We pull up to the gates outside the pack lands a few moments later and roll down the window.
“Beth, from Halfling Academy here to see your alpha,” I say to the shifter guarding the gate.
“How do you have a working vehicle? It seems like everything within a ten-mile radius is no more than a hunk of metal now.” The shifter stares, wide-eyed.
“We’re from Halfling Academy. We don’t do electronics. I’m pretty sure your alpha knows this. Can you let us in? We’ve been on the road for a long damn time.” My nails dig into my palm.
“Sorry, I was shocked. Yes, Beth from Halfling Academy has an open welcome in our pack.” The shifter waves for the others to open the gate.
“One more question,” Raven says.
“Of course, how can I help?”
“How long have the vehicles in this town been dying?” she asks.
“Over the last day, every vehicle in our pack has broken down. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them that we can tell, but they are all dead.” He taps his thigh nervously. “We don’t know what’s happening, but I have a feeling that you do. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”
“Your feeling is absolutely correct,” I say. “It may be even worse than we expected.”
11
“Jayden?” I launch myself from the back passenger seat before Draven is even at a complete stop.
“Hades, Beth, you’re gonna get me killed,” Draven shouts from the car.
I’m barely listening to them shouting at me as I slam into Jayden’s chest. His arms wrap around me, and I wrap my legs around his waist, kissing him hard.
“How are you here?” I ask him, breathless. “What’s happening at the academy? Has the battle started? Is everyone okay?”
“Whoa, no. Everyone is fine at the academy. The battle hasn’t started yet.” Jayden kisses my forehead.
“Then how are you here? Did you change your mind because I got stabbed? Because it’s really fine. I’m all better.” I point to my shoulder.
“You’re rambling, love. Take a breath.” He grins.
“Let’s get inside. You all look like you’re about to keel over and die.” Jayden doesn’t put me down as he carries me into the pack house, the others following close behind.
The alpha nods as Jayden carries me into a sitting room. “You all look rough.”
“We had a bit of an incident outside of Flagstaff.” I shrug. “Not a big deal but we’ve been driving a long time to get here.”
“You all should rest. There is much to discuss.” The alpha waves a hand for us to sit.
“Thank you, Alpha.”
“Are you hungry?” he asks.
My stomach rumbles on cue and my face heats. I bury my face in Jayden’s chest, glad he’s there but still needing answers to why. He should be back at the academy leading our people. What is he doing here?
“I’ll take that as a yes.” The alpha chuckles.
Several wolves walk in with platters of food. My stomach gurgles again and I sigh.
“Thank you, Alpha. I depleted my magic earlier and haven’t had a chance to stop for a solid meal. We have been surviving off meats and cheeses the Kourai gave us in Flagstaff.” I sit forward, still in Jayden’s lap.
“You promised you would take care of yourself, love,” Jayden growls.
“I’m fine, Jayden. Really nothing some food and sleep won’t cure.” I shift on his lap.
