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Caught.
Xander leaned against the cabin I’d just jumped down from, having hidden himself around the corner of it. His hands were folded over his chest, eyes unreadable.
“I have to get to my friend.” My words were soft, not wanting to rouse any half-asleep shifters, but strong.
“You must be pretty determined if you’re able to even move after the wounds you had.”
I shrugged, edging back slightly, away from the camp. I didn’t need our voices carrying. “Guess I heal fast.”
His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t call me on it.
Instead, he stepped forward. I refused to yield, even to the Wind-Blood Alpha Heir, by stepping back again.
“You must really care for this friend,” he said.
“She’s all I have.” My voice cracked, but I held his gaze.
He glanced away, his posture softening.
“You kept asking about the Choosing,” he said, changing to a subject that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “You know I wasn’t there, but it caused quite a stir. Your pack Alpha’s brat son found his fated mate. He forsook her.”
I kept silent, not liking where he was going with this.
“He rejected his fated mate,” he repeated when I didn’t say anything. “And then, in a sin beyond any other, he killed her.”
Still, I didn’t speak.
“Her body wasn’t found, of course, but Moon-Ghost declared her dead. It caused quite a stir, shedding blood on one of our holiest nights. The other Alphas were furious. It was a violation of everything the ceremony stands for.”
He leaned forward as if seeing me properly for the first time.
“But if that wolf didn’t die… if that wolf escaped…” His voice was almost gentle. “Well, let’s say that wolf could find allies in the Wind-Bloods, should she ever need them.”
Gratitude flooded through me.
“If I ever see that wolf, I’ll be sure to let her know,” I whispered.
Xander nodded once. Then turned his back on me, heading back to the center of camp, where chimney smoke warmed the air.
A cold wind cut through the forest. I knew Moon-Ghost lay to the northwest, though it would be a long journey from the heart of Wind-Blood territory.
I didn’t have time to waste.
I had to move quickly, which, despite my miraculous healing, hurt. My entire side was one big bruise brewing, but it was leagues better than my organs being one thin strand of string from spilling out.
I wanted to get away from the Wind-Blood turf fast. Even if Xander was letting me go with this blessing, I didn’t need another “communication issue” ruining my exit. I booked it. Not quite a sprint, but I set off in a fast-paced jog, desperate to reach my best friend. The miles burned under my feet as hours passed. At another time, I might’ve enjoyed the freedom that came from running through the forest.
Now, I was on a mission.
I reached the river that served as the boundary between Moon-Ghost and Wind-Blood territory. It wasn’t huge, maybe twelve feet across with some stones dotting the water that would make passage possible.
I wanted to continue, but that wouldn’t be wise.
There was no way I could sneak into the center of Moon-Ghost territory in broad daylight.
The decision not to cross yet was logical, but it didn’t come easily.
Here, downwind of Moon-Ghost with the river scent to mask me, I was still hidden even if a patrol came nearby. Not that it was likely anyone was looking for me. After all, Xander had told me I—or rather, Jett’s mate—had been declared dead. Ideally, I’d have wanted to wait right outside the town until it was time to act, but that was too dangerous.
