The Alpha stepped forward, heedless of my deep bass growl. “Thank you. Your venom packs quite a punch, but my head is finally clear after months. How are you able to resist the Goddess’ call?”
“Long story. What about the rest of your pack?” Evie asked. “I don’t have to bite them, do I?”
“I am Alpha.” The others shook themselves like they, too, were waking up. “My will is theirs. There might be some lingering unnatural heat, but we will put it to good use.”
Without my mate,I reminded him.
The Alpha wrinkled his nose. “I’m sure it was the Goddess’ mad call that told me a snake was an acceptable mate and Alpha for the pack.”
I snarled at him, and only Evie’s hand in my fur kept me by her side.
“This deserves a celebration! We will fete you for your service as we move up the Feast of Hymns, and then I never want to see you back here again.”
There was no way I was having Evie around a werewolf mating ceremony. My bear barely contained his snarl at the wolf.We’ll have to pass. You can thank us with mounts.
“Our feed horses will have to do,” the wolf said.
“Like horses they eat?” Evie swallowed hard, hand tensing in my fur. I didn’t want her to show weakness in front of the wolf, but I wouldn’t lie to her, either.
Yes, mate.
Evie turned green. “I can walk.”
She couldn’t. That was clear. We would crawl to Vinguard for the next three months. I had to do a better job of protecting my mate. The stronger bond only magnified the need.
She refused to come into the paddock with me and get attached to any horses they might eat, but I kept her in sight. Testing horseflesh, I found her a Pasafino and an older war horse for myself. The gelding was the only creature big enough to take my weight, but it pained the pack to give him up. The smaller Pasafino was a rare find. With a gait like riding over glass, Evie would be safe with him. I summoned a bit of magic to open a channel and speak the structure of a spell to create some saddles, blankets and bridles. The wolves certainly had none and their judgment was obvious as I got Evie into her seat and I mounted. The Alpha raced alongside us in a fierce display of power and endurance, ensuring we left his territory. There were no goodbyes, only his threatening howl to see us off.
We pushed through the foothills until we came to the Elden Pass. It was slower going as we rode through the rock cliffs. Evie kept up on her mount, talking to him like you would a best friend. I had no right to be jealous of a horse, but after seeing her clutched in the hands of that wolf, my bear thought everything was a threat. I just hoped he didn’t eat the horse in the night. Her horse was the only reason we were making good time to Vinguard.
“I’m in love with this creature. Thank you,” she said after an hour of riding.
I smiled, but my thoughts churned. I wouldn’t show her how much my animal wanted to claim her in every way after that display in town. It would only scare her.
“We can go on a side quest now. Any spooky ruins to check out? A dangerous cliff to climb? I’m pretty sure this horse will conquer it all.”
I sat easily in the saddle, more relaxed, away from the wolves. “Eager now, are we? If your horse is that magical, you should name him. It’s good luck.”
Her look of disbelief was endearing. “What am I supposed to name him? Greg?”
“You can’t name a horse Greg.” How would a human name bring him any magic at all? We would need all we could get on this quest.
“Greg is a perfectly acceptable horse name. What if I have to call him to my side for a rescue? I’m not going to remember Theodmon Kriswenys.”
She was trying to make me laugh at her ridiculousness, but almost losing her to the Alpha wouldn’t leave my mind. “Greg it is, then.”
She hesitated but touched my hand, concern on her face. “Did you want to stay for the festival thing? I thought the relics were a bit pressing.”
I should have reassured her, but blurted out my fear instead. “That isn’t what all shifters are like. I’m sorry he touched you.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, taking back her hand. “Clearly. You’re not like that, even when you were under the influence of the relic.”
My clenched fist replaced the warmth of her palm. “I wanted to be. I wanted you as mine at any cost. Even in that insanity, I would never do anything to hurt you, but it was there.”
She scoffed. “See? You would never hurt me and the teddy bear wouldn’t either. That’s the part I heard, and that’s why I only mildly freaked out instead of running for my life when you said that thing earlier…”
I swallowed hard. “I love you?”
She nodded. “That.” Evie took a deep breath, her back straightening. “You’re not completely wrong that there’s a bond between us. I felt it. I feel it. I can’t say… that back. I don’t distrust you, but I haven’t had the best track record with that stuff.”
