Silence passed between our group as Magnus hugged his daughter tighter to him.
“Then you have my thanks, Shaw,” Magnus said with a single nod.
I reached out to Shaw’s mind.“You know what you’re doing?”
“I try to.”
“Why are you and Neera—”
“Skylar,”Shaw interrupted. “There’s a reason we’re not mates. We can’t see it right now, but we both agreed to take a step back. With everything going on, this isn’t the right time. Our pack is on the brink of war with the humans. You’re our new alpha. The trials are still unfinished. We need to focus on other responsibilities for the time being. If it’s meant to be, we’ll find each other again.”
“I…”I stopped, understanding that Shaw and Neera agreed to place the duty to the pack before themselves. A selfless act that I needed to respect.“That’s very selfless of you and Neera.”
“If it were a mate bond, however, there would be no question,”Shaw answered, giving me a half-grin.
“Well, at least this way, you don’t have to have that awkward conversation with Magnus.”
“Thank the Gods above.”Shaw sighed.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Skylar Cathal
By midday, we had returned to Solace.
My pack welcomed us with open arms, gifting me words of gratitude and respect for bringing Magnus home.
“Thank you, Alpha,” they said repeatedly, the title still new and startling.
I imagined it would take some time before I adjusted to the new role and the responsibility it carried.
I walked up the familiar steps to the alpha’s estate, nowmyestate. Gods, this massive complex was now officiallymyhome.
I outstretched my hand to the large double doors and, for the first time, entered the manor as thealpha. Shaw and the others rushed past me as we entered the large gathering area, making themselves comfortable in front of the ever-burning stone hearth.
The house was abuzz with an array of staff members scurrying this way and that.
I was greeted with, “Welcome home, Alpha,” and “Can we get you anything, Alpha?”
I shook my head and thanked each of them for asking. But by the fourth greeting and inquiry aboutwhether we needed anything, my stomach had begun to rumble.
“Actually, can we please have something to eat?” I asked one of the kitchen staff I recognized.
“Of course!” she said with a beaming grin. “Any requests?”
“Beef stew sounds delicious, if you have anything like that,” I replied. “Something to warm us from the inside out.”
“I’ll get started right away.”
“Oh, and—” I called out before she walked toward the kitchen. “Could you pack some sandwiches as well? I’d like to hold off on the fish and rice for as long as I can, but don’t tell Fjorda or the crew that little secret.”
Her bright brown eyes seemed to drop, realizing that I would only be staying for this meal and then have to depart for the Inner Kingdom. “So soon?”
“The sooner I leave, the sooner I will return.” I winked.
She nodded and mirrored my grin.
“I’ll take a whiskey, please,” Magnus requested. “And a double wouldn’t be the worst thing if you could manage it.”
