Ghost continues, “A Seeker is the finder of lost things. Shifters, artifacts, knowledge. It’s a gift from the Moon Goddess. It shows her trust in you, that you would use the information for good, not evil. There are other kinds of Sages, too, but it’s been many years since our world has seen them. A Mate Finder, for example.”
“Fated?” Silas asks, eyebrows lifting. I want to smack him. He already has a fated mate.
“Yes, exactly. A Mate Finder not a matchmaker. As I explained to Mona how the magic of fated mates works, a Mate Finder finds the missing pieces, helps them reunite. Another kind of Sage is the Affluent. There’s less known of this one, it’s more obscure. But it’s like, good fortune. Like, if a volcano were to erupt—the Affluent wouldn’t stop the volcano. But having one nearby would allow the circumstances for all the people and animals to escape through divine intervention, so everyone made it out safely. Or, if a clan is very poor, has bad luck with hunting, agriculture, that sort of thing, an Affluent might visit the lands, and suddenly, there is an abundance of food.”
“So, you believe Mona is one of these… Sages?”
“Yes. It explains the dreams, anyway.”
“How come Doc didn’t tell me all this?” I ask.
Ghost shrugs. “I do not know. It’s possible he’s unaware. I only know because I—”
“Read it in a book,” Silas finishes.
Ghost growls, baring his teeth. “Yes, you uncultured twat. I read it in a fucking book.”
Silas bares his teeth, and I have a sudden flashback to my heat. It was mostly hazy, and I remember very little. But Silas was snarling at Ghost, and Ghost was… did he kiss me? He held me, I think. He whispered in my ear and stroked my cheek.
No, that can’t be right.
Before the guys start fighting, I ask Silas, “So, Deidre knows she can turn a delta into an omega. And she’s clearly after omegas…”
“Yes,” Silas nods grimly. “She’s aware. And yes, I’ve no doubt she’ll act on it. It’s entirely possible the woman you saw in your dreams is the next target.”
“What’s so special about her?” Ghost asks.
It’s Silas who answers. “Nothing, probably. Deidre didn’t give a fuck about Lily, she was just some weak wolf that was easy to snatch. Likely the same for this other girl. Deidre may not even know who the next target is. Lily, the other stolen shifters—it was all circumstance. Mona and I were the only specific targets, as far as I’m aware.”
A shiver snakes down my spine, leaving my skin cold. I can’t believe how close I came to being in her clutches. And both times, Silas saved me.
I can’t help it, I look up at him. As if he can see the stars in my eyes, the bond shutters again, cutting me out completely. I flinch, and he snaps, “We need to keep moving.”
Without a backward glance, Ghost slides into the driver’s seat, Silas beside him. The front doors slam shut in unison, and I stand there, waiting for something that doesn’t come. Just minutes ago, Silas held me, Ghost watched me with concern in his eyes.
My fingers hover at the door handle, pathetically waiting for one of them to turn, to remember I’m here. Every mile towardhome brings me closer to Orion and Grayson while tearing me further from Silas and Ghost.
I climb into the back and curl against the door, watching the backs of their heads as they share muted conversation between themselves. I wrap my arms around my middle, holding together the pieces of myself they don’t seem to notice are falling apart.
It’s better this way, I remind myself. But I’m drowning in all the things I’ll never be brave enough to beg for. Theplease stay, please don’t leave meis lodged in my throat.
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter 11: Mona
Before we reach the border, Silas pulls into a park and ride, off the highway. Silent conversations pass between the two of them as they look out over the parking lot and to each other.
It makes me want to scream.
They’re both closed off from me, treating me like I’m precious cargo. Fulfilling their duty by returning me to my rightful owners.
That’s exactly what this feels like, and I’m getting tired of it. We exit the car, and Silas’s fingers brush mine. His jaw clenches, yanking the backpack away so I have nothing to do with my hands. Ghost isn’t any better.
I feel wild inside my head. Confused and emotional.
On the verge of flipping out.
A van pulls into the parking lot, does a sweep through the rows, then idles off to the side, waiting for carpool passengers. Ghost approaches the driver, who rolls down his window.
