Page 91 of Destiny of a King

Seger’s gaze remained fixed on the wolves. “They follow a command?”

“Aye,” Fiora said. “The Wolfin do nothing without their leader’s command.”

The words did not ease the tension. If anything, they made it worse.

The creatures surrounding them were not acting on instinct. They were waiting for a decision. A decision that belonged to something far more powerful.

The growling faded until the only sound remaining was the restless shifting of the horses and the soft crunch of snow beneath their hooves.

Adira held herself still, feeling the tension that had settled over every warrior around her. The creatures that surrounded them had not left, yet something had changed. The anger that had filled the air moments before had vanished, replaced by something far more unsettling.

Waiting.

A movement beyond the trees caught her attention.

At first, Adira saw only the faint shift of white against the dark trunks. Then the creature stepped into view.

Adira forgot to breathe.

It was unlike any wolf she had ever imagined. Larger than the creatures that surrounded them, yet there was a grace in the way it moved that made its size seem almost impossible. Its thick white coat shimmered against the gray landscape, untouched by the snow that clung to the forest floor. Its eyes held an intelligence that went beyond any beast, watching, studying, understanding.

The warriors around her did not move.

Even the horses seemed to sense they stood before something unlike anything they had faced before.

The creature moved forward, and the wolves surrounding them lowered their heads in respect as she passed.

Adira watched as she walked through the gathered warriors, who instinctively parted to allow her passage. The creature did not hesitate. She did not threaten. She simply moved with the certainty of one who belonged to this forest and had no reason to fear those who entered it.

“Do not touch your weapons,” Dravic ordered as the large Wolfin approached him.

Every man there stilled, their hands lingering near the handles of their weapons, though dared not touch them.

Adira stared at the magnificent creature, struck by the power and confidence she carried.

The king’s arm remained firm around her waist, his chin slightly tilted, and his shoulders drawn back. And to Adira’s amazement, his heartbeat remained steady against her hand. He showed no signs of fear, and she realized he shared the same power and confidence as the Wolfin.

Adira watched as the white wolf and the king held each other’s gaze.

“I wish you and your kind no harm. I seek only information,” Dravic said, his voice firm and filled with authority.

The Wolfin stared for a moment longer, then she backed away slowly. Before turning, she bowed her head low as if honoring the king. But her gold eyes were not on the king, they were on Adira.

That was when Adira heard the words clearly.

Welcome home.

Chapter Twenty-Three

A Name in the Silence

Questions of the Past

Talk of the white Wolfin followed them as they continued deeper into Driochmor.

The men made little attempt to keep their voices low, their excitement obvious in animated gestures and frequent glances toward the king. Adira did not need to hear them to know what held their attention. They spoke of the magnificent creature and the way she had walked fearlessly among them to bow before their king.

None of them had noticed where the Wolfin’s gold eyes had truly rested.