Chapter 26
Torben
The first gentle rays of morning light pierce through the window, casting a warm glow upon Feray's fiery red hair.
She lies beside me, immersed in tranquil slumber, her features softened by the serenity of dreams. A pang of jealousy courses through me as I observe the peaceful repose she's found. I haven't slept that well in years.
Wrapped in my protective embrace, my larger frame envelops her. The bear within me stirs with a possessiveness that intensifies beyond the boundaries of our familiar forest.
Gazing at her, I run my fingers through the strands of her hair, the silky texture a testament to the delicate beauty that rests in my arms. In this moment, as the world outside stirs, she is an oasis of calm, blissfully unaware of the uncertainties the day holds.
Today is pivotal. We journey further into the unknown alongside the elder, seeking answers from families whose names remain shrouded in mystery. Feray's quest to uncover the truth about her birth family propels us forward.
I can only hope these families have the answers she so desperately seeks.
The weight of responsibility, both as an alpha and as the one who holds Feray close, bears down on me.
I watch over her, my gaze unwavering, guarding her dreams and offering silent reassurance.
The love I feel for her, intertwined with the primal instincts of my bear, fuels a determination to navigate whatever lies ahead.
The softness of her features evokes a tenderness within me—a recognition of the vulnerability and innocence I see in her. Unfortunately, being as sheltered as she was, she's unaware of the dangers that lurk in the world.
As we prepare to embark on the day's journey, the significance of the unknown weighs on my shoulders. The elders have told us to protect Feray at all costs. My precious mate is apparently more than she seems. The secret is so buried that even she is unaware of her true potential.
The soft click of the doorknob turning catches my attention. Lifting my head slowly, I look toward the door.
Easton enters carrying a tray with breakfast. No sooner does he enter than I see Feray's nose twitch.
"Bacon..." Feray says as she stretches. "Morning." Her gentle tone makes me smile just before she kisses my lips.
"Morning." I kiss her temple.
Easton clears his throat, getting her attention. "The elder will be here soon. You should probably eat something. We don't need you cranky when you go to meet potential family members."
He comes to the side of the bed where the small table sits near the window and sets the tray down. Feray looks at it, then walks over and kisses Easton on the cheek before sitting down to eat.
He tilts his head toward the door, and I follow.
"What's up?" I whisper as we move down the hall.
"We were talking while you slept. We're going to stay behind so the wolves aren't uneasy." His tone betrays his feelings. He's not happy with the idea but knows it's for the best. "You go with her and don't leave her side."
Nodding, I look back toward the bedroom. "I wouldn't dream of it."
There's a knock at the front of the den, and Easton rolls his eyes. "I'll stall the elder. Get dressed and get ready to leave. I doubt he'll want to linger long."
Easton turns on his heels, and I hear Diaval greeting Clem at the door.
Before I have the chance to turn, Feray has her hands on my hips. "Go get dressed. We're going on an adventure." She bounces up, kisses my cheek, and scoots past me.
I throw on the first presentable outfit and walk down the hallway. Clem is leaning over the tabletop with Feray as they point at different names.
"Your parents' names are missing, child." Clem points at the pulsing black mass on the parchment.
Feray bites her bottom lip, then gets a wicked look in her eyes as she glances from me back to the elder. "That's on a need-to-know basis. Outside of my bond, it is not needed to be known."
I watch her face take on wolven features for several seconds, then recede. Khal puffs up when she makes her statement, and I know she got that stance from him. Diaval notices and gives him an approving nod.
Pride swells in my chest. That's my girl.
"I'm going to go finish up in the back. I'll see you when you return, Precious." Khal kisses her gently and heads to the back of the den to sleep.
"See you soon, Khal. Love you guys..." Feray kisses Easton and Diaval before she runs down the hallway after Khal. She's gone for several seconds, then returns giggling.
"Let's get the show on the road." She grips my hand and waits for the elder to go out the front door.
"We'll go to the Torstens first. They're the closest." Clem turns right out of the door and starts walking down the cobblestone road.
"What can you tell us about them?" I tuck Feray under my arm, holding her close.
"They originate from Silver Falls, the town that guards the passage to Dunnum.
Their shifted form has more white to it than the rest of us.
The Havardr moved from Dunnum to Silver Falls, then here about twenty or so years ago before the war broke out.
" He lowers his head and draws in a deep breath.
"It was a dark time for the packs. Two of our strongholds were at war for control of the north.
We were all afraid it would spill over into Blackmore. "
His mention of the war makes Feray tilt her head. Apparently, she knows something I don't.
"Why did the war break out?"
Her question makes Clem stop. He looks down at his feet.
"An alpha and Luna went missing. Everyone blamed everyone else, and boom—there you have it. All-out war for control of the north."
A shudder moves through Feray, and she stares up at me with a subtle nod.
My heart clenches. Missing alpha and Luna. A hidden child. The pieces are starting to form a picture I'm not sure I'm ready to see.
"War is never a good thing. Can I safely assume they resolved their issues?" she asks softly.
I see what she's doing. She wants to know who's running the show.
"Unfortunately, the alpha in charge of the Crescent Valley is a tyrant." A soft growl escapes his lips.
Feray cocks her head and reaches out to touch him. I watch as relief floods his system, and he stares at her in awe.
"You're more than what you seem," he whispers before starting to walk again.
Halfway down the block, we stop before a two-story stone and wood building. The house number is carved into the stone by the door.
Clem steps forward and knocks. Several minutes pass before an older woman opens the door. She smiles as she goes to greet Clem.
Before the words leave her lips, she stops and stares at Feray like she's seen a ghost.
She goes to close the door, but Clem stops her.
"By your reaction, you've already answered my most pressing question. I need to ask you several questions, and then we'll be on our way."
The older woman relents and welcomes us into her home.
"It's obvious you recognize my friend here. I can only assume you knew her parents," Clem states matter-of-factly.
"I believe her to be Ivan and Anastasia's child. She has her mother's red hair." The woman looks Feray over.
"Torben, Feray, this is Dorothea Torsten." Clem introduces, and Dorothea bows her head slightly.
"Ana's daughter's name was Thyra. She was born during a thunderstorm. You can't be her daughter." Dorothea smiles sweetly. "The little one had a birthmark just above her tailbone. It looked like a pink crescent moon."
Her smile broadens.
"If you couldn't tell, I was Ana's midwife.
I helped deliver the little bundle of joy.
I moved shortly after because I found my mate, and he lived here.
" She laughs a little. "I would love to know what happened to that little one.
They disappeared sometime over the winter.
When I went to visit them in the spring, their house was burned to the ground. "
Her mention of the birthmark makes me arch a brow. I don't remember a birthmark, but that doesn't mean it's not there.
"Thank you for your time, Dorothea." I smile and help Feray stand.
"You two are such a beautiful couple. Hopefully, one day, I'll deliver your children." She reaches out and pats Feray's hand before Clem leads us out.
"Did that help any?" he asks, turning us in a different direction.
"I know what my parents' names are, and that wasn't it." Feray's eyes lower.
I want to tell her what I've figured out, but I also don't want to tip off the elder or the alpha.
"Maybe we should just go back to the den and have lunch with everyone and figure out what we want to do next." I give Feray a slight squeeze, letting her know I'm on to something.
"Are you sure? The next family isn't far from here." Clem motions down the road.
"Yeah..." Feray stares into my eyes. "The tonic to stop my heat makes me feel ill. My attentive mate knows when I'm hiding that I'm not feeling well. I wish to rest and maybe sleep."
She forces a smile and acts like her stomach is giving her trouble.
Bending down quickly, I scoop her up bridal style. "Thank you for your help, Clem. Unfortunately, I don't believe we're going to find answers here."
I turn and start walking toward the den.
"I'll let the alpha know you were unsuccessful. Are you heading back to Briarvale?" He smiles.
We didn't mention where we're from. How does he know?
"Yes, probably tomorrow night." I kiss Feray to keep her from talking as I turn us to leave.
"Don't say a word," I murmur against her lips.
Something has my bear on edge, and I don't want to find out the hard way what it is.
I hurry down the cobblestone path, cradling Feray in my arms. The den comes into view, and the weight of responsibility presses heavily on my shoulders.
We need to confirm a crucial detail—whether Feray bears the crescent birthmark above her tailbone.
As we traverse the town, curious gazes follow us. Eyes peek from behind blinds and doorways. The sensation of being watched sets my bear on edge, a primal instinct to protect coursing through me.
Feray, sensing my unease, attempts to soothe me with her touch, but my focus remains unwavering. I have to get her back to the den as fast as possible.
Upon our return, I kick the door closed behind us, shutting out the prying eyes. Diaval's dragon eyes flare to the surface, attuned to the heightened tension.
"We need to leave as soon as possible."
Easton, drawn from the kitchen by our abrupt entrance, looks on with curiosity. "Why? What happened?"
"The old woman—Dorothea—mentioned that the baby she delivered had a crescent moon birthmark."
Setting Feray gently on the ground, I barely have time to speak before she deftly removes her dress and spins around, exposing her back to me.
There, above her tailbone, a reddish crescent moon rests.
My heart seizes.
The couple I can only believe are the missing Alpha and Luna gave birth to Feray in secret in Silver Falls and named her Thyra.
Emotions surge within me—joy, relief, and an undeniable sense of purpose. The pieces of Feray's identity, once scattered and enigmatic, fall into place.
I meet her eyes, and in that shared gaze, a connection deepens. The air in the den, charged with the weight of revelation, seems to pulse with our collective heartbeat.
Feray, standing exposed yet empowered, embodies the strength that comes with self-discovery.
"Is it there? The mark? Am I Thyra?" Her hands tremble as she pulls her dress back up and turns to face me.
Lowering my eyes, I nod.
Before I can say anything, she rushes into my arms, resting her head over my heart. I band my arms around her and look at the others.
"Diaval, you need to get her out of here as fast as possible. I don't like the feeling within the town. I believe everyone suspects who she is."
Diaval nods and looks at Feray. "Eat something, my eternal, and I'll fly us out of here posthaste."
He moves over to the map, and I follow.
"This is where the hidden pass is to get to Silver Falls." He pulls a gold doubloon out of his pocket and holds it out to me. It has a long claw mark down the face of the coin like the one he gave Feray. "Whoever is at the gate, show them this coin. They will let you pass."
The light glints off the coin. Without touching it, I know the weight it carries. It's the promise of protection from a dragon—the most fearsome shifter besides a basilisk.
Reaching out, I take the coin and place it in my pocket. "Thank you. We'll meet you in Silver Falls."
Feray stands there staring at Diaval and me, then nods, resigned to being spirited away swiftly. With plans changing on the fly, I understand her being upset. Deep down, I have to believe she understands her safety comes first.
Feray disappears into the back, then returns with her backpack. She's changed out of her dress and into leather riding pants with a sensible shirt and jacket. Her boots look like they belong in an equestrian event instead of for riding a dragon.
"Ready to go, my eternal?" Diaval offers her his hand, and she readily accepts it.
"Don't look so sad. Without you in the SUV, no one has a reason to attack it. They'll be safe. Besides, they'll have Sparky with them. He can torch anything that moves."
I arch a brow at Diaval after he calls Easton "Sparky."
"See you soon." Feray kisses me, then Easton and Khal, before allowing Diaval to walk her out of the den.
We're leaving in broad daylight to escape a possible threat we're not even sure exists.
There's never a dull moment.