It was old, lingering from when we’d parted ways on the beach, but it was enough of a lead for me to get my hopes up. I turned and followed the scent trail. It led away from the shore and into the pines. I wrinkled my nose at the sharp tang of pine which almost overpowered Ramsay’s scent, but I focused on it. As I ran, I imagined him being around every corner; hiding behind tree trunks or crests of land.
But he wasn’t. As I followed the trail, it dawned on me that the scent wasn’t getting any stronger. It was still a day old.
I whimpered softly, unsure of what to do but continue following the trail, feeling helpless and alone. I wished I could turn back time and beg Ramsay not to go off on his own--but would he have even listened?
His trail twisted and turned through the woods with wild abandon. No doubt he was filled with joy as he raced through the trees. I felt guilty, leaving him practically to sit and do nothing for the past few days as I practiced clear magic. Maybe I should have been paying closer attention. I hadn’t for a moment thought that maybe I was boring my mates by doing nothing but honing my skills.
I felt bitter towards myself. Selfish. I’d been so busy focusing on magic and my big prophetic destiny that I’d forgotten the things that truly mattered. Once I caught up with Ramsay, I would never let it happen again.
Where are you, Ramsay?I thought desperately.Please! I need you!
* * *
After hours of searching,I found nothing. Dejected and exhausted, I trudged back towards the house, hoping to meet up with the others. Even worse was the fact that my fatigue hadn’t dampened my anxiety at all. My heart still flipped and twisted in the sticky, tar-like sensation of my chest.
Eric and Colton stood outside the doors, talking in a low murmur with Crystal. Their backs were turned to me as I approached and I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Any luck?” I said, although without any sign of Ramsay nearby I knew it was useless to even bother asking.
They turned, all looking dejected. Colton’s shoulders drooped like he was thoroughly exhausted. Eric’s dark circles seemed to have grown deeper in the short span of time that I’d been gone. Crystal’s grim expression as she looked at me told me everything--Ramsay hadn’t returned to the house at all, and my other two mates had no luck finding him.
My heart sank.
“Where’s Noro?” I asked. “Wasn’t he with you, Eric?”
“We split up,” Eric muttered. “He wanted to check the human border. I said it wasn’t worth trying since Ramsay had no reason to go so far in that direction.”
“And you let him go by himself?”
Eric shrugged. “He was adamant about it. What was I supposed to do, hold back a gryphon?”
I knew by his testy tone that he was tired and irritated. I knew the stress of the situation weighed heavily on all of us, not just me.
But now that we were missing one more person, I groaned in frustration.
“If he’s not back either, shouldn’t we go check on them?” I demanded. “I can’t sit around here knowing they’re both out there somewhere!”
“Matheson, we’re all exhausted,” Eric growled.
He was right. My body ached down to the bone. But I knew I couldn’t rest properly anyway. “I don’t care,” I retorted. “I’m going.”
“You arenotgoing there by yourself!” Eric snapped. “I forbid it.”
I growled at him, my wolf leaking into my voice. “You’re not my pack leader, Eric. You don’t control me.”
Real fear flashed across his eyes. He stepped forward. “Matheson, I’m warning you.”
His expression wasn’t intimidating--it was full of despair and grief. It was then that I realized I was hurting him. He was reliving what happened to his parents, and a pang of guilt struck me.
But that was Eric’s past. Right now, in the present, I was more concerned about Ramsay and Noro.
“I’m so sorry, Eric,” I murmured.
I shifted and I took off.
They all called my name. It echoed through the pine forest as I sped towards the border, ignoring the needles whipping past my fur. Despite being further away, their cries continued, and I knew they were following me.
Let them come,I thought.
