Page 36 of Moon Fated

Marissa stepped forward, her eyes soft but fierce. "No harm will come to her here, Rowan.”

"Thank you," I murmured, my relief a palpable thing as I saw the resolve in their eyes. I trusted them implicitly, but leaving Evelyn in someone else's care didn’t sit well with me.

"Rowan," Will's voice pulled me back from my thoughts, "there's been talk—rumors of unrest stirring in the neighboring packs. Shifters moving through territories uninvited, challenging the old ways."

I tensed, instincts flaring to life. "How recent are these movements?"

"Last few nights. Can't say if it's rogue wolves or something more coordinated."

"More coordinated?" Marissa echoed, a frown creasing her brow. "Do you think they're planning something?"

"Maybe," I admitted, my mind racing through possibilities and threats. "It could be a power play, a prelude to a challenge. Or worse."

"An uprising?" Will suggested, his voice low.

"Could be," I said grimly. "Which means we need to be prepared. We can't let anything threaten our pack—or any of the others."

Will nodded grimly. “Sounds like you have work to do.”

I looked back at Evelyn. She gave a small smile and nodded. It felt like tearing my heart from my chest to turn my back and walk to the porch, but I forced my legs to move. There was much to do, many miles to cover before I could rest.

My boots crunched softly over the needle-strewn path, the moon a slender crescent in the night sky, illuminating the way to the rendezvous point. Jasper and Lana might already be waiting.

After what felt like both a snap of my fingers and an eternity, I arrived at our meeting spot—a small clearing guarded by towering redwoods. A fallen log served as a makeshift bench, its surface smoothed by countless seasons. Here, beneath the watchful gaze of ancient trees, decisions that shaped the fate of our pack had been made. Tonight would be no different.

I perched on the log. Jasper and Lana were never late, yet every second stretched, taut as a bowstring. I flexed my fingers, my wolf pacing restlessly within.

Finally, I lifted my head, nostrils flaring as I scented them before they broke through the foliage. They emerged like specters from the dark, their forms slipping silently into the moonlit clearing. "Rowan," Jasper's voice was a low rumble, his mercenary-like build cutting an imposing silhouette.

"Jasper. Lana." My gaze flicked to her, the sarcasm that usually danced in her eyes replaced with solemnity. Their expressions mirrored the gravity I felt clawing at my insides.

"We've patrolled the borders. No signs of immediate threat, but I don’t like the energy.”

I nodded. "And you both? How are you holding up?"

"Ready to tear into anyone who threatens us." Lana's brushed back her long dark hair. “We're solid, Rowan. But what about Evelyn? Is she safe?"

"Will and his wife have her under their protection.”

"How’d you convince her to leave that shithole of a hotel?" Jasper asked.

“Magicians don’t reveal their secrets.”

Lana turned to Jasper. “Earrings?”

He shook his head. “Nah. Probably oral.”

Lana rolled her eyes.

“Jasper, report,” I barked, pretending I hadn’t heard either of them.

He smirked. "Tori’s got us on the eastern ridge for the next twenty-four hours.”

“Perfect. I’ll join you for the aerial sweep.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I don’t have enough information, but someone’s hunting the relics.”

Jasper frowned. “Relics? As in from the stories?”

“Exactly.” I leaned over my knees. “Evelyn is tracking the trail, but so far we only have dead ends.”

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