The forest thickens as we climb higher into the foothills. Ancient trees tower around us, their trunks so massive three wolves couldn't circle them with linked arms. Twin peaks jut against the late afternoon sky ahead, sharp and unforgiving.
We've been walking for hours. My legs burn. The wound on my back stopped bleeding an hour ago, but every step sends fresh pain radiating through my shoulder.
Thorne stops suddenly.
My knife is at his back before he draws breath.
"What is it?" I press the blade harder.
"We're close now." His voice stays steady. "Very close to Hardik's camp, and his men patrol this area."
"If this is a trap—"
"It's not." He turns his head slightly. "But they will kill you if they think you're a threat. Let me explain before—"
Wolves emerge from the trees.
Four of them. Armed with spears and bows. They move with military precision, surrounding us in seconds.
My blade stays at Thorne's back as I track each warrior. The one in front is older, scarred, with silver threading through his brown fur. His eyes find Thorne first.
Then they widen.
"Thorne?" The lead guard lowers his spear. "Why are you bound like a prisoner?"
Thorne's shoulders relax. "Long story, Garrick. But these two need to see Hardik immediately."
Garrick's gaze shifts to me. His eyes narrow. Then recognition hits.
"You're Arida." His voice drops. "Sorin's mate."
My throat tightens at my dead mate's name.
"We all thought Varek killed you during the coup," Garrick continues. "The whole pack believed you were dead."
"I'm not." My voice comes out hard. "Obviously."
The other three guards stare at me now. Two look young, maybe eighteen. The third is a woman with white fur and calculating eyes. All carry themselves like warriors who've seen real combat.
"How did you survive?" the woman asks.
"Does it matter?" I snap.
"It matters to Hardik." Garrick steps forward. "He's been gathering information about the coup. About everyone Varek killed. Your name was on his list."
"Well, you can cross it off."
Riven shifts beside me. His hand moves to his shoulder wound.
Garrick notices. "He needs a healer."
"That's why we're here."
"Then you're in luck." Garrick gestures to the woman with white fur. "Sera, take point. Dren, Kael, flanks. We're escorting them to camp."
"What about standard protocol?" The younger guard, Dren, looks uncertain. "We're supposed to verify—"
"This is Arida." Garrick's voice carries authority. "Sorin's mate. Hardik's daughter by law. We're taking her to him. Now."
The tension in my chest loosens slightly. Daughter by law.
"Wait." I keep my knife at Thorne's back. "He stays bound until I see Hardik."
Garrick raises an eyebrow. "You don't trust him?"
"I don't trust anyone. Not anymore."
Respect flickers across his face. "Fair enough. Let's move. Camp is twenty minutes north, and your mate looks like he's about to collapse."
Sera takes point. The two younger guards flank us. Garrick brings up the rear, his eyes scanning the trees.
"How many wolves does Hardik have?" I ask.
"Thirty-two as of this morning." Garrick keeps his voice low. "More arriving every week. Loyalists who escaped Varek's purge."
"Thirty-two wolves can't take down an Alpha with an entire pack."
"No." Garrick's expression darkens. "But it's a start."
The forest opens into a clearing. Caves dot the cliff face. Smoke rises from concealed fire pits. Wolves move with purpose, carrying supplies, training, talking in low voices.
A resistance camp.
"He's in the main cave." Garrick points to the largest opening. "I'll take you to him."
My heart hammers as we approach. I haven't seen Hardik since the night his son died.
What will I say to him? How do you face the father of your dead mate and tell him you couldn't save his son? That you found a new mate?
Garrick stops at the cave entrance. "Wait here."
He disappears inside. Voices murmur. Then footsteps approach.
Hardik emerges from the cave's shadows.
He looks older. The coup aged him, carved new lines into his face, and turned more of his fur silver. His limp is more pronounced than I remember.
His sharp eyes lock on mine.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
Then Hardik crosses the distance between us and pulls me into an embrace so fierce it drives the air from my lungs.
"You're alive." His voice cracks. "Thank the goddess, you're alive."
I can't speak.
"I thought—" He pulls back, gripping my shoulders. "I thought I'd lost both of you that night."
"Sorin—" His name breaks on my lips.
"I know." Hardik's eyes glisten. "I know, child. I'm so damned sorry I couldn't protect you both."
Tears I've been holding back for days finally spill over. "He died trying to defend me. And I couldn't—"
"Don't." Hardik's grip tightens. "Don't carry that. Sorin died because Varek fears change. Not because of you."
Behind me, Riven sways. His knees buckle.
I lunge, but Garrick is faster, grabbing him before he hits the ground.
"He's been fighting infection for two days," I say urgently.
"Sera!" Hardik's command cracks like a whip. "Get Mara. Tell her we have a patient who needs immediate attention. Move!"
Sera disappears.
Hardik's gaze shifts to Riven, then to Thorne who still stands bound, then back to me. His expression shifts.
"It seems," he says carefully, "you have quite a story to tell me."
"I do." I keep my hand on Riven's arm, steadying him as Garrick supports his weight. "And you're not going to like most of it."
Hardik's mouth quirks into something almost resembling a smile. "Come. Let's get your companion treated, and then you can tell me everything."
He turns toward the cave, then pauses, looking back over his shoulder.
"Oh, and Arida?" His voice softens. "Welcome home."
The word hits hard. Home. I haven't had one since Varek's wolves shattered my door and murdered my mate.
But looking at Hardik's weathered face, at the resistance camp bustling with purpose, something loosens in my chest.
Maybe home isn't the place I lost.
Maybe it's the place I'm about to help take back.