Page 38 of Cursed Wolf

Especially since we’ll most likely reach Shadowlands before them, and while the Alpha of that sector, Dušan, was amicable to our presence after we helped him, Ragnar left him with a warning before we parted.

What promise I will make is I will return to your Shadowlands land with my warriors. If you are not in charge of your land upon my arrival, and this mess with your brother fighting you for ownership hasn’t been swept away, I will wipe out all the males on this land, claim the females, and take ownership.

Now, we’re about to barge into his home with a pregnant Omega… without Ragnar.

Fucking great.

Crius

Frustration bore a hole through me.

Night billows around us, its claws stretching across the landscape.

Whatever Stone told the coachman, we’re now moving at lightning speed. About fucking time. The flashlights tied to the horses’ reins will light the path ahead of us, but those two lights will be close to useless once darkness comes.

Jon wouldn’t answer where he got the flashlight batteries from. Anything from the old civilization is close to lost, but there are other packs and supernaturals in this world who harness unimaginable technology. They also keep it closely guarded and kill anyone who gets too close.

I’ve seen it first hand back in Denmark when Ragnar’s father sold Omegas for weapons, ammunition, and whatever the hell he needed to give him an upper hand against Nikos’ family.

Ragnar and I have discussed technology often, along with being smarter about who we align ourselves with. The small packs in the Savage Sector are dead weight, but I get what Ragnar’s doing. With the witches out of the way, he needs the packs combined into a powerful force to eliminate that dickhead Martell or any other prick who decides to rise to power.

Regardless, I wouldn’t want to be in Ragnar and Nikos’ shoes right now, dealing with an Alpha whose daughter was just murdered.

“We should be at the tavern in an hour,” Stone calls out as he rides up beside me.

“My ass is so fucking sore, and it’s getting dark. We’re sitting ducks riding like this in a straight-line formation.”

“You want to travel in your wolf form?” he asks with a rise of his thick eyebrows.

“Well, think about it. Tie these horses to the carriage, and they’d move faster, then you and I can cover more land to check for dangers. We’re in the fucking woods, Stone, and the girls aren’t safe.”

“I’ve been thinking the same. My skin’s crawling with unease. Something isn’t right out here.

“We’re being watched,” I say. “I feel it in my bones. I need to get off this fucking horse and into wolf form to find who it is.”

Stone’s expression is stoic, but with the hardness of his eyes and the way he stares out into the dark woods around us, he knows it’s better to attack first.

I inhale sharply and lick my dry lips.

With a single nod, he falls behind me, and we ride side by side behind the coach.

I’m itching to get out there, to shake off the feeling we’re not alone. With a whistle, I glance back to see the carriage coming to a stop, so I slow down and turn back to join them.

Stone’s in deep conversation with Jon, and I’m just too jittery to deal with the Beta wolf shifter. I hop off my horse and hand the reins to Stone.

“I’m heading out ahead of us.”

His brows scrunch together. “I won’t be far behind you.”

With quick steps, I reach the side door of the carriage, and I’m greeted by the three worried faces. Opening the door, I stick my head inside.

“Nothing to worry about,” I explain, needing them not to panic. “Stone and I are going into the woods in wolf form from here. With the carriage using all four horses, we can move faster. We’re less than an hour from the tavern.” I’m talking fast, already yanking my shirt up and over my head, then tossing it into the empty spot on the cushioned seat.

“Are you sure everything’s alright?” Narah asks, her gaze traveling across the surrounding woods. “I can try to help.”

I shake my head, staring from her worried expression to Jae’s and Kiara’s. They remind me of bunnies—so small, huddled together and vulnerable.

Reaching to take Narah’s hand in mine, I kiss her fingertips. “You are better off in the carriage so we can move faster. Just hold on, and we’ll be enjoying a hot meal in no time.” The smile I offer feels wrong. Although a lie, I prefer to think I’m stretching the truth. I lean forward and place a hand on her belly, her body radiating extreme heat. “How are you and the baby feeling?”

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