The soft click of the doorknob turning catches my attention. Lifting my head slowly, I look toward the door.
Easton enters carrying a tray with breakfast. No sooner does he enter than I see Feray's nose twitch.
"Bacon..." Feray says as she stretches. "Morning." Her gentle tone makes me smile just before she kisses my lips.
"Morning." I kiss her temple.
Easton clears his throat, getting her attention. "The elder will be here soon. You should probably eat something. We don't need you cranky when you go to meet potential family members."
He comes to the side of the bed where the small table sits near the window and sets the tray down. Feray looks at it, then walks over and kisses Easton on the cheek before sitting down to eat.
He tilts his head toward the door, and I follow.
"What's up?" I whisper as we move down the hall.
"We were talking while you slept. We're going to stay behind so the wolves aren't uneasy." His tone betrays his feelings. He's not happy with the idea but knows it's for the best. "You go with her and don't leave her side."
Nodding, I look back toward the bedroom. "I wouldn't dream of it."
There's a knock at the front of the den, and Easton rolls his eyes. "I'll stall the elder. Get dressed and get ready to leave. I doubt he'll want to linger long."
Easton turns on his heels, and I hear Diaval greeting Clem at the door.
Before I have the chance to turn, Feray has her hands on my hips. "Go get dressed. We're going on an adventure." She bounces up, kisses my cheek, and scoots past me.
I throw on the first presentable outfit and walk down the hallway. Clem is leaning over the tabletop with Feray as they point at different names.
"Your parents' names are missing, child." Clem points at the pulsing black mass on the parchment.
Feray bites her bottom lip, then gets a wicked look in her eyes as she glances from me back to the elder. "That's on a need-to-know basis. Outside of my bond, it is not needed to be known."
I watch her face take on wolven features for several seconds, then recede. Khal puffs up when she makes her statement, and I know she got that stance from him. Diaval notices and gives him an approving nod.
Pride swells in my chest. That's my girl.
"I'm going to go finish up in the back. I'll see you when you return, Precious." Khal kisses her gently and heads to the back of the den to sleep.
"See you soon, Khal. Love you guys..." Feray kisses Easton and Diaval before she runs down the hallway after Khal. She's gone for several seconds, then returns giggling.
"Let's get the show on the road." She grips my hand and waits for the elder to go out the front door.
"We'll goto the Torstens first. They're the closest." Clem turns right out of the door and starts walking down the cobblestone road.
"What can you tell us about them?" I tuck Feray under my arm, holding her close.
"They originate from Silver Falls, the town that guards the passage to Dunnum. Their shifted form has more white to it than the rest of us. The Havardr moved from Dunnum to Silver Falls, then here about twenty or so years ago before the war broke out." He lowers his head and draws in a deep breath. "It was a dark time for the packs. Two of our strongholds were at war for control of the north. We were all afraid it would spill over into Blackmore."
His mention of the war makes Feray tilt her head. Apparently, she knows something I don't.
"Why did the war break out?"
Her question makes Clem stop. He looks down at his feet.
"An alpha and Luna went missing. Everyone blamed everyone else, and boom—there you have it. All-out war for control of the north."
A shudder moves through Feray, and she stares up at me with a subtle nod.
My heart clenches. Missing alpha and Luna. A hidden child. The pieces are starting to form a picture I'm not sure I'm ready to see.
