Page 58 of The Alpha's Mates

"It's home to many humans," Soren said," I'm not surprised."

"It wasn't even that," Reese argued. "There was just something about it." We stared at her as she tried to explain. Eventually she gave up and shrugged. "It was probably just my paranoia about being so close to home."

The Dreiken Wood was only two days from her village. Having made the trip recently, I knew exactly how long it would take us to get to where we needed to be. We had exactly thirteen days before the moon would hide in Elaria's shadow.

Reese was right, though. The Dreiken Wood was a strange place. There were humans who lived there and they seemed to be able to sense our kind. They'd been known to hunt shifters and keep them in cages. The rumors got pretty wild from there. Everything from forced breeding for the female shifters who were captured, to the males being cannibalized. And of course where there were gruesome deaths, there was talk of vengeful ghosts. Truth or not, we wouldn't linger there longer than needed.

The woods had made me uneasy when I’d traveled to the coast to look into the rumors of an all-female pack. In fact, I’dbeen so on edge, I’d pushed myself to my limits to make it through them without stopping. We weren’t going to be able to do that this time. Not with our mate traveling with us. I’d ended up having to rest for two days after emerging from the woods the last time. A shiver rode down my spine and I shoved thoughts of the darkened trees out of my mind.

Atlas began teaching Reese how to control her thoughts, now that she had the ability to communicate directly to us using only her mind. She needed to learn quickly. Last thing we needed was her projecting to our enemies. I listened with half an ear as I watched Soren pace around us. He was obviously thinking about something and it was making him agitated. I had a feeling he wanted to keep pushing on, getting to the Cobalt Coast long before the deadline so he could form a battle plan.

Reese proved to be a quick study. Before long she was able to focus and keep some of her thoughts from us. It would be a useful tool in the upcoming fight. We didn't know when that war that Vera had mentioned was going to start. Saving Lyas could be the catalyst to it all. We all needed to be in top form if that was the case.

By the time Soren settled down, Reese was yawning. I remembered back when I was first learning to control my projections. It was mentally exhausting.

"Get some sleep," Soren told her. "We'll be leaving at first light." He looked over at me. "I'll take first watch. You relieve me in two hours. Then Atlas."

"I can take a watch," Reese announced.

Soren shook his head, not bothering to argue with her, instead walking away.

"What?" Reese asked, looking between us. "I can help."

"Go to sleep, Minx," I told her, grabbing her around the waist and settling her in front of me so she was reclining against mybody. She grumbled, but shifted until she was in a comfortable position.

Atlas moved closer and I watched as she fell asleep within seconds. It wasn't long before her breathing evened out and she began snoring lightly. It was adorable.

"She's going to be trouble," Atlas said quietly, amusement clear in his voice.

"But she's our trouble," I replied, in full agreement.

He laughed. "That she is."

Despite the weight of the world on our shoulders, we followed her quickly into sleep.

CHAPTER 26

Reese

Iwasn’t sure what woke me, but my eyes popped open. Gone was the comforting heat of my mates sleeping beside me. I stood up slowly, looking around with a frown. Where were they? It was the middle of the night and the moon was shining overhead, lighting up the plains. It amazed me that I could see the grass swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze, that was how bright it was outside.

My mates were gone though, and I couldn't see them anywhere. "Soren?" I called out softly. The crickets nearby silenced at the sound. "Atlas? Calder?" I stepped out of the shadows of the rocks we were using as cover.

Nothing.

There was no one around.

Where would they have gone? Why would they have left me behind? My eyes narrowed. They wouldn't have. No way. Something had to be wrong.

I sniffed the air, trying to pick up their scent. It was faint, but there, leading away from our camp and toward the open plains. I followed it, my heart racing with worry. I kept my senses peeled for any sign of danger. A shudder raced down my spine and I froze. It was too quiet. The insects never started back up. Even the wind was silent though it still blew through the grass.

I took a few faltering steps and looked around again, searching for any signs of life. Nothing but grass as far as I could see in all directions.

"Soren?" I called out again, louder this time.

"He's gone."

Whirling, I turned and gasped as I found a woman standing there, watching me. Her golden hair shone in the moonlight, whipping back and forth in the wind. Her dress billowed and waved, like it was entreating for peace. We studied each other silently for a few heartbeats. "Who are you?" I asked.

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