Chapter 6: Recruit Blackwood

Wren

"Recruit Blackwood?"

I looked up as a broad-shouldered man in a dark military uniform stepped out of the vehicle waiting near Hawthorne Pack's border.

"That's me."

He examined the identification on his tablet before extending his hand. "Sergeant Mercer, Royal Army Transportation Division. I'll need to verify your documents before we depart."

I handed over my identification and enlistment confirmation.

He glanced between them. "Wren Ashford?"

"Blackwood," I corrected. "Ashford is my biological family's surname. I registered under my grandfather's name."

Mercer examined his records before nodding. "Everything matches. Welcome to the Royal Army, Recruit Blackwood."

My chest tightened.

Five years ago, I'd been so excited to become Wren Ashford. I'd believed that sharing Adrian's surname meant I finally belonged somewhere.

Instead, I'd spent five years watching my brother treat Elodie like his only sister.

Now I was taking back the name of the man who'd actually raised me.

Grandpa had always called me his little bird, insisting I'd eventually find somewhere I could spread my wings.

I hoped he was right.

"Is that all your luggage?" Mercer asked.

I glanced at my suitcase and small travel bag.

"Yes, sir."

He looked briefly surprised but didn't comment. "Then climb aboard. We've got another recruit to collect before heading to Ironhold Garrison."

I settled beside the window.

As the vehicle pulled away, I watched the familiar border gates disappear behind us.

I'd imagined leaving Hawthorne Pack hundreds of times.

Sometimes, after particularly cruel arguments, I'd pictured Adrian realizing he'd made a mistake and begging me to come home.

Other times, I'd imagined Silas finally choosing me over Elodie. But neither had happened.

And eventually, I'd stopped believing they ever would.

My phone vibrated.

A message from Silas appeared.

You've made your point, sweetheart. Stop sulking and come apologize before Adrian gets even angrier.

I stared at the words.

Even now, he assumed I was somewhere in the packhouse, waiting for someone to notice me.

I remembered the first time Silas had called me sweetheart. I'd been thirteen, nervous about meeting my biological family, and he'd promised to help me feel welcome.

Back then, I'd thought having a mate meant I'd never have to feel alone again... How wrong I'd been.

I silenced my phone and slipped it into my bag.

For once, I didn't owe Silas an explanation.

Nearly an hour later, Mercer stopped outside a neighboring pack's administrative building.

He'd barely stepped out when a young woman came rushing down the stairs, dragging a suitcase behind her.

She had curly auburn hair, bright green eyes, and an oversized bag bouncing against her hip.

"I'm coming! Please don't leave without me!"

Mercer crossed his arms. "Recruit Fenwick, you're twenty minutes late."

"I know! I'm so sorry, but my father decided this was the perfect time to lecture me about ruining my future."

She stopped to catch her breath. "Apparently, joining the military is going to destroy my chances of finding a respectable husband."

Mercer sighed. "Get in the vehicle."

"Yes, Sergeant!"

She climbed inside, nearly hitting herself with her enormous bag. "Oh! Hi!"

"Hi."

"I'm Liora Fenwick."

"Wren Blackwood."

Her face brightened. "Oh, thank the Goddess! Another recruit! I was terrified I'd have to spend the entire journey listening to Sergeant Mercer complain about his schedule."

"I can hear you, Fenwick," Mercer called.

Liora winced. "Sorry, Sergeant!" She leaned closer. "He's terrifying."

I couldn't help smiling.

Within twenty minutes, I'd learned that Liora was eighteen, had three younger brothers, and came from a wealthy Beta family.

"My father had my entire life planned out," she explained, opening a packet of crackers. "Marriage, children, formal dinners, and apparently a lifetime of smiling politely at people I can't stand."

"That sounds exhausting."

"Oh, it gets worse. He already chose a husband for me."

"Seriously?"

"Twenty-six years old. Warrior from an allied pack. Owns six expensive horses and thinks women shouldn't argue with men."

I grimaced. "How charming."

"Isn't he? I nearly proposed on the spot."

I laughed before I could stop myself.

Liora grinned. "There we go! I was beginning to think you didn't know how to smile."

My expression faltered. "Sorry."

She tilted her head. "Why are you apologizing?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

I wasn't entirely sure.

At the packhouse, I'd learned that laughing at the wrong moment, speaking too loudly, or drawing attention to myself usually earned a lecture about proper manners.

"Never mind," Liora said gently. "So, what division are you joining?"

"Combat."

She nearly choked on her cracker. "Combat? Really?"

I nodded. "Wow! What's your wolf like?"

"I don't have one."

She stared. "You're wolfless?"

"Yes."

I waited for the familiar look of disgust.

Instead, Liora leaned forward excitedly. "You're telling me you got accepted into the Royal Army's combat division without an awakened wolf?"

"Apparently."

"That's incredible!"

I blinked. "You're not bothered?"

"Why would I be? My cousin has been trying to get accepted for three years, and his wolf is enormous! You must be an amazing fighter."

Warmth spread through my chest.

I'd spent five years listening to people describe me as defective, weak, and unworthy of my Alpha bloodline.

Now a Beta's daughter was looking at me like I'd accomplished something extraordinary.

"Grandpa trained me," I explained. "He was a soldier."

"Then he must've been an excellent teacher."

I looked down. "He was."

Liora noticed my expression. "Was?"

I hesitated.

"He disappeared shortly after my biological family found me. Adrian told me he'd died, but I never saw a body. He wouldn't even tell me where Grandpa was buried."

Liora's smile faded. "That's horrible."

"I don't believe he's dead," I admitted. "Grandpa wouldn't just disappear without telling me."

"Have you tried looking for him?"

"Everywhere I could. But I was thirteen when he vanished, and Adrian refused to help."

I glanced toward the dark countryside passing outside.

"Grandpa served in the military for years. I'm hoping someone in the Royal Army might remember him. Maybe there are service records or people who know where he went."

"Well, we're going to be surrounded by soldiers," Liora said. "That sounds like a good place to start."

I looked at her. "We?"

"Obviously! You don't think I'm going to let my new friend investigate a mysterious disappearance all by herself, do you?"

My throat tightened unexpectedly.

We'd only just met, yet she was offering to help me with something my own family had dismissed for years.

"Thank you, Liora."

She smiled. "You're welcome. Besides, I've always wanted to solve a mystery."

Several hours later, Liora had finally fallen asleep, her head resting against her oversized bag.

I carefully opened my suitcase and retrieved the cloth containing Grandpa's broken carving knife.

The wooden handle was badly damaged.

I remembered Adrian telling me he could simply buy another one. He'd never understood that its value wasn't something money could replace.

I ran my thumb along the split wood.

"I'll find a way to fix you," I whispered.

Something caught against my fingertip.

I frowned.

There was a small piece of metal embedded inside the handle.

I'd never noticed it before.

Carefully separating the damaged wood, I discovered a narrow metal strip bearing a strange engraved symbol.

A crescent moon surrounded by seven tiny stars, with a sword running through the center.

My breath caught.

Why would Grandpa hide something inside my knife?

"Where did you get that?"

I startled.

Liora was awake, staring at the metal in my hand.

"It was hidden inside Grandpa's knife."

She leaned closer. "Can I see?"

I hesitated before handing it over.

Her expression changed as she examined the engraving.

"That's strange."

"What?"

"I've seen this symbol before."

My heart began pounding. "Where?"

"My father collects old military history books. There was one he never liked me reading because he said most of the stories were nonsense."

She turned the metal toward the dim overhead light. "I remember this symbol because the illustration was really unusual."

"What does it mean?"

Liora looked toward Mercer, who was concentrating on the road ahead. Then she lowered her voice.

"It's the insignia of an elite military unit that supposedly disappeared decades ago."

A chill traveled down my spine. "What unit?"

Liora handed the metal back to me. "The Nightwardens."