Chapter Twenty Four
Over the next few weeks, we entered a blissful period of peace. Every night, I fell asleep entangled with my mate. Every morning, we woke side by side.
Although Roman kept Malik occupied with his various duties as a general, overseeing training or making preparations for the quarterly patrol of the entire Intonat Nocte territory, he did not dare to interfere with us.
Since we cemented our mate bond, Roman smartly kept his distance.
Malik's control hung on a very thin, very precarious thread.
Most days, I remained by Malik's side on the training field. Sometimes, he accompanied me to the clinic, hulking by the wall while I worked and glaring daggers at any patient that dared get too close after treatment.
And, through it all, my belief in Malik's ability to lead the Intonat Nocte continued to grow.
He spoke to every pack member, old and young, strong and weak, with fairness.
He governed the warriors with an iron fist, yet treated every individual with kindness when they earned it.
From my view, the pack revered him as a leader.
Only a select few, who I'd come to recognize as Roman's inner cadre, showed disdain for Malik.
I knew, in my heart, that the Intonat Nocte pack would respect and celebrate his ascension as alpha. Only Malik stood in his own way.
Still, I didn't make the mistake of bringing it up to him again. Winter was approaching, and I figured we had time before Roman chose to declare war on another pack in his quest for domination. Only a fool would attack another pack in the cold of winter.
"General!" Aren called, jogging to catch up to where Malik and I trekked, hand-in-hand, from the training yard to our cottage. "I've just received word from Roman that he'd like us to leave for the patrol of the outlying territories tonight."
Malik and I stiffened, my heart thundering to a halt. We turned to face Aren, who'd gone above and beyond in his new role as Malik's assistant.
The War Trial was a bi-annual event held to allow warriors and their leadership the chance to demonstrate their fighting abilities.
Each squad split into separate teams and fought in a simulated battle until only one team emerged victorious.
My home pack never partook in anything so needlessly violent, but it was a pivotal part of Intonat Nocte culture.
According to Estelle, each War Trial saw multiple casualties and countless injuries, and healers were in extremely high demand.
Aren skidded to a stop, his chest heaving as if he sprinted all the way from the pack house. "He has reason to believe one of the newly acquired territories is plotting to withdraw from Intonat Nocte control."
Malik's brow furrowed, a frown crossing his features. I've heard nothing of the sort.
"It's new information." Aren struggled to catch his breath and shrugged a shoulder. "That's all I know. He said to prepare to depart immediately. He'll be joining us on the journey, just in case the reports hold any truth."
I blinked. Roman will be joining? Malik said that Roman has never left the center of Intonat Nocte territory for something as trivial as a quarterly patrol before. Hell, he didn't even leave for war! He was choosing now to become an involved alpha?
One look at Malik told me that he thought the same thing. My mate's nostrils flared, clear discontent etched in his frown. He nodded once at Aren. Fine. We'll prepare to leave tonight. Will you tell Roman?
Aren hurried away, leaving Malik and I alone once more.
Trouble squeezed at my gut, and I chewed on my bottom lip. Goddess, this change of events wasn't ideal, but it couldn't be helped. "I'll need to go tell Estelle that we're leaving tonight. She'll have to find someone to take my shifts for the War Trials—"
My mouth fell open. "What? Why?"
"But I'll be with you," I protested, crossing my arms against my chest. "There's no safer place for me than by your side."
He sighed. Usually I'd agree. But I'd rather spend a few days apart than make you endure the entire trip in close proximity to him. You'll be safer and happier here.
I frowned, shifting away from him when he reached out to cradle my cheek with his palm. "I highly doubt that."
Two lines formed between Malik's brow at my refusal, frustration and guilt clouding his good eye. I'll have Aren stay behind. He won't leave your side from morning to night. He's not much of a fighter, but I trust him. And you'll be with Estelle all weekend.
I hated this. I hated that Malik made this decision without consulting me. Even the idea of spending ten minutes apart made my heart ache, especially after weeks of bliss by his side. I felt more connected than ever. Like he'd become a part of my body, and separation would be akin to death.
He captured my chin between his thumb and forefinger, the space between our bodies disappearing as he forced me to look up at him. I'll be back before you know it. Please... Do this for me.
I swallowed, unable to look away from him not matter how much I tried. If you're right and Roman wanted to join the trip to get close to me, he'll be furious when he finds out I'm not going.
"Then I'll be able to go with you?" I prompted, sliding my hands up the ridges of his abdomen.
I dared a smile. "How long do you think we have before you leave?"
He shrugged a massive shoulder. A few hours, at least.
Malik chuckled again, his big arms wrapping around his back and falling to my ass. He hoisted me upward and my legs hooked at the base of his spine, a move we'd perfected several days ago. How does an orgasm for every day we'll be apart sound?
To my surprise and wariness, Roman didn't bat an eye when it became clear that Aria wouldn't be joining us on the quarterly patrol. I'd been so certain that he only wanted to come to get close to her, yet he hardly spared her a second glance as we readied for departure.
It should've been a blessing. I should've felt pleased that Roman was respecting my mate.
And yet, hours after we left the pack house, unease curdled in my stomach. The fur on the back of my wolf's neck prickled, refusing to lay flat. I considered it my body's natural reaction to leaving Aria after spending every waking and sleeping moment by her side for the last few weeks.
We'd traveled far enough away that I could no longer speak to her through our bond, and the quiet unnerved me. Still, her emotions pulsed through our connection, allowing me to feel her sadness at my departure. My little dove's longing matched my own.
It had taken every ounce of strength to peel my body from hers when the time came to leave. She'd become my home, nestled between her legs, our hips connected and mouths slowly consuming one another's. I'd ensured every inch of her body carried my scent before I left.
Most of the wolves I'd selected for the journey had been replaced by Roman's inner circle. I knew the territory best, so Roman begrudgingly let me take the lead.
A puff of steam escaped my snout. We'll push ahead to Lescience. It's only another hour.
I was determined to return to Aria as quickly as possible, and that meant pushing ahead, even when our bodies fatigued.
Anders growled, but none of the other wolves protested. Even Roman remained suspiciously quiet and compliant...
I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
The Mendosia territory rested at the forrest reach of Intonat Nocte territory, and Roman's reports claimed that the recently acquired pack had staged a rebellion of sorts. He wanted to end the discontent before it spread to any other surrounding territories. Of course, in Roman's mind, that meant bloodshed.
Roman increased his pace to jog next to me. Have you lost the ability to speak to Aria, yet?
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion creeping over my chest. Why?
On instinct, I sent tendrils of awareness through our bond.
Though countless miles separated us, I could sense she was safe.
Her side of the bond felt rather peaceful, no doubt because she was currently sleeping, but I willed a wave of warmth to sweep over her through the bridge connecting our minds, like a physical caress.
Roman ducked to avoid a low-hanging vine. You possess knowledge of the most sacred bond possible between two shifters. I'm just curious about how it works.
My jaw tightened, but I sensed no deceit in his explanation. With another huff, I offered an answer. It's beginning to grow dimmer, though it lasted far longer than any pack bond. By the time we reach Mendosia, I'd guess we'll barely be able to feel one another.