Cade seems the type to take his sweet time, though I won’t discredit the idea that he’ll rush back. Lex is thorough, but I know he’ll be eager to return as well. If I hurry, I might beat them.
I find what I’m looking for immediately, the soft velvet box exactly where I left it all those years ago. I tip open the black box, eyes scanning the familiar jewelry.
It’s my most treasured possession, the only thing I consider sentimental.
My mother had worn this teardrop opal necklace every single day of her mated life—a gift from my father shortly after they met on her twenty-first birthday.
She was wearing it the day she died. It’s all I have left of her.
Never in a million years could I imagine giving it away. I’d kill a thousand men to protect this tiny gold necklace. But all I havebeen able to picture is Nyx wearing it—my mate. It belongs to her now. Just like I do.
Closing the box, I place it securely in my pocket and leave the house. By the time I arrive at our meeting spot on the edge of town, Darius is already there with most of the members who will be travelling with us. There’s still time before we are scheduled to leave but most of them are well aware of my thoughts on punctuality, matching the energy.
I give Mason and Theodore a quick nod of acknowledgment before checking numbers with Darius. I’ve assigned them to assist with leading the pack since they are both familiar with the route. Given there’s such a large group of us, it makes sense to have a perimeter set up. We need to be scanning the path at all times, in all directions.
“The last of the members are just arriving now,” Darius says, tilting his head toward the final few people pulling up behind the group.
“Good,” I answer, raising my voice. “As discussed,” I direct toward the group. “We will be heading straight to Shadow Creek. Preferably I’d like to limit stoppage as much as possible. Darius has already spoken to you about formation, and Mason and Theodore will guide you up front with us. For those I’ve asked to bring up the rear, I expect you to remain in contact via mind link. Everyone is responsible for scanning the surroundings. Be vigilant.”
It comes off a tad aggressive, but whatever gets the message across.
The group nods in understanding before Darius leads them away to shift and secure belongings to their wolves’ backs. When everyone is back and ready, I step away so Colt can shift.
“Everyone in position,” I bark at the group of wolves, moving around them in a circle as I perform a final check.
Taking my place back up front, I break out in a fast run, hearing the sounds of a thundering army behind me as we begin.
Normally, I enjoy travelling. Colt and I relish in the freedom of running, often remarking that journeys end too quickly.
This time is different though. I’ve made the trip to Shadow Creek more than once now, but for some reason, this final trip seems to drag on for a lifetime.
Every tree looks the same. Every creek.
I find myself sprinting faster than usual, and a few times I have to remind myself that my pack is with me, checking to make sure they are keeping up. It would be dangerous to pull too far ahead, but of course, they manage to keep up just fine. We’ve trained them well and they know what’s at stake.
I try to mind link Nyx during the trip. I’m disappointed to hear nothing but radio silence—not even the deranged chatter of Cade.
I have to admit, it worries me when I can’t reach anyone. Perhaps I’m too far away from them.
I’ve never known mind link to have limitations with distance before, but then again, our situation is very different. It’s likely Lex and Cade have shifted too, on their way back to Shadow Creek. Maybe Nyx is asleep or busy, and with the space between all of us, we just have a bad connection or something.
That’s my hope anyway.
Against my better judgment, I have totrustpeople I ordinarily wouldn’t. Daxton, for example.
Nyx will be fine in his hands. After all, he’s kept her alive this long. Amazing really when you consider it. Before I knewNyx was my mate, if you had placed us in a close proximity for two decades, we would have long killed each other. The radius wouldn’t handle both of our presences, and it would have been a blood bath.
Though, even when Ididknow she was my mate, I still had to resist the urge to kill her on more than one occasion. Funny how love works.
As I reach the territory adjacent to Shadow Creek, I start to feel relief in my entire body. Not long now. Once we reach the other side of this land, we’ll enter Daxton’s woodlands. Then, it’s just a matter of moments before I emerge through the clearing and spot Nyx waiting for me.
Hopefully alpha-less for the time being.
Is it wrong of me to wish that?
No. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s not selfish of me to still want alone time with my mate.
I’ve come to accept our situation, feeling the urge to murder Lex and Cade less regularly—well, Lex anyway—but that doesn’t mean I want them in my space every second of every day.
