"I'm not angry," he said softly, his breath warm against my ear. "I'm... I need time to understand. To think about what you told me. But I'm not angry with you."
"Daska—"
"Whatever happens," he continued, his arms tightening around me, "whatever you have to do, whatever you have to do... you're still my mate. That doesn't change."
I clung to him, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't." He pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands framing my face. "We'll figure this out.
"What if this doesn’t work?" I asked.
Daska's expression hardened. "I will kill him before I let him take you from me." He pressed a quick, fierce kiss to my forehead, then stepped back. "Come. We need to move."
We finished packing in minutes, working with the kind of silent coordination that came from the mating bond. Daska doused the fire, scattering the ashes, while I took one last look around the cave that had been our home for two perfect weeks. My heart ached at leaving. I wanted to stay here forever.
We headed back toward the main camp along the same trails we’d come by. Daska set a brutal pace, but I kept up. My legs were burning and my breath coming hard, but I was still a lot fitter and stronger than I had been when I’d come through the stones.
Daska slowed, his head turning toward a break in the trees. "Up there," he said tersely. "We can see how close they are."
We scrambled up a steep slope, using roots and rocks for handholds, until we burst out onto a high ridge overlookingthe valley. The view was breathtaking, rolling hills carpeted in forest, the river cutting silver through the landscape, mountains rising in the distance, but I barely registered the beauty.
Spread across the valley below, moving through the valley with organized precision, were wolves. Dozens of them. Maybe more. Dark shapes flowing through the trees in tight formation, their patterns deliberate and coordinated.
A war party.
My stomach dropped.
"That's..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
"Karik's pack," Daska said flatly. His hand found mine. "He brought more this time."
“Why would he do that?”
Daska looked down at me, rubbing his hand over his face in frustration.
"He wants you. And he doesn’t trust Rivik, so he's brought enough wolves to take you by force."
Shit.
CHAPTER 26
DASKA
The main camp came into view through the trees, and my steps faltered for just a heartbeat. The pack were readying for war. The camp should have been full of everyday life—hunters returning with game, children playing, elders sitting by fires. Instead, I saw warriors making ready. Some were already shifted, massive wolves pacing the perimeter with hackles raised. Others stood in human form with spears, axes, stone knives strapped to their belts. The fires burned low, practical rather than welcoming, and mothers were pulling children back toward the inner shelters.
Sentries lined the ridge above the camp, silhouetted against the grey morning sky.
Absolute silence except for the wind and the soft pad of paws on dirt.
They knew Karik was coming. Rivik and Ryke were ready for him.
Relief hit me first, we'd made it back in time. Then pride in my pack, my alpha, the warriors who'd assembled without hesitation to defend my mate. Then a surge of rage so fierce it made my vision blur at the edges. Karik had done this. Brought his wolves to our territory, forced us into defensive positions, threatened what was mine.
I felt Ellie's hand tighten on my arm, her pulse rapid against my skin through the bond. Fear and confusion radiated from her. With my bear so close to the surface, I struggled to find the words to reassure her. Instead, I placed my hand at the small of her back and guided her forward into the camp.
Heads turned as we entered. Dozens of eyes locked on us, and I felt the subtle shift in the air. Recognition. Happiness at our return after our mating, but also tension, because everyone here knew exactly why Karik had come.
For her.
