallic scent that once came and went now hung heavy in the air, a sign they weren’t alone. When they stopped to rest, the pack would need to be ready. Another attack felt inevitable, especially if those grotesque bloodroot golems lurked in the shadows. Alaric never wanted to see one again, but there was no escaping them while in the tunnel.
Fortunately, they’d only had one other encounter since the tunnel collapse. They had passed a narrow fissure in the wall, likely caused by the crushing pressure of the mountain above, when one of the dark, bat-like creatures had clawed its way out, all fangs and death and bloodroot rot, but Kaldrek had brought it down in a single ruthless strike.
He kept the scouts on high alert, never letting anyone stray too far in case the tunnels collapsed again. Especially Evelyne. Though Kaldrek respected her strength and let her hold her own in battle, he was fiercely protective of her. And for that, Alaric couldn’t fault him.
So they moved. Traveled, ate, slept, kept going, and never stopped for long, always wary of the shadows watching them from the walls.
***
The tunnel’s exit loomed ahead like a gaping maw opening into the frigid night. A blast of icy wind swept through, carrying the scent of snow and something darker. Evelyne shivered, but not from the cold.
They had finally reached the brutal northern lands of Nerathar. As they stepped out of the tunnel, the landscape stretched before them, while the jagged peaks of the northern mountains rose behind, their snow-laden slopes plunging into an expanse of dense, skeletal forest. The land was eerily silent, and the sky overhead was a deep, inky black. Oneof the elders had mentioned it was a full moon tonight, but no one in the pack would be celebrating, especially with the looming threat of blood magic creatures possibly stalking the shadows.
Tonight’s moon wasn’t just full. It was a blood moon.
Holden had suggested waiting until morning to explore the land ahead, but they couldn’t afford to waste another minute. Every second Cillian remained under Vaelora’s control brought him closer to becoming something unrecognizable. Maybe he already was, but Evelyne refused to believe that. She had to hold on to hope. Without it, none of this mattered. Steeling herself, she pushed to the front of the pack, determined to hear the next steps.
Kaldrek’s eyes scanned the terrain ahead. “Holden, Ty, Obren, come with me,” he commanded. “We’re going to scout ahead.”
“No,” Evelyne interrupted, stepping forward, fists clenched. “You are not leaving me behind.”
Kaldrek turned to her. “Evelyne, we don’t know what’s out there. This isn’t a debate.”
“I don’t care,” she snapped. “I didn’t come all this way to be left behind like I’m helpless. My brother is out there.” She jabbed a finger toward the dark line of trees. “He’s the only reason I’m here. I have to find him. I’m going with you.”
Evelyne watched as Kaldrek let out a slow breath, jaw tight with frustration. This wasn’t a battle he’d win. Not with everything she’d endured to get here, not when her entire purpose was finding Cillian. She’d risked too much to be turned away now, and denying her would only drive a wedge between them.
His eyes shifted to Alaric, who stood beside her, arms crossed and just as resolute. “Fine,” Kaldrek said at last. “But Heidara stays with Nathan.The pack still needs someone watching over them. We’ll have them move back into the tunnel while we look around.”
