“I’m not a healer,” Elise explains. “I just learned a few things about first aid and healing, and I might study to become a nurse, but my gift isn’t healing. Real healers can heal by just touching someone.”

Aurelia nods. “Like my friend, Val. It’s a powerful gift; the downside is that her body is very fragile. She can’t shift even though she tested beta.”

Freya nods, a crease on her forehead as she takes all the information in.

“So, how did you find us?” I ask while Aurelia takes some bags from my friends and helps us carry them to the jeep. Her beta is in the driver's seat, waiting patiently for us and showing me a relieved and welcoming smile.

“You won’t believe it,” Aurelia chuckles. “But your human friend…”

“Dave?” I ask in surprise.

“Yes, he managed to track your phone, then he passed Annie and her gamma the information. Annie said he had another wolf with him, who apparently protected him. It’s a weird story, I think. That’s how we found you.”

I stare at her in shock. “Are you telling me that Dave is traveling around with a werewolf?”

“Yep.”

“That’s going to be an interesting story,” I mutter, wondering what my best friend was up to. It sounds unusual and quite risky for him to do that, and I can’t wait to catch up with him.

I turn to my group. “So, are all of you ready for an actual bed, running water, and something proper to eat?”

“Never have I heard a better motivational speech,” Anthony exclaims, throwing his bag into the trailer of the jeep and jumping into it too. The others follow swiftly. I make sure Freya and Amaryllis sit in the car, not wanting them to be forced to ride along in the trailer. When I offer Elise and Elodie the other two free places, they shake their heads.

“You should join them instead,” Elise says with a smile while she allows Marcel to pull her up into the trailer. “I think Freya and Ryllis will be more comfortable with you and Steve around.”

The others nod their agreement, and Steve tosses me a begging glance. He doesn’t want to overstep his boundaries by claiming the place in the car, and I can understand his wish to follow a certain hierarchical order. I nod towards him and, without discussing it further, sit down in the backseat of the jeep right next to Freya, and Steve takes the free place next to Ryllis.

Nox, my sister’s beta, waits for us all to settle in; while my thoughts go back to what Aurelia told me before, and I shake my head a bit. “A werewolf, traveling with Dave?” I ask my sister again.

She laughs. “I knew you wouldn’t believe it.”

I take a deep breath, feeling how a sense of calm finally settles in me. We can finally get out of this place. “Thanks for coming for us, Aurelia.”

“Anytime, Finn,” Aurelia says before nudging Nox to drive off. The jeep easily carries us through the snowy path. It’s a much better road than the one we had to take on our first trip. When I turn to look back, I can see the huge sea and massive mountain range where we passed beneath the ground.

Freya’s warm hand searches for mine, and I intertwine our fingers. I can feel her head dropping on my shoulder as exhaustion and stress finally catch up to her. Ryllis snuggles up to Steve, and allows sleep to overcome her.

Hey Finn,Aurelia links me.When Steve’s mate asked me if I could defend myself against men, I felt something was off. What did these poor women go through?

A lot,I say quietly.The pack’s really bad. Bad enough that we didn’t need to research it. It’s like their alpha was proud of how bad they are. Almost like a cult.

Aurelia nods with a frown.I can hardly feel their wolf spirits,she says.Freya’s wolf seems stronger, but the wolf of that poor other girl…

I told you, it’s bad,I explain.I’ll tell you all the details at home.

She turns her head to smile at me.I’m so glad to have you back.

I squeeze her shoulder from behind.Thank you, Bean,I say, using her old nickname from childhood.

She laughs.You’re the only one allowed to call me that.She pauses.How is Max doing? He must be overjoyed to have found his mate!

He is, but he is feeling sleepy now.I grin.

Aurelia chuckles.He is just the cutest.

You say that because your wolf is a regal and divine beast.I grin.I’m stuck with the couch potato.

You love him,Aurelia points out.Don’t pretend you don’t.