Wren POV
The twins cling to Jasmine's fur as she races for the portal. I can see the shimmering light up ahead, but the sound of the fae guards is closing in. They are faster than I expected, and she is barely staying out of reach. Her golden fur does little to camouflage her against the shadows of the forest. She might as well be waving a giant light in their direction.
There will be lycan warriors guarding the portal. I have no idea how I will get around them, but it is too late for me to stop now. I have to get the children out of the Immortal Realm.
As I approach the portal, I see the lycan guards are lying on the ground. Their chests rise and fall; they aren't dead, but they are knocked out. Someone is working on our side, but I don't have time to question it.
I leap through the portal, knowing the fae guards will not chase after me. Lycans may have, but not the Fae. The step through the portal is too painful. Their wings turn to ash behind them, and magic drains from their bodies.
Veyra whimpers, and I know the lack of magic in the Human Realm is affecting her. Coren's fingers tighten in Jasmine's fur, but he doesn't cry out like his sister. I want to beg Jasmine to stop, so I can console them, but there is no time. We need to get away from here.
As I race away from the portal, three wolves flank my sides. Mom's wolf, Rose, glances at me before running beside me. I don't know if she is on my side or Macy's, so I refuse to slow my pace. None of my parents try to cut me off or force me to stop. It is like they are providing me with protection.
'What is the plan?' Dad asks through our mind link.
'To keep them together until they are old enough to understand,' I reply. 'I need a place to hide.'
Father groans. 'For twelve years?'
'If you aren't going to be supportive, you can go home,' I snap at him.
Mom takes the lead. 'Follow me.'
We run for days. Just the six of us. I have given up hope that Charlie and Destin will find us. Charlie promised he would find me, but I am sure Macy has taken them prisoner for my actions.
We don't dare to stop in towns or cities. Instead, we camp in the woods. We take turns hunting, sleeping, and carrying the twins. My parents don't ask questions. We don't share information between each other. It is better that way. The less we know, the harder it will be for Macy to find us.
This is the first morning we have all shifted back together. Veyra is sleeping in Dad's arms, and Mom is holding Coren. Over the past week, they have grown to love the twins as much as I do, and I know they would do anything to protect them.
"The Mexico border is just beyond those trees," Mom whispers. "This is as far as we can take you."
"Oh."
"You will be alone until your mates find you," she continues. "Are you sure you want to do this on your own?"
I laugh awkwardly. "I had hoped you were coming with me."
Father tugs on my braid before handing me a backpack. "Werewolves are beginning to notice our absence. We have to return."
I nod, opening the backpack they have been so cryptic about. It is filled with clothes and money. I zip it shut quickly and wipe away my tears. "Thank you."
Dad shifts Veyra in his arms. "Some packs will be on your side. You just have to figure out which ones."
"No," I choke. "We will live among the humans."
Mom sighs. She doesn't agree with my choice, and it isn't hard to see why. While the twins wings have faded from their backs, the black swirls on their skin have not. Those, along with their pointed ears, are a dead giveaway that they don't belong in this realm. But I don't care. Living among the packs is dangerous.
"How will I reach you?" I ask.
Father gets to his feet. "I think you know the answer."
I throw myself into his arms. I do know the answer. He holds me close to his chest and places a little kiss on my forehead. I try not to cry, but I am failing miserably.
Coren yawns, stretching his arms open wide. "Why are you crying, Birdie?"
"It is okay," I assure him. "I am just saying goodbye."
Coren climbs out of Mom's lap, allowing her to hug me. "You have always been too pure for this world. This is truly nobel."
When it is Dad's turn, he can't look me in the eyes. He has never been good at goodbyes. He presses a kiss against my cheek before handing me Veyra. "Be safe."
We watch in silence as my parents shift into their wolves and run in the opposite direction. My chest feels heavy, and I have to fight against the cries in my throat. Veyra tugs on my shirt, gaining my attention. "Where are we going?"
I help Coren place the backpack over his shoulders. "We are going on an adventure."
Veyra's nose wrinkles. "Where are Destin and Charlie?"
"They will come," I tell her, but I am not sure if I believe myself.
She smiles brightly. "Will they bring our mistlings?"
I laugh at the thought of Charlie and Destin trying to conceal a pair of mistlings across America. "I am not making any promises."
She places her hands on her hips and pouts, but when I tickle her sides, she quickly forgets why she is angry.
"Are you ready for an adventure?"
The twins jump up and down with excitement. I hand Veyra my shirt before letting Jasmine take over. Lowering herself to the ground, the twins climb onto her back. Jasmine is ready. From the moment she claimed the twins as hers, she cared for them more than our mates. But I am scared. What if I can't do this on my own? What if I fail?