‘She’s grieving. Let it go…’I almost said before I remembered how Mallory and her siblings had joined Nolan in trying to kill my mate during the mid-year games. As king, I’d need to deal with that kind of behavior. Might as well set the standard now.
I stepped up to her, toe-to-toe, and stared her down, letting all of my anger and frustration surge to the surface. “I don’t need permission to go anywhere on Alpha Island. I’mking,” I told her, my voice barely human. “And this is your official notice that you’ve both been expelled from Alpha Academy for unsportsmanlike conduct.” I looked to her sister to make sure she knew I was talking about her as well. “If you ever attack my mate or my family, I’ll personally watch my guards tear you to shreds. Don’t challenge me again, Mallory Daybreak.”
Then, I blasted past her and her sister, not noticing the four other Daybreak wolves who’d left my coronation early with the girls until afterward. I ignored them all; I didn’t want them to think I was a pushover. Best to be stern now and not have to deal with another challenge fight later, but I was glad Noble had the foresight to send extra guards. Not that these six would be a challenge, but a fight would take time.
As for Mallory and her sister’s expulsion, it was the best way to limit her training and decrease the potential that she or her sister challenge John in the future for alpha of their pack. Besides, with John as alpha, his daughters had a rightful spot at Alpha Academy as his heirs.
A low whine of submission came from Mallory’s throat as I passed, but she didn’t move from her place by the tall cedar tree. Good riddance.
Once Justice and I entered the clearing, I scanned the land.
Several homes sat near the edge of the cliff, overlooking the water; the rest of the pack’s homes were scattered throughout the territory. I glanced at the castle-like monstrosity Mallory had been raised in. Her father had been just like Declan, cold and calculating.
Dismissing her and her father from my thoughts, I scanned the trees on the northernmost tip of the clearing. As soon as I found the tree, I’d find the portal. Once I found the portal, I’d hopefully find my mate.
My heart thundered with eager anticipation as my thoughts narrowed until my sole focus was Nai. I walked to the right, along the cliff, until I reached the copse. Then, weaving through the trees, I searched for the weeping willow among the juniper, pines, cedars, and firs.
High Mage Island overlaid Alpha Island, but the former resided in another dimension we couldn’t see or access. They were protected in their elite plane of existence, and as far as I knew, there were only two portals in or out: the library and the weeping willow.
I stepped between two giant cedar trunks, feeling the scrub and undergrowth brushing against my legs, and then pulled to a stop. There it was, a curly willow tree sitting in a much smaller clearing of grass. The tree’s naked limbs looked sorely out of place, turning orange in the fading sunlight. Between the bare branches, the light caught on a shimmering kaleidoscope of colors.
“This is it?” Justice walked up beside me. “The tree?”
I nodded while considering the best approach. “There’s no door. No lock.” I took a deep breath, hoping it would be easy. “Maybe we just walk through like the portal to the mortal world.”
“Maybe.” Justice rubbed the back of his neck and narrowed his eyes at the intricately woven branches. Finally, he turned his attention to me. “I’ll try it first.”
“I’m king, not made of glass.” I rolled my eyes and stepped forward.
My brother grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “I wasn’t implying you were made of glass, idiot, but if this thing shreds you to pieces, I’ll be king. Neither of us wants that.”
“Good point.” I glanced down at my hand, noting the charred skin already flaking away and showing hints of pink, new skin underneath. High mage magic was potent stuff. I carried a hefty amount of elemental fire magic, but it was nothing like the power used in making these portals.
“I’m not sure I want you walking through either,” I said to Justice, holding up my healing hand.
Footsteps announced several visitors, and my lip curled when I caught Mallory’s scent.
“They’ve spelled them with protections,” she said, “so only high mages are able to use them. You can’t get through without breaking the spells.”
“How would you know that?” I asked, facing her with a glare. “And why would I trust you?”
I then looked at one of my five guards. Could I ask one of them to risk their life like this? “Oh, screw this.”
I wanted my damn mate, and I wanted hernow! This wasmyfight for her, so I’d get her.
Sucking in a deep breath, I parted the long stringy branches and stepped toward the shimmering light—only to have Justice pull me back. Again. As I spun on my heel, a black tennis shoe hurtled past my face and hit the colorful wall of magic. With a sharp, loud zap, the shoe disappeared, leaving a puff of dark smoke and the acrid stench of burning rubber in the air.
Shit.
Maybe this was a time to think more and act less. That could’ve been bad. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the panicked, desperate thoughts driving me. Being without Nai, thinking she was hurt, was tearing me up inside, but I wanted us togetheralive.
“You owe me new sneakers.” Justice patted my shoulder, but his demand fell empty and discarded.
All I saw was the pity in his eyes.
My attention flicked to my guards, and I balled my fists. “Jonas and Garret, fetch the master mages from school: Carn, Jin, and Helo. We’ll have them break the protection spells.” I faced Justice and growled with frustration. “I don’t care about the repercussions.”
The two guards raced off, back toward the school, and I resisted the urge to follow.
