Chapter one hundred and one.

Back in my room they tied me to the chair again. Tighter this time. The leader stood in front of me.“You bought yourself some time with that offer. This relic was dormant in this pack because Alec did not know how to use it. It’s good to know that things will change,” he said. “But if you are lying I will make sure your father watches while I cut you slow.”I lifted my chin. “I am not lying. But I need to see the relic closer. And I need water. My head still hurts from the dart.”He thought about it. Then he nodded at one of the men. “Get her water. And bring the relic back in ten minutes.”The man left. The leader stayed. He pulled up a chair and sat across from me.“Tell me something,” he said. “Why does Kade love you so much? You don’t look very impressive. You are a beauty, yes but there are far more beautiful she wolves.”I said nothing in reply.The door opened again. The man came back with a bottle of water. He held it to my lips. I drank slow. The cool liquid helped clear my

Chapter one hundred and two.

My father turned to me as much as the ropes allowed. “If they get the relic working right it could mean war for all the packs. Bigger than Night Claw.”“Then we stop them,” I said.One of the guards told us to be quiet.We sat in silence after that. The bulb swung above us. I kept working my wrists slow. The rope loosened just a little. Not enough yet but maybe soon it will.My mind went to Kade again. I could almost feel him. The bond pulling tight. He was close. I knew it.Time kept moving.Thirty minutes left.Then twenty.The guards changed. New ones came in. They looked meaner.Fifteen minutes.I heard footsteps in the hall. Many of them.The leader burst in. He looked excited and angry at the same time.“Your mate is here,” he said. “At the quarry. Alone like we said. But he brought nothing. No papers. Just himself.”My heart jumped. “What did he say?”“He wants to talk. Face to face. Says he will trade himself for you and your father.”The leader laughed. “Stupid alpha. We wi

Chapter one hundred and three.

The truck rolled to a stop in front of the pack house. The lights were bright in every window. My body ached all over but the sight of home made something tight in my chest loosen just a little.Before Tim even cut the engine the front door flew open. My mother ran out. Elara’s face was wet with tears. Her hair was messy like she had been pulling at it for hours. She looked small and broken but strong at the same time.“Lyra!” she cried. “Oh my girl!”She reached the truck just as my father stepped down. He moved slowly but he opened his arms. My mother crashed into him. She held him tight and sobbed into his chest.“You are alive,” she whispered over and over. “Both of you are alive.”I climbed out next. My legs felt weak but Kade was right there. His hand stayed on my lower back. He did not let go.“Mom,” I said.She turned to me fast. Her eyes went wide when she saw the cut on my arm and the bruise on my cheek. Then she pulled me into the hug. My father wrapped his arms around both

Chapter one hundred and four.

The morning light came soft through the curtains. I woke up still wrapped in Kade’s arms. His body stayed warm and heavy against mine. The cut on my arm throbbed a little but the pain felt far away. Kade’s breathing was slow and even. I did not move. I just stayed there and let myself feel safe.After a few minutes he stirred. His eyes opened and found mine right away. He pulled me closer and pressed a kiss to my forehead.“Morning,” he said. His voice was rough from sleep.“Morning,” I whispered back.He did not let me get up fast. He kept one arm around me while he checked the bandage on my arm. His fingers were gentle. “Looks okay. Mira did good work.”I smiled small. “I feel better already.”We got dressed slow. Kade helped me into a soft shirt and made sure the sleeve did not rub the stitches. He stayed close the whole time. His hand touched my back or my waist every few seconds like he needed to know I was really there.Downstairs my mother had breakfast ready. My father sat at

Chapter one hundred and five.

My father sat down on the couch. “There is also a possibility that he might have heard of the relic. Conan might think he can take you and get closer to Night Claw strength.”I shook my head. “I do not want him. I only want Kade.”The rest of the day moved slowly. I helped my mother in the kitchen even though she told me to rest. My arm hurt less when I kept busy. Every hour I checked the window for the truck.Another gift came in the evening. A pretty necklace this time. Gold chain with a small wolf pendant. The note said “For the future we should have had.”I did not open the box. One of the guards brought it straight to me but I told him to put it aside for Kade.When the sun started to set the truck finally returned. Kade and Tim stepped out. Kade’s face still looked hard.I ran to him the second he walked through the door. He caught me and held me tight against his chest.“Did you find him?” I asked.Kade nodded. “We tracked the messenger. Conan is staying at the old inn on the n

Chapter one hundred and six.

The night did not stay quiet for long and I woke up before dawn.Everything was still. The room was dim and Kade’s arm was still around me, heavy and warm across my waist.Then I heard a howl. It was distant but was loud enough to drive me to consciousness. My eyes opened fully.“Kade,” I whispered.He was already awake and his body was still beside me. “You heard that?” I asked quietly.“Yes.”Another howl followed.Kade sat up immediately. His hand brushed over my arm carefully, avoiding the bandage. “Stay here.”“No,” I said, sitting up too. “I’m coming with you.”“Lyra.”“I’m not staying back,” I cut in. His jaw tightened slightly.Then he nodded. “Fine, but you stay close to me.”We both got dressed quickly.By the time we stepped outside, the pack was already stirring.Warriors were moving fast. Guards were taking positions. The air felt tense.My father was already there, speaking to a group of warriors.“What’s happening?” I asked as we approached.He turned immediately. “Tra