Chapter 192
PIPER
“We can’t keep losing like this,” Aurora said.
There was a weight upon the air of Broken Ridge, the kind that clung to skin and stirred fear in the lungs.
Wherever I looked, there were wolves in motion, but they moved. slowly, heads down, spirits beaten down.
The Nameless had left more than a scar than that which seemed superficially apparent on the flesh of our pack.
I stood near the edge of the forest, watching as some of the younger wolves worked to patch up broken defenses.
They avoided my eyes and I knew why. My connection to Warrick, however strained, had made me suspect.
The crunch of leaves behind had me scared and quickly I already held a dagger in hand. Warrick stepped out of the darkness, his face pale, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.
“Do you believe me now?” he said, his tone as though he hadn’t had water in days.
I narrowed my eyes and kept my dagger raised. “Believe you? Why would I?
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His lips twisted weirdly into a worn smile, but it didn’t touch his eyes. “Because I put my life on the line for you. For all of you.”
“After you betrayed us,” I growled, taking a step closer to him.
“You made it very clear that you were with the Nameless. You said it yourself–it was just business.”
Warrick let out a deep breath, rubbing a hand over his messed–up hair. “It was just to deceive him. A means of making them believe, buying enough time with them so I could help you afterward.
I hissed and shook my head. “You’re full of it. You’ve always been selfish, Warrick. Why would I think you’ve suddenly grown
a conscience?
He moved in closer to me; the black eyes locked with mine. “Because I am here, am I not? Surviving their wrath because of
an urge to warn you!”
“You only survived because you ran!” I hollered now.
His jaw clamped down, and for a second, I wondered if he would
snap at me.
Instead, his shoulders loosened, his arms swinging open wide. “You can hate me all you want, Piper. However, the fact is, I am here, and I can help.”
Before I could shoot back another reply, Aurora’s voice sliced
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through the tension.
3/7
Enough!” she said, moving toward us and even Warrick snapped straight at the authority in her tone.
Her eyes flashed bright as she glared between us. “We don’t have time for this foolishness. Dane is still out there, and we need to figure out how to get him back.”
Warrick raised an eyebrow, his smile twisting up again. “Dane’s been captured again?
“Shut up before I stab you,” Aurora said coldly.
Warrick raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, cool it. No need for violence. You all should be glad I’m here. I am smart and resourceful and I’ll figure something out.”
Aurora laughed. “You’re one arrogant bastard, you know that?”
“Comes with the territory,” Warrick said, shrugging.
I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Enough with the jokes, Warrick. If you’re here to help, prove it. Otherwise, get out of
our way.”
He looked at me, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. “Fine. Let’s go.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s go. We’re not
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going to find answers sitting around here.”
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Aurora stepped one firm step forward. “And exactly where do you think you’re going?”
“Look for help,” Warrick said. “Actual help. You got anything better?”
Aurora had looked at me; now I didn’t wait for her approval. “Alright,” I said, moving forward.
“But that doesn’t mean a millimeter of my trust falls in your direction.”
Warrick gave an unexcited smile. “Wouldn’t really expect much less from you.
We moved into the woods, tension between us as thick as it could be cut. I kept my dagger close and ready should Warrick so much as blink in the wrong manner.
“Always this scared?” he asked after a while, his tone light, with an edge of sharpness underneath.
“Only around people I don’t trust,” was my comeback.
“Fair enough,” he replied, going back into silence.
These trees now seemed to darken, as if we entered into a forest, contorting into unnatural shapes. The air was heavy and cold.. seemed to watch us.
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“Do you even know where we’re going?” I asked after what seemed like several hours of walking.
“Not exactly,” Warrick said, peering around.
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“But I’ve heard rumors of a hidden village in these parts. Exiles,
people who managed to escape the Nameless’s control. If anyone can help, it’s them.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this before?” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
“Would you have believed me?” he shot back.
I said nothing, just kept my eyes on the path ahead.
Then in an instant, Warrick stopped, his hand raised. “Wait.”
I stopped, my grip on my dagger tightening. “What?”
“Listen,” he breathed.
At first, I heard nothing but the soft stir of leaves, and then, softly, the murmur of voices.
Warrick nodded for me to follow, creeping forward with caution. in the direction of the sound. The voices grew louder; a sign of firelight filtered between the trees as we approached.
We emerged into a small clearing and found ourselves confronted by a small village, tents and wood structures scattered about, and a group of people standing near the fire,
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their faces wary as they turned to look at us.
6/7
“Who are you?” one of them demanded, a man with graying hair and a sharp gaze.
“We’re looking for help,” Warrick said, stepping forward. “We mean no harm.”
His eyes flashed down. “Help with what?”
I stepped a little closer, my tone even. “The Nameless. We’re trying to defeat him, but we need a healer. Two of our packs are held by his power, and we have no idea how to redeem them.”
He did nothing but stand there as the others looked to him for direction. He looked back at them and then nodded.
“You’ll want to speak with Lira. She’s our healer.”
He gestured to a small tent on the edges of the clearing and Warrick exchanged a look with me, then headed in that direction.
Inside the tent an older woman, her eyes soft, but her hands cold and worn, looked up from her task.
You seek healing, she said. Her voice was not loud, but firm.
“Yes,” I answered immediately. “Two of our packs have been marked by the Nameless. Can you help them?”
Lira’s face turned serious. “The marks are a curse, bound to his
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power. They will not be easily removed.”
“Can it be done?” I insisted.
She nodded, slowly, and “it can. But it will come at a cost.”
“What kind of cost?” Warrick asked fearfully.
Lira didn’t answer at once, her gaze going far away.
“The kind which will force you to decide what you’re ready to give up.”
A shiver ran down my spine when she said so.
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“We will do whatever it takes,” I said, making my resolve harden
then and there.
Lira nodded, a faint smile dancing upon her lips.
“Then let us begin.”
