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“Izdor said you needed some time to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
I rumbled with exasperation. “I should have returned promptly before Izdor got the bright idea to bring Macy to me.”
“She cares about you,” Raven interjected. “I’m sure he meant no harm.”
“I don’t blame him at all,” I insisted. “I blame myself.”
Galanthia shook me. “Enough of this self-flagellation. You couldn’t have predicted the circumstances that came to pass. It’s up to us to deal with the results and to make sure we protect our people.”
Her words didn’t register as I retreated into my mind, repeating that fateful day on loop. This was just like that selfish solo mission I had attempted on the battlefield. If I hadn’t gone off by myself, those young Elderlings would be alive right now.
Though I didn’t think Izdor was dead, I knew he was in trouble along with dear Etta. Both of them had become precious members of this pack. It was my fault they were in dire straits, so it was up to me to rescue them.
I clenched my fists. “I’m taking the skies and that’s final.”
Raven stepped back with a sigh. “I’m not going to argue with you, friend.”
“I’m going with you.”
Every head swiveled around to look at Macy. She was wearing one of my t-shirts and a pair of snug jeans that made her curves appear more appealing than ever. Boots decorated her feet. Her hair was tucked into a snug bun and her demeanor was meaner than ever. She wore a utility belt with a hunting knife, a dagger, and a purple pouch.
I faced Raven. “She’s staying here.”
“Like hell,” Macy argued. “If Izdor hadn’t taken me to you and Etta hadn’t drawn that protection thing around me, both of them would be fine.”
“As I’ve said, little wolf, this isn’t your—”
She squared her shoulders while stepping toward me. “Stop telling me what to do. Stop trying to control how I feel. I want to take responsibility for my actions just like you. Okay?”
Honorable were her intentions. A ferocity had taken over her aura now, her sights aimed at the skies and finding our friends. Though her initial resistance had been aggravating, I found her current commitment to be inspiring.
When I faced Raven and Galanthia once more, I nodded. “We’ll both take the skies. Galanthia, will you stay close for backup?”
“Yes, sir,” Galanthia replied with a salute.
Raven clapped her hands and turned to her wolves. “We’ll cover the forest and the surrounding highways.” She pointed to a group of four wolves. “You, stick to Wolfcreek. Check alleyways, weird buildings, unmarked cars.”
Nods all around.
“If you see any members of Baneridge, call for mefirst,” Raven instructed. “We don’t want them getting the jump on us. They can clearly make people disappear quickly.”
“How do we know it was Baneridge who did this?” Galanthia inquired.
Raven took a strong breath. “I can’t think of anyone else who would try to drag us out.”
I snapped my fingers. “Izdor and I were just talking about this, how the Baneridge Hounds would probably sneak up on us.”
“And they have done that,” Raven agreed. “But we shouldn’t let that deter us, okay?” She offered a confident glance to each person in attendance. “We won’t let that stop us!”
Cheers cut through the air as another round of thunder rolled through the ground. My feet vibrated while my heart thumped in my chest. Raven and Galanthia spoke in low whispers as the group dispersed with their assignments. Soon, Macy was the only one left beside me, and she was staring off again, withdrawn from me.
I focused on her. “Macy, what have I done?”
“Nothing.”
“I’ve done something. Please, tell me. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
She opened her mouth for a moment, letting her jaw hang as she searched my face for something I didn’t quite understand. Perhaps if she told me, Icouldunderstand. But she had to tell me about it.
