Page 80 of A Trial of Fate

“I will save you from my scolding because it looks like the beta has one already planned for you. Good luck.” Latte patted my shoulder and returned to organizing her pantry of supplies. “She’s all yours, Magnus.”

Thanks for nothing, Latte.

Magnus turned in the doorway just enough to allow me to pass, and I could tell he was not happy. “Let’s go, Skylar Cathal.”

Crap, he used my full name. “Magnus, I’m sorry if I worried you.” I truly was sorry if I had caused distress to any member of my family. I knew they had been through hell worrying about me while I was captured.

Magnus didn’t say anything as he motioned for me to follow him, and I happily obeyed his silent command. Guilt was eating me alive as we walked toward the main entrance to the alpha’s home. We stopped at the main double set of doors, and he finally turned around to face me. Fear lurked in my uncle’s eyes as he placed his strong hands on my shoulders and pulled me tightly into his chest.

“I don’t know how to feel about this… About any of this, Sky. It terrifies me.”

I latched on tightly to my uncle. “I’m scared, too,” I admitted.

“You are more than just my niece. You understand you are as much my daughter as Neera is, and Julia feels the same, right?”

“Of course I do.” I turned to kiss his bearded cheek and slowly released my grip around him. “But this is something I have to do,” I said, seeing the fear in his eyes despite his efforts to try and hold it back. “Trust that you raised me to be brave enough to do this. And strong enough to return home.”

Magnus held his breath and looked at me with the unconditional love a father could only give his daughter. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I replied as he clutched my hands between large, calloused palms, bending his brow to meet mine.

Memories from when I was young flashed through my mind as we stayed frozen in place, admiring the life we shared together. From day one, Magnus was there to support me and take care of me when no one else would. His strength held our family together, never letting us fall apart. I knew I was his daughter in every way that mattered.

“And because I love you, I will support you in whatever you decide, Skylar. You will have your family here, always and forever.”

I squeezed his hands tighter. “Thank you.” His words spread across my skin like a blanket of warmth on a cold winter night, wrapping me in a cocoon of strength and confidence, knowing he not only respected my decision but also supported me in making it.

“You ready? The High Fae are waiting inside with Alistar. We are meeting to discuss your decision and the timeline for departure to the Inner Kingdom.”

“It’s not going to be a very long meeting. They know that, right?”

Magnus huffed a laugh. “Whenyourmind is set on something, nothing can sway you. Just like Emery.” My heart softened at the mention of my father. Magnus didn’t do it often, but it always comforted me and made me smile each time he did.

“Let’s go get this meeting over with.” I motioned for him to lead the way into Alistar’s estate.

We walked down the long hallway to the stairs that led to Alistar’s meeting room on the second floor. Paintings of former alphas of the Solace pack adorned the halls, watching over us, even after their crossings into the afterlife with the great Mother and Father. Most were in their animal forms, but a few decided to have their human faces painted. As we approached Alistar’s private quarters, I paused to look at the one alpha I longed to see the most.

My father, Emery.

He stood in an open grassy meadow under the light of the full moon, which shone brightly over his head. Fireflies danced around him as he clutched a deadly yet decorative dagger in his left hand. The blade was a treasured heirloom of our pack that was passed down and carried by each alpha. It was magically made and could cut down anything it pierced and, conveniently, never needed to be sharpened.My father died with this weapon clutched in his hand, never letting it go—even in death.

My father’s long golden-brown hair, which I shared with him, flowed over his thick shoulder as his piercing forest-green eyes, that lived on in Neera and my uncle, seemed to come alive through the canvas. The shapes of our eyes and brow line were identical, and there wasn’t a soul alive that could doubt I was his daughter. In this painting, he wore simple brown training clothes that Magnus said were almost always torn to shreds when he shifted into his bear form. Whenever I looked at this picture of him, I felt safe and protected. Emery Cathal was a true alpha, one that I was honored to call my sire.

“Sky?” Magnus called to me softly. He knew exactly what I was doing and waited patiently for me to join him before entering the meeting room. I was never able to meet my father, but I hoped he would be proud of what I was doing. I hoped that I was a daughter worthy to be his heir.

Magnus turned the handle of the carved wooden door, and together, we entered the meeting room. Queen Minaeve wore an elegant but simple-looking black dress with a plunging neckline and high slit against her bare thigh. She sat near a roaring fire inside the alpha’s private quarters with other armchairs across from her in a gathered circle.

Daxton and Castor stood behind her, dressed in fitted dark-colored shirts with the three-peaked emblem on their shoulders paired with grey dark pants and boots. No weapons were visible, but that didn’t mean none were hidden. They had stone-cold expressions plastered on their faces, hardly turning to acknowledge me as we entered.

Alistar arose from his plush cushioned seat upon our entrance and lowered his head in a respectful half-bow to his beta and then a nod to me. Alistar never looked down on me for my mixed blood, and I knew it was out of respect for my sire and my uncle. He sat across from Queen Minaeve with Helen at his side closest to me, and to my shock and dismay…Gilenwas seated on his other side.

My animal’s power stirred within me, and I knew my anger blazed inside my amber stare. Gilen refused to look at or even acknowledge me as we took our place within the small circle, which infuriated me even more.

“I’m glad to see you have fully recovered, Skylar,” Alistar said with a calm, even voice.

I faked a kind smile toward Alistar and his mate, sitting in achair near the door while pure rage simmered inside me. I was so angry atallof them. Gilen intended to claim me, and Alistar had not only agreed but possibly encouraged it. I would make it clear to these males once and for all that I was not something they could command and push around. I was going to the Inner Kingdom.

“Thankfully, your recovery didn’t take as long as the future alpha anticipated,” Queen Minaeve said without a hint of empathy in her voice. In fact, she seemed almost annoyed. “But we cannot wait any longer. Our world is dying, and I can feel that the decay has spread since my absence. The people of the Inner Kingdom are … suffering.”

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