Page 97 of Emerald Flame
“He’s gone.” Warren’s voice was a whisper against her ear. “You’re safe.”
She squeezed his arm. “As are you.”
“I’m going to call and let Fergus know what’s happened as well as Alessandro. I’ll have some of my wolves take care of this.”
Nothing more was said between them during the removal process.
Both Fergus and Alessandro arrived to see to Glissane. Fergus told Warren he would make sure the wizard’s body was taken to the morgue. For all the suffering Glissane had caused, Fergus wanted to see the body cremated himself so there could be no fear of his return. The wizard had proved so secretive that Fergus wanted proof. They all did.
Kiara was glad of it. Mostly, there ought to be an eye-witness. The packs of Savage wouldn’t be at ease otherwise, something she understood extremely well. The dark witches and wizards of Elegance could easily fake their own deaths.
Once assured of his demise, Kiara had no doubt there would be massive celebration throughout the territory.
For now, as Warren flew her back to her refuge, she wanted only to be with him.
Once inside, she assured her staff she was well. She explained what had happened and that Glissane was dead.
The wolves howled their joy at the news.
She relayed of course what had happened earlier in her grotto. Her staff assured her they would take care of the water damage and not to worry.
They could easily see that she and Warren had bonded, so she didn’t need to explain why she intended to return to Caldion with him.
To his pack.
And now hers.
And a new life in Savage as an alpha’s bonded mate.
Warren remained close to her while she packed up a few things to take to the compound.
Neither spoke.
She was happy to be leaving the grotto and the recent difficult memories. At some point, she would need to employ a spell to purify the space. But that was for a later time.
When he flew her back to his compound, he landed her on the broad front entrance. He set her on her feet then took her hand as together they faced the closed front doors.
Before he crossed the threshold, he waited, and she understood. She could feel him summoning his wolves and wasn’t surprised when those working security outside began to arrive to form a brigade behind them. When the doors opened, her gaze ran the length of the long entrance all the way to the distant open back doors and the starlight beyond.
Wolves kept arriving at this massive, central part of the compound, several hundred in all.
The Caldion Pack.
The wolves formed two lines on either side with a solemn, respectful attitude prevailing.
She heard more movement behind them. She glanced to the left then the right. Dozens more pack wolves, who lived in dwellings outside the compound, had answered the call as well.
Because of her bond with Warren, she knew the moment every member of the pack had arrived. It was as though her soul had been counting each Caldion member until the last wolf had finally made his way to the gathering.
A soft howling rose from the entire pack, something so melodious and beautiful, it brought tears to her eyes. The part of her that was wolf lifted her chin as though preparing to howl as well. She would have, but this shared howl was for her and it was for Warren. She was being acknowledged as Warren’s alpha-mate.
She’d lived a solitary witch life in Elegance Territory since her arrival in Five Bridges. She had never thought she’d be with a man again. Their world had seemed too full of pain and destruction to allow for love.
Yet here she was and with so much more than a simple, insular relationship. Her bond wasn’t just with Warren but with the hundreds of wolves around her.
The howling of the wolves rushed over her like a gentle wind. She took several deep breaths to keep from sobbing. She didn’t want to miss a moment of the experience.
Warren took her hand then began to walk slowly forward. She moved with him and as she did, her gaze landed on each wolf in turn, to her right then to her left. Instinctively, she knew this initial eye-contact was important. The pack-bond grew even firmer as step-by-step she and Warren walked down the line.
