“What?” a voice shouted.
“We’re on the brink of war!” another declared.
“We need our alpha!”
“Settle down,”I said inside their minds. “I would never leave without leadership to guide you. But I must return to the Inner Kingdom. If I don’t, then the wilt will ravage our home and destroy us all.”
I waited, trying to assess the reactions of my pack, wishing there was a better way to ease their fears.
This was why I didn’t kill Gilen. Why I cherished Alistar and Xander’s support. If I had to leave, then I knew I needed to supply our pack with the very best.
I turned to look at Shaw. “Up for a run?” I asked.
“A run?” Neera questioned at his side.
But Shaw… Oh, Shaw. He knew exactly what I was planning.
“You up for this?” Shaw asked.
“I don’t have a choice,” I said, readying myself.
“Where are you going?” Neera asked, stepping in my path. “You’re hurt, Sky.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Besides, this new job as alpha comes with some perks. I’m now linked to everyone, and I think it’s boosting my healing abilities.” I lifted my leg, bending my knee that thankfully was already on the mend. “See?” I said with a grin. “The swelling on my eye has also stopped. It’s almost like it never happened.”
Neera pursed her lips, unconvinced by my attempt to reassure her.
“I’m going to find Magnus,” I said.
Her eyes widened with a gasp. The light jade tint of her irises shimmered against a streak of tears she fought to keep at bay from her freckled face. “I’m coming.”
“Good,” I replied before turning to the pack. “I’m going to find Magnus. And I’m going to bring him back.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Skylar Cathal
I knew exactly where to find my uncle.
Through the guiding moonlight, we sprinted along the vacant riverbank that meandered along the outskirts of Solace. The river, a lifeline for our people, fanned throughout our pack lands to nourish the lush forest and the myriad of wildlife that called this place home. It was a sight that always filled us with gratitude—a reminder of the constant flow of life. Of change.
Shaw shifted into his panther, running beside me with Rhea and Talon joining as wolves in the rear of our group. Neera, who remained on her two legs with me, followed my footsteps with graceful agility that transferred from her animal. I was thankful Neera didn’t shift, giving me a two-legged companion on our journey to where Magnus and Julia first met—the waterfall.
There were many waterfalls in our territory, but this specific one held a special memory for our family. Every year on their anniversary, they returned to the place they met—with Neera and me in tow when we were younger.
Magnus was lost but not gone.
During our trek, the fresh layer of snow melted as it hit the ground, and I felt a strange tug at the back of my mind as the trees whipped past in a green blur. It was like a scratch on the back of my senses—something trying to gain my attention.
“The next turn, we should rest.”A familiar voice sounded inside my head.
I skidded to a stop just before Neera collided against my backside, sending us tumbling onto the frozen ground.
“Ouch!” Neera groaned, rubbing her arm as she adjusted the bag of clothing slung across her shoulder. “What in the Gods’ names was that for, Sky?”
“Hey, you’re the one who landed on me,” I grunted. “How do you think I feel?”
“I’ve seen who your mate is, Skylar,” she grumbled. “Trust me, you’re fine.”
