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We all turn to stare at the flames reaching toward the sky as the sun starts to creep over the horizon, announcing a new day.
“It looks like they succeeded with the house,” Paxton deadpans.
“We managed to get the books into their protective casings. They should survive the fire. Everything else will be destroyed, won’t it?” It’s Kyland who nods to answer me. I glance at Dominic. “Will you help me rebuild? Tess could help make plans for the new house. A safer one with better security measures.” I won’t spend the rest of my life questioning whether I’m safe in my own home.
“I would be honored.” Dominic tips his chin at me. “But I think we should consider rebuilding elsewhere. I’m not sure this place is safe without a Sovereign Pack for protection.”
I let his words really sink in. Icouldlet this destroy the legacy of this land. I could move closer to Dominic’s pack for safety and even be closer to my sister.
But I can’t.
“This is Luna Sovereign land.” My voice sounds stronger than I feel. “This is where we rebuild, not only the house, but also the Sovereign Pack. Waverly had no power to disband the pack. We’ll track down the pack members and see who wishes to remain loyal. We’ll assign a new Alpha and make updates to the land for protection.”
“Are you sure?” Tess asks, still clinging to me.
“I’m sure. It’s time that tradition and progress work together to strengthen our future.” I glance at Paxton, whose worried eyes warm slightly at my words. “We’ll hold on to the things that matter and let go of the things that don’t—but I won’t let humans interfere and destroy everything. We don’t give up; we fight back.”
A murmur of agreement ripples through our little group. And then it extends outward, carrying through to the pack wolves that have gathered just outside of our group. They’re close enough to hear me, their heads bowing in deference. It’s a vulnerable stance, the ultimate sign of respect to another shifter. Respect that comes at the right time.
We were warned a war was coming. Now that it’s here, I won’t let anyone destroy our history and culture. This land isours. Anyone who wants to take it from us will face a reckoning.
Starting with Jeff Langston.
26
Paxton
We barely pull onto the road before the SUV behind us honks and flashes its lights. It takes me a second before I realize Dominic is flagging us down to let us know his car has a flat tire.
“That’s not good.” Tasha turns in her seat to look back at Dominic and Tess through the back windshield. “The lead car didn’t stop.”
Sure enough, the SUV that was supposed to stay close in front of us is gone. I push the door open and lean out to talk to Dominic as he steps out to check his tire. “Do you need help putting on the spare?”
“No, you all go ahead and catch up with Kyland. We’ll stay with these guys.” He thumbs over his shoulder at where another car in our lineup is idling.
“Okay.” I slam the door shut and hit the gas. Tasha is still looking backward.
“I have a bad feeling about this, Paxton. I don’t think we should leave them.” Her nervous eyes dart toward mine at the same time I glance over at her again.
“Me too. But if someone managed to purposely trap them with a flat tire, chances are the danger is headed for them, not us.”
“That’s my sister.” She lets out a little growl that would almost be cute if it weren’t for the circumstances.
“I know, but you two are being targeted. If there’s danger, it’s safer to split you both up so that anyone coming after you has to split their resources too. We’re stronger than anyone that’s been sent after us so far. I think we’ve proven that.” After all, we’ve survived everything they’ve thrown at us.
Tasha makes a grunt of disapproval but doesn’t say anything else. I don’t blame her for not wanting to leave her sister behind, but she can’t argue that they’re a bigger target together than apart.
We drive in tense silence for several minutes with no sign of Kyland and the lead car.
“Where could they have gone?” I mutter. We didn’t stop for that long, and I flew down the road trying to catch up.
As soon as the words leave my mouth, we round a corner to find the SUV sitting on the side of the road. My hackles rise immediately. Tasha’s breath catches as I slow, looking for any sign of why they might have stopped.
“Look, there’s a woman.” Tasha leans closer to the glass as I pull next to the SUV but leave the car idling. “That’s Lydia!”
She clutches the door handle and flings the door open without any regard for her safety. I reach for her, but she has the advantage of surprising me. I’m out of the car right behind her, close enough to hear the affection in her voice as she approaches the woman.
“What are you doing out here?” she asks, wrapping her arms around the woman and pulling her close like they’re old friends.
