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She nodded. "After what happened in Blue's village," she let out a pained sigh, "he needs someone to watch over him, but he also needs to know why his pack was attacked. If he doesn't want to go, I won't force him, but I think—"
I held up my hand, silencing her. Taking her chin between my thumb and finger, I forced her to look deep into my eyes. "If Blue wants to come with us, I'll gladly accept him. You tell me where you want to go, and I'll carve a fucking path." A small smile graced her sweet lips. "I will cut through a mountain if it'll make you happy."
She pressed her lips to mine in a quick, soft kiss. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
I hummed, kissing her properly, squeezing her tender thighs, and tasting her sweet breath. Leaning back, I pressed my forehead to hers. "To Ossory?" I asked her.
She nodded, fire burning in her bright, brown eyes.
* * *
"Where is Lex?"Tzidal scanned the area as we stepped up to the camp.
Byriel leaned against a tree trunk with Blue curled up in a snug ball by his side, soft snores leaving the omega's lips. The fire at their feet smoldered with thick wisps of black smoke, making the morning mist smell smokey and charred.
"I'm here. I was hoping to be back before you returned," Lex said, moving through the trees. His hair receded into his skull, fading from a chestnut brown to his usual vibrant white. "How was your night?" he asked Tzidal, raising his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
Her eyes went wide as he approached. "How was yours?" she asked, poking a visible mating bite on his throat. "What does this mean?"
Lex clapped a hand over his neck, giving an exaggerated huff. "Sometimes, when I get an image too right, alpha's get a little feral and bite me.”
"But this is a mating bite." Tzidal's mouth was open in shock. "Can you be…claimed?"
"No!" He let out a bark of a laugh, causing Blue to jerk awake. "I'm pretty sure wolves can only claim wolves. This," he pointed at the clear indentation of fangs, "will fade in a few days. He just got excited and went a little…hard." His eyes flashed as he spoke, a smirk firmly in place.
"It's still so shocking," Tzidal whispered as they both moved toward what was left of the fire.
We ate quickly, finishing off the punga. Tzidal stayed close to Blue during breakfast. Then, holding his hand, we set off north. The terrain got more uneven and the hills harder to navigate as we made our way through the mountains.
The sun felt good as the day wore on, warming both the earth and my skin. I could still scent a bit of grief surrounding Blue, but Tzidal's nurturing energy brightened the breeze as she soothed him without words.
"What is your plan?" Byriel asked quietly, keeping a cautious eye on the omegas in front of us.
"Tzidal hasn't wavered in what she wants. We're going to Ossory."
Byriel nodded, understanding my meaning. I didn't need to remind him that she wanted his father's head, just that our purpose hadn't changed.
"I've been thinking it over," he said. "And I think it might be good for you to search out Yasha."
I stopped walking, and so did Tzidal. "Why?" She stopped in her tracks, turning to us.
Byriel seemed a little taken aback but tucked his hands behind his back, a relaxed look about him. "She foretold it and can probably help you find that last wolf. If nothing else, she can at least tell you what it means." His expression seemed genuine.
"Do you no longer have an interest in that last wolf?" Tzidal asked carefully.
"I never had an interest in any of them. I just did as I was commanded. I—" He stopped talking, his eyes flickering to Blue. "I'm done."
Tzidal nodded at his words, a far-off look in her eyes as she worked something out in her head. "How do we find her?" she finally asked.
"I know someone along the edges of Ossory who might be able to help you. He does well with those that wish to disappear, and witches don't tend to like company, especially after difficult readings."
Tzidal mumbled out a 'thank you'and then walked on. Even from behind, I could see her mind working hard as she laid out a plan.
"The witch will be helpful," I said to Byriel, "but we need to know what the King is up to. He's clearly moved on from tracking down single wolves and is now terrorizing whole packs."
Byriel shook his head at my words. "I refuse to believe he sent guards into an ill-protected village and allowed them to search the way they did." He pulled me to a stop, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I've been thinking it over. They had to be a rogue group. There's no way—”
"Don't you dare fucking say your father didn't command this!" I roared.
