Page 3 of The Hidden Falling
“On it,”he replies instantly, probably already rounding them up as we speak.
A blood link enables you to speak to another person directly through your mind. It’s a very personal connection and usually only exchanged with those closest to you. We can choose who we speak to, either separately or all at once if you have more than one link like I do. It’s established through an exchange of blood, then a symbol representing the link is tattooed into your skin using that blood.
It comes in handy most of the time. Other times, it’s annoying, like when you just sit down for the day and get told there’s a problem you need to get back up off your ass to deal with.
“You’re going out today, right?” Josie asks, bringing my attention back to her as she picks up a log to throw into the sunken fire pit.
“Yeah, I just asked Josh to gather everyone.’ Looking around through the trees toward the cabins, I can already see a few members of today’s outing making their way toward me.
“Okay, I’ll let you get on,” she says, giving me a quick squeeze before heading off in the same direction her mate went. I snicker, knowing they won’t be back for a while.
I take a seat on one of the benches behind me and wait for everyone to arrive. I stare up at the opening in the trees above me. The blue hue of the sky is full of different shades, making me think of my own ice-blue eyes and my family.
I’m proud of where Josh, Kade, and I are at this point in our lives. Although lately, I do feel like Kade has been distancing himself from the pack, or more to the point, distancing himself from me. I know it’s more to do with his wolf emerging five months ago when he turned eighteen, but it seems like he’s spending more time in his wolf form than human these days, and it’s worrying me.
It’s always a difficult time when we first get our wolf, having to learn control and adapt to the enhanced senses we acquire. But he’s had his wolf for a while now, and with no sign of Kade returning to two legs any time soon, I really need to talk to him.
I sigh, bringing my head back down, and notice how low the stock of wood is getting in the center. I make a mental note to bring more down from the storage shed later today. We self-sustain as much as possible out here, which is a lot. We go hunting in the surrounding forest for our food and fish in the river south of here. If we want anything we can’t get down here in the valley, Edward will send most of what we need through a pair of teleworkers stones that transport goods between the connected two. It’s not often that we need to use it, but it’s there for when it is needed.
We are quite happy with what we have. It’s peaceful, quiet, and most importantly, safe.
A simple way of life.
Two
Rhea
“Alpha,”theblondmaleaddresses, dipping his head respectfully as he comes to stand in front of me. I roll my eyes and kick my leg out toward him, wondering if now is an appropriate time to kick his ass.
He knows how I feel about him using that title, even though I am Alpha of Eridian.
His light gray eyes twinkle as he looks at me, knowing full well he’s annoying the shit out of me. I know he’s just trying to ease my mind about going into The Deadlands. He knows me better than anyone else. But seriously, only Josh would irritate me on a day when we have important things to do.
I look him over and see he’s ready to go, dressed in dark combat gear with blades sheathed at his hips and his dark-blond hair in the usual bun, keeping it out of his face. The rest of the guys behind him are dressed in camouflage, waiting for my instructions to set off.
I stand up, tightening my ponytail and blowing out a breath. It’s time to put our plan into action. I just hope Edwards’ help is at the meeting point with our girl, and hopefully alone. Sometimes we get stuck waiting for them to arrive if they’ve been delayed by the creatures dwelling in The Deadlands. Other times, it’s a battle for us to get to them. Either way, we will know when we get there.
“We went over the plan last night, so we know what we need to do, but let’s go over it one last time. Axel and Finn, you’re staying where we port in to keep it clear for when we need to port back home. Josh, Taylor, Seb, you’re with me to collect Sarah. Colten and Hudson, you’ve got our backs and keep an eye out for any trouble. Any questions?” I ask, looking at each of them.
“I doubt there will be any problems, but stay sharp and alert. There has been more activity in The Deadlands than usual,” Taylor, the male that trained us all, tells us. They nod in acknowledgement, a seriousness coming over their faces.
Taylor is a six-foot one, coffee haired, amber eyed powerhouse that moves fast and strikes hard when needed. He’s trained us to be the best fighters we can be and expects nothing in return. I’m thankful he came here. We barely even knew how to hold a blade until he came along.
My gaze moves to Josh as I pinch my bottom lip between my fingers. “Is everything in place for while we’re gone?” Leaving Eridian always makes me nervous. It’s my responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety. I know they’re in good hands and that they’ll be well protected, but with the news of more Rogures being seen throughout Vrohkaria, and having more activity than normal in The Deadlands, my mind whirls over every single security measure we have in place.
“Everything is set and prepared,” Josh replies, shaking his head slightly as he adds, “Kade is still out hunting.”
From the look on his face, Josh is clearly fed up with Kade being out all the time just as much as I am. I sigh. Kade’s battle for dominance with his wolf, Axis, is not going well. It’s been nearly three days since he shifted and went into the forest surrounding our home.
With Kade being new to having his wolf, he’s struggling to separate himself from Axis. We all go through it when we get our wolves. You’re expected to be out of control for a year or longer, but sometimes the battle for dominance is lost, and the wolf takes over. If that happens, you lose control of yourself completely until you either win and gain control back, or someone else controls you. Kade’s wolf is strong, and I fear that him spending more time in the forest than at home is not helping him gain the hold he needs to take control of his wolf.
I might need to speak to Solvier to see if he can offer any advice on how to help him. Either way, Kade is about to have pissed off Josh on his ass. But even more unfortunate for him, when we catch him, he’ll have to deal with me first.
“Okay, let’s get going then. I want to be back in time for dinner, guys. In and out,” I say as cheerfully as I can muster. With the pack’s safety and Kade plaguing my mind, along with the look Josh threw my way, it’s safe to say my cheerfulness falls flat.
We walk out of the gathering heading west, cutting in between the cabins and into the forest. We’re quiet as we walk, lost in our own thoughts as we prepare to enter The Deadlands. It’s always dangerous, but this is what we do.
Sticks snap under our feet, the sound echoing along the wind with the melody of the birds. The tree branches sway gently above us, casting flashes of light onto the rich ground. It doesn’t take long before we come to a stop in front of the lilk trees that circle our home, separating us from the thick dense forest beyond it. I look up, admiring the pastel pink and orange petals flowing to their own dance in the breeze. The scent of sweetness and earth hits my senses, and I breathe deep, allowing it to calm me.
