“Any regrets?” I ask, though I can feel the answer through our bond.
“Only that we waited so long,” he murmurs against my hair. “I love you, Lithia of Shadowmist.”
“I love you too, Kier of Shadowmist,” I correct, and feel his smile against my skin.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
KIER
The courtyard is alive with celebration. Three other couples managed to complete their claims during the hunt, and the pack is still reveling in the success. I watch Heath spin his newly claimed mate around while she laughs, her red hair flying. Near the fountain, another pair sits close together, sharing quiet words and gentle touches. The third couple has disappeared entirely—probably still working off the heat that drove their claiming.
But there’s one wolf sitting alone by the fire, staring into the flames with the hollow expression of someone who ran but didn’t catch a bride. My chest tightens in sympathy. With five males and only four females to claim, it was inevitable that someone would miss out. The claiming hunt is ancient tradition, but it doesn’t guarantee success for everyone. Some wolves run alone, and some return alone.
“Where’s Levi?” I ask, scanning the courtyard. He ran, but it doesn’t look as if Levi has returned.
“Is he still out there looking for a bride?” Lithia frowns, her gaze searching as well. “Surely he would have heard Ryker’s howl announcing all the brides had been claimed.”
I shrug. “I guess not.” My gaze strays back to the lone wolf slumped at the table.
“He’ll find his mate,” Lithia murmurs, following my gaze. Through our bond, I feel her compassion for the unsuccessful hunter. “Maybe not tonight, but he will.”
I squeeze her hand, marveling again at how perfectly she fits against my side, how right this all feels. After twenty years of wandering, of never belonging anywhere, I’m home. Not just with Shadowmist, but with her. My mate, my anchor, my everything.
“Ready to get some sleep?” I ask, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We’ve had a long night.”
She hums in agreement, leaning into my touch.
We walk through the crowd toward the den, and I catch sight of Rohan and Dane dancing together, locked in a tight embrace.
I glance at Lithia who is smiling as she watches them.
“You’re not worried?” I ask.
“He’s a big wolf. He’ll work it out.”
We’re just walking up the small slope to the den’s entrance when I notice something that makes me pause. There’s movement at the bottom of the courtyard. A figure emerges from the shadow of the stone archway, moving slowly, carefully.
Levi.
But he’s not alone.
He’s supporting a woman—small, pale, and clearly exhausted. Her clothes are torn and dirty, her hair matted, and even from this distance I can see the bruises marking her exposed skin. In her arms, she clutches a bundle of rags.
No, not rags. A baby.
Recognition hits me like a physical blow.
“Prudence.”
The fear-seer from our captivity. The human woman who was forced to torture us, all to protect the child she’s nowholding. She looks even smaller than I remember, and as fragile as spun glass, swaying on her feet despite Levi’s support.
“How did they get here?” Lithia breathes beside me, her shock resonating through our bond.
Elena rushes forward from across the courtyard, her healer’s instincts kicking in at the sight of obvious injuries.
“Let me see her,” she calls. “She needs medical attention?—”
