Page 72 of Oath of Revenge

Her words made his stomach twist and his heart race.

Chapter 22

“Why is the magic failing?” Wulfric asked, fear tinging his words and turning them harsher than he intended.

Elva’s eyes grew unfocused, swirling with green. “The time of the prophecy is here.”

“Prophecy? What prophecy?” His mind raced with conflicting emotions—fear for the future, anger at being kept in the dark, and a touch of excitement at the possibility of something new, something that would help the tribe accept Scarlet and vice versa.

She blinked, her eyes coming back into focus as she stared at him. “Nomani and Barley aren’t going to like this, but I told them it was coming. I have felt it building for months. They’ll finally see I’m always right.”

She slowly got onto all fours and pushed herself up. Wulfric quickly went to aid her, taking her elbow and helping her stand as she stretched her back.

“Thank you, son. Will you hand me my staff?”

He grabbed it from the bed, the green emerald at the top glowing from the light of the fire. An intricate pattern of wood wrapped around the tip to hold it in place.

He wondered what Scarlet would think of the staff and Elva. He’d left her for too long. He had to find her, make sure she was safe.

“Elva, I have to challenge Brody, but I need to leave for a few more hours. May I stay in your tent tonight? A good night’s rest is just what I need before the alpha challenge at day break.”

She sighed and tilted her head as she listened, her eyes piercing him as they saw into his soul.

Elva took the staff and her golden eyes flashed green then back to gold. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no.”

Wulfric frowned and opened his mouth to ask why not when a sharp bark came from the main fire. Loud growls followed, causing the hair on the back of Wulfric’s neck to stand. He’d left Scarlet too long. He had to make sure she was safe.

“Ah, that will be our cue, I believe.” Elva shook out her dress and took a drink of a nearby cup.

“What are you talking about? I need to slip out for a bit, but I’ll be back later.” He frowned and looked down at Elva.

She set the cup down and gathered her ceremonial robe, a pattern of various hides and beadwork like a cloak settling onto her frail shoulders.

“It is the night before the full moon. When we inquired of our Growler patron goddess, we all three received signs that the next three nights would decide the fate of our entire people.”

Wulfric’s ears echoed at her words. He frowned and shook his head in denial, not understanding how a single alpha challenge could make or break a tribe that had existed for thousands of years.

She tilted her head and stared at him, seeing too much of his raw and aching soul.

“There’s no time like the present, alpha. You need to follow me while I gather the rest of the Elders. Your past has been preparing you for this for years. You will succeed… or else, we will all perish.”

He crossed his arms and snorted. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

She arched a brow and smiled at his tone as she stepped toward the tent flap. The murmur of a crowd grew outside, but she looked back at him expectantly.

He sighed, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. “Fine, yes, I will succeed as I am the rightful alpha. The goddess chose me for a reason. That’s what you said five years ago when you appointed me alpha.”

He said it accusingly, but her smile didn’t waver.

She just nodded. “And it’s still true, more so now than ever. Come, let’s not drag this out. You will follow me and challenge Brody now.”

She didn’t wait for a response before she ducked through the flap. It ruffled behind her, settling back in place.

He ran a hand down his face and his stomach tightened, but he didn’t have a choice. She was the Elder for a reason. She’d helped lead this tribe for over a hundred years. Surely she knew what was best.

Besides, he wasn’t the type to shirk his responsibility. Perhaps he could win this alpha challenge and then go find Scarlet. It’d be safer for her to stay outside of camp until it was over anyway.

He ducked through the tent flap to see Elva already walking with Nomani to the third tent. By the time he caught up to her, she was inside Barley’s tent, the eldest of the three.

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