Chapter Thirty-Four
Skylar Cathal
By midday, we had returned to Solace.
My pack welcomed us with open arms, gifting me words of gratitude and respect for bringing Magnus home.
“Thank you, Alpha,” they said repeatedly, the title still new and startling.
I imagined it would take some time before I adjusted to the new role and the responsibility it carried.
I walked up the familiar steps to the alpha’s estate, now my estate. Gods, this massive complex was now officially my home.
I outstretched my hand to the large double doors and, for the first time, entered the manor as the alpha. Shaw and the others rushed past me as we entered the large gathering area, making themselves comfortable in front of the ever-burning stone hearth.
The house was abuzz with an array of staff members scurrying this way and that.
I was greeted with, “Welcome home, Alpha,” and “Can we get you anything, Alpha?”
I shook my head and thanked each of them for asking. But by the fourth greeting and inquiry about whether we needed anything, my stomach had begun to rumble.
“Actually, can we please have something to eat?” I asked one of the kitchen staff I recognized.
“Of course!” she said with a beaming grin. “Any requests?”
“Beef stew sounds delicious, if you have anything like that,” I replied. “Something to warm us from the inside out.”
“I’ll get started right away.”
“Oh, and—” I called out before she walked toward the kitchen. “Could you pack some sandwiches as well? I’d like to hold off on the fish and rice for as long as I can, but don’t tell Fjorda or the crew that little secret.”
Her bright brown eyes seemed to drop, realizing that I would only be staying for this meal and then have to depart for the Inner Kingdom. “So soon?”
“The sooner I leave, the sooner I will return.” I winked.
She nodded and mirrored my grin.
“I’ll take a whiskey, please,” Magnus requested. “And a double wouldn’t be the worst thing if you could manage it.”
“Same,” Rhea groaned as she dropped onto one of the large sectionals near the roaring fire.
“Right away,” the kitchen worker said with a kind smile. “Anyone else want something stronger?”
The rest of us shook our heads.
“Their loss,” Rhea mumbled.
“We made stew for lunch earlier today. Rewarming it won’t be an issue. It shouldn’t take long.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Oh, and I’m so sorry… I’ve forgotten your name.”
“It’s Wren,” she said with a nod.
“Like the songbird.”
“You got it,” she answered with a wide grin as a dark curl fell in front of her tanned face. “Although I shift into a wolverine, so that didn’t exactly match up.” Wren laughed. “Both my parents shift into birds, so that’s where they got the name.”
I couldn’t help chuckling with her. “What a unique story. I think that’s amazing.”
Wren smiled. “You’re amazing, Alpha.”
“I haven’t done much to earn that level of praise, Wren.”
“But you have,” she replied, looking at me with a sense of awe and respect that humbled me.
“Your words honor me.” I tilted my head to her as she bent forward, kneeling and bringing her fist to her chest before rising to her feet.
“As do you, Alpha.” Wren’s smile was infectious. “Whiskey is coming right up, Beta!”
“That’s no longer my title,” Magnus rumbled. “But I’ll take the drink regardless.”
“Oh.” Wren blinked. “Sure thing, right away,” she said as she made her way toward the kitchen.
Talon joined Rhea near the roaring hearth as I sank onto the soft, cushioned couch across from them.
Tilting my head back, I gazed upward at the large wooden beams that stretched across the exposed interior.
The craftsmanship of this estate was beautiful.
I had always admired the intricate framework of this room that reached the top of the second floor of the three-tiered mansion.
Shaw stretched out on the nearby chaise adjacent to the large floor-to-ceiling A-frame window as Neera curled beside Magnus.
“So, Magnus,” Talon casually said. “Not Beta?”
Magnus meticulously rubbed at his temples with his finger and thumb, releasing a small groan. “No.”
Talon glanced at his mate, who shook her head. “Then who is, Sky?”
“I…” My words trailed off at the sound of thundering feet practically leaping down the stairs.
“Magnus!” To my surprise, Alistar barreled through the manor, anxiously rushing toward my uncle. “Magnus, my friend!” he exclaimed as they grasped each other’s forearms, looping the other around their shoulders.
With firm thuds on each other’s backs, they pulled away, both sporting smiles of exhaustion for the traumas they’d experienced these past months.
“I’m glad you’ve returned.”
“Me too,” Magnus answered as they embraced each other once more.
Next, the sound of a rolling cart entered the room, drawing our attention.
“Told you it wouldn’t take long,” Wren announced as she pushed the cart behind the backs of the couches and reached for two glasses to hand to Magnus and Rhea.
I jumped up, hurried over to Wren, and eagerly scooped up a bowl of stew. Rhea and Magnus received their drinks, which they eagerly finished before filling their bellies.
“It’s going to take time, but it’s good to be back,” Magnus said, his eyes scanning the second-floor landing. “How’s Gilen?”
“Gilen’s doing the best he can,” Alistar said with a crease in his brow as they joined us. “He’s not here at the moment,” he said, looking at me. “I suggested he fly to the eastern border to help with the patrol. Some space will do him good.”
“A wise decision,” Magnus answered.
I gave my uncle a nod as I finished my first helping of stew and looked at Wren’s cart to see if there was more. To my delight, she was already ladling another helping just for me.
“It’s different.” Alistar paused, his gaze cautiously wandering toward me before returning to Magnus. “Skylar could’ve killed Gilen. But thankfully, our newest alpha has a compassionate heart and spared him.”
“I’ve been told,” Magnus answered, finishing his bowl.
Leaning back, he scratched his beard, a clear sign that he was agitated or possibly worried.
Magnus sighed as he set his bowl on the side table, his shoulders tense and his brow furrowed.
“I can’t remain silent on this, Sky. It worries me that you spared his life in the challenge. ”
“I stand by my decision,” I replied coldly, my shoulders straightening at the tone of my uncle’s words. “We’ll need Gilen in the battles to come.”
To my surprise, on our journey home, I learned that Magnus did not agree with my decision to spare Gilen’s life and accept his submission.
“There’s a reason why a challenge results in—” Magnus began.
“He submitted,” I cut in, my tone firm with an authority that would not be questioned. “I felt Gilen link with me, along with every other pack member that night.”
“He did,” Alistar added, defending his son. “I witnessed it.”
Magnus kept his gaze set firmly on me, bordering on a challenge.
Right now, this was the last thing I needed.
But this was also why I chose Magnus to oversee the pack in my absence.
His loyalty to Solace and the people within it was ironclad.
However, the responsibility of protecting our pack now rested on my shoulders.
Magnus dropped his stare, his thoughts swirling around him like the frigid winter winds.
“Gilen won’t cause an uprising,” Talon said. “He wouldn’t do that to Skylar. Not after everything that’s happened.”
I internally sighed, thankful for Talon’s attempt to keep the peace.
“Except,” Shaw added, lounging in the chaise by the window, “that’s exactly what Magnus is getting at.”
I focused my attention on Shaw, who was staring off into the forest outside the window, seeing his concern mimic my uncle’s.
“Are you worried?” I asked. “About Gilen trying to retake the pack in my absence?”
“He wouldn’t do it while you are away,” Shaw answered. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Then what?”
“He’s smart, but his pride is also wounded,” Shaw began. “Thankfully, that’ll take time to heal. Once he recovers, however…”
“I see,” I said, absently reaching for the dagger strapped at my hip. My fingers traced the cold steel in light circles, sensing a comforting pull of magic from the blade.
“My son wouldn’t do that,” Alistar announced with confidence. “Skylar’s power is undeniable as our alpha. It is the shifter way. Gilen would never break our customs or laws when it comes to that.”
I silently agreed, knowing Gilen was the rule follower, always had been. But were Shaw’s and Magnus’s concerns valid? Could this be his breaking point?
“I’ll watch over Gilen,” Alistar said. “And ensure he doesn’t step out of line.”
“He’s stronger than you,” Shaw countered. “How will you tame him if he tries anything while Skylar is away?”
Good question.
“He’s still my son. We are all each other has.”
And there it was.
I nodded in understanding.
“I’ll help,” Rhea said, leaning forward so her forearms rested on her thighs. “I’ll keep an eye on Gilen and make sure he doesn’t start anything or get any fucked-up ideas in his head.”
I glanced at Shaw and then at Magnus with a half-smirk. Rhea was the perfect solution to this potential issue.
“I almost feel sorry for Gilen now,” I said, giving Rhea a wink. “I assume Talon will be with you?”
Talon nodded. Even though he was not chosen as Gilen’s beta, it was evident that he still held their friendship in high regard. He would be able to help Gilen, while Rhea would ensure he didn’t start something I would have to finish.
I reached out to Talon’s mind, gently brushing against it. “I’m trusting you with this. Keep the peace as best you can. But—”
“If he begins threatening your position as alpha, I’ll do what I must,” Talon answered.
I gave him a firm nod, returning my attention to the others. “This is a good plan. Knowing that all of you are watching over Gilen while I’m gone helps put my mind at ease.”
Alistar turned his lips inward, the look of disappointment flashing across his face.
“You have anything else you wish to say, Alistar?” I asked with an even tone. One I had heard him use countless times in my youth when addressing us from a place of authority.
“No, Alpha,” he replied. “I understand your reasoning.”
“This is not a reflection on you, Alistar,” I said.
His eyes softened. “I understand, and I thank you for your reassurance. When will you leave?”
The question hung in the air as wordless seconds ticked by like hours, silently swirling around all of us like it had a life of its own.
“As soon as I can.”
I didn’t want to leave my pack, but I had to in order to protect them.
Glancing down, I opened my hand to see the opal tattoo on my palm. Bringing it to my lips, I whispered, “Captain Fjorda of the Opal. I call upon your ship to ferry me back across the open sea. I call upon your aid in my final task of the trials.”
A loud horn blasted and echoed across the lands, the ship and its captain hearing my call.