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We watch the sunrise together, tangled in each other’s arms, knowing what this brings, and I’m reluctant to let go of them.
I send up a prayer to the retreating moon.
Please give me a chance at the future they described. I promise not to waste it.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Morning comes all too quickly, and despite the bloodlust coursing through my veins, I keep my expression calm and reflective as we meet with the other wolves where the pack house once stood.
Thirty wolves against whatever is left of the hunters.
It might not work, but we have the element of surprise. Either way, we are doing this. My eyes go to Quinn as lovers kiss goodbye, wives and husbands hug, not wanting to let go, and family members beg for their loved ones to change their minds. Through it all, Quinn stands tall, watching every moment as if memorising it and letting it fuel her.
She will feel every loss today for the rest of her life. She takes everyone’s safety personally, even though they made their own choices. It’s just who she is. It’s one of the reasons I love her, and I think it’s one of the reasons she loves me.
She needs the edge of madness I give her.
I might have calmed down since embracing my wolf, as if I’ve healed the two sides of me, but the madness always lingers in my brain. She helps keep it at bay, but today, I’m going to let it out. I’ll bathe in my own people’s blood for my mate, and I cannot fucking wait.
“Quinn.” We all turn as Marie, White, Dom, and another man she introduced as Con head her way. Her mother looks nervous but resigned, likely knowing there is no arguing with Quinn once she has made up her mind.
“Hey. It’s early. Why are you all up?” God, Quinn is oblivious.
“For you, obviously. It’s not for the fucking sunshine,” Con grouses, making her grin.
“To see you off,” White murmurs.
Marie throws herself at Quinn, hugging her tightly, and when she pulls away, she wipes at her tearful eyes. For a moment, I wonder what it would feel like to be that loved.
“Please, just come home,” Marie says.
“I will. I’ll be back in time for breakfast,” Quinn murmurs, hugging her quickly.
“You better.” White points in her face. I know they would have all volunteered as well, but she forbade it. She said in case she didn’t make it back, the pack needed stability with the betas. “I mean it, we need our alpha.”
“Got it.” She turns to Dom, who hugs her quickly and steps back with a laugh as we growl.
Con grinds his teeth before he grabs her, hugging her abruptly. “Come back safe. You’re the only person I tolerate and might even care about.” He gruffly thrusts her away and turns and storms off.
“I like you too, Con!” she calls after him with a grin before looking at her mum, White, and Dom. “I’ll be okay, don’t worry. Just protect the pack while we’re gone.”
She steps back and releases a whistle, letting them know it’s time to go, then she glances back at her loved ones. “I’ll be back before breakfast, so make something good.”
Today is going to be long. We aren’t planning on attacking immediately, but not everyone can run as fast as her. We estimate it will take us three to four hours to get to the base, thenwe’ll scope out any new traps they might have set around the perimeter so we can prepare.
By the time night falls, our howls will split the air and their blood will scent the night.
Without looking back, she takes my hand and leads us into the trees. She wants to save everyone’s shifts as much as she can since we will need all our energy tonight, so instead, we walk.
My bag hits my side with every step. You can take the wolf out of the hunter, but not the hunter out of the wolf, so I brought toys.
Lots of toys.
When we pass the silent sentinels at the border, it becomes too real. I can smell the nervous energy of the other wolves silently following us—their worries, their fear, but also their determination. Whatever tonight holds, we all know it will change everything.
We walk and walk, Quinn never once breaking stride, her hand held in mine as we move for over an hour.
Suddenly, Quinn freezes. “What is it?” I ask.
