“Remember how I asked you over a month ago if you thought Kaylee and I could reclaim Oak Fur, and you said ‘maybe’?” I ask my friend, turning to give him an amused smile. “Has your answer changed since then?”
Simon chuckles at my question, his eyes turning to watch Kaylee. Even while pregnant, she emanates the power of a strong leader, a leader I would have never had by my side if I’d married Marilyn like Ramos wanted.
“It has,” Simon answers quietly, his eyes softening as Evette joins Kaylee with a few omegas trained in first aid care. “I believe that by the end of tonight, Kaylee and you will have successfully reclaimed Oak Fur.”
I smile at this, remembering how annoyed Simon had been. He’d thought I would be the one to leak information about Kaylee. No one had thought Ramos would be bold enough to send a spy just because of rumors spreading that Kaylee and I were in Ivory Fangs after rescuing her from Shadow Moon’s clutches. If it weren’t for Ramos being so paranoid, Kaylee and I would still be in Ivory Fangs planning for our pup and helping my aunt and uncle take care of the pack.
“I’m still mad you woke me up for that conversation, but also glad you did. You stuck to your word and made Kaylee an alphaalongside you,” Simon says with a chuckle, patting my shoulder. “The old Lucas would never have done that. You would have kept Kaylee under you as a Luna and she would have never become the woman she is now.”
“You’re right.” I agree, turning away from watching Kaylee and grabbing my own mask from the box on the stump beside me. “The old me would have looked down on Kaylee for being a woman. Rejecting her was the shittiest thing I could ever do, but it was also the thing that made us become stronger.”
Simon makes a noise of agreement, and we watch and wait. He will go with a few other wolves to the north side of Oak Fur, sneaking in through the stream there. Kaylee, Titus, Ash, and I will cut through the pack from here, passing by the stream with the willow tree we used to hide under as pups, as this route is the quickest to the packhouse. We’re just waiting for Kaylee to finish organizing the wolves.
“Simon, are you ready?” My aunt comes to our side, her hair braided back out of her way and her mask covering the lower half of her face. The same gray eyes as mine stare at the two of us, an edge to them that I have only seen once—the same knife-like gaze she gave me when I rejected Kaylee. It seems my aunt has fully accepted the battle ahead and is ready to kill.
“Yeah, I am. Will wolves be guarding Evette and her team?” Simon asks. I can tell he’s worried about his mate. This is the first time she’s left her pack, having grown up in Silver Paw.
“Yes. Eddison and his men are staying back to keep an eye on Hale and his family, as well as Evette and the omegas helping in the medical team,” Aunt Amelia states, nodding her headtowards the waiting van. “Now, we must go if we want this operation to run smoothly.”
Simon and I wish each other luck before he and my aunt disappear into the van. By now, the wolves in the clearing had nearly all gone, and only a few groups starting this operation on our territory were left. Titus and Kaylee were waiting quietly, their eyes on the sky as they watched the moon climb higher with each passing second. Ash hugged Devon, whispering something into his mate’s ear before watching Devon climb into a van.
Walking towards my friend, I place my hand on his shoulder and watch the sadness in his eyes slowly flicker away.
“I told Devon to wait an hour away. I don’t want him caught by Ramos’ men after just healing from the injuries Marco gave him,” Ash whispers quietly.
“Trust me, I would have Kaylee do the same thing if she would let me,” I state, getting a laugh out of him.
“You and I both know she would kick your ass again if you tried,” Ash counters, snorting.
“That she would,” I agree.
“Has Royce gone with Amelia and David?”
“Yes. Simon is with them,” I state, and we turn away from the entrance of the clearing and make our way to Kaylee and Titus.
“Two minutes,” I hear Kaylee mutter, covering her face with her own mask. I sigh, stepping forward and taking her hand in mine.
“We will win this,” I promise her, kissing the back of her hand.
“I know,” she says, her eyes twinkling under the moonlight. “It’s either that or everyone we love dies.”
67
Kaylee
Stepping closer to the border, the ancient magic that keeps Oak Fur hidden from human eyes reaches out towards me. The familiar hum is warm and welcoming, as if the ancient land could feel Lucas and me close by.
“It’s calling us,” Lucas says, his gray eyes glowing. “Calling for Kaylee and I.”
“How can you tell?” Titus asks, letting out a shaky breath as he does so.
It’s because of his powers, I think to myself. Lucas is right, though—the land is calling to me, beckoning me to step inside and save it. I know Lucas, too, can feel the pull, feel the magic calling out for us in a way that just doesn’t make sense. It never did this when we were growing up, never called for us to help it. Why now?
“I just know. I can feel it,” Lucas answers Titus, taking a deep breath and placing his hand against the border. A silver light glows faintly against his hand, and Lucas’ eyes turn from gray to that same silver. Ash and Titus watch on in awe, and I make a mental note to call Kurt and ask him about this before refocusing on the task at hand.
“It’s time,” I call out, looking up to the sky to see the crescent moon directly above us. Midnight has come.
With everyone’s mask on, we slink past the border easily, feeling no resistance from the magic. It’s as if the Goddess herself is condoning this mission, and for that, I am grateful. Lucas and I take the lead while Titus keeps his link open, relaying information about wolves intercepted on patrol by other groups.
