“Would you stop it?” She kicks me in the calf. “Stop acting like we’re children in need of constant care. We’ve fought just as many battles as you, even Agnes.”
“What have I done to deserve such bitterness, Sam? Since I returned yesterday it’s been as though there’s a viper in the room and I’m backed in a corner.”
She snorts, the arrogant smirk we share playing on her lips. “Nothing.” She shrugs. “I want to leave in an hour before the sun fully sets.”
“Giving orders, now?”
“Someone needs to.” Before her words can fully sink in, she’s headed out the door.
My stomach twistsas I pull Amis to a stop about thirty minutes to the Jade Guild keep.
“Something wrong?” Jarek asks, my mother tucked in safely behind him. He pulls his horse to a stop next to mine. Sam joins us next, then Letty and Eviey on their shared horse.
“I need to check on something.” I steer Amis off the trail, nudging her slightly to the grassy hillside to my left. “Agnes knows the way, I’ll catch up.”
“We should stick together,” Jarek says. “It’s getting dark and who knows how many hunters are patrolling.”
“All the more reason for you to go. Get Sam and mum to the Jade Guild, I’ll be there soon.”
Amis chomps her bit, filling the silence stretching between us. The others pass glances at each other as if they’re able to communicate without words. Sam leans forward, whispering something in Jarek's ear. I open my mouth to snap at them to move, but Jarek nods and leads the twins toward the Jade Guild. Sam, on the other hand, watches me with the viper-like gaze I’ve been avoiding since yesterday.
“What are you doing?”
“What areyoudoing?” she asks as she leads her black mare closer to me. “What are you going to look for?”
Rolling my eyes, I wish just for once that my sister isn’t as stubborn as I am. “Fine,” I say over my shoulder. “Try to keep up.”
Her scoff is audible as I lead us right for the wolves.
The moment we crest the hill, yips and howls fill the air. Sam watches me as I slide off Amis and gesture to the hill. “Let’s go.”
She dismounts her mare then crosses her arms. “Is that what I think it is?” Her gaze has softened and now she looks reminiscent of the sister I’m so used to. The kind, soft, bright woman I admire so much. Smiling, I nod before sliding down the hill. Sam follows close behind, laughing as she topples to the ground.
Instantly, the pups are on us.
“Oh!” Sam laughs as one of the pups licks the entirety of her face. “Hello.” Then all four pups scramble on top of her, making her laugh harder. She picks up the twin gray ones for a kiss. “Where did they come from?”
“From them.” I catch the wild black pup before it can scurry away. It licks my hands and face with vigor, and I feel a laugh bubbling in my chest. Before I can let it out, I glance at the den. Alaric and Ruse emerge, their coats shining and eyes bright. Alaric yips, running to Sam and licking her face. Ruse, as always, keeps her composure. Keeping a watchful eye on the four pups still running about.
“This is incredible,” Sam says, her voice breaking at the end. My attention shifts from Ruse to my sister, a few tears falling down her cheeks. For the first time in weeks, I think they’re tears of happiness and a tiny fraction of the weight on my shoulders lessens.
The pups eventually leave us, retreating to the den with Ruse to feed. Sam and I sit with our backs perched against the grassy hill we slid down.
“Will they know where to find us if we leave them?” Sam asks, picking at a long piece of grass.
I rest my hands behind my head as Alaric nestles into my side. “I’m going to ask you something and I need you to truly consider it before you give me your answer.” Sam’s body tenses in my peripheral, but I keep my eyes on the den before us. “I want you to stay at the Jade Guild and look after the pups. I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I need to convince Alaric and Ruse to join me in Valebridge which means leaving the puppies behind.”
I let out a long breath thinking of the miles and hurdles ahead of us until we get Elora and Galen back. “I need you to stay and help look after mum and the twins. Help look after them.” I gesture to the wolf den where several snores begin to rise.
Sam is quiet for a few moments, so I glance at her. She’s picked up a bundle of grass and is tearing the blades into small pieces. “Maybe this once you’re right.”
“Did I hear that correctly?”
She rolls her eyes before tossing the grass at me. It barely misses my face.
“There’s nothing more I want than to get Elora and Galen out of there,” she whispers. “But maybe it would be wise for Jarek and me to stay. Keep the Jade Guild protected in case anyone gets suspicious of their sudden appearance at the Autumn Moon. I’ll do whatever I can do to keep the puppies safe.”
“I know you will.” I slide closer to take her hand. “And whatever it is I did?—”
