Page 86 of Wanted By the Wolves

Briggs wraps his towel around his waist and steps beside his brother, nudging his side. “I don’t know. I think possessed Dex might make a good deterrent.”

“What do you think happened?” I ask, eyeing my big alpha. He’smyDex. There’s no trace of whatever came over him on the night of the full moon. It’s almost like a fever dream, fuzzy around the edges, but I remember that night—how protected I felt, how in awe of his loyalty.

“You mean when he became king and somehow channeled Odin? I pissed myself. That’s what happened,” Briggs jokes.

All our eyes are on my silent wolf.

Dex huffs, looking away from our stares. “I didn’t channel Odin. I don’t know how to explain.”

I pull away from Gage, cross the bathroom, and trace Dex’s mating rune. Every time I touch it, it sends a burst of calm through me. “Can you try? I want to understand.”

“You get dressed. I’ll talk.” He scowls.

It pulls a smile onto my lips. This man is always worried about me being cold. Briggs tosses his brother a pile of clothes, and my alpha signals with a nod for me to lift my arms.

Dex pulls a thick sweater over my head, his deep voice rumbling as he dresses me. “After they took you, I swore to Odin I would avenge you. When they brought you out and that sick wolf had his hands on you, I saw red. It was like this surge of power. I think Odin answered my plea to come to our aid and sent the spirit of the First Wolf.” His voice is filled with hesitance, and his bond surges with uncertainty. Even now, he thinks we fear him.

Dex held the power of our most ancient shifter, the First Wolf of Odin’s decree, the original protector of our people. I’m in awe of his strength.

“What did it feel like?” his brother asks. “Your bond was muted. I could see you, but inside, you were gone.”

Dex busies himself by helping me into my thermal leggings, his scent full of embarrassment. He hates being the center ofattention. “Like wrestling lightning. I knew the world would burn if I let the spirit loose.”

Gage yanks on a pair of jeans before coming closer to examine Dex. “I’m not sure the power truly left. Your alpha feels stronger, and your magical signature is different. Not just from the bond.”

“Do you think whatever happened fixed the magic? Is that why the mating runes appeared?” I ask.

Gage’s brows furrow in concentration. “I’m not sure, but the magic feels different. Our bond is strong, grounded, and connected like it’s supposed to be.”

“Exactly. We kicked ass just like I knew we would,” Briggs adds. “Because Dex is a god-beast.”

Dex sighs, the sound deep and full of resignation. “I can feel the earth, sense other wolves around us. They’re like little dots in my mind now.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s because you’re the Alpha King, big guy.” Briggs claps his brother’s shoulder.

“No,” Dex growls, fists clenched at his sides. “I killed a menace. He was never the true Alpha King. It was no challenge.”

“But—” I try to cut in at the same time Gage speaks, his voice sure and steady. “He’s not the king. His magical signature isdifferent, but he’s not Alpha.”

Briggs and I gape at Gage.

“My best guess, if I put it into words… is that the First Wolf granted him the powers of a true enforcer, not the Alpha of all.” Gage shrugs as if it’s obvious.

Dex holds out his hand, and I take it, letting him pull me into his embrace. “I’myouralpha. Protecting this pack is my duty.” He looks around, meeting the eyes of each of our packmates, his gaze landing on me last and staying there. “My instincts are telling me we shouldn’t stay here. We need to keep heading southeast, not rebuild. I believe the curse on the wolves will keepus safe, and the ferals are occupied with carrying it out, but this isn’t where we belong.”

Briggs makes a questioning noise. “You mean you think we need to go to the dragon?”

Dex nods.

I’ve heard rumors about the dragoness but never been to her territory. I’ve never actually left wolf land. “Will she welcome us?”

Gage speaks up. “I don’t know, but I agree with Dex. Her territory is our best shot. They have a powerful human witch there and strong wards powered by the dragon’s ancient magic.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “Are you sure?”

Briggs hugs me from behind. “This feels like a good thing. My wolf isn’t worried. I promise.”

My pack surrounds me, all of them hugging me until I feel more grounded.

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