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Finn grinned proudly. "We've got wards! Plus, I've been teaching the pack how to fight against elemental magic in the most effective ways.”
I leaned in, intrigued. "Tell us more about these magical defenses."
Wolfe shared a knowing look with Finn before continuing, "One of the enchantments we've set up is an alarm system linked to the pack's territory boundaries. If any hostile forces breach it, we'll be alerted instantly. We've also created cloud barriers that will slow down any intruders and deflect spells, giving pack members precious time to react and defend."
Finn added, "It's going to take a lot for them to get through. We took a quick trip back to the Faerie realm and I picked up some helpful items.” He winked conspiratorially at me. He meant his artifact collection. I’d almost forgotten about that.
Lily's eyes widened in appreciation. "That sounds impressive."
Wolfe nodded. "We're doing everything we can to keep the pack safe. We've also been coordinating with the other Fae and Oliver to ensure we have support when the time comes, and from nearby packs.”
Despite the encouraging camaraderie and the promising prospects for our pack's defense, I couldn't shake the persistent gnaw of guilt and doubt that had taken root within me. As I sipped my coffee and listened to Finn and Wolfe discuss the magical safeguards, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled through my mind.
Why am I still here?The question reverberated in my head like a relentless echo. In the past, whenever danger had approached, my instincts had driven me to flee, to protect myself by leading threats away. But I hadn’t brought myself to leave yet. I was too attached.
The twinge of doubt was only exacerbated when I overheard hushed voices from a nearby table, unaware of my presence.
"I don't understand why she's still here," one of them grumbled. "She's just putting us all in danger. She's not one of us."
His companion nodded in agreement, a twisted snarl on her face. "She’s an outsider. This is all her fault in the first place. We were better off before she came here.”
Their words cut through me like a knife.Are they right?I wondered.
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, my unease palpable. The bonds of friendship and the sense of responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders. Part of me longed to slip away in the night, to protect my newfound friends and pack by luring our enemies away, just as I had always done. Yet, I also knew that running away was not a solution. Not for long. Cas would catch me, and I had no idea where the ring was. I’d barely even had time to start looking.
He’d catch me, and then I’d be his prisoner.
Their prisoner.
But what if I could escape?The question gnawed at my conscience, festering like an open wound. I’d learned a lot about my powers. I hadn’t had the chance to learn how to make portals yet, but I had great control of my lightning, and I could hide a lot easier from the lumbering Fae if I was in rabbit form.
As I sat there, a dangerous idea began to take shape in my mind. Maybe, just maybe, it was best for everyone if I were to slip away unnoticed before our adversaries returned. I could lead them astray, put distance between them and our pack, and bear the consequences alone.
My heart ached with the thought of leaving behind the friends I'd grown to care for, but darkness whispered insidiously in my ear. It was the only way to ensure their safety. I just had to be fast enough.
* * *
The air crackledwith tension as I approached Callan for our training session, my mood sour and my resolve waning. The decision I was contemplating weighed heavily on my mind, and every interaction felt like a struggle against the brewing storm within me.
Callan, his emerald-green eyes sharp and observant, wasted no time in acknowledging my state. "You're not yourself today," he remarked, his voice low and laced with concern.
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "No, I'm not," I replied tersely, my words heavy with the weight of unspoken thoughts.
He suggested a hand-to-hand sparring session, a silent invitation to release some of the pent-up emotions. I nodded, and we began, our movements fluid yet charged with an unspoken tension.
The training grounds stretched before us, bathed in the soft, golden glow of the afternoon sun. Callan and I stood at opposite ends of the makeshift arena, the air heavy with anticipation. It was evident that something was amiss, and it added an extra layer of tension to our sparring session.
As we circled each other, I couldn't help but notice the way Callan's muscles rippled, his bare chest on full display. His rugged, scar-laden torso spoke of battles fought and won. Sunlight kissed his skin, casting a warm, bronze hue over his chiseled features, making him appear even more formidable.
I had opted for a more casual attire, my white tank top clinging to my frame as I moved. My ears twitched with a mix of anxiety and adrenaline, and my hips swayed in tune with my erratic heartbeat as I stayed light on my feet, waiting.
Our initial strikes were cautious, testing each other's reflexes and defenses. Callan's movements were powerful and precise, each punch and kick delivered with a controlled force that left no room for error. I relied on my agility, darting in and out of his reach, attempting to land quick, strategic blows but never did. He was always one step ahead of me when we fought like this. The tension in the air was palpable, and every move we made felt like a subtle dance, a battle of wits and physical prowess.
As we sparred, our bodies gravitated toward each other, and I couldn't deny the electricity that simmered beneath the surface. Callan's scent—a mix of earth and the outdoors—enveloped me, and the heat radiating from his skin was almost intoxicating. The energy between us crackled.
Despite my snarky demeanor, I couldn't escape the truth that had been gnawing at me. Leaving this place, these people, and Callan behind wasn't a decision I could make lightly. I grappled with my inner turmoil as our sparring session intensified, each clash of limbs and exchange of blows mirroring the internal battle I waged within myself.
It was a clash of strengths and vulnerabilities, a silent question and answer.
