Chapter 8 #3
“The drive isn’t terribly long, but it will be easier for her if she sleeps through it.
” Amara closes the distance between us and takes the supplies from the human’s hand with steady movements.
She pauses and her sharp, birdlike eyes sweep over the unconscious she-wolf within the cage.
Her sorrow for the girl is impossible to miss, even behind her stoney expression.
When she turns to us, she is once again the formidable figure I first met—the woman who stood in the clearing that day and barred my path with a wall of unyielding wind when I tried to follow Noa.
Imposing, unwavering. But if I look closely, I can see the fracture lines.
It’s the kind of permanent damage I imagine only losing the love of your life can leave behind.
The mask of power she wears now is just that.
A mask. She’s still bleeding on the inside, but still, she’s showing up for her people.
And for that, I commend her.
Noa moves, slipping from my hands.
“Amara.” She breathes her name in relief. “What are you saying? You’re leaving? You’ve decided to go to Rennick’s territory with the others?”
Amara reaches for her, slender fingers tucking a long, stray lock behind Noa’s ear with a touch that’s almost motherly. “Haven’t you?” she presses.
Noa falters, her mouth opening like she’ll deny it, then closing again. For a heartbeat, I see the war in her face. Finally, her shoulders drop with resignation, and she nods. When her gaze drifts over her shoulder to me, her answer comes out like a quiet surrender.
“Yeah…I’m going too.” She may be answering Amara, but really it’s me she’s telling. “If we want to keep everyone safe, we have to stand together. It’s the only way we’ll have a chance against that other coven…and I can’t lose anyone else.”
“No,” Amara agrees, her voice carrying quiet grief. “We can’t lose anyone else.”
The relief that crashes through me is staggering, almost enough to knock me on my ass.
I had already surrendered to the thought of following her anywhere, even if it meant betraying the oath etched into my blood—to guard my land, my people, my lineage.
That sacrifice had already been carved into me, a wound I would have learned to live with.
For her. And yet, because of Noa, because of that viciously selfless heart of hers, I won’t have to.
It’s just another reminder of how far beyond me she is, of how little I deserve her light. Her grace.
Feeling triumphant, my wolf all but purrs at the thought of her returning to my home where I can place her under my roof and protect her in the way I always should have.
Amara’s attention shifts to me, her eyes so black they seem bottomless.
It pulls me from reveling in my quiet relief over Noa’s decision.
“Okay then, Alpha,” she starts. “We need to get our people moving. It’s late now, and it’ll be later still when we reach your territory. We can’t afford to linger.”
Amara’s words detonate through the air like a starting gun, and everything lurches into motion.
Canaan’s hand claps my shoulder, and he and Rhosyn move off toward Noa’s home, no doubt to gather the supplies she’d already pulled from the cellar and to help Seren organize the new arrivals for departure.
Noa catches the High Priestess’s hand before she can slip away to see to her own affairs.
“Why?” My mate’s question is simple, but it carries the weight of what isn’t spoken aloud.
Amara’s lips curve in a sad half smile as she closes her fingers over Noa’s.
“Because Lowri believed in what we built here,” she answers softly.
“And she would never forgive me if I abandoned it now.” With a final nod, she pivots smoothly and drifts down the dim street, her white shawl glowing faintly in the dark.
The human stares at us, bewilderment stark on his face. “Wait—you’re leaving? What about the sanctuary? You’re shutting it down?”
Noa’s answer comes fast and fierce, leaving no room for doubt.
“No. Never. This is just a temporary move to someplace safer. You’ll still be able to contact me as usual, and if more omegas are found who need a haven, there will always be a safe place waiting for them with us.
” She casts me a sideways glance and I can almost feel the challenge in them when she adds, “Right, Rennick?”
She’s testing me. Pushing to see how far I’ll bend.
She doesn’t yet understand there’s no limit where she’s concerned.
My wolf hums at the defiance in her tone, purrs at the way she utters my name like a gauntlet being thrown.
It’s an unnecessary challenge since I’d burn every inch of my land before I denied her this or anything else, but still, I let her have it.
If she needs me to back her vow before this stranger, I’ll do it a thousand times.
“Of course, sweet one,” I murmur, a smile ghosting across my lips.
The sharp breath she draws at the nickname doesn’t escape me, and though I don’t call it out, I still savor how deeply it affects her.
“Pack Fallamhain stands with Noa’s mission and we’re ready to help in any way we can.
Tell whatever connections you have the same. ” I direct this toward the transporter.
The man nods. “All right. I’ll be sure to remember that.” His gaze flicks to the back of the van, toward the cage. “And her? What should I do with her?”
I step forward before Noa can. “She’s under my protection now. I’ve got her.”
For the briefest of seconds, I swear I see the corner of Noa’s mouth twitch before she ducks her head.
Baby steps, I remind myself.