I waved away her concern, my heart beating faster. What was wrong? “No, Nightfell is…”
The air bent in uncomfortable ways behind us. “Pumpkin?” Noth’s voice only added to the chills of this place. Two red eyes glowed through the night.
He dragged Maggie back into the dark. “RatFace, I’m busy.”
“You don’t leave our bed until I say you do.”
Maggie held on to a passing pine tree but it was useless. Noth’s shadows fully wrapped around her, swallowing her into the void.
“You got this, girl!” Maggie gave a thumbs-up as she disappeared into Noth’s embrace.
I got this.I thought to myself and swallowed down my dread.
Chapter 26
Ned
My senses never failed me. It was why I was such a mighty hunter. So I gathered my patience to wait for her. When my new favorite human stepped back into the wood, the only thing that mattered was her flying to her mate as quickly as possible.
I barked a greeting that would have done my family proud and still the human screamed loud enough to pierce the veil to the other side. Even so, her arms wrapping around me was the greatest pleasure. I couldn't help but wiggle my body all over her and that seemed to cue a curious bout of crying and clutching me too tight.
“Ned, where is he?”
I licked her tears from her cheeks. If she would let me out of this rib-crushing embrace, I would show her. These idiots really didn't seem to understand how life worked atall. I watched her do mindless tasks when she could have eaten food off the floor that tasted just as good. She twisted herself right out of love when it lay there for the taking.
Not that my master was any better. He always thought tempting Fate was a game and Fate would win if I didn’t get his mate to him soon. I latched onto her jacket and pulled her along, deeper into the woods. She didn't fight me, but she also wasn't the fastest thing on two legs. We didn't have any time to waste because the forest, the Old Magic, whispered a warning through the pines.
And that warning contained death.
Chapter 27
Declan
Icollapsed into my mother's arms, even though I knew I should be the one carrying her out of that underground hell. I didn't know how I would survive without Fallon by my side. All my grand ambitions of nobly standing out of her way to let her live her life fell to pieces when she actually stepped through Severin’s portal.
My sobs broke into her shoulder. “I’m so sorry I lied.”
I did check if they hurt her and other than still existing in her nightgown, her shifter healing had dealt with the minor scrapes and bruises. Momma’s steady presence helped me through the tunnels as I clung to her.
“I taught you better than that, bardeva. You only lied to yourself, Declan.”
“I shouldn't have pushed her to accept Noreen's help. If I made her days easier and gotten her to smile more.Why didn't I take her to the lake, or show her the temple at sunset? I should have taught her the recipe for Juju ham, or let her stick me in the oven instead. Momma? I couldn’t risk the pack, but what have I done?”
As we moved up into the crisp night air, she grabbed my face with all the strength in her body. “You kept us safe. You returned our magic. She left because she felt scared, not because you weren't happy enough. You are perfect as you are. Stupid, but perfect. She will return.”
She released my smooshed cheeks. If Fallon could stand existing this long without me, I didn't think she would. I took another heavy step toward home.
My voice came out small. “I did it again.”
Momma spun me around so fast, my head swam with grief and rage. “You forced your father to leave because of me. It was the best thing you ever did. I broke our bond with the Old Magic when I severed my mate bond. You were only trying to protect me.”
“Maybe I should have stayed to recall the Old Magic instead of finding a solution out in the world.”
She shook her head slowly, smoothing my hair down like I was a child.
“You weren’t ready to take up the crown when he left the territory. It might not have responded to you even if you had tried. You are ready now. You've turned into the man I always hoped you would be, and look at the result. I'm glad you didn't let even me stand in your way when you had to leave this place to become that man. Yourmate will return to you. Not just because you're Fated to be together, but because you are a kind and loving wolf who has so much to offer.”
I didn't know how that was true when I was shattering into a million pieces. I was worse than nothing without my mate–I was a monster. All of that doubt and rage and pain broke me down until I couldn't suppress the voice slinking through the back of my head. I pushed Momma into Briggs’ arms, stumbling away from them. They shouldn’t see the truth of me. I wasn’t strong like Noth, or noble like Ward. I just wanted my Honey.
