Page 40 of Beckett's Fate

Beck crouched beside her, his sharp gaze scanning the carvings. He couldn’t make sense of the symbols, but he watched as Irene’s expressions indicated the pieces of the puzzle were falling together.

“What does it say?” he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Irene frowned, her brow furrowing as she studied the markings. “It’s another clue. Directions, almost. It points to a ridge further north, near the falls. If the journal’s right, the next set of markings should be there.”

“Can’t they just mark your map and the spot with a big X and be done with it?”

“Where would the fun in that be?” she quipped.

“We need to have a long talk about what does and does not fall under the definition of the word fun,” Beck’s wolf growled softly, a low rumble that made her glance at him. “You think the hunters know about this?”

“I hope not,” she said, though her tone lacked conviction.

Before Beck could respond, the faint sound of rustling reached his ears. He stiffened, his body tensing as his sharp gaze darted toward the tree line.

“We’re not alone,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Irene froze, her hand moving instinctively to the hilt of her knife. “How many?”

“Two, maybe three,” Beck replied, his tone grim. “Stay low.”

The rustling grew louder, the sound of footsteps and hushed voices drawing closer. Beck motioned for Irene to stay behind the rocks as he moved toward the edge of the clearing, his movements silent and deliberate.

He caught sight of them first—a smaller group of hunters, their rifles slung over their shoulders as they moved cautiously through the underbrush. They hadn’t seen him or Irene yet, but they were closing in fast. He fell back to Irene’s position, his protective instincts surging.

“We need to move,” he said quietly. “Now.”

Irene didn’t argue, quickly gathering her things as Beck pulled out his phone and dialed Knox.

“They’re closing in,” Beck said as soon as Knox answered. “Smaller group, heavily armed. GPS coordinates are coming your way.”

“Got it,” Knox replied. “We’re on our way. Sit tight, and keep her safe.”

Beck ended the call and turned to find Irene watching him, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief.

“You told Knox?” she hissed, her voice low but heated.

“Yeah, I did,” Beck said, his tone unapologetic. “Because we need someone to watch our backs. These hunters aren’t playing games, Irene. If we don’t have allies, we’re done for.”

“You had no right to share this with him,” she snarled. “This is my search, my treasure?—”

“And you’re not doing it alone,” Beck interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. “I know this is important to you, but this isn’t just about you anymore. Those hunters will kill us if they have the chance. Knox and the others can make sure that doesn’t happen.”

He could see Irene’s anger warring with reluctant acceptance. Finally, she let out a sharp exhale, her shoulders sagging slightly.

“Fine,” she muttered. “But next time, you tell me before you make a call like that.”

“Deal,” Beck said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Now let’s get moving.”

They slipped back onto the trail, moving swiftly but cautiously toward the ridge Irene had mentioned. The air between them was charged, heavy with knowledge of the danger they were in and the consequences their failure might bring.

As they climbed higher, the forest grew denser, the trees closing in around them like silent sentinels. Beck’s wolf remained on edge, every sound and shadow a potential threat. But even as his instincts screamed to protect her, he couldn’t ignore the quiet admiration he felt for Irene. Her fortitude, her courage—it was impossible not to respect her for it, even if it drove him crazy sometimes.

“We’re getting close,” Irene said, her voice breaking the tense silence.

Beck nodded, his sharp gaze scanning the trail ahead. “Then let’s make sure we get there first.”

The thought of what lay ahead—the treasure, the hunters, and the secrets Irene still carried—kept his mind racing as they continued on. He was mindful of the danger that loomed larger with each step, but he also knew he now shared her determination to find the treasure and get it to her pack. If anyone deserved it, it was Isaiah Blakiston’s descendant.

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