Page 49 of Stargazer

Not in my current state though. All that would calm my air of excitement was seeing my friends—my other friends.

And watching the time tick over so very painfully slow helped no one. Not that it stopped me from doing it.

With the promise that the task force was on their way, Axel, Aubrey, Raven and Tanner had been the first to leave on their diplomatic mission.

The objective: coalition.

They were staying close to home for the moment, visiting the neighbouring packs they’d already been working with to explain the situation and keep them in the loop. If we were lucky, those packs would reach out to their own contacts and help spread the word.

Assuming they were willing to join our cause of course.

But based on their history with River’s pack, we were counting on a “yes”. And hopefully when the time came, it would mean we’d have many packs on our side for the battle. Not to mention all territories on watch to stop any further civilian attacks in the meantime.

The absent wolves would get notified of any inevitable updates that might occur with the Knights arrival.

I was still in awe of the nature and strength of these pack bonds and how their mind-linking worked. I obviously knew about it before, was exposed to it almost daily, yet the extent of it never fully dawned on me. I was learning more and more each day. And the findings never ceased to amaze me.

All wolves could communicate in wolf form when in close proximity, no matter what pack they belonged to. But the connection needed to be accepted on both sides when they weren’t in the same pack; like picking up a call. Once distance was between them, they’d no longer have access to each other, except for Alpha’s whose powers gave them a bit of leeway. Human to wolf contact didn’t work the same way. Within packs though, all shifters could talk to each other at lengthy distances, even in human form, as long as both parties kept their connection open—a tether, of sorts, to each other. Alpha’s, of course, had the longest range. Which meant in most situations, River would be able to update his pack wherever they were on their recruitment mission. Although, there were still limitations to how far they could be.

As an Alpha, he had undisrupted access to his wolves when they were nearby—with or without their permission. They couldn’t shut him out like non-pack members, even if they tried. The only way to fully cut off the connection to him would be to join another pack or become a lone wolf and eventually a rogue. Similarly, his command was absolute. If he used his Alpha aura, his pack had to obey. This was why it was so crucial to have a good Alpha.

The world of the wolves was almost inconceivable. Even to me; a fantasy-loving, supernatural girlie.

It was magic.

I could only describe the power of the wolves as magic.

Similar to that of the hunter gifts.

I didn’t quite understand how they existed in our world, and what else possibly existed that we didn’t know about. But I’d take it. I’d take magic any day.

If only the magic could make the minutes go by quicker now.

“Stop fidgeting so much.”

I spun around to find Griffin watching me pace the foyer. Billie had texted saying they had just past the border sign of Saint Claire a few minutes ago. They’d be arriving any moment.

My pacing resumed. “I can’t help it,” I threw back over my shoulder. “I’m excited.”

“I think half of Saint Claire knows that with how many times you’ve said it,” he grumbled. Though the twinkle in his eye did little to hide the amusement he found in the situation.

“Have we forgotten anything?” I asked, taking in the unfamiliar space we were in. Mum had organised an Airbnb to host the small unit that was being sent down with our friends. There was no way we were finding accommodation in our tiny town for nine Knights and recruits.

I didn’t question how mum even found a house this big. But it was in the richer area of Saint Claire, not far from the pack house, so it was probably a holiday home for a rich family that came down once a year for some peace and quiet, and then proceeded to neglect it when their vacation was over. Given the size of the place, that was my best guess.

Mum still insisted Griff stay with us, and while I would have loved to have Kit and Billie at our place instead—particularly due to the lack of temptation they would incite—I couldn’t exactly kick the Gray heir out.

Plus, I did happen to enjoy his company.

“Apart from physically unpacking their suitcases for them, I don’t think there’s anything else you could possibly do,” Griff drawled from where he was spread across the sofa, legs dangling off the armrest while he twirled his beloved kunai. “You seem to forget that they’re used to the luxuries of the Bunker,” he said sarcastically. “They’re going to have an abundance of freedom, ample amount of personal space and more comfort than they know what to do with. This place is huge. And there’s a pool.” When his gaze returned from where it had wandered to the large French doors overlooking the turquoise water, he looked pointedly at me. “So relax.”

I let out a breath, sitting on the edge of the sofa arm that his legs rested on.

“Relax,” I repeated quietly to myself, almost trying to manifest the word into my inner being. Maybe if I said it out loud, it would stick. It wasn’t a practice I was particularly good at.

He chuckled.

When I turned to face him, his eyes were already on mine. The silver flashed in those molten grey depths and I quivered at the charged veil of intensity that settled over us.

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