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Of course I see what she did there, making it sound like I’m too important in this aspect of things to sacrifice for the trip to the mountains. But I still don’t like the idea of other shifters going without me.
“I’ll take several people with me,” Amora says, speaking to the group at large. “Strong fighters. We’ll look out for each other.”
Ridge nods once. “That would be best. But you have to promise me to be safe—don’t venture too close to Wolfsbane Mountain on your journey. Watch your back.”
I can see the worry in his eyes. Amora’s been his longest friend and confidante, and no matter what anybody says, going to Gwen’s and passing the witches’ stronghold on the way is going to be dangerous. He holds out a hand, and she clasps it firmly.
“I will,” Amora promises.
“I can do a spell,” I offer. “Something to keep all of you safe.”
She smiles. “Works for me.”
Amora leaves to gather a team, and fifteen minutes later, we meet them outside the meeting house in the late afternoon light.
She chose a team of five shifters—three extremely large men and two strong, lithe women, all of whom I recognize from around the village, though I’m not sure if they’re all North Pack or not. As everyone comes to grips with this “new normal” of the blended packs, I think Amora would choose her team based on merit and strength, not on whether they belong to her original pack or not.
The crowd from inside the meeting house fans out around us, putting the group of travelers and me at center stage. But light conversation is starting up among the spectators, and my mates are standing with their heads together, discussing plans, so for the time being, Amora and I have a moment to speak one-on-one.
I step up in front of her and regard her thoughtfully. She has her long dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail, and she’s carrying a backpack of supplies.
“You don’t have to do this,” I murmur under my breath so that my men don’t hear me.
She arches a dark brow. “Oh?”
“Just because my mates are way too protective of me doesn’t mean you should feel like you need to risk yourself. I’m not more valuable than you.”
“You have witch magic,” she says bluntly. “You’re the only person on this side of the fight who wields that power. That does make you more valuable.”
“It doesn’t,” I insist, feeling uncomfortable at the idea. For so long, my witch magic felt like the barrier keeping me from truly being a part of the shifters’ world. I finally broke through that barrier and learned to balance both my worlds, but in the end, I’m still different.
At least I’m helpful to the cause, I guess.
Amora offers me a crooked grin. “Sorry, girl. It really does. We all need you alive. Not to mention that you have four mates who love you and would absolutely fall apart if you got hurt or killed. I don’t exactly have that problem.”
It’s a casual, playful comment, meant to make me feel better. But there’s an undercurrent to her tone that makes me wonder if Amora wishes she had a mate of her own. Before the last battle, we had a conversation about just that, and she was adamant that she doesn’t need a mate.
But maybe she’s changed her mind. Seeing me with my four men, and the way everything has changed… maybe Amora is ready for some changes herself.
“I’m glad I know you,” I say as I reach out to take her hands. I feel suddenly shy, unused to expressing my emotions or being this vulnerable with anyone but my mates. Clearing my throat, I add, “I didn’t have any women in my life growing up. I love my mates with all my heart, but I’m happy to finally have a woman to talk to. Not even just a woman, but you—a badass lady who makes me feel like I could do anything.”
Amora looks strangely misty-eyed as she leans in for a hug. “You can do anything. I’m glad I know such a badass lady too.”
As she steps away to rejoin the shifters she’ll be traveling with, I perform a protection sigil I’ve learned, sending out billows of strong, smoky magic to create a ward around Amora and her team. Then the group of them strip off their clothes and shift before heading out into the forest beyond the pack’s territory.
I watch their forms fade into the distance, my heart heavy.
Are we sending them into danger? How many more lives will we lose before all of this ends?
An arm slips around my waist, and I lean into the warmth that presses into my side. The fresh, clean scent of Archer’s soap meets my nose and I breathe deeply, calmed by his presence.
He kisses my forehead, then leans his chin on my head. “Amora and her team will be okay. And we’ll make their trip worthwhile. We won’t waste time while they’re gone.”
I pull away and look up at him. “You promise?”
His expression turns grim. “Of course. We’ve got a war to plan.”
22
