Page 85 of Tangled Fates

Ironcrest now! Ironcrest then! Ironcrest FOREVER!

And the bombastic nature of our collective howls up toward a victorious blue sky filled me with the first shred of hope I’d had in years.

Even with Colin as our Alpha.

Raven leapt off the rooftop and took off up the road. I followed quickly in her strides, making my way toward the back of the neighborhood as the hoarse whimpers of those who had been wounded filled my ears. I stared all around me, clocking the dozens upon dozens of wolves that had taken bites to the throat and slashes to the gut that weren’t healing. And as Raven stood above one of our wolf pups, she closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the sky.

Before that warm white glow encompassed her once more.

Heal for me, little one. Just focus and heal.

She shook out her amber coat and I watched as miniature stars fell from her fur like glitter. It sprinkled upon the small gray wolf, causing it to sneeze before the wounds started closing. It was like magic. Like something out of a fairytale that I had yet to encounter. Never in my life had I ever seen a wolf that wasn’t a healer… heal.

And yet, Raven had the capacity to do it.

Hudson, get over here. He’s cold.

I wasted no time in plopping down next to the healing pup. I got him. You go. And take someone with you.

Dean! She barked. With me!

As I nestled closely against the shivering pup, his wounds began to heal. Heat slowly returned to his coat. And when he finally garnered his strength back, he shifted into a little boy that looked no more than twelve years old. He gazed up at me with his tear-filled, reddened eyes, and the fear beneath them struck me so hard that I didn’t know what to do.

The tears fell down his cheeks and I licked them off without a second thought.

“Where are my parents?”

I stood to my feet before I dipped my neck down. Climb on. We’ll go find them together.

No matter where we were and no matter what corner we turned, I saw that starlight spraying everywhere we walked. Raven would stand above someone, shake her coat out, and all of a sudden it was as if the venom had never existed. The power she held within herself was unspeakable. She had the capability to wield things that hadn’t been present within our pack for fucking decades.

She had old magic coursing through her veins. Powerful, ancient magic.

And I couldn’t wait to see what else she had in store for us.

“Parker!”

The boy on my back cried out. “Mommy! I found you!”

He slid down my fur, gripping for dear life as I flopped down onto the ground. I watched as the boy ran into his mother’s arms, encompassed and safe as she cried into the top of his head. A man lumbered out of the house to our left, limping and cradling his arm. And when he turned toward me, he nodded his thanks in my general direction.

Thank you, Hudson.

I stood to my feet. No problem. Just take care of yourself.

I stood to my feet and followed the trail of shimmering glitter on the ground until I found Raven perched high above yet another wolf. But, when she shook out her coat, her legs stumbled. Dean leaned into her, supporting her with his head as she did her best to stand upright. However, the second the wolf beneath her got up and walked off, she collapsed to the ground.

Raven!

I watched her slowly morph back into a human as her pale skin showcased the throbbing, aching veins beneath her skin.

Hudson, get her onto your back. She needs rest.

I dipped down. Get her on, Dean. I’ve got her.

Raven shook her head as she clutched her stomach. “I have to help. There are so many more that?—”

Dean picked her up by his jowls. Up you go.

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