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“How so?” I asked, curious.
I knew nothing of fighting. Though two of my mates were Enforcers, I’d never seen them in training or combat.
“Valor told us the Silver Fang Alpha’s wolf is almost feral. He has the strength and speed of three wolves and a blood lust that makes him a ticking time bomb on the battlefield,” Brielle said, looking pleased.
That sounded horrifying.
“He’s also as paranoid as Alpha Wynn, so his wolves are practically mercenaries,” Blythe said, nearly bouncing out of her seat.
The thought of cutting down enemies satisfied the sisters.
I’d never noticed it before, but Brielle and Blythe were . . . vicious.
Strangely, I liked it.
“It sounds like we’ll be in an even better position after today’s meeting,” I said, hoping they couldn’t detect my forced positivity.
“Yup. The quicker we get rid of Blood Moon, the sooner we’ll only have the witches to worry about,” Brielle said.
Brielle told us that Shiloh had identified the captured witches, confirming the Council’s involvement in the attack on our pack. Via their dark magic allies, they attempted to manipulate us into either seeking their protection or engaging in warfare with Blood Moon. From what I’d heard, they couldn’t force our hand or discredit us publicly, so they had resorted to deceitful, cruel methods, preying on the pack’s vulnerabilities.
For me, it wasn’t about Blood Moon’s barbaric customs or the Council’s power plays. It was about the guilt gnawing at my insides. If I had never stumbled across Hidden Creek’s border, two pack members wouldn’t be missing. It was my fault the threat of war loomed over them.
I was to blame for the misfortune befalling the Hidden Creek pack—no matter how gracious they were by telling me I wasn’t.
“Enough war talk,” Brielle said. “When are you going to decide where you want to station yourself permanently? People are talking about all the good you’re doing for the elders.”
My first genuine smile of the day tugged at my lips. “Well, there’s no official position for it, so . . .” I lifted a shoulder, letting my words fall away.
“Why don’t you talk to the Alpha? I’m sure he could create an official position for you,” Blythe said.
“That’s a great idea. We need someone to pay more attention and ensure they don’t slip through the cracks,” Brielle said.
“I’ll ask once everything settles down,” I said. “Alpha Wynn is already dealing with too much; I don’t want to bother him right now.”
We moved on to lighter topics, and I spent the afternoon attempting to forget my worries. As the sun began to set and I prepared to head home, an uneasy feeling settled over me. I couldn’t shake the suspicion that something was off. I ignored it and said my goodbyes to Brielle and Blythe before waiting for Gentry on the porch.
I breathed in the cool evening air as the sky transitioned from light blue to a purple and navy swirl. Most pack members were already inside, adhering to the new rules. I should have called and asked Gentry to pick me up earlier, but I got carried away while talking about the impending birth of the Alpha’s pup. Isolde was ready to burst, and pack members were making bets on how many weeks she had left.
A sound caught my attention. It was low and curious, slithering across my skin like a caress. The wind picked up, and a chill danced down my spine. Part of my brain lit up, and my wolf growled beneath my skin.
Her resistance reverberated through my head, pounding against the fog that built a barricade between the two halves of my mind.
This wasn’t normal or natural. A smooth voice spilled through my mind—bright, cheerful, and comforting. My heart raced as broken fragments of my memory pieced together.
It was my mother’s voice. Flashes of my life from long ago—barely more than a dream—constructed a pixelated version of her face behind my eyelids.
I knew it was her, even though I could scarcely remember.
Logic told me she’d been dead for years, even as the voice pulled at my heartstrings.
Come, my sunlight. I’ve been waiting for you.
The melody became tangible, like the hand of a parent guiding a stubborn child. My legs moved without command, changing course and heading into the trees.
My head ached, and my wolf’s growls grew muted.
Quickly, Myla. I’ve missed you, the voice said.
