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She shrugs, gnawing on a bone before going in for another helping. “I never made it to our spot.” Her voice grows faint and she stares into the flames, the blaze dancing in her eyes.
“So tell me, what happened after you ran away from me?” I ask, trying to distract her a bit from the obvious pain of not reaching her sisters. Jae told me last time that they’d gotten separated, but they had a meeting point if that ever happened. Smart. I’ve heard of people spending weeks trying to cross paths with someone.
“I didn’t want you to try stopping me, so I took off to meet with my sisters. One person on her own is easier to slide through the woods unnoticed than two, especially from the undead.” She holds herself strong and her fighting spirit reminds me so much of me.
Most likely, I would have done the same in her position.
She swallows the mouthful and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I didn’t hear the Alphas sneak up on me. I should have been more careful, and now I’m even farther away from the meeting zone.”
“Your sisters will wait for you,” I urged.
“I know she will,” she answered adamantly. “She made me agree that we’d meet there even if it took years.”
The hope in her voice tears through me. I used to believe in so many things before I watched the Shadow Monsters kill my mama. After that, I lost my hope in this wretched world we live in that eats and spits you out daily if you let it. The only way I survived was to become selfish, to accept that no one would come rescue me. I spent many nights crying myself to sleep, and it doesn’t get easier being alone. But how can I say those things to Jae when she holds on to that thread of possibility like a lifeline?
“How about we make an agreement?” I suggest. “You don’t run away anymore, and I will help you track down your sisters with the Ash Wolves.”
Her eyes widen with shock. “Are you mad? No Alphas help Omegas, don’t you know that? And I don’t intend to be captured.”
“You won’t be. I have three mates, all Ash Wolves, and well, I need to rescue them from the assholes who tried to kidnap you. Then they will help you get back to the waiting spot, I give you my word.” There was no doubt in my mind that they would help.
Jae shakes her head. “You worry about what you need to do, but I don’t need your help.”
“We all need help sometimes. Like when I rescued you from that rogue Alpha in the woods over a week ago, plus today.”
She stiffens, her shoulders squaring. “And I saved you and got you to shift back into your human body. We’re even.”
I laugh and collect the rest of what’s left of the half-eaten rabbit. “I just want to help you, Jae. You leave items in a cave in case other females are in trouble because you want to help too. It’s okay to accept assistance.”
Her brow furrows instead of fighting back.
Only the crackling fire floods the silence as we eat.
“Why don’t you come with me?” she finally says. “Narah will welcome you to stay with us. There will be no Alphas to command or try to rut you.” She snarls after saying the words.
And I realize then, she doesn’t quite understand the concept of meeting a mate. But I understand. I spent so long hating males, seeing them as nothing more than wanting me as their slave. And some of them are that way, but not all of them. The connection with a fated mate is unbreakable and captivating and alluring. I want to scream that I’m away from mine while they remain in danger. At the back of my mind, I keep wondering if I still have leukemia, seeing as how the Shadow Monsters are keeping their distance from me. But I push those thoughts aside. I can’t think about that when I have Alphas to save.
The ache in my chest burns for them, but I’m also not an idiot to know Mad would have wolves out there searching for me. The pouring rain outside is my savior, concealing our scents and that of the cooking rabbit.
That’s why this is the time for me to check the perimeter of the compound to see how the hell I’m going to break in to help them.
“My place is here,” I answer, something I never thought I’d ever say. For all my life, I’ve run away.
Except that stops now. The time has come for me to claim what is mine and fight for my three wolves.
I discard the rabbit bones into the fire and wipe my hands down my pants, then get up.
“Where are you going?” Jae asks, a quaver threading through her voice.
“To scope out the Ash Wolves’ compound. I need to break in.”
She trembles, as if the mere thought terrifies her. “That place is filled with Alphas. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me and leave this war zone behind?”
“I’ve never been more certain in my life about anything. But I hope you change your mind and don’t go anywhere,” I plead, though based on her past behavior, I doubt she’ll listen to me. “Whatever you decide, stay safe.”
“You too.” She returns to eating, while I head out of the cave and into the tragic weather. It may be wet and cold, but it’ll conceal me from the monsters out here.
I have no idea how I’m meant to save them, but I guess I’ll come up with something once I reach the pack home.
“Good luck,” Jae murmurs behind me.
Yeah, I’ll need it.
