Page 74 of Veil of Shadows

His snicker was weak, but the shadow of his grin was there. “Call it hubris.”

I scoffed. “More like crazy.”

He chuckled, which caused me to giggle. But, then his smile slowly faded.

“You were practically catatonic after the funeral,” he said with hesitancy in his voice. Almost as if he were afraid of how I’d react to his words.

But, all I did was shrug. “Can you blame me?”

“No.”

I studied him from head to toe, taking it all in. My voice lowered to nothing but a whisper. As if speaking the question out loud might somehow ruin whatever hellish dreamscape I found myself in.

“You’re alive,” I whispered.

He wrung his hands in front of his body and smiled. “In a manner of speaking, I suppose.”

Dear fucking God.

My partner was alive.

24

RONYN

Everyone shut up and get in groupthink. Now,I snarled.

An eerie silence fell over the forest. Hell, over the entire fucking compound. I rushed out of the woods with Dom on my back as I booked it toward the bath house. Merida cried out for her healers, causing me to wince with that shrill fucking voice she always used. Men and women draped in flowing robes went dashing for the bath house as I bounded over in my wolfish form. I skidded to a stop before I shifted back, the clothes spinning themselves around me as I cradled Dom in my arms.

Before a group of healers ripped him away from me.

Keep me updated every step of the way,I said as I stared Merida down.

She looked at me with a sympathetic look.I’ll keep you updated. Let us do what we do best now.

And after they disappeared into the bath house with him, I turned toward the rest of the compound as smoke rose all around us.

Everyone, listen up! Voss has gone after Alpha Bexley. I need all troops gathered in the meadow for further instructions and I need everyone else in their homes until further notice.

The entirety of the two packs stared at me with wide, relentless, fearful eyes. I knew how they felt, too. I had no idea if Bexley was all right. I had no idea where the hell that bitch took my mate. But, it wasn’t as if I was in any sort of position to show it.

I had two packs that needed my attention more than the capable woman that fate brought into my life.

Let’s go!I bellowed out in groupthink.

Everyone scurried to where they needed to be. My troops lined themselves up in perfect formation in the meadow next to the brunt of the fire we took. Women scooped children up into their arms and dashed with them back into the houses. The celebration was long forgotten about. The food, riddled with flies and insects as it sat there, untouched. Wispy smoke rose into the sky from the barely cooked buck that had now gone to waste on the spit. And as I raced for my troops, I reached out to Voss.

Anything?I asked.

But his radio silence was the only thing that met my ears.

All right, troops,I said in groupthink as I stood tall and proud with my hands clasped behind my back.We’ve been attacked twice in this new home over the span of the last few weeks, and it’s two attacks too many. Now the plan is reinforcement.

Shock wafted over everyone’s faces, but it was Lieutenant Reggie that spoke next.Commander general, won’t that signal to the vampires that watch us that we’re preparing for battle?

I pinned him with a look.You think we’re not?

That silenced everyone, and I drew in a deep breath before I gave my commands.Troops A and B, you’re on scout. I want you guys to fan out and search for twenty miles in every single direction. Don’t take on any vampire you come across by yourself.

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