Chapter 14
Thornar
Tonight had turned into a chaotic clusterfuck, and I was about two seconds from losing my patience with it.
We’d left the Blazefur Pride territory early afternoon, made a quick landing for medicine not long after, and should’ve been back in the air within the hour.
But every flight in the mountain region had been grounded due to weather, leaving us stuck for hours at the edge of the territory we needed to cross.
Now we were finally approaching our destination, the midnight hour closing in fast.
The only positive—the only fucking one—was that Gracie had slept the whole time. Her medicine had kicked in, her fever cooled, and while I didn’t like how flushed her cheeks still were, it was better than their chalky appearance from this morning.
“We’re going to have to grab a hotel for the night. There’s no way we’re making it into the city,” I said, smoothing my hand over Gracie’s head. I was sitting on the floor near her, and the other two were seated as close as possible, positioned on leather chairs and leaning forward.
“Already found an Inn,” Basir said, allowing me to relax a bit. Normally I wouldn’t have thought anything of driving at night, but it was better not to risk it.
Especially in Bloodrose Sloth territory, which was kept purposefully undeveloped and integrated with nature. There were no bright highway lights—hell, there weren’t any highways at all, at least the last time I’d visited.
“I informed Alpha Lacey of the delay,” Ravik said.
“I would have suspected her to be more of a problem than Alpha Chace,” I admitted.
“Chace does surprise me, but maybe it shouldn’t.” Ravik sighed. “I am regretfully in the dark about his motives or plans in general.”
“And even at the TTC, in my time observing him, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary,” Basir agreed.
“We’re definitely missing something when it comes to him.” The other two nodded at my assessment as I continued. “Lacey, in my mind, while unpredictable in what she will decide, is a bit easier to decipher.”
“Gracie thinks we should play into her competitive side with Alpha Kaliyah,” Ravik said, drawing a smile to my lips.
I loved that my little flame was thinking like that.
I didn’t like this political bullshit, but it was part of our lives, and I wanted nothing more than for her to be part of all of it.
“If she does decide to help, there will be conditions. She won’t be as free-wheeling with it as Alpha Haiden,” Basir agreed. Gracie suddenly shifted, momentarily drawing our attention away from the conversation.
“I did receive intel about her brother,” Ravik said quietly.
I shot Ravik a questioning look. I knew how important it was to Gracie that we find her brother. Elowen, despite being annoying—often—had been by my side every step of the way. Which was why I’d given Banthor a fuck ton of warnings about how to treat her.
Though, after traveling with them, it was pretty clear that wasn’t an issue.
“What did you find?” Basir asked.
“His name was found on a registry for citizenship in the Bloodrose Sloth territory, alongside another name,” he explained, flipping open a folder of papers. “A Nori Holloway.”
“So he’s married. That will be interesting.”
“I think locating him and getting more information is important before we tell Gracie,” Basir said evenly. “I don’t think he’s dangerous, but…”
“Better to be safe,” I agreed.
A few minutes later, Gracie shifted, trying to sit up as the soft chime in the jet alerted us that it was nearly time to land.
I helped right her seat, adjusting the blanket, her gaze still a bit hazy.
When she curled up against me, her head resting on my shoulder, I didn’t try to keep her up.
I’d carry her straight to the inn so she could rest.
“How far is the inn?” I asked as we landed, the jet gliding smoothly down on the runway. Despite the delay overall, I was thankful our patience meant we didn’t have turbulence, ensuring Gracie could rest easily.
“Only a short drive,” Ravik assured me as we made our way to a bright red truck sitting in an otherwise empty parking lot. Luckily, even though this wasn’t our territory, we had enough pull to arrange things like transport.
I kept Gracie tucked against me, buckling the seatbelt haphazardly around us. Even with how much I hated that she was sick, I still found myself savoring the chance to hold her, especially with how busy we’d been.
I needed more time with her. Another date, at least.
When we reached the inn, a small, cottage-like building on the edge of an isolated road, I considered that it may not be open at such a late hour.
But the warm light spilling over the stone and the low buzz of music from inside told me we’d most likely be fine.
The air was damp and cool, a breeze brushing over us as Gracie shivered against me.
The storm was fading, but with it, the sharp drop in temperature compared to the southern territory probably wasn’t helping her.
I’d need to grab her jacket.
“Hi there!” a man greeted from the front counter.
As Ravik moved ahead to speak with him, my gaze swept the room, taking in the stone floors and walls, the handmade quilts, the mismatched wood furniture gathered around a living space with a low, steady hearth.
There was a bar, too, and a sitting area that could fit at least twelve, but beyond that, the inn felt more like a home than anything else.
“How many rooms?” the man at the desk asked. I smirked, wondering if he’d be surprised by the answer of one. But he didn’t question it, simply gave us a quick tour and told us breakfast would be ready in the morning at eight, then showed us to our room.
I laid Gracie down on the larger bed while keeping the blankets tucked around her. The older man lingered in the doorway, concern written across his face.
“Sick. Just feeling under the weather,” I explained as he frowned.
“I’ll have Margot make something for her in the morning. Please let us know if you need anything at all.” Then he was gone, Basir closing the door.
I glanced back at him and Ravik. “I shouldn’t be surprised they’re so friendly, but after the last territory…” I trailed off, sitting to pull off my shoes.
“It’s different,” Basir agreed.
I didn’t plan on sleeping much tonight, so once Gracie was settled, I made sure to start a fire before dropping into a large armchair. Once her fever broke, I’d feel a lot better about resting.
“They were so sweet,” Gracie said, her voice still a little hazy as the innkeeper’s wife, Margot, headed back inside.
They’d packed the car with a full spread of breakfast, all of it clearly meant to help us take care of our mate.
Leo, her husband, had nearly refused our money, but after some convincing—and letting him “treat” us to the food and settle everything into the car—he’d finally accepted payment.
I watched Ravik shake his hand before circling the car.
“They are,” I agreed. “This whole place is a welcome change.”
I had to hope the change would continue.
Outside the car the land stretched wide, fields rolling beneath an open sky that felt cooler, almost washed clean after the storm.
It was a quiet and calm territory, showing off the kind of deep green I’d only ever seen as a child in the thickest forests of Silverpine or when we’d traveled overseas.
“Maybe we could come back at some point,” Gracie suggested as she started on the food they’d packed. I looked her over once more before nodding, even more willing than usual to give her anything she wanted. Anything to help her feel more like herself.
She said she was feeling better, and I believed her since the fever was gone, but I still wasn’t happy with how she looked.
The sweater—one of mine—was practically swallowing her whole, even as it kept her warm against the lingering chill.
And while her face was flushed from the shower this morning, she still looked sick.
I wanted her to see a medical team as soon as possible, even if it wasn’t one of Ironsun’s healers.
“Everyone good to go?” Ravik asked. I nodded, settling back into the seat while Basir took the passenger side.
As we started driving, I noticed the road was rougher than I remembered—nothing like the smooth highways in the other territories.
I did appreciate the lack of people, though.
In cities, I always felt like I had to stay on high alert.
“How long of a drive do we have?” Gracie asked.
“Until the central settlement? Maybe thirty or forty minutes,” I offered.
“Settlement?” she asked, a hint of doubt in her voice. “Like the compounds?”
“No,” Basir answered. “It’s more like a town; not large enough to be a city. Everyone in this territory is more spread out. They don’t have the same kind of localized power.”
I couldn’t fully remember what it had been like the last time I’d visited, but it had left an impression.
And as we approached the spread of stone and wood clustered together in the distance, more of it started to come back.
Everything was connected by stone paths, and while waterways wove through the town, most people walked everywhere rather than using boats or cars.
I didn’t fully understand the competition Alpha Lacey had with the other sloth territory, especially when it came to success and prosperity. The way this place would measure was completely different from Scarlet. It was just a different kind of territory.
“This is so cozy,” Gracie murmured, looking up at me to gauge my reaction. I’d stretched an arm across her shoulders, my fingers playing with the ends of her hair.
“Lacey’s estate is just ahead,” I said, having already memorized the map of our route last night.
Unlike the other cities, the drive from the edge of town to the Alpha’s estate was quick, and I could see Gracie taking in the way it sprawled—several cottages built out in pieces until it almost formed a manor.
“I’ll be damned.” Ravik’s voice had me leaning forward, brow lifting in surprise.
“Did he give you a heads up?” I asked.
“Not at all.”
“Is that Siguun and Zia?” Gracie asked. I gave a slow nod, curiosity sparking at the sight of Ravik’s youngest brother and his friend waiting out front.
“Doesn’t Zia know Alpha Lacey?” Basir mused. “I think Siguun mentioned that.”
“Could bode well,” Ravik murmured. “Now that you mention it, I think she may be related to her—or a family friend.”
Either way, the familiar faces were welcome, giving me a cautious optimism as the car came to a stop.
“Siguun!” I called as I stepped out of the car. “We didn’t know you were meeting us.”
Ravik’s younger brother was more soft-spoken than Banthor, but he responded in an upbeat tone. “Zia thought that if we came by before all of you, it would make it a bit easier.”
I offered his friend a nod of thanks while helping Gracie out of the car.
She gave a small wave, and I immediately saw both of them—Zia especially—clock her state.
I almost stepped back as Zia moved in front of us, concern filling her gaze.
I knew Zia wasn’t a threat, but I did have to fight the urge to pull Gracie behind me on principle.
“You’re sick.” Zia lifted her hand toward her forehead. “May I?”
I assumed Zia planned to check Gracie’s fever, but instead she closed her eyes, pressing a single finger to Gracie’s forehead. I didn’t like the idea of not knowing what she was doing to my mate.
Siguun made his way over, greeting Ravik and Basir, who were also focused on what was happening. “Zia is a healer.”
Zia offered Siguun a soft look. “Healer in training. Gracie should see a real healer. I’m worried about how fast this came on.”
How did she even know that?
“And I can tell you’re exhausted just from looking at you. Let’s get you all inside and settled.”
“Where is—”
“I’m here.”
My question was cut off as we all turned toward the doors, where Alpha Lacey Harrison waited. The usually serious woman seemed relaxed despite her usual formality. “I’m glad all of you made it safely…although not well, clearly.”
“I’m just sick, it’s nothing to worry about,” Gracie said. “It’s good to see you again.”
Lacey let out a quiet, noncommittal hum. When she did speak, it was measured. “I think it would be wise for you to see a healer. We have plenty of them here.”
“We appreciate that,” Ravik said.
Lacey’s gaze flicked briefly to Zia before returning to him. “As for the rest…we’ll have dinner tonight. I want to think over a few things Zia has recently explained to me.”
Not a refusal. Not agreement either.
“Then we’ll talk.”