Violet
The next few days passed by quickly.
It didn’t take long for to beco aware I was in the Alpha’s lodge of this pack. His daughter and mother, oddly enough, treated with cautious respect. And before long, they ward up to and made feel welco while I spent most of my ti resting and recovering.
And with each night, I found myself staring out into the woods in the distance as I felt that pull in my chest urging forward, as if sothing was calling out to .
Soon.
I would follow it soon.
On the eighth day, I sensed them arriving before I saw them. And so of them were quite familiar.
I was about to leave my room when Kael suddenly ca in. My heart leaped into my throat as he closed the door behind him.
He stood near the closed entrance and for a mont, we just stared at each other.
He looked exhausted, and his usually put together appearance was slightly dishevelled. His chin was dotted with stubble, and his hair looked like he had been running his hands through it repeatedly.
Even when his eyes lit up in front of , it hurt to see him this way.
Especially when I knew it was because of .
"Violet," he breathed.
Before I could respond, before I could even think, I was moving. My feet carried across the room and then I was in his arms, my face pressed against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent.
His arms ca around imdiately, crushing against him with a desperate strength that nearly stole my breath.
"You’re here," I whispered against his shirt.
I was almost worried he wouldn’t co soon enough.
"Of course I ca."
I pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Is everything..."
His thumb brushed across my cheekbone, and I saw sothing flicker in his eyes. Pain. Longing.
"Kael..." I started, but he shook his head.
"Things have cald down a bit, but it’s still... ssy." His eyes drifted to the side, a worrying look in them before he turned to again. "I can’t stay here for long before they notice I am planning sothing." He took my hand. "Co."
He led to the entry lobby of the lodge where I found the most unexpected wolves he had actually put together.
"They will be going with you."
Corin, Ana, and another slightly muscular female wolf I didn’t recognise were seated on the cushioned chairs. They imdiately stood up, and the female wolf was one of the first to offer a greeting.
She was tall, with sharp features and watchful brown eyes, and she looked older than the rest of us.
"This is Corin, Ana, and Bei," Kael introduced them. "I am sure you have t the first two."
"Yes, we have t," I answered, giving them a small smile.
Ana and Bei smiled while a faint shy expression crept over Corin’s face to my surprise.
I still didn’t entirely feel comfortable. Was this necessary?
"Thank you. But I really don’t think I can take you all risking your lives—"
Kael turned to look at , shocked and just as he was about to cut off, soone else beat to it.
"I owe you a life debt," Corin spoke up. While his face had softened, the intensity in his eyes remained. "And I don’t take it lightly. I swear on everything I am. I will protect you with my life as your safety is now my purpose."
I stared at him, eyes wide, not believing what I was hearing.
Ana faintly smiled. "I agreed to this, and I am also willing to do all I can to ensure you remain safe."
Bei smiled with a relaxed nod. "It is an honour to serve, my Lady."
"They are very skilled," Kael spoke up. "Corin can mask your presence, along with that of the others. Ana has a wide range of skills, and Bei is one of my best trackers and navigators. All in all, they are very skilled and experienced fighters."
I looked at Kael, my chest tightening before I looked back at them. "I... thank you. For this."
"I hope you don’t mind," Kael said quietly, his eyes never leaving mine. "But this is the only way I can agree to this."
The weight of what he was doing settled over , along with how the lives of three others were now tied to mine.
The responsibility of it was staggering, and for the first ti, I was beginning to truly acknowledge just how dangerous this would be.
Regardless of if they were willing or not, I now had others to worry about.
"I understand," I said softly.
Kael cleared his throat. "Your things are ready. I brought them from the capital, along with every other thing you would need for the journey."
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
Then Kael stepped toward , and held my hand to pull back deeper into the lodge. We had barely gotten into the room I was staying when his hand cupped the back of my neck and he pulled into a kiss.
It lasted only for a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. "I’ll co find you," he whispered, his voice rough. "When things have settled. And when I have worked with the others to try and resolve this. I promise, Violet. I will find you."
My stomach tightened and I took his hand in mine. "I will miss you."
His lips spread in a pained smile. "I am already missing you and you’ve not even left yet." His smile faltered and he cleared his throat. "Corin’s special ability is very useful. He can mask your presence completely. Fully utilise him. Stay hidden even as you head towards where you are going. And please..." His voice cracked slightly. "Please, be safe."
I nodded, my eyes beginning to sting.
"I will."
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