“The territory doesn’t just seal itself,” I grumbled as we both started down the mountain.
“You shouldn’t have asked her for a sign,” he bit back. “She’s a tenacious bitch at the best of times.”
The ground rumbled beneath us, and I shot him a look of disbelief. “I’m going to die on this ridge because Luna finally decided to kick your ass for your insolence, fucking asshole,” I yelled at him.
“You know I hate to be lonely,” he said with a grin as the two of us picked up our pace as the stones started to shudder. He looked over his shoulder. “Ah fuck, Wolfe,run.”
I didn’t question, Ifeltit. Landslide.
We shifted and raced down the mountain as the mountain itself raced after us. It stopped halfway, but we didn’t; both of ushad the wind at our tails and recklessness in our hearts. I heard Her laughter as we ran, and my wolf reveled in it.
The Goddess was with me.
At the bottom, I turned in a pivot and looked up towards the peak. Towards where the full moon sat heavy and fat just above the peaks, it looked like the mountain itself was holding it aloft.
I dipped my head in acknowledgment, and I felt Diesel do the same beside me, his wolf bowing low.
Luna is happy with her alpha, he told me, pride in his voice.
I turned from the mountain towards the Hollow.Tell me everything.
We reached the Hollow mid-morning and kept walking to the western edge. Diesel and I walked over the territory, and at some point, I felt Brand flank me on the other side, both alert, both watching.
We reached the edge of the territory, and Diesel and I shifted, taking the pants that Brand handed us both.
I turned just as Killian appeared out of the trees, Cody and Thalia just behind him. I looked past them as Rowen stepped out, hair off her face, eyes alert.
No fanfare. No hesitation.
She moved like she owned the damn mountain.
And maybe she did.
She wore black combat pants, a leather jacket, and hair braided tightly. No makeup. No smile. Just that sharp, unreadable stare as her boots hit the ground.
I didn’t move.
Neither did she.
The space between us cracked with tension, but I held it. Heldher. Let her come to me on her terms, but not without knowing I’d called her for a reason.
She stopped a few feet away. “What is that?” She looked around her. “What am I feeling?”
Killian was looking between me and Diesel. “Another barrier?”
Rowen looked at the space between us, her eyes wide. “How?”
“We’re going to figure that out,” Diesel said with a shrug.
She didn’t blink. “Wolfe?”
“Princess.”
Behind her, the rest of Stonefang gathered—and I felt a few shifters come up behind us, drawn by the scent of her, by the shift in the air that always seemed to follow when she and I were in the same place at the same time.
She glanced around. “We can cross?”
I nodded. “Only the ones I trust.” Killian was already walking over the territory boundary, and my alpha power swelled as my beta stood at my side. He embraced me warmly.
