CHAPTER 13.
The next morning was a nightmare.
I didn’t sleep. Couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Rowan. Lost. Scared. Surrounded by rogues. My heart hadn’t stopped pounding since last night.
Someone hurried in, a note in their hand. “Alpha! They sent this over!”
Kade took it from him, his eyes scanning the note quickly. His jaw set, his fingers crushing the paper.
Fuck!” He swore through gritted teeth.
My heart dropped. I already knew. I could feel it in my bones.
Still, I had to ask. “What does it say?”
Kade’s eyes met mine. “The rogue leader sent a challenge.” His voice was quiet, but I could hear his anger. “He wants to fight.”
A chill ran through me. My throat tightened. “And?”
Kade hesitated for a second.
Tell me!” I cried, panicked.
Then he said it. “He has Rowan.”
The world tilted, the room closing in on me. I couldn’t breathe. I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself.
“He’s lying,” I whispered. “He has to be lying.”
kade’s silence was answer enough.
shook my head. “No. No, we have to go. Right now. Kade, we have to get Rowan.”
“We can’t,” a voice muttered.
turned, my vision blurry. The warriors stood nearby, tense as the eyed Kade and I.
What do you mean we can’t?” My voice rose.
One of them shifted uneasily. “The pack doesn’t want to fight.”
felt like I’d been slapped. “What?”
And
we should leave my son without those rogues? Was that what they wanted?
kade held my shoulders to explain. “Elma was drugged. She’s still unconscious. Without a healer, we don’t stand a chance.”
< CHAPTER 13
I swallowed hard, as I remembered. Elma. The rogues had drugged her when they took Rowan away.
They had planned this. They drugged our only healer. Left us weak.
But I still couldn’t give up. My son was somewhere in their camp. And I needed to get him back. “Then I’ll do it.” I announced. “I’ll be the healer.”
Ha!” Someone laughed.
turned to see Selena smirking, arms crossed. “You? A healer?” She scoffed. “Know your place, Mira.”
I met her gaze without flinching. “I said, I’ll be the healer.”
Her smirk twitched.
Kade stepped forward. “Enough.” His voice was sharp. “We’re going. That’s final.”
R
Selena’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t argue.
I turned away, my hands shaking as I packed medical supplies.
17
We were going to war.
For Rowan.
The preparations were rushed and I barely had time to think. My hands fumbled with a roll of bandages.
swallowed, trying to steady myself.
Suddenly, a warm hand covered mine.
flooked up. Kade.
His golden eyes were softer than usual. “You’re scared.”
Flet out a shaky breath. “Of course I’m scared.” My throat tightened. “Rowan-”
FAB
E
Kade didn’t let me finish. He pulled me into his arms.
Istiffened, my hand subconsciously raising to push him away. Then, slowly, I let myself sink into his warmth. His scent. His steady heartbeat.
it’s going to be okay,” he murmured.
Tears burned my eyes. “You don’t know that.”
I’ll bring him back.” His voice was quiet but firm. “I swear.”
wanted to believe him. Believe that he could save my son and bring him back.
CHAPTER 13
Then he did something unexpected. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes, allowing him.
Inside, I told myself. “Just for a moment.
L
The battlefield was chaos. Roars, growls, and blood.
stayed back with the other helpers, my hands moving quickly, bandaging wounds, handing out strengthening potions. The work was endless. More injured. More blood. The rogues came prepared.
But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Rowan. Somewhere in this chaos, my son was waiting for me.
“Um… you can rest if you want Mira.” someone whispered.
fignored them. None of it mattered. Only one thing did.
“The Alpha is fighting the rogue leader!” a shout came from outside.
My head snapped up at the words as my heart thudded.
“He has the upper hand, another warrior said. “He might win.”
“Thank the goddess‘, I whispered inside.
Then, movement caught my eye. Blonde hair. Selena.
She was sneaking away, slipping into the trees. A bad feeling curled inside me. I hesitated, then quickly followed.
The forest was darker here. Quieter.
Selena moved fast, her steps quick like she had a goal. Where was she going?
Then, I saw it.
Under a tree, there was a small clearing. And there was my Rowan. Tied up. Small. Unconscious.
My breath caught and I moved quicker.
Selena stepped closer, her nails lengthening into claws. What was she doing?!
My stomach twisted
She raised her hand-
And aimed for his chest.
Panic shot through me.
<
CHAPTER 13
I didn’t think. I just moved.
“SELENA!”
