I owed him.Everything.
I opened my eyes and got off the bed. Better to get myself together and see him. See themall.
I went downstairs into the living room to find them waiting.
Wolfe stood near the head of the table, arms crossed, his face carefully blank.
Bastian, Alaric, Garrick, Arielle, and Sirril were to his left. They stood together, their expressions somber.
The only welcoming face among them was Sirril’s. He bowed his head. Though he didn’t look upset with me, I had a feeling that was more for formalities.
I looked back at Wolfe.
He wore casual clothes, and his hair was tied back, showing off high cheekbones and the scar that looked stark against his skin.
When he looked at me, it was like he saw straight through me. The lingering gaze I’d grown used to was gone.
"Sit," he said, pointing to the armchair.
I walked over to it and sat.
I expected them all to sit, too, but they remained standing. It instantly made me feel like I’d walked into my own interrogation.
"You're returning to the mortal lands," he announced, setting me straight.
Wide-eyed, I stared back at him. “What?”
"You’re returning home to your family and Thayden."
The words struck deep, affecting me more than I could have ever imagined given all I’d gone through to get home.
Alaric stepped forward, shock in his eyes. "Are you serious?”
Arielle looked between Wolfe and me, confusion written across her face. "You said she’d be safe here.”
“I’ve had a change of heart.”
I couldn't process what I was hearing. It felt strange and…wrong.
He'd saved me. Torn through realms to find me. Traded a hundred years of his life to pull me back from the edge.
And now he was sending me home. Home to my family. And Thayden.
This was…goodbye.
"Wolfe—" Arielle started, but Wolfe cut her off with a hard look.
"The decision is made," Wolfe said, his tone brooking no argument as he looked at each person. "She returns to her family. Now.”
“Now?” Bastian cut in.
“Wolfe, think about this,” Garrick said.
“I have thought, and this is my decision. Arielle and Bastian will take Elariya back on the Ghost Roads. She’ll be home within minutes. That’s ample time before Thayden’s return.” I didn’t miss the spark of distaste in his tone every time he mentioned Thaden’s name.
“What about the ring?” I asked, my mind racing.
“We will be in touch about that in due course. Now that your family are aware of the situation, I’m sure we’ll come to some agreement on what we can do.”
