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The pack boundary has the subtle scent of my pack around it, informing any passing werewolves that they are about to enter claimed territory. This also confirms that the werewolves awaiting us are my pack and not others trying to claim the territory for themselves.
Slowly, I open my eyes and search for visual clues on the border. They are not easy to see, but if you know what you’re looking for, it’s not hard.There. With my gaze locked on a very faint track trod into the ground, I note the plants that lean slightly to allow a wolf through. As the second-in-command and one of the pack protectors, my father would have walked this boundary many times. Inhaling deeply, I think I can scent him, but with a gentle breeze, it’s blown away, taking my hopes of finding him here with it.
The last time I saw my father, he was being used as bait for one of my trials and was tied up, covered in cuts and bruises, with a giant snake creature coiled around him. Before I could rescue him, I was stolen away by the witches, so I never knew if he survived or not.
He must have, I tell myself, denial strong in the back of my mind.I would have known if he hadn’t. I would have felt it. I really hope I’m right, as I don’t know how I’d cope without him. There’s no way that someone as close to me as my father could die without me knowing. The world would become a darker place, and it would shake me to my core. I would justknow. He may have adopted me, but I don’t think that matters, not with a bond as close as ours.
My mates shift a little closer, sensing my distress at the thought of losing my father, but no one says anything, waiting for me to be ready. Luna stands amongst us, thankfully awake after the blow to her head. A deep sense of sadness has settled over her, very unlike the usual lively female I know and love. I want to comfort her, but I don’t have the words. It’s difficult to tell someone that everything is alright when you don’t believe it yourself.
Great goddess, give me strength, I pray as I take a step forward, crossing the boundary. Fanning out behind me in the formation my mates seem to have adopted, they follow closely, Luna half a step back to my right.
We’re spotted quickly, and two wolves race towards us. If we were a threat or unwelcome, they would snarl at us and force us from the land or, in the worst-case scenario, attack us. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen, and we continue to walk as they flank us, guiding us towards the centre of the pack.
This is a formal greeting, and I assume we’re being escorted to the alpha. I would expect nothing less, considering there are not one, buttwoalphas from other packs on their land. A fear of mine had been how they would react to having Atlas and Luna on their grounds. They accepted me for who I was, magic and all, but I grew up with them, so they knew me. Not to mention the two witches with me were the ones who broke into the trials and abducted me.
Atlas is on edge, his movements stiff as he stays close, eyeing the werewolves carefully. Being surrounded by so many werewolves must be difficult for him with his upbringing, yet seeing how far he’s come makes me proud, my heart full of love for him.
The trees begin to thin as we approach the main grounds where the werewolves live, our escorts leading us straight to the beating heart of the pack. We don’t need to be guided, I could make this journey with my eyes closed, expertly weaving through the trees without so much as brushing one with my fingertips. I spent my whole life here until the day I turned twenty-one and everything changed.
Figures start to appear between the trees, and I hear people calling out and the sound of footsteps. Three more wolves join us, none of these protectors like our escorts, just pack members who are keen to see my entourage. The trees open up to show a large clearing and several wooden cabins, but there’s one in particular I head for.
Several wolves I vaguely recognise jog over, calling out Joel’s name, sounding joyous at seeing him and clapping him on the back. It only takes me a moment to realise they are from his pack. I know that Joel arranged for my pack to be integrated with his for protection. At some point, they must have returned here, and several of Joel’s wolves came with them. While his face has lit up at seeing some of his old pack, I notice how he keeps them away from me, blocking me from their eager eyes with his body.
Reaching the steps to the largest of all the cabins, I begin to start climbing when the door swings open and a large figure steps out. For a heartbeat, I think it’s my father, but as the light lands on the male, I see that it’s the alpha. This was who I came to see. Although I’m desperate to see if my father is here, pack protocol demands that I speak with the alpha first, especially given the status of several of my mates.
“Laelia, you’re back,” he comments, walking down the steps to clap a hand on my shoulder. Something about the way he says it rattles me, as does his gesture, the touch a little too rough to be loving. The alpha and I have always had a good relationship, especially because of how close he is with my father, so I’m a little surprised by his frosty reaction. It could be the fact that my mates are all staring at where he’s still touching my shoulder.
His pack was dragged into a whole heap of trouble because of you, and then you spent months in the enemies’ hands. It’s no surprise that he’s cautious, I chide myself. I’m not the werewolf I was, so it’s no surprise that he’s putting the safety of his pack first.
“Alpha.” Dipping my head in greeting, I automatically look over his right shoulder, the place where my father would usually stand, protecting his alpha’s back. No one appears, and I can no longer hold back the question. “Is my father here?”
I should ask how everyone’s doing, how they all managed to get back, or what happened after I was taken, but my father is my most pressing concern.
It seems I was right to worry judging by the alpha’s darkening face. He is agitated, and it looks like I’m about to get shouted at or blamed, but instead he looks over at the cabin that my father and I used to live in.
“He was here,” the alpha begins, putting emphasis on the past tense. “We finally got back a few weeks ago and were attempting to rebuild our lives, until the council arrived a few days ago and took your father back to the city.”
My initial relief that he’s alive is quickly overshadowed by the fact that he’s back with the werewolf council. They’ve shown how much they value his life, using him against me at every turn. Why would they have called him back?
The alpha shakes his head and meets my gaze once more. “They phrased it like a request, but we all knew he had no choice. I wanted to go with him, but I couldn’t leave the pack, not after everything that’s happened to us.”
He sounds genuinely apologetic, but again, there is a note in his voice that sounds off, like he’s expecting me to fight him for not protecting my father. I’ve seen the power of the council and what they can do. I wouldn’t want the pack to be put at risk again, and neither would my father.
“I understand, honestly.” My smile is in earnest, and I see some of the stress leave his expression. Reaching up to where his hand still rests on my shoulder, I give it a squeeze. “I need to go after him.”
Sighing, the alpha removes his arm and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. Frowning down at it for a moment, he seems to be contemplating on whether or not to give it to me. “He thought you might say that and left a note for you.”
I take the note and stare at it for a moment, not sure if I want to know what’s inside.
“Open it,” Scott encourages behind me, resting his hand on the small of my back.
Taking a deep breath, I unfold the paper and start reading.
To my little wolf,
Laelia, I hope you don’t ever have to read this letter and you’ve not returned to the pack. In my dreams, you are off living a new, exciting life with your mates, safe from the council’s reach, but I know your caring heart will likely lead you back to us.
I’ve been summoned back to the council, and I fear it has something to do with you. If theydohave you, then I will find a way to rescue you. I couldn’t help you before, and I’ve never felt so hopeless. That won’t happen again, I promise.
