Page 3 of Marked for the Pack

“I hope so,” I sighed. “No one should get hurt because of me.”

Shante frowned as if disappointed by my response, then said, “We’re nearly there.”

“It’s best not to sneak up on her,” Flint warned. “We should make noise as we approach.”

Shante chuckled and held up her phone. “I mean, I gave her a heads up when I shot her a message.”

We crossed a small clearing, leaving me feeling weirdly exposed. I glanced up at the sky as though expecting helicopters to reveal my location to the Ironwood pack. Which was silly — they were a large pack, but not particularly rich or powerful, and helicopters were not in their arsenal. Still, my inner wolf felt better once we found ourselves back under the cover of trees.

Ahead, I spotted a sturdy, one-story log cabin with modern roof shingles. A single window faced us, and paving stones led to the front door.

“Freya…” Flint started.

I turned toward him, and the longing in his eyes had me tearing up. I hadn’t wanted him to follow me into danger, but I’d reject him again if it would keep him safe. All the same, my hopes rose at the sign that he still wanted me. I wish the moon goddess had blessed us as fated mates instead of sticking me with Luka.

“Come inside, hybrid girl,” a melodious voice called from the open front door. “Alone. We don’t have all day.”

Chapter 2

Flint

My mate had rejected me in the middle of Moonblessed packlands for anyone to hear.

To my inner wolf spirit, her words meant nothing. He wouldn’t believe it until our wolves faced off and she growled, warning me away. Unfortunately, Freya’s wolf wasn’t ready to come out yet, though Hugo, the Moonblessed pack alpha, had given us all hope that she would, eventually.

Her wolf was in there. We all sensed her.

And now, to hear Shante talking about how Freya might be half-witch? It would explain so much.

Those who followed the ancient ways respected witches and mages much the same way our ancestors had respected the medicine people of the tribe. They knew things about the unseen that the rest of us didn’t. They understood the secret workings of the world and the spirit realm better than anyone. And that knowledge gave them power.

Using our pack bond, Gage, Heath, and I had discussed what to offer the wise woman in return for her help as we followed Freya and Shante. We’d all left Moonblessed with hardly any possessions to speak of, which left us precious little to bargain with.

“Shante,” I began. “We brought nothing to trade that she would value as payment for…”

Shante waved me off. “I already told Brielle I would bring her some supplies the next time I come.” She raised an eyebrow. “You know, when I’m not in such a rush.”

My moonbeam looked a little chagrined. “Thank you, Shante. You’re a true friend.”

Unwilling to leave the mage waiting, Freya entered the cabin.

“Thank you,” I echoed as we waited outside. “We will find some way to pay you back when we return.”

“You better,” Shante grumbled. Then she laughed. “Come back to Moonblessed, I mean. I want to see all of you again, alive and well. I like Freya.”

Ours,my wolf jealously insisted.

In my deepest heart, I knew Freya hadn’t really wanted to reject me. She wanted to protect me. And the stubborn, amazing woman was so determined to protect the whole town that she’d planned to run out into the wildlands alone again.

From the moment I first saw her stab that rogue alpha to when she stood on that ridge alongside me to watch over my packmates, I’d recognized Freya’s courage.

But Freya’s fearlessness might be her downfall unless she would let us protect her. The scent of her oncoming heat would draw unwanted attention within the day.

I turned to look at my packmates, and Gage gave me a wolfish nod before the two of them took off to scout in a wide perimeter. Shante and Freya had left enough false trails to keep Ironwood confused for days, but we couldn’t be too careful. Especially considering the other threats within the wildlands.

“You look like someone broke your heart,” Shante observed, drawing my attention.

It had been a long while since we’d amicably parted ways, but my former lover still knew me well enough to read my expressions.

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