3

Stefan stood at Rebecca's side with his brows drawn together and said bluntly, "Elara, we counted our supplies. We don't have enough vehicles for thirty-two wolves entering the gorge, and we're short on herbs for the fog. There are so few of you. Just give us the trucks. You won't need the herbs on the main road. Three packets are plenty for you. Anything more would be wasteful."

When I did not answer, Rebecca stood beside Stefan clutching her hand-drawn map, her chin held high. "Relax. We're not taking them for nothing. Once we reach the south first and claim the richest river valley, we'll give you a strip of land along the edge."

Watching the two of them play off each other, I almost laughed.

"The supplies were prepared for ten. There's no surplus to give you. Those herbs are our emergency reserve. With the moon phases this unpredictable, I won't trade my people's safety for a worthless strip of land."

Rebecca's face darkened. She spun toward the entrance and shouted so the packmates passing outside would hear, "Everyone, come and look! The Vale family has guarded the border for generations, yet they're hoarding the herbs that protect against the fog and refusing to give any to us! Their own packmates are about to enter the gorge, and they won't offer even the slightest help! I think she's afraid we'll reach the south first and take the good hunting grounds, so she's holding back supplies to make it hard on us!"

Her voice was shrill, and it quickly drew the young wolves nearby into a circle.

They murmured to one another in small clusters, and the looks they gave me gradually turned resentful.

Stefan stepped forward, the threat in the gesture unmistakable. "Elara, we grew up together. We're about to seal our mating bond, yet you won't help with something this small because of your own pride. If that's who you are, there's no reason for us to become mates. As of now, our promise to seal the bond is void. Everyone is responsible for the path they choose! You chose yours, so you can bear the consequences. Whether you live or die has nothing more to do with me."

I looked up at Stefan, my eyes cold.

In my past life, this was the wolf who kept saying he loved me, then tore out my throat in front of the entire pack and threw my body onto the altar.

He had become an Alpha candidate at such a young age solely because of my family's influence and standing along the border.

"Stefan, you know perfectly well who put you in the position you hold today. If you want to protect Rebecca, that's your business. Don't hold the mating over my head. If it's off, it's off, and I won't regret it for a second!"

Stefan froze, his face blank with shock. He clearly had not expected me, always so mild, to sever things so cleanly.

Rebecca froze for a moment too. Then she glared at me, seized Stefan by the arm, and dragged him away. "Don't get arrogant! When we reach the south safe and sound, let's see how you'll even show your face in this pack!"

The door slammed. I went back to the fire and kept counting the herb bags.

The horror of my death in my past life still haunted me.

This time, I would never again waste effort on Rebecca, Stefan, or any of the others.

Three days later, both parties had assembled at the pack entrance by first light.

Every member of our party of ten wore a heavy fur windproof cloak, with a firestarter pouch, herb bag, and short blade secured at the waist.

The four trucks stood in a neat row beside us, stacked with rations, clean water, dried meat, and spare supplies.

The three Alphas stood at the head of the column, composed and sharp-eyed.

Before long, Rebecca arrived with her thirty-two young wolves in a large, noisy crowd.

Most carried only a nearly empty hide satchel containing half a bag of rations, and few had even brought a cloak.

Every face was bright with excitement, as if they were strolling out to a hunting ground instead of into a deadly gorge.

One of the older Alphas frowned and warned, "The wind is brutal in there, and the fog is thick. You won't last without cloaks."

Rebecca snorted, waved a paw, and said, "Old man, you're underestimating us. We'll reach the first cave before sundown. As for you lot..."

Her gaze swept over our loaded trucks, and she deliberately raised her voice. "Some people are just timid, migrating south as if they're moving house and hauling a pile of useless junk. Once we've claimed the best hunting grounds in the south, they'll choke on envy."

The young wolves around her burst out laughing, one jeer after another.

The she-wolves beside me had their ears standing straight up with anger. They were about to answer when I stopped them with a small shake of my head. "Don't waste your breath on them. They chose the road. Let them carry what comes of it."

I raised a hand to signal the start, and the four trucks pulled out steadily.

We moved south at an even pace along the old migration road our ancestors had handed down.

Behind us, Rebecca and her thirty-two wolves charged toward the mouth of Blackwind Gorge, cheering as they went.

Their figures quickly vanished into the gray mist at the entrance.

From my seat in the truck, I looked back once at the heavy mist.

What a shame.

Their triumphant little celebration would not last even three days.