A sly smile crosses my lips as I stare at him from behind my apple.
Feray one... Diaval zero.
Chapter 28
Easton
Anxiety grips me like a vice,my gaze fixed on the diminishing figures of Feray and Diaval as they vanish out of sight. A sense of relief washes over me, knowing that Feray is with Diaval—the safest option among us.
But the urgency of our plan propels me into action.
Torben and I move swiftly, loading the SUV with practiced efficiency. He gives me a thumbs up, and I nod in acknowledgment, my mind already racing ahead to the next steps.
Leading a drowsy Khal out of the den, I guide him to the back seat while Torben takes the passenger seat.
"I guess I'm driving," I mutter, more to myself than to the others.
As the engine roars to life, the elder Clem emerges from between the houses. His smile seems kind but carries a forced quality.
"Where are you off to?"
I summon a smile, attempting to maintain an air of superiority that might prove useful. "Our mate's birthday is tomorrow, so we're running out to find her a present."
The elder's eyebrows raise with a hint of surprise. I tilt my head back slightly, adopting a pose that suggests indifference.
His smile becomes genuine. "On the far side of town, there are several vendors that may have something she would enjoy."
I acknowledge his advice with a nod. "Thanks for the tip. We'll look into it."
With a wave, I pull away, heading toward the back side of town. The elder's intentions remain unclear—whether he's aiding us or setting us up is a puzzle I can't decipher.
When I'm reasonably certain we're not being watched, I turn suddenly and press my foot hard on the gas. The engine roars as we speed through the cavern in the mountain. The tunnels echo with the sound of our escape, and adrenaline courses through me.
Feray and Diaval are ahead of us by now. A symphony of emotions plays beneath the surface—anticipation, fear, the not knowing what's on the other side.
Breaking free of the cavern pass feels like a weight lifting off my shoulders. I draw in a deep, relieved breath. My eyes scan the expansive horizon, an unspoken vigilance keeping me on edge.
Torben breaks the silence. "We should get there in about an hour." He glances at the map on his phone before shifting his gaze to me.
I nod, my focus fixed on the road stretching ahead. The sun is lowering in the sky—it's midday.
I glance upward as an abrupt shadow falls upon the car. Diaval's colossal dragon glides overhead, silent and majestic.
"I bet Feray made him check on us," Torben muses, following the dragon's flight.
I nod, gratitude settling within me for the unspoken connection between Feray and Diaval. Their bond, like an invisible thread, weaves through our shared existence.
"I wouldn't doubt it." A small smile tugs at my lips. "She's the perfect mate for us."
Warmth courses through me as I finally grasp onto the thread that is Feray in the bond. An intricate tapestry of emotions unfolds, revealing her anxieties and excitement for the path ahead.
Feray is a paradox herself. She possesses a captivating blend of qualities—wild yet controlled, strong yet soft, dominant yet submissive. The last one spins my head with its complexity. She holds the power to command us all, yet finds solace in surrender.
It's not a trait commonly associated with a Luna.
As the road stretches before us, anticipation of our imminent reunion fills the car. The bond we share is a delicate dance of strength and vulnerability, dominance and submission. With each passing day, the threads of our connection tighten, drawing us closer.
I'm becoming more anxious by the moment, thinking about how far I am from Feray.
