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“And still the best tracker and fastest wolf. I’m just going to check, then I’ll be back. I’ll be okay. Keep the pack running until then.” I hesitate. “After this is over, we’ll deal with swearing in an alpha, even if it’s not me, and also appointing new betas. For now, we need to survive.”
Dom frowns. “You know we are all voting for you.”
“It is not up to us. It’s up to the pack. I will follow what they want no matter what. After all, they could be right.”
“You don’t have enough faith in yourself.” White frowns. “But go, we will spread the word and sort the new defences while you are gone.”
I hurry to the forest before they can stop me and change. Once in my wolf form, I push myself to run as fast as I can despite my exhaustion from healing.
I dip my muzzle in greeting at the wolves on patrol and then sprint past before they can shift and question me. Alphas are tied to pack land, we are the heart, and we are supposed to be there no matter what, but I refuse to make others do what I am willing to do.
I cover the distance to the compound in just under two hours, and once there, I sniff around. I keep out of sight, even though it seems to be quiet enough. Are they gone or resting? I guess time will tell. I’m just about to give up when I come across an old trail.
Tetrim, it’s him. I’d know that smell anywhere.
I must have been too far gone last time to notice it.
Any wolf cannot resist shifting and running. We go mad if we don’t, and it’s clear he’s been here. The trail loops around the compound a couple of times and then heads to a back door.
It’s true. He betrayed us.
I bite back my snarl and turn away, happy enough to know that he’s there and not hiding somewhere in pack lands, waiting to jump out. Forcing myself to head back to the pack before it gets too late, I race there as fast as I can, shifting once in the tree line as the sun starts to set.
Exhaustion sets in, making each step heavy. Between healing and shifting, I’m drained, and I find myself dragging my feet back to my house, needing rest more than I’ve ever needed anything.
I stumble back to my house, ready to collapse.
The door is open, and inside, I hear the voices of Vale, Lucien, and Jai, and despite the weariness lining my body, I smile as I slip inside.
CHAPTER SIXTY
We spent all day learning the layout of the pack, helping reset traps, and patrolling with Dom. It seems he’s become our welcome committee, and despite the fact that we hate how close he is to Quinn, he’s a good guy. He doesn’t complain, nor does he care about the looks we get. After Quinn’s speech, the hostility has eased, but it doesn’t stop the glares.
We eat at her house and stay out of the way as much as possible as we wait for her to return. She was gone when we got up, which I didn’t like, and we haven’t seen her since, so when she stumbles inside, we all rush to her side.
“What happened?” I ask as I help her into her chair.
“Nothing, nothing.” She sighs, waving me away, but she’s pale and cold. “Just tired. I healed a lot of people and then ran. It takes its toll.” She shivers. “I’ve been keeping back the aftereffects of the healing, but they’re starting to kick in.”
She’s gotten stronger at healing, but I can still see it’s taking its toll on her. I don’t know if she’s realised that the more she uses her healing abilities, the stronger she gets, but now is not the time to tell her. Instead, I grab a blanket and wrap it around her while Lucien prods the fire, adding more wood.
“Stay there,” I murmur, kissing her head. I move back to the kitchen and pull the dish from the oven where I had been keeping it warm. It’s nothing fancy, but I learned how to cook early on to keep us alive. It’s a simple roast with vegetables, and I dish it up and take it over, but her head is lolling, and when she tries to lift her hand to grab it, she sighs.
Rolling my eyes, I sit on the arm of her chair. “Open,” I demand.
“I’m too tired. Maybe later,” she teases, eyes twinkling.
Huffing a laugh, I cut her a bite of everything and hold it to her mouth. She watches me for a moment before wrapping her lips around the fork and pulling the food off. She chews and swallows like it’s hard, but I give her another bite, knowing she needs to eat.
I hand-feed her until she leans back. “I can’t eat another bite,” she says.
I finish off her plate and take it to the kitchen. When I glance back, Lucien has her in his arms. “Let’s get you washed and dressed for bed, baby.” While they head to the bathroom, I make her tea to warm her and then make the bed into a nest for her to relax in. All the while, Jai chops wood for the fire. When he comes back, he adds more so it will last the night, and I watch as she comes out, shaking in Lucien’s arms.
He’s worried, but he holds her with one arm while climbing the ladder, and then he lays her in bed, covering her carefully. I head up and hand her tea. “Drink it all,” I order.
“Yes, sir,” she jokes but downs it before handing it back. I put it aside and climb in next to her, pulling her into my arms. Jai moves to the other side, and Lucien props her up as she shakes, her eyes closing in exhaustion.
“Rest, we have you,” I promise, kissing her head once more, unable to resist. I need to touch her at all times, it seems. I could blame my wolf, but I had this feeling before I was turned.
