The time Nyx and I spend alone has come to be something I enjoy. I never thought that would be the case. What would we even have in common? For a while I assumed to make it work I’d just have to fuck her constantly to keep her quiet. Turns out I was wrong though. Underneath that defiant, snarky attitude is a smart, caring, loyal woman.
Like me, she protects hard. She’s unapologetically herself—even against alphas. I guess that should have been the first sign she was different. It’s against our nature to defy Alphas, yet she has done so to every one she has ever met—even her own.
Colt breathes out a sigh of relief when we cross the border into Daxton’s territory.
I’m nearly there, Nyx.
Even with the exhaustion in my bones, I power forward, this time, leaving my pack behind.
I can sense wolves lingering out of sight in the woods, but I know they are Daxton’s pack, ensuring we aren’t an enemy approaching. They leave us alone, only briefly appearing in our peripheral vision to flank us as we start our descent.
The clearing is just up ahead, and as the trees begin to clear, I can make out bodies on the field waiting.
Colt jumps through the final edge of trees, ripping up dirt on the field as we come to a grinding halt in front of Daxton.
Where is she?
I do a double take, surprised when it’s just Daxton and a few other members of his circle. Turning my attention to him, I notice the hardened expression on his face. But it’s different.
It’s as if he’s trying to portray his usual demeanor, keeping his composure neutral.But something is off.
He gestures for me to head inside the facility to shift back just as my pack pulls up behind me.
Narrowing my eyes, I lead everyone toward the awaiting facility doors, giving Alix a brief nod as I pass. Once I’ve shifted back and grabbed my belongings from Darius, I burst back through the door to the field.
Daxton is waiting a few feet from the door, this time alone.
“Grace will escort your pack to the guest houses. You better come with me,” he says quietly, voice breaking in the slightest.
Chapter Ten
Cade
Of course I’m the last one back.
When my family from the New Moon Pack arrive in Shadow Creek, I’m immediately greeted by Dax.
Apparently, Maverick and Lex arrived a few hours ago—the former first.
That man is determined to show me up any chance he gets. Distance wise, Maverick has the furthest to travel. Yet, he never misses an opportunity to attempt to pull rank.
Foolish, really. We’re on the same level. Just because I was the final mate to be found, doesn’t mean I’m last on Nyx’s roster.
Unfortunately, I’ve had less time to prepare. Even though we deduced that Nyx was my mate when we heard word that a wolf had accumulated multiple alpha mates, and in theory we were fully prepared, putting everything into motion takes a little more time.
Nyx was only in Silverpine Meadows for a brief few days before the others arrived to take her back. Most of our short time together was me chasing her through the woods or dodging things being pelted at my head. Then, once therescue crewarrived, I grabbed my own security detail and headed to Shadow Creek.
My pack is obviously well aware of the situation, and we’ve had it on our radar for some time about the disappearing wolves. Marie has worked with Sawyer and I tirelessly to put pieces together, finding out what we could.
Part of my delay in getting back was sorting through the journals for Nyx. There’s so many of them that it seemed unproductive to bring all of them. I know she’d like that, but with the looming deadline approaching, I don’t want Nyx to feel as though she has to read all of them. Her time is going to be better spent with us, preparing and planning for Orson and the Seventh Circle Pack.
Plus, it took me a little time to convince Marie to join us.
Have you ever tried to negotiate with a witch? Stubborn as hell. Even more so than my sweet Nyx.
I know Marie secretly loves us. I mean, who wouldn’t? But asking her to leave her home, travel through unfamiliar territory and stay at a foreign pack? Yes—that took a bit of time.
But like I said to Nyx… I can be very persuasive.
