Chapter 26 – Caden The sun beats down on Amelia and I as we continue walking deeper into the forest. Hours have passed since we started our search for Grace and as we grow closer to the center where the lake sits, the less hope I have in finding her. With a sigh, I lean against a tree and take a deep breath. “The good news is we are growing closer to the lodge.” Amelia states sadly as she joins in leaning against the tree. “The bad news is we can’t find Grace.” I add, looking towards her. To think just days ago Amelia and I became friends looking for Grace in the first place, and now we are back to square one. With a sigh, I close my eyes and open my senses once more trying to get any trace scent of Grace or the wolf that took her. I just want that hint of mint and lavender I have grown attached to. Anything to find her and hold her tight. "Caden?" Amelia calls out softly, turning my attention to her. "You
Chapter 27 – Grace Holding my hand out, I watch as a Rager walks past our hiding spot, his greasy blonde hair slicked back and his dirty clothes indicating he has just returned. This wolf must have been on the night watch. The redhead and I look at each other and she points to the right side – the side this Rager came from – and mouths exit to me. I grin, turning just in time to watch the Rage disappear into a door way giving us a clear path to the exit. “Now is our chance. Stay silent but move fast.” I whisper to the other girls. Their nervousness floats in the air like a cloud but they all nod happily. We will be out of here soon. Counting down from three, I take a deep breath and pad into the hallway, keeping an eye on the room the Rager disappeared into while the redhead helps to guide the others to the exit. Every second that ticks down I prey to the Moon Goddess that no Ragers find us. It seems my prayers are answered as the last she-wolf disappea
Chapter 28 – Caden “Ragers made a base years ago in the lake.” Sunny’s cheery voice rings out beside my ear, the little pixie having grown tired of flying. “How did they manage that?” I ask, keeping to the path she had pointed out to us. We have been walking for twenty minutes since meeting the three pixies, the three of us focused on saving Grace – Silver Fur as Sunny puts it. The little creature has been sharing stories of how she and her troupe have traveled the world, always returning to the Goddess’ forest during the Run to gather magic. How she and her friends came to know Grace and Amelia and how Grace has saved the Fae Princess on more than one occasion. “No one knows. The Guardian of the lake never bothers them as usually they use boats to travel. But even it has been growing irritated by the lack of respect the Ragers have.” Sunny answers, kicking her little feet happily against my shoulder. I chuckle, her movements tickling m
Chapter 29 – Grace Frozen in terror, I watch as the sharp teeth from the lake monster draws near. Alsir is no match for it as he disappears into its mouth, the monster diving down into the depth of the lake. I use this chance to start swimming again as the water where Alsir once was soon grows red with his blood. The cold water laps against my fur, weighing me down and I realize if I want to get away faster, I will need to shift. Diving under the water, I allow my body to make the painful shift to human before surfacing, using this chance to see if I can spot the monster. Sadly, I can see nothing before I surface, gasping for air before quickly resuming my escape from this monster. "Do not be afraid." A whimsical voice fills my ears, the gentle tone of the words slowing me down as I wonder where this voice comes from. Turning around, I look back to where Alsir once was, questioning if I imagined the voice. Turning back, my body freezes as I come face t
Chapter 30 – Caden I watch as the Faeries work on Grace, covering her body in healing lotions. Sunny had led us through the forest for an hour, the path taking us closer towards the lodge before we came to a cave hidden by vines. After another twenty minutes of walking, we were soon greeted by the Faerie Princess Airia. He pointed ears and moon white skin stood out amongst the growing flowers and colourful crystals deep in the cave. When she saw the injured Grace in my arms, her first instinct was to rush Grace and I into a room where maids had us bathe before a silk robe was donned on me and Grace was whisked away to be treated. I nearly went crazy when I realized Grace was missing again and would have caused a war if Sunny hadn’t appeared when she did, telling me to follow her to see Grace. Now I sit in a soft chair, my eyes never leaving her face. Her silver hair has been washed clean; the strands braided out of the way. Her maids are making sure to keep their movem
Chapter 31 – Grace Warmth, that's what surrounded me. The feel of a solid body against mine as I lay on a comfortable surface that smells like sunlight on a summer day. I smile, snuggling closer to the warm body, happy to not feel any pain or exhaustion. "Is she up yet?” Some one whispers, their lyrical voice reaching my ears. “Not yet. But I think she will be soon.” Caden’s voice answers, fingers lighting running down my back. His scent wraps around me, relaxing my mind and body and making me feel safer then I have in days. With a sigh, I decide to see exactly where we are and slowly open my eyes to see a well defined collar bone, one I want to sink my teeth into and claim as mine. “Good morning Lady Silver.” Caden chuckles out, his fingers grazing my cheek softly. “G…good morning.” I mumble back sheepishly, looking up to see Caden gazing at me, a soft and gentle smile on his lips. “Good m
Chapter 32 – Caden Watching Grace say good bye to the Fae has a smile growing on my face. Apparently Princess Airia and her are close, closer than I thought initially, and seeing how the Fae Princess kept my secret safe has me rethinking on when I should tell Grace the truth. Waiting with Amelia and Sunny who sits on Amelia’s head, I think about what I need to do when I make it to the lodge. Zander has already gathered wolves that support me, I will need to be fast as well if it means stopping Felix from being named Heir. But most importantly, I will need to keep the two she-wolves I have traveled with safe from my father and cousin. “Sorry about that.” Grace sheepishly apologizes as she makes her way towards me, a backpack fixed to her back. Her dirty clothes have been changed into a slick pair of black leggings and a black fitted hoodie; her silver hair tied back into a braid. We all felt better with the baths from last night, the hospitality shown to
Chapter 33 – Grace I watch as Caden shifts, his fur receding into his body as the bones realign themselves. Guilt is present in his posture as he stands before me in his human form, his emerald-green eyes not meeting my gaze. I had seen the tattoo on the wolf that called him Alpha, a tattoo only belonging to the wolves that guard the Alpha King. "Caden who was that?" I ask, my arms hugging my body as I try to keep the hurt I feel from showing. Caden is someone from the Royal pack, a pack that caused this Goddess forsaken event hundreds of years ago. “A pack mate of mine.” He answers, honesty radiating from his body. I stiffen, realizing the hidden meaning from his words. If that wolf was Caden’s pack mate, then that means. “Who are you?” I ask in a whisper, my eyes closing as I try to calm my frantic heart. “I can’t tell you. It’s the one thing that I have to keep from you to protect you.” He counters frantically, his words sounding like a plea for me to understand. "Who a