Page 53 of Fated to the Feral Wolf

Kane looked like he was about to choke on something at her bluntness. “That… would be excellent.”

Jada nodded gravely, attention now pinned to Brielle. “I can do that. Do you know why?”

“From what we understand, you’ve met one in the past.”

The idea of her being old enough to havemetan omega and still being alive? Wild. Wolves lived on average a thousand years. Some, like Inuksuk, made it over twelve hundred. But the Omega War happened… in the sixteen hundreds, and even before the wars they were incredibly rare. It was possible for a wolf to live their entire life and never meet one.

“That’s correct. What you don’t know is that she was my brother’s mate. She was killed in the purge after the Omega War, taking their entire sleuth with her.”

The room fell silent as that sank in.

Holy hell.

The sorrow in her eyes was fresh, though the war was centuries past.

“I want to be very clear with you what you risk if you pursue this path. There is much sorrow and much pain. Strife will dog your every step if it’s true and it becomes known.”

Brielle let out a shaky breath, but she was steady when she answered, and I’d never been prouder of my friend.

“If it’s true, I’d rather be armed with knowledge than caught by surprise.” Brielle’s back was straight, her jaw tight with determination.

“Very well, then. I will help you. Do you wish to know your gifts as well?”

“I… Is that an option? To find out?”

Jada nodded.

Brielle looked up at Kane, and I could tell they werespeaking through the mate bond as the silence stretched a moment.

Brielle took his hand before turning back to Jada. “Yes, if it’s possible, we’d like to know.”

“Very well. There’s a purification ritual, and then you’ll be presented before the Moon Goddess for her to reveal your gifts. Anyone who wishes to attend must complete the purification.” She leveled us all with a stern look. “It’s not for the faint of heart, so consider wisely if your presence is necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be shown to your temporary quarters.”

With a wave of her hand, we were dismissed.

THIRTY-FIVE

Dirge

We were led to a private corridor with two doors on either side of the hallway and one at the end. As soon as our bear guide left us with the sheet of purification instructions, we all stood awkwardly in the corridor until people started heading into the five available rooms.

It was clear that they intended each couple to room together, but I wasn’t sure that was a good idea, given how things had gone with the bear sleuth. Shay probably still wanted her space, and I didn’t want to push. This day had been a complete clusterfuck, not to mention a roller coaster of emotion. She died in my arms, I was human again, we flew straight to a new pack—sorry,sleuth—of shifters who then reacted to my mate…

It was a lot, even if we weren’t in the middle of the mate bond taking hold. Which we were.

Goddess, I didn’t even know if her mate marks finished filling in. I didn’t appear to have mine, but it wasn’t the sort of thing you asked in a hallway, even one with glittery walls.

Damn, I wasn’t sure Ishouldask. Especially not given the nagging fear that the Fetya’s price was still unpaid, withoutconsidering the new complication that my half-fae matecouldn’tdie. So how would they be paid?

I shook my head, trying to shake off the unknown. I couldn’t do anything about those things right now; all I could do was speak with my mate and prepare for the purification rituals.

Shay stood with Leigh, both of their heads bent over the purification instructions Jada had provided for us.

“Shay, can we talk for a moment?” I stayed a few feet away so as not to spook her.

Her head flew up in surprise anyway. She swallowed hard, but nodded, handing the paper to Leigh before stepping halfway toward me.

The distance stung—my wolf was pacing unhappily in my mind, demanding we close that distance and make her see that she should stay close by our side. We would protect her, not hurt her. But I ignored it and forced a smile I didn’t really feel.

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