Page 49 of Reclaiming His Lost Mate
As we started to descend, the flames of a nearby camp, some way off in the distance, caught my eye. I realized from the distinctive color of the torches and the whale oil giving off a hint of browny-purple that it was the Nightwing Pack.
“He came,” I said, looking at the gathering in the distance. I frowned. “But what’s he doing way up there?”
Selina’s gaze stole from the torches in the distance back to me, confusion pinching her features.
“I sent word to Lucien about Marissa kidnapping our daughter and her alliance with the Black Moon Pack,” I explained.
Selina’s mouth tightened before she said, “My father has no loyalty or love for family. Lucien will wait safely up there, away from the battle, and then only choose his side once the victor has come through.”
I realized Selina was right. Their fires were stationary, illuminating the darkened wilderness around them. The Nightwing Pack had clearly made camp way off from where the fight would be at dawn and were sitting safely out of danger’s reach.
My heart squeezed at the thought of how cold and ruthless an Alpha—and father—Lucien was. Even though I’d seen first-hand how little love Selina had received from her father, I was shocked by his apathy. I suspected that she’d never been shown true unconditional love since her mother had passed. Fierceness to protect her and show her the love she deserved moved through me.
My hand tightened on Selina’s, and I made her the only promise that mattered right now. “We don’t need his help. I promise we will win this fight and save Mia.”
She squeezed my hand back, the tightness of her jaw telling me she was trying to be strong, already readying herself for the fight.
As the pilot throttled back, the plane glided down, weaving over the treetops to the carefully concealed track near the southern borders of our land. The ground rushed closer, and Selina's breath hitched beside me. I turned to her, the dim glow from the control panel illuminating her resolute expression. I felt a surge of fierce pride and protectiveness swell within me.
When I’d returned to the Shadow Moon Pack earlier, I’d known that Selina and Mia were my whole world, and I’d been willing to wait for however long Selina needed before moving forward. But here she was, in the Shadow Moon Pack lands, and something ignited in mysoul at the idea of my mate being here beside me where I hoped, in time, she’d grow to love and call home.
“Just a little longer,” I whispered, squeezing her hand as if imparting some of my strength to her. “Then she’ll be back with us.”
She nodded, her composure fortifying as the plane finally touched down on the dusty track, engines sputtering into silence. We stepped off into the crisp night air, charged with the electric energy that always accompanied the calm before the storm.
My Beta, Rhys, awaited us at the edge of the track, his figure cloaked in shadows. I turned to Selina, tucking her slightly farther into my side, and together we approached the clearing where Rhys had gathered our Shadow Moon packmates. Beneath the sliver of moon, their sleek yellow fur shimmered like fall leaves.
The assembled pack greeted us with bowed heads, a mixture of respect and readiness evident in their expressions. “
“Selina, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Rhys said, his gaze grave yet warm. He wisely refrained from extending his hand. My wolf had been fiercely protective since hearing about Mia’s kidnapping, and I still had Selina tucked closely under my arm.
“Your daughter is our family, too,” my Beta declared, his deep voice resonating through the stillness of the night. “We will defend her with our all,” he promised.
Selina nodded, “Thank you.” I heard the thickness in her voice and knew through our thrumming bond how touched she was by Rhys’s assurance.
“Have you heard anything from the Moonlight or Silver Moon Packs?” I asked, scanning the dark expanse beyond our clearing. Allies were vital, and the more forces we had gathered, the stronger our chances for success.
“Not since yesterday,” Rhys replied, brow pinched with concern. “But they’re on their way.”
Tension thickened the air, as suffocating as a fog, a reminder of the threats waiting to emerge from the shadows. The Black Moons were an unknown entity formed from rogue wolves, emerging from swamps and desolate lands that we had never trod. Dark magic accompaniedthem wherever they went, the anticipation of it responsible for the unease hanging over our ranks.
“I know Kyle and Roman won’t let us down,” Lyvia assured us, her amber eyes and voice filled with confidence. “Where shall Seraphina and I set up to prepare for locating Mia?” she added, looking at me.
Rhys’s gaze brushed over the two witches, intrigue flashing in his eyes.
“Mia’s safety is our priority, Rhys,” Selina explained, her voice steady and commanding. “While the rest of us draw Marissa and Torin’s focus, Lyvia and Seraphina will locate Mia.”
A surge of pride coursed through me as I watched her take the lead, a natural commander. “Agreed,” I echoed, my voice firm and resolute. “We will attack as one force. Once we’ve engaged the enemy and Lyvia and Seraphina locate Mia, Selina will go retrieve her.”
Rhys met my gaze, determination igniting in his eyes. “Understood. We will hold our ground and engage the Black Moons. Lyvia, Seraphina—set up in the woods behind this clearing. The trees imbued with Igaluk’s dark moon magic will cloak your presence and offer a buffer against any enemy forces that might break through.”
The next hour was a blur of preparations; the night hummed with anticipation as we familiarized ourselves with the warrior in command of each unit of wolves while giving advice and guidance to them on what we knew we were facing.
As dawn crept closer, threads of lavender and gold painted the horizon, each passing moment tightening the knot of urgency in my gut. We stood on the precipice, the impending confrontation like a dark tidal wave rushing toward us.
But the first hint of sunlight had barely flickered across the sky when a collection of shadows emerged at the edge of our territory—a stark silhouette against the breaking dawn. My breath caught in my throat. There they were—Marissa and Torin, standing shoulder to shoulder, the only ones in human forms, flanked by sleek black wolves—the notorious Black Moon Pack, infamous for their brutal raids and plundering of weaker packs. These rogue wolves thrived in the dark swamps and barren lands that surrounded their territory, worshipping the violent aspects of the Moon Goddess, which only fueled theirferocity. The Black Moons reveled in chaos, striking fear into the hearts of all who crossed their paths. And they were here.
In my lands.
