Chapter Nine
Maverick
“Final names and numbers for your approval,” Darius says, placing a piece of paper in front of me.
I glance down, not at all surprised by the lengthy list. Darius has been working on this list for weeks now, for this exact reason. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but we were prepared nonetheless. Now, it’s time to put everything into motion.
“Good. I assume everyone on here is ready,” I answer.
Darius nods. “Just give the word on when you want to head back to Shadow Creek and I’ll brief everyone. Would you like me to arrange for us to travel in smaller packs?”
My lips tug into a smirk. “Worried about being conspicuous? I think we’re past that point now, Darius.”
He’s correct in asking the question. Dozens of wolves crossing multiple territories stick out like a sore thumb. But I’m beyond the point of caring.
Orson hid his antics from everyone, letting other panicked packs take center stage and cause distractions. But he’s not stupid by any means. The day we arrived on his land it was obvious we were onto him. It’s probably why he dismissed us quickly.
I know Daxton is trying to hide his plan from him, but we’re a little over a week out from the new moon. Clearly Orson is planning something going by the witch’s warning.
Aside from that, she had said by the next new moon, not during it. She said it had started, so realistically we could have a week or we could have five minutes. Fuck trying to worry about pleasantries and secrets.
If I had my way, I’d just send my pack into Orson’s territory right now and slaughter the whole lot of them. Of course, that could trigger my own demise but if I’m killing the bad guys, then surely that has to win me some points.
Sadly, I was outvoted and now we’re doing this ridiculous plan instead. I have no idea how many wolves Lex and Cade will take back to Shadow Creek, but I’m not leaving room for error. The more, the merrier.
“Very well,” he agrees. “Do you want to hold another pack meeting before we go?”
“No,” I answer without hesitation. “I said all that needs to be said. They are ready. I don’t wish to delay this any further.”
Darius sits down in the vacant chair across from me. “You want to get back to Luna Nyx.”
I raise my eyebrow at him. Slowly, the bastard just grins at me, unfazed by my glowering.
“How long have you been holding onto that one for?”
He shrugs. “A while. I just had to wait until I was sure you wouldn’t end my existence for using it.”
Scowling, I fold my arms. “It could still happen, Darius. Don’t be so sure yet.”
I continue to stare at him, to make him feel unsettled. It begins to work, his smile fading as he swallows nervously. I watch as he picks up the paper and examines it, like he didn’t just put the list together himself.
Luna Nyx.
That’s a title I never thought would be associated with the pack, let alone her.
But despite breaking his confidence, Darius is correct.
I do want to return back to Nyx immediately.
I hate the thought of leaving her unprotected.
This is what I was afraid of—having to choose between the best interests of my pack or an individual.
I always assumed that I would easily be able to tune out any mate related feelings, that I would always opt to protect my pack. But sitting here, away from her, it’s a horrible, uncomfortable feeling to harbor.
The truth is I had to pick my pack—just as Lex and Cade needed to do the same. But all roads lead back to Nyx. We’re doing this for her, to protect her. The more wolves we have in Shadow Creek, the stronger we are if things go south with Orson.
I was wrong to assume I could have easily walked away. The distance never would have protected me. I’m not sure if the pining feeling is strengthened by the fact that we completed the mate bond, or if it was always going to be this hard.
There’s no possible way I would have been strong enough to stay away. The Moon Goddess herself wouldn’t have been able to stop me from finding my way back to Nyx. Though, ironically, that’s exactly how it works.
Fucking divine chemistry.
It started to sink in when I found myself in Nyx’s bedroom that night, desperate just to be close to her. I started to question my sanity, my competence as a leader. For someone I claimed to hate, I was stalking her in her own damn house.
And don’t even get me started on that poor excuse for clothing she was wearing. That was the real test of strength. I’m still amazed I walked away when every fiber in my body was screaming to claim her, to fuck her into oblivion like that first time in the woods.
I had lied, claiming to be monitoring the area. To be fair, there was some truth in it. But the unspoken words painted a different story.
I was waiting for her.
The smell of her heat, the pulling of the mate bond, it was far too intoxicating to ignore. Our primal instincts were unleashed and so the battle began.
I excuse Darius out of pity, allowing him to leave once I had mentally tortured him enough.
After wrapping up my work in the office, I head back to my house. While here, there’s something I need to grab before we leave. Something important.
I mind link Darius and order him to prepare everyone. I’m done waiting. The sooner we leave, the sooner I can be back with Nyx. And if I stick to my punctuality, I might get more alone time with her.
Cade seems the type to take his sweet time, though I won’t discredit the idea that he’ll rush back. Lex is thorough, but I know he’ll be eager to return as well. If I hurry, I might beat them.
I find what I’m looking for immediately, the soft velvet box exactly where I left it all those years ago. I tip open the black box, eyes scanning the familiar jewelry.
It’s my most treasured possession, the only thing I consider sentimental.
My mother had worn this teardrop opal necklace every single day of her mated life—a gift from my father shortly after they met on her twenty-first birthday.
She was wearing it the day she died. It’s all I have left of her.
Never in a million years could I imagine giving it away. I’d kill a thousand men to protect this tiny gold necklace. But all I have been able to picture is Nyx wearing it—my mate. It belongs to her now. Just like I do.
Closing the box, I place it securely in my pocket and leave the house.
By the time I arrive at our meeting spot on the edge of town, Darius is already there with most of the members who will be travelling with us.
There’s still time before we are scheduled to leave but most of them are well aware of my thoughts on punctuality, matching the energy.
I give Mason and Theodore a quick nod of acknowledgment before checking numbers with Darius.
I’ve assigned them to assist with leading the pack since they are both familiar with the route.
Given there’s such a large group of us, it makes sense to have a perimeter set up.
We need to be scanning the path at all times, in all directions.
“The last of the members are just arriving now,” Darius says, tilting his head toward the final few people pulling up behind the group.
“Good,” I answer, raising my voice. “As discussed,” I direct toward the group.
“We will be heading straight to Shadow Creek. Preferably I’d like to limit stoppage as much as possible.
Darius has already spoken to you about formation, and Mason and Theodore will guide you up front with us.
For those I’ve asked to bring up the rear, I expect you to remain in contact via mind link.
Everyone is responsible for scanning the surroundings. Be vigilant.”
It comes off a tad aggressive, but whatever gets the message across.
The group nods in understanding before Darius leads them away to shift and secure belongings to their wolves’ backs. When everyone is back and ready, I step away so Colt can shift.
“Everyone in position,” I bark at the group of wolves, moving around them in a circle as I perform a final check.
Taking my place back up front, I break out in a fast run, hearing the sounds of a thundering army behind me as we begin.
Normally, I enjoy travelling. Colt and I relish in the freedom of running, often remarking that journeys end too quickly.
This time is different though. I’ve made the trip to Shadow Creek more than once now, but for some reason, this final trip seems to drag on for a lifetime.
Every tree looks the same. Every creek.
I find myself sprinting faster than usual, and a few times I have to remind myself that my pack is with me, checking to make sure they are keeping up. It would be dangerous to pull too far ahead, but of course, they manage to keep up just fine. We’ve trained them well and they know what’s at stake.
I try to mind link Nyx during the trip. I’m disappointed to hear nothing but radio silence—not even the deranged chatter of Cade.
I have to admit, it worries me when I can’t reach anyone. Perhaps I’m too far away from them.
I’ve never known mind link to have limitations with distance before, but then again, our situation is very different.
It’s likely Lex and Cade have shifted too, on their way back to Shadow Creek.
Maybe Nyx is asleep or busy, and with the space between all of us, we just have a bad connection or something.
That’s my hope anyway.
Against my better judgment, I have to trust people I ordinarily wouldn’t. Daxton, for example.
Nyx will be fine in his hands. After all, he’s kept her alive this long.
Amazing really when you consider it. Before I knew Nyx was my mate, if you had placed us in a close proximity for two decades, we would have long killed each other.
The radius wouldn’t handle both of our presences, and it would have been a blood bath.
Though, even when I did know she was my mate, I still had to resist the urge to kill her on more than one occasion. Funny how love works.
As I reach the territory adjacent to Shadow Creek, I start to feel relief in my entire body. Not long now. Once we reach the other side of this land, we’ll enter Daxton’s woodlands. Then, it’s just a matter of moments before I emerge through the clearing and spot Nyx waiting for me.
Hopefully alpha-less for the time being.
Is it wrong of me to wish that?
No. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s not selfish of me to still want alone time with my mate.
I’ve come to accept our situation, feeling the urge to murder Lex and Cade less regularly—well, Lex anyway—but that doesn’t mean I want them in my space every second of every day.
The time Nyx and I spend alone has come to be something I enjoy.
I never thought that would be the case. What would we even have in common?
For a while I assumed to make it work I’d just have to fuck her constantly to keep her quiet.
Turns out I was wrong though. Underneath that defiant, snarky attitude is a smart, caring, loyal woman.
Like me, she protects hard. She’s unapologetically herself—even against alphas. I guess that should have been the first sign she was different. It’s against our nature to defy Alphas, yet she has done so to every one she has ever met—even her own.
Colt breathes out a sigh of relief when we cross the border into Daxton’s territory.
I’m nearly there, Nyx.
Even with the exhaustion in my bones, I power forward, this time, leaving my pack behind.
I can sense wolves lingering out of sight in the woods, but I know they are Daxton’s pack, ensuring we aren’t an enemy approaching. They leave us alone, only briefly appearing in our peripheral vision to flank us as we start our descent.
The clearing is just up ahead, and as the trees begin to clear, I can make out bodies on the field waiting.
Colt jumps through the final edge of trees, ripping up dirt on the field as we come to a grinding halt in front of Daxton.
Where is she?
I do a double take, surprised when it’s just Daxton and a few other members of his circle. Turning my attention to him, I notice the hardened expression on his face. But it’s different.
It’s as if he’s trying to portray his usual demeanor, keeping his composure neutral. But something is off.
He gestures for me to head inside the facility to shift back just as my pack pulls up behind me.
Narrowing my eyes, I lead everyone toward the awaiting facility doors, giving Alix a brief nod as I pass. Once I’ve shifted back and grabbed my belongings from Darius, I burst back through the door to the field.
Daxton is waiting a few feet from the door, this time alone.
“Grace will escort your pack to the guest houses. You better come with me,” he says quietly, voice breaking in the slightest.