The squadron below were long dead. The horses were fleeing, running out into the desert and becoming prey of something else. Any man that may have survived would die in the coming heat of the days ahead.
But Feyra still only had rage, and betrayal for us.This is your fault!
Ours?I snapped.It was you foolish girls running off in the night. Why the hell did you do that?
I will not be sold off! I will not be a slave to Lady Skol. I will never be confined again.Feyra stood firm, bristling her mane, and daring us to come at her.
You have never been confined to us,Roman said.You could’ve left whenever you wished.
You say that now,Feyra said.
I give you my word, that you’ve never been confined to us. We want, and need, your company more than you know. But you’ve never been confined,I said. I sat, a position of weakness. Trust.
Feyra watched me, unsure of what to make of my words.
We do not have time for this,Roman interjected.Those Merls left for a reason, but that’s not to say they won’t come back. Three werewolves is too tempting of a feast for them. They may be calling more numbers. Let us return to the camp.
No,Feyra said.We must find Agatha.
You just killed the only thing that knew.Roman snarled and bared his teeth. We must return to the camp and figure out the next steps.
We must find Agatha!
Then go!I said.Go after her. But where will you run to? What will you do when you’ve used up all your energy because you’ve never shifted and are too weak? The Merls, or anyone, will make light work of you. It is not us you should fear ‘selling you off,’ it is the rest of the world.I paced back and forth now, trying to ignore the feeling in my heart. I didn’t want her to go because I didn’t want to lose her too.
Feyra’s twitching jaw lessened, then calmed as she thought about it. She sat, now unsure. I could feel the doubt rolling across her mind and reeking from her body. We had at last broken through to the thinking part of her.
Why should I even trust you?she asked.
Trust us? It is you we need to trust,Roman said.Fleeing from camp in the middle of the night like silly girls with fool motives. I don’t know what was in your mind or why you left, but–
You were going to sell us off! Betray us to Lady Skol,Feyra cut in.Agatha heard you.
Roman and I looked at each other in confusion. Then back at Feyra. He shifted back to his human form and walked away, saying nothing to Feyra. I heard him muttering aboutchildrenthough. Let children decide childish things.The cuts on him were already healing, readying themselves to join the litany of scars he’d been long dressed with.
I too shifted back to my human form. I stood watching her, waiting to see if she’d shift too, but she didn’t. My body was too confused by what was going on.Sell her?Where had the girl got that notion?
“We would’ve never sold you off,” I said, watching the wolf that stood a head higher than me, even when sitting. “You’re too important to our quest. To my prophecy… and I know that you have your own. But more than that–” the words caught in my throat.Was it time to play my cards?“I couldn’t have sold the woman I am destined to love.”
I turned and left her. It was up to her now.
Chapter 17
FEYRA
I watched Dion walk away. His naked body golden in the morning light. The stench of death wove its way up from the plains, copper already being carried on the winds. My best friend had just been carried away, and all I could do was think that I wasdestined to be his love.
I was giddy, excited, joyous…but wary that the one I love will cause my death.
I took a tentative step forward, sniffing after Dion. So he also had a destiny then. Things weren’t as anyone guessed. I was using them, but the whole time they’d been using me. Was this what Agatha had overheard? Had she misinterpreted Dion and Roman’s intentions? Or had she lied? But what about her wounds? What about the poison they’d given me?
My fur prickled. I growled deep in my throat and let the anger leave my body. I began following them, as much as I didn’t like it, if I was going to get Agatha back, then a plan was needed. I shifted back to my human form when I caught up to them. They were traveling quickly, as we’d already reached the gap in the mountain.
“What are we going to do about Agatha?” I asked.
“First we must make camp,” Dion said. He looked sideways at me though, looking at my body.
I grunted, and despite not wanting to, blushed. This wasn’t the time, and he knew it.
