Page 75 of Dawn Unearthed

“Not anymore,” I snapped. “I don’t care if you’re used to being a coven of one. There are seven of us here now, and it looks like we’re at least a coven of three. We may not be the best coven or the strongest, but we will be who we can. So, anything that’s Faith-related, you do not attempt on your own.”

Rowen tilted her head, a sad smile on her face. “Look at you, little witch. So strong.”

“I don’t much care for the mocking,” I snarled, and Rome growled behind me.

Rowen winced. “I’m sorry. I was only teasing because I need to dosomethingor I’m going to break right here. And that’s not something I’ll allow myself to do. You’re right. With Faith, I can’t do things myself. I promise. I’ll change.”

“We’ll scry,” Rome said from behind me. “And then our witches, the pack, the fae, and whoever else has power will go after her. To protect the town. We have to be together for this to work.”

I nodded along with the others.

“We will. We’re stronger together than we ever were apart.” Rowen rolled back her shoulders, but I noticed she didn’t look at Ash as she said it.

I let out a breath, leaned into Rome, and listened as Rowen went through her plans and what spell would need to be used for the scrying. We were just about ready to move on to the wake when the door slammed open, and Ariel ran through. “I’m sorry, but you need to come,” she said, looking at Rome.

“What is it?” he asked, his bear in his voice.

“Alden is at the den, calling for a pack circle. He’s challenging you. You need to come. Now.”

I froze as everybody looked at one another, their eyes wide.

“What?” Trace asked as Rome stood beside me, his whole body shaking.

“Alden is trying to take the pack. And he has people on his side. If we’re not careful, he’s going to take it. And I don’t know what that means for the town. We need to go,” Ariel said.

“You’re right, we do,” Rome said after a moment. “It’s time to take care of my brother.”

I gripped my mate’s hands and looked up at him, feeling the ice and the anchor along the bond. I knew that no matter what happened next, I would be by his side.

Even if this was the worst possible time for a challenge.

In the back of my mind, I wondered if that was indeed the case, or if the timing was just perfect for what was to come.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rome

My bear clawed at me as I walked into the pack circle area. I couldn’t believe Alden would do this, and yet, why shouldn’t I? Why shouldn’t I think that the brother who had been slowly pulling away from us all this time would do this? He wanted power, not the change that came with an ever-evolving world. He only wanted the title. He hadn’t wanted Sage as my mate. I shouldn’t be surprised Alden would stoop to this.

A pack challenge? One for alpha?

I couldn’t walk away from the path before me, but given the way Alden had set things in motion, only one of us would walk away from the circle tonight.

My bear chuffed, anger radiating through both of us.

Sage gripped my hand before I stepped into the circle, and I looked back at her. “What’s going to happen?” she asked.

I squeezed her hand. “I’m going to introduce you to the pack, and then we’re going to see what Alden wants.”

Her eyes widened, but she lifted her chin. “Anything you need. I’m here for you. But, Rome? Will you have to fight him?”

I knew any other bear near us would be able to hear, but I didn’t lower my voice. “If Alden forces my hand, I will. Let’s see what we can do first.” I leaned down, gripped the back of her neck, and kissed her hard on the mouth. Sage rose to her tiptoes, meeting my kiss. I deepened it, claiming her as mine in front of the entire pack.

“Be safe.”

“Be safe and be with me,” she whispered back.

I nodded and met Trace’s gaze. My brother lifted his chin and moved to stand on one side of her, Jaxton on her other. Rowen, Ash, and Laurel were with us, as well, the six of them by my side. Ariel had gone on ahead to meet with the others and the elders, and I hoped to hell she didn’t get into trouble for warning me. Alden should have waited to call the pack circle until I was here. Since he hadn’t, he was trying to forego some of the formalities, and Ariel leaving her post as she had could be seen as treason.

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