Chapter eight

The sun was setting by the time I got ready to meet Aidrac at the healing den. Vira and her friend Astrid were in the living room, so engrossed in their conversation I was sure they wouldn’t notice me leaving. But just as I reached for the door handle, Vira said,

“Where are you going?”

“The healing den… to see Dexter.”

Which wasn’t entirely false. I was going to see him… and meet Aidrac.

“Can I come with you?” Astrid asked.

“Do you even know him?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Not personally,” she said, “but Vira told me he was hurt badly, and I’d like to see.”

I snapped.

“He’s not a spectacle!”

“I know…” Astrid muttered, heat rising in her cheeks.

“He’s dying. Did she tell you that part?” I burst out. “He’s dying and you're fascinated to see him?”

“Rhea, she didn’t mean—” Vira began, but I was already out the door, slamming it behind me.

I stomped through the woods, still fuming at Vira and Astrid. The area was restricted now, but I slipped deeper in anyway, moving fast to avoid the patrols.

I still didn’t know why Aidrac wanted to talk to me, but I was eager to find out.

I’d just passed the last of the soldiers, deeper into the trees and closer to the den, when I heard it:

“IT IS NOT JUST YOU THEY SEEK TO BREAK.”

It was a whisper, but it echoed through my skull.

I spun around, no one there.

“Who said that?” I yelled.

No response.

Okay. I was losing it. Had to be. I started walking again.

Then came the voice again:

“IT IS NOT JUST YOU THEY SEEK TO BREAK, BUT THE ONES WHO TETHER YOU TO LIFE.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I looked around again. Nothing.

“Who are you?” I whispered, heart pounding.

“THEY WILL FALL, ONE BY ONE.”

“Come out and talk to me!”

“AND YOU WILL WATCH—HELPLESS. CURSED. BROKEN.”

I ran.

I didn’t stop to look back until I reached the healing den. Aidrac wasn’t there yet. Just Dexter, unconscious, and the healers.

I knelt beside him and took his hand. Still the same. Terribly injured. Barely breathing.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, though I knew he couldn’t hear me. And even if he could,

sorry wouldn't fix anything.

What is happening?

First, the dream. Then the attack. Now I’m hearing voices.

I must be going insane.

“Rhea.”

I turned to see Aidrac.

“Hey,” I said, voice tight. His eyes flicked to Dexter.

“Will he be okay?” he asked.

“I hope so.”

“This is insane. They pretty much tore him open.” he said.

“Yes,” I said bitterly. “And it’s my fault.”

“Hey,” he said, kneeling beside me. “It’s not your fault. If you didn’t run for help, they probably would’ve killed both of you.”

“I know. But I could’ve tried harder. I could’ve avoided it” My voice cracked, eyes brimming with tears.

Aidrac frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I had dreams about it.”

His eyes widened. His mouth opened but no words.

“So Dexter’s mom was right?”

I nodded.

I braced myself. Waited for him to draw back. Call me cursed.

But instead… he leaned closer and took my hand in his.

“It’s okay,” he said gently.

I started crying. Not loudly. Just silent, overwhelmed tears. I didn’t even know if it was guilt or gratitude. Maybe both.

I wiped them quickly on my sleeve, suddenly self-conscious.

“Have you had any other dreams since then?” he asked.

“No,” I shook my head. “Why?”

“My father left for the Valeblood pack this morning. With your father and some soldiers. The sun’s down. They’re not back yet.”

I froze.

They were supposed to be back by now.

“Unless…” I began.

“Unless something bad has happened to them,” Aidrac finished.

Oh God.

“We might be wrong, of course,” he added.

“But we might also be right!” I said. “We have to do something. Send some soldiers after them.”

Aidrac looked conflicted.

“What?” I asked.

“I can’t send anyone.”

“Why not? You’re the heir. You’re supposed to be in charge when your father’s away.”

He looked down. “Well… I’m not.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rohan is.” He said, his voice low.

There was a lot to unpack in that sentence.

Why would the Gamma be left in charge over the Alpha’s own son?

But Aidrac didn’t seem like he wanted to explain. So I just said, “Let’s tell Rohan then.”

“No. It’s probably nothing. And if the Alpha can’t handle it, what difference will a few soldiers make?”

I opened my mouth… and shut it. Maybe he was right.

Still. The wolves from two nights ago were burned into my memory.

“What did the wolves look like?” he asked. Like he was reading my thoughts.

I described them again. The jagged limbs. The blood-red eyes.

“Exactly like in your dream?”

“Yes,” I said, shivering. “Do you think it's a coincidence?”

He shook his head. “That’s not a coincidence.”

“Then what is it?” I asked, desperate.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

My face fell.

“But you’re not cursed.” He added when he saw my expression.

“How do you know?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I just do. You’re different, sure. But not cursed.”

He meant it. I could tell.

His hand was still wrapped around mine.

“Remember when you turned thirteen?” he asked suddenly, his gaze far-off.

“Yes?” I replied, confused about the change in topic.

Just then, a soldier stepped inside.

“They’re back, sir.”

The knot in my chest finally loosened.

“Let’s go,” Aidrac said, standing up. I got to my feet too.

He still hadn’t let go of my hand.

And honestly… I wasn’t about to let go either.