Page 11 of Wolf Marked

“We found a group of survivors. One was a mother. She gave him up to save his life,” Erec interrupted, making sure to keep his voice low. “Jerrick’s closer than I thought. Only a few miles northeast from here.”

“That monster has them freezing and starving, dying in cages with collars around their necks,” Astrid cut in. “We need to go back and save them.”

The muscles in Filip’s jaw jumped as he gritted his teeth. “Did anyone follow you back?”

Astrid shook her head.

“Not that we saw,” Erec added to make sure the brother knew the danger was still there.

Filip turned to him. “How many were there?”

“Maybe a dozen in all,” Erec replied.

“We have to help them, Filip.” Astrid rocked the baby in her arms. “He needs his mother.”

Filip was quiet for a long moment. With more and more doubt reflecting in his expression, Erec’s irritation grew. Was Astrid the only one in this family who had a heart, who thought about anyone outside their pack?

Erec clenched his fists at his sides. It didn’t matter. He didn’t need Filip’s help, or Boden’s. He’d already made his decision. He wasn’t going to let Henrick and the others die like worthless animals, with or without Boden’s pack behind him. He’d do it on his own if he had to. As soon as night fell, he’d go back, wait until the guard wolves did their pass, and find a way to break the locks before they made their rounds again. Maybe he’d even “borrow” an axe or a mallet from Boden’s weapon stash to crack them loose.

Filip let out a long, drawn-out sigh, and rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ll figure out something.”

It wasn’t exactly the answer he wanted, but it was better than a no. “You’re not worried about what Boden will say?” Erec asked. “He seemed set on his decision before.”

Filip glanced away, his eyes landing on something in the distance. “I’ll speak with him,” he said. “If Jerrick’s that close, then we really are in great danger.”

Erec followed his gaze and noticed a woman striding toward them. She was wrappedin a brightly colored shawl, her hair chopped to her ears. The closer she came, the more Erec realized just how short she was. She reached Filip’s side, and the top of her head only came to his elbow, but the smile across her lips was full and warm.

“You must be Erec, the one they found in the snow.” Her voice was high and crisp, reminding him of a lumibird’s winter song. “I’m glad to see you found your way back to us. Welcome.”

It was the first real welcome he had received since he’d arrived here, and still, it surprised him. “Th-thank you.”

“This is my mate, Mila,” Filip said, tucking her under his arm and tugging her close. Something sparked in his eyes when he stared down at her, and his stern facade lifted.

Erec’s chest pinched. The love they shared seemed to radiate like an invisible current. It was a bond strong enough to lift the curse, the one their kind longed for. The one he needed to save his life.

He’d met many women during his travels, but he’d never experienced thezing, the feeling of wholeness couples say happens when true mates meet. He’d given up on finding that a long time ago. It just wasn’t in the stars for him.

His gaze drifted over to Astrid. He remembered the way his breath seized in his lungs when he first saw her face, how the mischievousness in her brilliant green eyes both captivated and intrigued him. She was beautiful—there was no doubt of it—but she couldn’t be the one meant to save him.

“Sweet Moons! What an adorable child!” Mila’s squeal jarred Erec out of his thoughts.

“They found him with some of Jerrick’s prisoners not far from here,” Filip replied.

Astrid turned to give Mila a better view of the child. “His mother gave him up to protect him.”

“Oh, poor thing… He’s not much older than our Finn. And bare bottomed!” She reached out, gesturing for Astrid to pass him over, and she laid him in her waiting arms. She drew him in close and stared down at him with affection. “What’s his name?”

“We have no idea,” she said. “He was given to us in a hurry.”

Mila tilted her head to the side as she studied the little boy’s face. “Not a peep from him,” she murmured. “He should have a proper name. At least for now.” She paused, thinking. “How about Stefan? I think it fits.”

Filip shook his head and chuckled. “It fits.”

“WhereisFather, anyway?” Astrid asked, wrapping her coat tightly around her body. “We should tell him what we found.”

Filip and Mila exchanged anxious looks. Neither of them said a word.

Something was wrong.

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