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Thale's massive arms surround me next, his earthy scent steadying my anxious nerves. "Have faith in yourself, dear heart," he rumbles. "You are stronger than you know. Our strength goes with you tonight."
Adar crushes me fiercely close, eyes blazing with anticipated violence. "Make that bastard suffer before the end, little flame," he growls. I cling to him, letting his searing heat temper me like a blade forged for battle.
Lastly Everett enfolds me in his sheltering bulk, calloused palms impossibly gentle. His solemn sea glass eyes meet mine. "Trust the moon to light your way through shadow," he intones, "as you guide us all from darkness."
I grip his broad hand tightly, drawing courage from his steadfast spirit.
Too soon, the moment ends. My mates melt into the concealing forest, diverging along different paths according to our strategy. Now I stand alone between the trees' towering trunks, the enemy's camp sprawling ahead.
I creep silently upward through the rocky foothills, drifting closer the canvas tents like a vengeful ghost. The structures sprawl haphazardly across the hillside, dotted with banked fires that cast flickering light on the slumbering soldiers.
But not all of the pack are asleep tonight. Two brutish betas prowl the perimeter, their wolf forms huge and rimmed with moonlight and the fire's glow. I freeze behind the jagged rocks until the pair pass, then slink onward into the camp, my black fur rendering me nearly invisible.
The discontented grumbling of the stolen betas reaches my sharp ears as I dart between tents, drawing steadily closer to the large central command pavilion.
"I was supposed to have a mate by now," one says, a common complaint I've heard in Teller's camp. "But nothing."
"A mate, land, what of it—we all know the general is overpromising. All we can do is hope that he gets the wellspring's power again."
"How? Now that the werewolf gods hold it—"
"He's more powerful than the gods, you'll see."
"Is he?" One challenges. "Because he wouldn't have to drink that damned potion if he werereallyan alpha."
Their simmering resentment and doubt are palpable poisons in the air. I bare my teeth in a silent snarl. Let faith in their leader rot—his failure to deliver on his promises will be his undoing.
At last I reach the imposing command tent positioned on a low ridge. Crouching in the shadows, I observe that it's empty. Good—this is part of our plan. I move swiftly under the moon's concealing veil, turning my steps toward the location Everett and I selected upstream.
I find my gentle giant standing waist-deep in the rushing water, facing away from me. His broad palms skim the foaming surface, head bowed in concentration as he wields his formidable magic over the racing currents. Though night has leached color from the world, I can picture his intent sea glass eyes vividly.
I shudder despite myself, reminded again of the immense power leashed within this man, this god who can summon the very tides to do his bidding. Yet those same calloused hands touch me with infinite tenderness, holding me as gently as a newborn chick cradled safe within the nest. Everett, my fierce, tender guardian.
Sensing me there, he looks up. The moon outlines his chiseled features in silver and shadows. "It's done," he says solemnly. "The poison's flowing strong in our enemy's blood."
Hope surges fiery and bright within my breast. We stand so close now to ending Teller's bloody reign over the packs. I ache to run into Everett's sheltering arms, to feel his strength surround me, but there's no time.
"Be safe, my love," I tell him anxiously instead. "Don't take dumb risks. We'll finish this and celebrate victory together under the stars."
Everett's nod in response is promise enough. I know I carry his heart with me just as surely as he bears mine. For now, that's enough.
I race back through the moon-washed forest toward the sprawling enemy encampment. I am still some distance away when a swirl of wind brings Lucian's crisp scent to me. Seconds later he coalesces from the shadows beside me, matching my swift pace with his long graceful strides.
The wind god's angular face is taut with purpose, his lean frame thrumming with leashed power. But his cool demeanor fractures for just a moment when his wintry gaze meets mine. Lucian's strong hand engulfs mine, our twin magics sparking between us like mingling streams meeting at a fork.
"The camp's in chaos, like Adar promised," Lucian says briskly. "Teller's tent is wide open. It's time, my wild one." His icy eyes glint like moonlight on steel, cold and unbending. "Tonight we end this."
Together we creep into the enemy encampment, shrouded by the smoke and confusion Adar has caused with his chaotic fire magic. We slip inside the central command pavilion unseen, all attention focused on quelling the spreading inferno on the far side of camp.
The interior is empty, to my relief. But Teller's cloying scent lingers fresh and strong within the enclosed space. Lucian inhales deeply, reading the traces left on the swirling air currents. "Our enemy is near, but not inside. Are you ready, my heart?"
At my determined nod, Lucian lifts his hands and begins adeptly weaving his magic through the invisible currents and eddies surrounding us. I feel the winds shift, carrying new scents to every corner of the camp. The sharp metallic tang of blood and fear now permeates the interior of Teller's tent.
Our work here is done. We withdraw swiftly to the sheltering forest to watch our meticulously laid trap unfold. Scarcely five minutes pass before Sybil appears, blurring across the camp toward the central pavilion in response to the irresistible lure Lucian orchestrated.
She pauses at the entrance, peering into the hazy interior, her lithe body coiled with tension. Even at this distance, I can see raw hunger blaze crimson in the vampire's eyes. With a satisfied hiss, Sybil ducks inside, following the scent trail directly to her doom. Or rather, to Teller's.
ChapterFifteen
