Chapter 14 AURORA

I swallowed, feeling his claws press against the soft skin of my belly, pricking the skin beneath my shirt. Trajan moved to attack Dane, but I shook my head. I could handle this. “Honor,” I said. Dane didn’t move. I looked up into his eyes. “The High Alpine Pack has been watching you for years. You have impressed them. You’re one of the most honorable wolves they’ve seen, according to my grandmother.” Dane bared his teeth. “Honorable? Is that what you’d call how I treated you?” Rage flashed through me. I didn’t care about his claws. “No,” I growled. “But in every other aspect of your life, my grandmother believes you are. So, either kill me like you always said you would, or let me go.”

He stared at me for a long time, then drew back his clawed hand. I smirked. “Wise. I am also the only person who can translate this journal.” We weren’t sure why, but where others saw ink symbols on paper, I saw…concepts. Words, sometimes. I couldn’t do much at a time. In fact, I still hadn’t been able to read the whole thing. It only showed itself to me in pieces, but I had gotten through a lot of it.” “Then items in this safe are incredibly important, and so are you. You should have more protection here than just one wolf.” He looked over his shoulder at Trajan, but otherwise didn’t move–he still blocked me in against the wall with his body. Being this close to him, being able to breathe his scent, to feel his warmth, it was too much. That, plus the change of subject, left me unable to think of what to say. “I…why?” “Two wolves walked onto your land tonight,” he repeated what he’d said earlier. He studied my face, and it was like I could see the thoughts forming in his mind. “No,” I said before he could speak. I knew what he was going to say. The smallest smile curved one corner of his mouth. “Yes. In fact, it’s a requirement. If we want to work together–and yes, Ms. DeVere, Blue Ridge does very much want to work with you to find this great power your pack has promised is hidden on our land–then you’ll accept our protection.” He pushed away from the wall. “Six wolves. They’ll be here tomorrow. Be ready for them. There should be plenty of room in this huge, empty mansion.”

Dane left. I clenched my hands into fists. “Arrogant bastard!” Trajan chuckled, then his face went serious. “He’s right, though. We didn’t expect this kind of threat.” “That’s because I thought he would kill the Reeds after I was gone!” I said, shoving away from the wall and running my hands through my hair. Dane’s scent lingered. The way it made heat slide down into my core just made me angrier. “You’re enough protection, Trajan. I don’t want his wolves.” My bodyguard shook his head. “I can’t be everywhere all the time. I can’t stay awake twenty-four hours a day. I don’t like him any more than you do, but in this case…I think we need to accept his help.” I snarled and wanted to throw things. Break things. But I didn’t. I had more control like that. Aurora DeVere was always in control. I closed my eyes and took a breath. “Fine. But we have to be careful. Whatever we do, he can never find out about the twins, or not even you will be able to save me.” I woke to a knock on the door. I got up and got dressed. By the group of people. A young woman with dark hair and brown eyes waved at me. “Hi An–I mean, Aurora.” My heart nearly dropped out of my chest. Dane hadn’t sent just anyone. He’d sent his own sister. “Piper?” I shook my head. “What are you doing here? You’re one of his best.” Dane’s younger sister smiled. “Top ranked warrior, actually. Right below his beta, Archer.” Holy shit. “Why?” I hadn’t meant to ask out loud, but the word popped out of my mouth anyway. I knew why. This project was vital to both of us. When we found the relic on his land that was described in my mother’s journal, our packs would be the strongest in the world. More than that, we’d be the founders of a golden age of magic. But Piper answered anyway. “He’s worried. He said your pack didn’t send anyone with you.” That was only sort of the truth. The truth was, High Alpine was tangled in several of its own pack feuds, and no other warriors could be spared. Trajan came because he was my friend and guardian outside of the High Alpine pack. A former mercenary and rogue, I had saved his life while I was pregnant. He’d sworn the rest of his life to protecting me. He was my family more than anyone except my own children. Besides Piper, most of the wolves Dane sent were older, grizzled veterans–four women, including Piper, and two men. I recognized them as some of his best. I sighed, knowing certain aspects of my life would be more difficult with Blue Ridge wolves around, but even more afraid of another unannounced visit from any of my former family. Just then, my phone rang. It was my grandmother, the Luna of High Alpine. I excused myself from Piper and hurried upstairs. “Grandmother. How can I help you?” I asked. The old woman had her jaw set. She was always dignified, always in control. But there was something out of control about her today. She barked into the phone, “Something has happened. The twins are gone, and so is your cousin Evander!”