Page 48 of Alpha Exile

I call Bastian to us, letting him know to bring the fish and head towards Kieran and Finn. Then I reach towards them as well, inquiring as to the tunnel they've found.

Do you think it goes all the way to the depths of the caverns?

Finn sounds uncertain as he says,It could. This entrance is at a lower elevation than the one we went through. But we won't be able to know until we explore it—and there's a cave-in not far inside.

We could get some kind of explosive and try to make our way through it,Kieran observes,but there's just as big of a chance that we'll take it all down on our heads.

Lance snorts and joins in on the conversation.Let's not risk getting buried alive until we're sure that it's an actual way in.

I have to agree with Lance, though a big part of me is itching to grab some dynamite and do exactly what Kieran suggests. Bastian joins us, and the three of us head towards where the other two are, so we can see the cave-in up close and personal.

As we do, I reach out towards another bond. Not the one I have with Roarke, which is painfully silent and buried deep. Instead I reach towards the fire flowers, vibrant and alive, though far from me.

The last time I filled myself with their strength, I had to be close enough to do so. This time, I find it easier to reach out towards them. Renewing my bond to my mates—four of them, at least—has made my magic that much stronger. It's easy to refill my chest with the power of their flames and recharge my own energy.

Also, the flowers have grown, throwing up fresh shoots and unfurling more buds. No doubt Kerry's attention has something to do with that. She promised to tend to the patch of flowers when I headed out, and with the sun up now, she's no doubt gardening at the house.

And surveying the damage from the fire.

Stepping up to the new tunnel entrance, I glance around at each of my guys and realize I haven't yet broken the full news of the fire to them. So I clear my throat and rein in my emotions as I tell them, "The entire second story of the house has been burned down. Parts of the first story are still intact, but there's water damage. The porch we rebuilt, all that siding... I'm so sorry. It's gone."

"We're the ones who are sorry, Lilah." Finn steps over and eases his arm around my shoulders, drawing me to him in a warm hug that threatens to undo the dam I've built up between myself and my own tears. "That house meant a lot to you, I know."

"We rebuilt it once—we can rebuild it again," Kieran offers, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing. "In the meantime, I'm sure the entire pack will be willing to help you find a place to stay."

"We'll make it back better than ever." Lance cracks his knuckles, surveying the tunnel entrance in front of us. "Just as soon as we have Roarke back, and kick Delphine's ass, that'll be our next priority."

Bastian brightens as he says, "This time I can help with the remodeling. I didn't get to do much last time."

"And we can add an addition to the house," Finn murmurs in my ear, rubbing a circle with his palm on my lower back. "Maybe a bedroom big enough for more than one or two. With a custom bed frame and mattress that'll fit you, me, and tall, dark, and handsome over there."

Laughing, I squeeze him tight and murmur, "Thank you. That was just what I needed."

"Anytime, Dollface."

I drop my hand towards his as we pull away from each other, and we twine our fingers together in a loose hold that feels comforting. When Finn and I mated, the color of our threads represented the North compass, which is a symbol of the inner self. And it's true that when I'm with him, I feel more centered, more at peace and self-confident.

Everyone should be so lucky as to have a lover who makes them believe in themselves.

Facing the tunnel entrance, I take it in slowly. Based on this angle, we would come in towards the caverns perpendicular to where we were before, and possibly lower as well. If this tunnel leads deep into the mountains without passing over the crevasse or the bridge, then it's possible that it's our best hope to getting Roarke back—and hunting down Delphine.

"Show me where the cave-in is."

"Gladly."

Finn has to drop my hand to lead us in, because parts of the tunnel are narrow enough that we have to walk single file. Some sunlight filters in, but not much, so I pool my fire power into my palm and turn it into a makeshift torch. We only make it in a few dozen feet before the way in front of us is trapped by small boulders and rocks, some nearby as big as Lance, others small enough that they roll across the ground at our approach.

Lance slips past me to stand in front of the cave-in, gazing at it with his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It's a thick amount of boulders, but the ceiling and floor still appear to be solid. And..." Holding his palm up towards the stack of boulders, he tilts his head and smiles a little. "I can feel a breeze rush through. The other side of this tunnel is still intact."

Inhaling sharply, I dare to ask, "So is it possible to move these boulders aside?"

"By hand?" Lance arches a brow at me; beside me, Finn groans. "I'm sure it's possible, but it might take some time."

"And more than a little effort," Finn grouses.

I have to agree with his reluctance, but I'm not sure what other option we have. Other than the danger that is dynamite, or other explosives, but those aren't controlled. Unless there's some kind of explosion spell—

"Wait." Holding up my hand, I stare at the flame dancing across my palm, the gears in my mind turning. "What about the fire power?"

---