Rem dropped what she had been packing and followed Gally, not sure if this was wise or not. Her back deeply ached, although the healing waters greatly reduced the scabbing.
Rem had alternative goals in mind, other than just seeing Oliver. What if she couldleadsomeone to him? She needed to know where that was, first.
Rem followed Gally through the home and out the back door, cutting through the forest. Breathing deeply, Rem smelled the smoking of meats nearby. It turned out that some shifters liked their meat salted and smoked when served at hearth gatherings.
Despite smelling food, she noticed that no one was nearby. The house was empty and the yard calm. “How did you get me so alone?”
“You can thank Owen. Where Jackson is better at using his claws for diplomacy, Owen is quite liked among many clans. The details aren’t important, but we don’t have a lot of time. This will take at least a few hours.”
“A fewhours?”
“Don’t worry; the Rolland Clan knows you’re gone. They think this has been ordered.” Gally paused when they hit a crossroads on the trail. She chose the right. "One of the benefits with Fiona. People believe her to be a powerful Elder and only that. Everyone is busy dealing with the visit to Scarlet. It’s a good opportunity to sneak away."
Guilt slithered in Rem’s veins and through her heart, having knowledge of such a deep betrayal. She didn’t like being on this side of the metaphorical fence, but then again, did she even owe the shifters anything? This wasn’t her world. These weren’t her people.
And yet, she thought of Nia. What if Nia was as genuine as she appeared, and Rem knew of something that could hurt her Alpha? Which meant her pack? That would surely hurt Nia’s family.
Rem chewed harder on her lip.
Gally added, "While I have you alone, I should add… When you're in Scarlet, there will be opportunities to be alone with Ronan. Use those moments wisely, Rem. The other Silvers will no doubt vie for him. Do not waste any opportunity with him, for your brother. We didn’t know you’d be leaving this quickly…"
"I mean, surely there’s some kind of leeway here?”
“No. Fiona won’t allow it.”
Rem groaned. “I still don't understand what's going to happen in the long run," Rem stated, anxiety like barbed wire in her veins. "If Ronan chooses me, do I just take this all to my grave? Does Oliver just pretend like this never happened?"
Gally sighed, ducking underneath an overgrown branch, Rem mimicking her.
The she-wolf said, "Don't trouble yourself with that. Just know that your brother's life is ensured as long as you succeed, alright?"
Rem didn’t respond. Gally stopped and faced her, raising a brow. "Do you understand?"
"I don't see why you act so concerned. It makes me trust you less, to be truthful.”
Gally’s jaw clenched, shadows moving over her face as the leaves moved with the breeze. "There's too much history that I cannot share, but trust me, Rem. Doeverythingyou can, and in the long-run, Oliver will live. I cannot guarantee anything else."
The she-wolf's eyes bore into Rem's, as if to hint at a deeper meaning. Rem furrowed her brows.Has Fiona bewitched her, too?
It was enough to make her drop it.
“Can you tell me about Scarlet Howl?” Rem asked as they began to walk once more, moving on from the intense subject. "Nia left fairly shortly after to get ready for the journey. I didn't get to ask much."
“Yes… I suppose. They're an alliance. There are ten packs in total in this region, all with three to six hundred shifters in them. We don’t normally make packs or alliances in such large numbers, but we found it is better when facing humans as an enemy, which is why we all organized in the Scarlet Alliance, with Enola and Calder in charge of us all. It's symbolic, but the Sovereigns have substantial influence, claiming their role is protected by the goddess Æris."
Rem twiddled her thumbs, breathing heavily as she tried to filter that information. No pressure about going to a holy location, right? Especially if she was beingrequestedby a pack that ruled over the others?That rules over Ronan, it sounds like.
"Deacon will join you, as well. To Scarlet."
"Why?" Rem grumbled.
"To keep an eye on you with the Callon’s interest."
Rem glared at the back of Gally's blonde head, unable to escape the Callons. Just when reprieve seemed to clear her shadows, one of them was trailing her.
Once at a clearing, Rem spotted Jackson. Her eyes widened as she took in the damage that Ronan did—cloth strips layered over Jackson’s left eye, wrapping around his head. Even his throat was bandaged, the flesh red and angry.
“What happened to him?” Rem quietly asked to Gally.
