“And you must rise to it,” my father answered.
“The boy tries.” Roman shifted his shoulders and then let his arms fall, taking the trekking pole he used. Half a weapon, half a walking aid.
“Maybe that is the problem.The boy tries,” my father said, he turned away.
“Marcus…” Roman began.
I waved him to quiet. “Say what’s on your mind, Father. Stop sulking.”
“Excuse me?” My father turned, eyes ablaze. His muscles spasmed and I sensed the want to shift in him.
“These visits are descending into you doing nothing but complain. You spend the time belittling me and notingmylack of progress, but there’s only so much I can do as aguide. No one knows who I am. No one will back a poor–”
“Because if they did know the truth you’d be dead!” my father growled. He stepped forward and the wolf inside bared fangs. “You complain that your life is hard but you never have to face down the other packs or Alphas. If you came out of hiding, you’d be just like your mother then… and what good would that be?”
I didn’t say anything, but I didn’t break his gaze. I’d only ever known compassion from Roman, Marcus was harsher.
“Prophecy still stands, and you are still to unite the people and kill her,” he said. “Avenge your mother’s death and–”
“Marcus,” Roman began.
“Don’tMarcusme, Roman. I gave you Dion to raise a warrior, not a politician.” My father picked up a flat rock and crushed it in his hands.
Gave…the word cut me.
“Is it not the same?” Roman asked.
I looked up at the ceiling, awash in the blue lights and withheld my sigh. This had been happening more and more lately too. My father and uncle descending into argument.
We knew there was unrest in the Warlands. People doubting Marcus and the Whiteclaw pack. Some were defecting our allegiance and joining Locke of Firepaw. A lot. Roman and I weren’t blind as we crossed the great desert and its many villages. The wolves’ banishment from Lassig at the hands of Lady Skol had only meant to be temporary, and yet years had passed. Generations of wolves living in the desert, cut off from the access to the greener lands that Lassig barred us from.
People were becoming desperate.
“What is that?” my father said suddenly.
We all tensed, heightening our hearing and nose. I piqued something towards the secret tunnel Roman and I had entered through. My father nodded and we all fell into line, as I was the closest, I lead.
The tunnel was in a hidden crevice on the other side of the pools. It was only visible if you knew of it. We entered and I smelled the scent stronger. My father touched my shoulder, I turned and he tapped his ear. He could hear something.
I tuned in. I couldn’t hear anything. After a beat, we moved on.
We came down to the entrance that lead off into the long sands of the Warlands. The large crack out here was on the other side of the village. None knew of it because of the hawks that defended the wall. They didn’t attack Alphas however…
We came to a stop and Roman pushed past us.
“What are you doing?” hissed my father.
“The woman with the scarred heart comes soon,” Roman said. He was looking to the sky. “It is her we heard and smelled.”
“She’s here?” I asked, squinting in the harsh sun.
Roman shook his head.
“How do youknow?” my father said.
Roman came back into the cover of the shade. He looked at me, smiling. “She will be here tomorrow. Iscentit.”
“The foresight…” my father murmured. “You sound like Myra.” He turned away.
