Page 44 of Marked For A Bite
Lena carefully tucked the ancient scroll into her concealed pouch, her violet eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Rhea's hut is about two miles north through the forest. The path can be treacherous, but it's well-hidden from anyone who might be tracking us."
Logan's hand found Zoe's back as they went to leave, the contact grounding and possessive. "Stay between Lena and me," he instructed, his enforcer instincts taking command. "If we encounter trouble, you follow my lead without question."
Zoe turned to face Logan fully, her chin lifting with familiar defiance. "Actually, if we encounter trouble, we handle it together. That's what power couples do, remember?"
The slow, dangerous smile that spread across Logan's face made her heart race. "Together," he agreed, his voice rough with promise. "Always."
The treacherous path to Rhea's hut wound through dense autumn foliage, forcing the three of them into single file as they navigated fallen logs and sudden drops in the forest floor. Zoe was sandwiched between Logan's commanding presence ahead and Lena's quiet determination behind, exactly where Logan's protective instincts demanded she stay.
He's treating me like precious cargo again,Zoe thought. But she couldn't deny the thrill that shot through her when he'd positioned himself as her shield without even thinking about it.My alpha warrior.
The weight of her leather harness felt different now—not like borrowed equipment, but like armor she'd worn in countless battles. Every knife secured to her body seemed to hum with anticipation, as if they too remembered the countless enemies they'd faced together.
"Careful here," Logan's deep voice rumbled ahead as he navigated a particularly steep section of rocky terrain. "The path gets narrow."
Zoe's enhanced senses picked up the subtle tension in his shoulders beneath the black henley, and the way his hand never strayed far from the tactical knife on his right thigh. Even now, heading to see an elderly omega seer, Logan remained in full enforcer mode.
He's so magnificent when he's all protective and commanding.
Before long, a small hut materialized through the trees ahead, so perfectly camouflaged it seemed to have grown from the forest itself. Smoke curled lazily from a stone chimney, and herbs hung drying from the covered porch in neat bundles that perfumed the air with earthy magic.
"Rhea," Lena called as they approached. "I've brought visitors."
The door opened before they'd even reached the porch steps, revealing a woman who appeared around sixty-five but whose bright violet eyes held the depth of centuries. Despite her seemingly frail frame, power radiated from Rhea like heat from a fire.
"Lena, child." Rhea's voice carried the warmth of aged wine.
"This is Logan Cross and Zoe Raymond," Lena said, making formal introductions. Lena turned to Zoe. "Rhea Moonwhisper has been my mentor for a decade. She's the wisest seer in all four territories of the Pacific Northwest Cascade Territory."
Logan inclined his head respectfully, though Zoe noticed his stance remained alert. "Thank you for seeing us."
"The pleasure is mine," Rhea replied, her violet gaze fixing on Zoe with unnerving intensity. "I've been expecting you since the autumn equinox. Come inside."
The hut's interior defied its modest exterior, filled with shelves of ancient texts, crystalline formations, and herbs in countless glass jars. The air thrummed with old magic that made Zoe's birthmark tingle.
"We retrieved the original Lunar Prophecy scroll from the Council's hidden bunker this morning," Lena explained without preamble, producing the ancient document from her concealed pouch. "Zoe was able to interpret most of it, but there are sections that require historical context."
Rhea's eyes sharpened with interest as she gestured for them to sit around a small wooden table. "Show me."
Zoe carefully unrolled the scroll, her fingers still reverent despite their familiarity with the ancient parchment. "I confirmed that Maya represents the first part of the prophecy—her role as Luna bringing reforms to traditional pack structure."
"And you, dear one, are the second part," Rhea said with certainty.
"Yes." Zoe's voice grew stronger as she shared her discoveries. "The prophecy indicates I possess special abilities that will be enhanced by my fated mate. It also revealed hints at other abilities I might develop, though I can't decipher what those might be."
Logan shifted beside her, his protective energy spiking through their bond.
"The prophecy indicated we're the ultimate shifter power couple," Zoe continued, warmth flooding her chest at the words. "Our souls have been bound through lifetimes, destined to reunite now to help bridge our two worlds and fuel the rebellion against Council corruption."
Rhea nodded thoughtfully. "The timing aligns with the ancient texts I've studied. But what troubles you, child?"
Zoe's expression darkened as she pointed to the confusing section. "There are references to tragic circumstances and anultimate sacrifice for protection that I can't interpret. The symbols reference events I don't understand."
"And there might be two additional parts to the prophecy beyond Maya and me," Zoe added. "Though those sections are even more cryptic."
"I'll investigate the additional parts," Lena interjected quickly. "Let's focus on clarifying Zoe's role first."
Rhea's ancient gaze studied Zoe's face with unsettling intensity. "May I touch your hand, dear? Sometimes physical contact enhances my visions."
