Page 87 of Wanted By the Wolves

“We rest and pack up. But as soon as we can, we should get moving,” Dex commands. It’s the final word from our pack alpha.

Even though I’m nervous, I trust him to lead us. I sigh and pull away from their embrace. I guess our time here is over.

Chapter 51

Nova

The low, rhythmic beating of the dragon’s wings steals my breath. She’s huge, sparkling in blinding color as she descends from the clear winter sky. She comes to a screeching halt in the courtyard. Her form is so big that she brushes against the barn and the cabin before she shrinks down to my height.

In human form, it’s also clear she’s pregnant. Her stomach is rounded, her body literally glowing. Next to her, a presence emerges, a whirlwind of mist shrouding her in a cyclone of darkness.

I shrink into Dex’s side, unsure what the heck is happening.

Dex grunts. “I think that’s the arrival of the king. I can feel his power.”

“He’s the Alpha King? He isn’t even an alpha,” Briggs mumbles quietly, the confusion I feel evident in his voice.

Gage steps off the cabin's front porch, turning to look at me over his shoulder. “It’s all right. She brought her pack—or horde, as dragons call them. Vandera said she was mated to a serpent.”

Yesterday, after spending two full days basically catatonic and recovering in the greenhouse nest, we decided that we needed more of a plan than just heading southeast. Given whathappened in the forest, none of my alphas were willing to take the risk of a blind trek through the wilderness, and I don’t blame them.

Gage was able to contact the human witch who works with the dragon. The woman, Vandera, helped Gage years ago, right before the brothers first came here. Apparently, her magic helped power the spells to initially build his wards.Vandera’s mates also know Briggs and Dex from some connection to the former Council. They’ve offered our pack refuge in the dragoness’s territory, and my mates are confident it’s a safe plan.

But for some reason, I’m super nervous and feeling out of sorts. I don’t know if it’s because I feel young around all these people with a shared history or because I still don’t really feel comfortable in my human skin around anyone except my mates. Whatever it is, it’s sent a wave of angry screeching bats dive-bombing into my belly.

The serpent’s shadows seem to retreat into his skin, lightly hovering around him. From behind his veil of mist, a large group of people emerges. An alpha bends over, sucking in deep lungfuls of air.

The vibrant-haired dragon tugs on a fluffy robe before patting the sick wolf’s back in sympathy. The wolf is big and commanding, distinguished with some silver threaded through his hair and beard. The sight of this pregnant omega consoling the powerful man makes a giggle bubble up my throat.

“Sorry.” The serpent winces. “I tried for a smooth walk, but there were a lot of folks to hang on to.”

A woman, whom I assume is Vandera, steps from a group of alphas, moving toward Gage with her arms open. “Would you look at you?” To my surprise, she completely bypasses my healer and stands in front of Dex, whom I’m tucked behind. “Hello, enforcer. I won’t harm her. I only want to give her my blessings.”

I peek around Dex’s back to see a warm smile and soft brown eyes. The human witch is naturally pretty with smooth brown skin and flowing hair. She’s covered in colorful fabrics, and even though she’s probably only a decade or two older than me, she has an old, kind soul that reminds me of my grandmother.

That gives me courage. I squeeze Dex’s hip and take a step forward to meet her. “I’m Nova, and you’re Vandera. Thank you for agreeing to?—"

“None of that.” She cuts me off with a hug. “We’re going to be great friends. I’ve seen it. And your garden will be beautiful. I know just the spot.”

“My garden?” I ask.

She hums in agreement and steps back from our hug, looking me over. “Do you mind?”

“Mind what?”

“Your runes. I know we just met, but you’re the first to gain them outside our circle.”

My head is spinning with questions, but nothing pops out.

“May I?” She lifts her brow.

Right, she asked me a question. “Yeah, okay.”

Around us, Gage and Briggs greet the alphas who have joined our circle. The older wolf holds out a hand. “I’m Fennik, the Alpha of Moon Lake Valley.”

“You’re the Alpha King.” Dex bends his neck, and my other mates follow suit.

The wolf grins. “Semantics. The power found me but I share it with my mate as we rule her territory. But it does look Magic has decided like you’re my new enforcer.”

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