*Maddox*
Warriors still gather beyond the front gate to the castle. I watch as Vember commands them to open the gate, his eyes lined with fatigue. It’s been a long forty-eight hours, but here we are, one the other side, and I am still the Alpha King.
My enemies have limped back to her respective territories with their tails between their legs. If I wasn’t leaving to return the diamond to the temple, I’d be calling on those traitorous Alphas to stand before me and accept whatever fate I feel is acceptable for their egregious crimes against me, my pack, and my home.
But I can’t think about that now. I turn to look over my shoulder at the group standing on the front terrace, their bodies shadowed by the balconies on the second and third stories as they stand just out of the reach of the beaming morning sun.
Isla stands in the center of the group, her hand laid flat on Isaac’s back as he rests against her shoulder. She is stone-faced, her hair braided and falling over one shoulder as she looks at me, expressionless.
She is a vision, and looks every ounce a Luna. My Luna.
Ben and Poppy stand on either side of her, the two of them wearing similar expressions of fatigue and concern. Poppy raises a hand, her mouth pressed into a sad smile. I turn to look at Antony, who has his hand raised as well in a silent, pained farewell.
“How long will we be gone?” Trinity says as she comes to my side. I keep my eyes on Isla, noticing the way she stiffens as Trinity approaches me. I grind my teeth and give Isla a tight nod.
We’ve already said our goodbyes, and I made promises I pray I can keep.
I will return, and when I do, peace will have been restored, and we can put this entire mess behind us for good.
“A week,” I say, although I’m not entirely sure it’s the truth. Vember seems doubtful we can cross the Black River this time of year, but I push that thought out of my mind for the meantime.
Trinity sighs heavily, her mouth slightly ajar as I turn my back to my family and cross through the gates. Trinity sighs again before falling into step with the small group–Vember, Antony, Seth, Trinity, and myself.
And Leo, the young warrior who proved himself time and time again over the past few days. Trinity gives him a look in passing as he falls in step behind the group, walking a step behind Vember and I as we cross into the woods.
“There’s a car waiting just outside the perimeter of the territory,” Vember says. “We drive for the next hundred miles or so, but then we’ll reach the river. Warriors are already stationed at the village nearest to the river. We’ll spend the night there.”
I nod my agreement as we walk through the forest, which is marred by scars from the battle. In the sunlight, I can see the trees that have fallen and ribbons of fabric and fur left behind from combat. I still don’t know how many died from the allied side or that of the enemies.
Part of Isla’s job while I’m gone is taking stock of the casualties and injured and honoring the warriors we lost with a ceremony for their families.
I’m hoping we’ll be back by then, but if not, it will fall on her shoulders.
Her face flashes through my mind again as we break through the forest sometime later, her eyes round and blue and fierce as she watched me from the terrace.
She will be fine. She will be safe.
I glance at Seth as we near a black SUV in the distance, guarded by warriors who will be following in their own vehicles. Seth hasn’t said a word to me since our talk the day before. He’s cowering, I realize, and has taken note of my displeasure in his unorganized behavior during the battle.
If he wants to continue being my Beta, he needs to prove himself to me on this journey, and I’d made that very, very clear.
Vember nods at the warriors guarding the caravan of vehicles as I climb into the front passenger seat. Leo loads what little belongings we’ve brought with us into the back of the SUV before climbing inside and sitting in the third row behind Trinity and Antony. I watch Seth through the window talking to a warrior I don’t recognize before he finally turns and climbs into the backseat with Leo, his eyes downcast on his lap.
Maybe I was too hard on him.
The car is silent when Vember slides into the driver’s seat and takes off, the caravan of warrior vehicles following behind at a steady pace.
It is a quiet two hour drive to the Village of Moorn, which is situated within an allied Alpha’s territory, an Alpha I’ve never met but have a meeting with over dinner tonight.
Seth will be in attendance, of course. I look at him over my shoulder as the car pulls up to an unassuming inn and tavern, the entire place covered in ivy and purple wisteria.
“Everyone has rooms already booked,” I say, meeting the eyes of Trinity and Antony, who nod. “Except for you, Leo. You’ll be rooming with the other warriors accompanying us.”
Leo gives me a nod and soft, boyish smile.
Trinity yawns widely as she gets out of the car and accepts her bag from the warrior who’d opened the trunk. She goes into the inn without a passing glance at anyone, her figure disappearing through the darkened doorway.
“I’ll take the rest of the warriors to where they’re staying. It’s just around the corner,” Vember says.
“Bring Leo back to me after everyone is settled,” I say, then turn to watch Seth and Antony walk into the inn.
“Yes, Alpha King.”
Vember walks away, and I am left alone for a moment.
A soft breeze billows through the trees, leaves trembling as I gaze at the quaint village. Everything is old here, made of rough stone marked with age and wear. The streets are cobblestone, and as I turn to look over the narrow, winding rows of stone buildings and shops I see the river in the distance, the water running high and so loud I can hear it over the hum of the village.
Beyond the Black River is… nothing. Just a wide, open grassland flanked by snow capped mountains that reached into a wide, darkened valley. In that valley is the temple.
It’s an almost impossible distance to cover on foot.
But we’re wolves.
I say a silent prayer to the Goddess as I adjust the weight of my duffle bag strap on my shoulder and turn to the inn, stepping through the threshold and into the dim light of the tavern, where my trusted few are waiting.
* * *
Hunter Abrams is a slight man, and rather young to be an Alpha. I watch him cut into the steak he’s ordered for dinner, his roughened, scarred hands an unusual sight juxtaposed with his youthful, unmarred face.
He can’t be more than twenty-five, maybe younger. My gaze roves over the scar just visible above the collar of his shirt that stretches at a jagged angle from one side of his neck to the other, like someone had tried to decapitate him, and obviously failed.
Dark brown curls fall over his ears, his hazel eyes downcast as he continues to cut into his steak.
But then he looks up at me, a slight smirk on his face.
“A fight with my brother,” he says, lightly touching his scar.
“Quite the fight,” I muse, picking up my glass of scotch. “Who won?”
“Neither of us,” he replies, leaning back in his chair. “Our mother beat the hell out of us afterwards.” He chuckles softly before forking a piece of steak into his mouth.
Seth leans forward, peering at Hunter before saying, “Why did your brother do that to you? It looks like he was trying to slit your throat–”
“Oh, he was,” he replies in all seriousness. “In his defense, I was trying to kill him as well.”
“Over what, exactly?” I ask, then sip my scotch. It’s fine, the flavor burning down my throat as I swallow.
“I threw one of his books out of our window,” he says with a shrug. Seth and I look at each other, then back at Hunter, who seems totally unfazed. “We were children, and twins. The first born sons of our Alpha father. Rivalry was expected between us.”
This all seems a little extreme, but I say nothing.
“Well, obviously you became the Alpha,” Seth says after a moment.
“I’m two minutes older. It was my title by right,” Hunter says casually. “Elijah didn’t want it anyway, not after we were grown. He has different interests, prefers the intellectual pursuits over ruling a pack and territory.”
I want to meet this Elijah fellow if given the chance, if only to compare the twins. Hunter is roughed, scarred, and has an air about him that makes be believe he will be a strong ally, and a fierce enemy, should this union ever go south.
The Black River pack is so small it’s nearly unknown, and they keep to themselves. I’d never had a reason to call on them for anything before, not until now.
“You’re a mad man for wanting to cross the river,” Hunter muses, setting down his fork and knife.
“It’s not something I want to do,” I reply.
“And not even because of the depth of the river right now,” he continues, giving me a look before turning to Seth. “The river is deadly, yes, but it’s what's on the other side that’s the real danger. It’s… cursed. Death walks through those woods, hides in the grasses. It’s why people leave this territory alone for the most part.”
Seth asks, “What exactly is out there?”
Hunter arches his brows, obviously taking pleasure in the idea of scaring us with whatever lore and myth has been woven about the lands past the river.
“No one knows,” he says in a whisper. “No one who has ever gone there has come back.”
“Great,” Seth says curtly, giving me a look before leaning back in his chair. “This is going smashingly already.”
“We know that someone has gone to the other side and survived long enough to steal something belonging to a temple rumored to be within the depths of the forest,” I say, focusing my attention solely on Hunter. Hunter’s eyes darken, but he says nothing as I continue, “Do you know what I’m alluding to?”
“Yes,” he says levelly. “And I don’t believe you should say anything further about it here.” He glances around at the other tables in the near empty tavern connected to the inn. “People here are deeply superstitious, and the… artifact… in your possession, if we are speaking of the same thing, is rumored to be very… dangerous when used incorrectly.”
“How so?” Seth says quickly, but I hold up my hand to silence him.
“We’ll speak about this after we return from the crossing,” I say, keeping my eyes locked on Hunter’s. A silent understanding passes between us, and for the first time, I feel like I’ve found someone who knows the true nature of the diamond.
Can I trust this Alpha with the knowledge of what its powers did for my mate?
“There’s a rope stretched across the river. That’s the only way to cross. Even when it’s running low, it’s a dangerous endeavor,” Hunter shrugs. “But it’s a risk you have to take, isn’t it?”
“It must be done,” I answer, then drain the rest of my scotch. Seth is looking at Hunter, his mouth twitching like he has something to say… and ask.
I brush the thought of Seth’s odd behavior surrounding the diamond out of my mind, focusing instead on the massive task ahead of us.
“When will you attempt the crossing?” Hunter asks.
“Tomorrow morning, at dawn.”