Chapter 23
Garek’s tavern in Cindermoor had never felt more alive.
The room thrummed with wolves, with low laughter, the scrape of boots across the floor, the solid knock of mugs against wood.
The packs were gathered in one rare moment when no one stood braced for disaster, when shoulders had loosened at last and voices could rise without fear of what might come crashing through the door.
Evelyne stood near the hearth with Heidara, the fire’s warmth chasing the last of the chill from her bones. At last, she had allowed herself to believe they all deserved a night like this.
Alaric was resting in the lodge near the market, finally beginning to heal.
Cillian had chosen to stay with him, unwilling to leave for long.
Before coming here, Evelyne had taken both their hands, Alaric’s warm and steady now, Cillian’s still faintly trembling with exhaustion, and given them each a gentle squeeze.
I’ll be back, she had said, meaning far more than the words alone.
Now she watched the tavern fill around her.
Ironwolf. Moonshade. Glaciermaw. Different scents, different ways of carrying themselves, and yet for tonight they shared the same room without strain.
The tavern hummed with conversation, the creak of chairs and crackle of the fire filling the room, loud enough to feel alive but not so loud that the words between them were lost.
At the long table near the center of the room, the alphas had gathered.
Kaldrek sat with an ease that disguised the weight he carried, one arm slung along the back of his chair, his eyes still keen even as some of the tension left his shoulders.
Ravena lounged opposite him, while Obren sat at her side, laughing his way through a story Evelyne suspected had grown grander in the telling.
She stood close enough that their voices reached her between bursts of tavern noise, and though she caught only fragments, they were enough to matter.
The rest, she hoped, she might glean through the quiet pull of her mating bond.
“The Noskari have gone quiet,” Obren said, his voice carrying clearly for a moment. “But they are not gone.”
“They’ve weakened,” Ravena replied. “Vaelora’s death must have fractured whatever held them together.”
“That does not make them harmless,” Kaldrek said calmly. “They are waiting for something.”
“And they want us to know they’re still there,” Holden added from farther down the table, having most likely inserted himself into the discussion without invitation. “They’ve been leaving marks.”
“So,” Obren said, lifting his mug, “east, west, or straight south?”
“The southern territories may hold answers about the blood magic,” Ravena said. “But I doubt we will find any other packs there.”
“We have not searched the east fully,” Holden said. “There may be packs there as well, and if the Noskari regroup, we will need every ally we can find.”
“Perhaps,” Obren said, “but the west holds packs we know are real. Moonshade found them, yes? No offense, pup.”
Holden gave him a thin smile. “None taken.”
“That is true,” Ravena said. “Though they may have scattered by now. Most in the west prefer to stay hidden, which is precisely why we went there. I cannot say whether they would help.”
“It is worth finding out,” Obren said.
Kaldrek set his mug down, the sound loud enough to draw attention even from across the room. “We stay together through the Sunmere Stretch. After Mokkvyrn, the packs divide.”
The table fell quiet.
“Moonshade goes east,” Ravena said at last.
“Glaciermaw will range west,” Obren said, glancing toward her. “We’ll find them, and we’ll make them help.”
Evelyne let out a slow breath and realized she had leaned closer without meaning to.
Choices were being set in place. The road was calling again, and Ironwolf would continue south. Nothing about it felt triumphant, only solid and inevitable. At last she drew back from the edge of the conversation and turned to Heidara. Kaldrek would tell her what mattered in full soon enough.
Heidara was already watching her over the rim of her mug, smiling as she took a slow sip of ale. “You had better start repeating whatever Kaldrek tells you,” she said.
“Well, obviously,” Evelyne replied. “Though I must warn you—it was dreadfully boring. You didn’t miss much. Alphas are remarkably stubborn creatures.”
Kaldrek must have heard her, because his head turned sharply in their direction and a grimace crossed his face.
The talk at the alphas’ table was drawing to a close, and Obren had already wandered off.
Now he leaned close to one of the Moonshade shifters, his hand resting with easy confidence at her waist while he said something low in her ear.
The female’s hazel eyes brightened, and she covered her mouth as a soft laugh escaped her.
Some people, Evelyne thought, were simply born shameless.
At least his attention was no longer on her, or on needling the Ironwolf pack.
In truth, he and Kaldrek had softened into something near camaraderie since Evelyne accepted the mating bond.
Perhaps surviving so much together had dulled the old competition between them.
Or perhaps Evelyne simply had to admit that Obren, and his pack, were far better company than she had once expected.
Useful too. An added layer of protection, with a fair measure of entertainment woven in.
“He flirts like breathing,” Heidara muttered.
“Good,” Evelyne said with a grin. “I’d hate for him to lose that consistency. We could all use a little fun tonight.”
Heidara stared at her, jaw dropping. “I’m sorry—did I hear that correctly? Evelyne Duskwood, the noble southern lady who needs constant reminders to enjoy herself, is telling me we need fun?”
“Oh, hush,” Evelyne said lightly. “You’re rubbing off on me. And I miss seeing you playful.”
Heidara’s expression eased. “You’re right. I’ve been a bit of a downer lately.” She glanced around the tavern, then back at Evelyne. “But I suppose I have plenty of reasons to change that.” She clinked her mug against Evelyne’s still-full one. “Drink with me.”
They each took a few generous gulps just as a brooding presence drifted into their periphery.
Beau.
“For heaven’s sake,” Heidara murmured.
“I know you don’t want to speak with me,” Beau said quietly, “but I wanted to apologize. For everything.” His voice was stripped of bravado. “My jealousy went too far. I hurt you, and that was wrong.”
Heidara studied him for a long moment before nodding once. “Thank you for apologizing.”
He lingered, clearly hoping for more. Evelyne raised her brows at him, a silent suggestion to leave.
He did not take it.
“Heidara—”
“My heart is elsewhere now,” Heidara said calmly, cutting him off without cruelty. “It has been for some time. I don’t wish to return to what we were, so please—move on. We’re older now, and there are far more important things ahead of us.”
Beau swallowed, defeat plain in his eyes. “I understand.”
He left without another word.
Evelyne turned back to Heidara, smiling. “You know,” she said, “that was an exceptionally polite dismantling.”
Heidara snorted. “I learned from the best.”
***
As the night stretched on, Evelyne found herself settled at a corner table with Kaldrek, Heidara, and Holden.
Heidara still treated her brother with coldness, but the fact that they could sit together at all without sparks flying felt like its own kind of progress.
And tonight, that was enough. Alaric was himself again.
Everyone was still here. Still breathing. Still whole.
Holden pushed back his chair and lifted his brows at the table. “Another round?”
“I can fetch my own drink,” Heidara snapped. “I am perfectly capable of making my own choices and performing tasks without assistance.”
Holden lifted his hands in surrender. “All right, then. Think of it as a peace offering, little sis.” He rested a hand briefly on her shoulder and she rolled her eyes. “And,” he added, “as an apology for being an ass.”
Kaldrek grinned into his mug, clearly agreeing.
Heidara laughed. “Yes, Holden. You are an ass. A truly impressive one.” She slapped his hand away. “And I suppose I’ll have to accept that my brother will forever be a pain in mine. Now go get me a drink.”
Holden ruffled her hair in response, but before stepping away, his tone warmed.
“I know you care about him,” he said quietly. “Alaric, I mean. I won’t pretend I like it…” He hesitated, then nodded. “But he’s a good man.”
“Yes,” Heidara replied without hesitation. “He is.”
Holden met her gaze. “I won’t interfere where your heart is concerned.”
“Thank you.”
He straightened, his voice lifting again. “Unless he turns into a dick. Then all bets are off.”
“Holden,” Kaldrek said dryly, “go get the ale.”
Laughter rippled around the table.
The night eased into stories and shared warmth, the fire burning low as plans slowly gave way to farewells.
Evelyne and Kaldrek lingered longer than they should have once they returned to their lodge, the quiet hours slipping by far too easily.
She would regret the lost sleep come morning—but not enough to wish it undone.
By dawn, they were moving again.