Chapter 54

There were only a few cabins past ours in the territory. Our cabin was still in sight when the smell of smoke started moving through the air. It urged us to push ourselves harder. One of the warriors jogged up to Erik when he saw us arrive.

"The hunters are gone. We sent a tracker after them, but the smoke is so thick, I don't know if they'll be able to track them." He explained pointing over his shoulder.

Erik looked over his shoulder at Rune and nodded his head once. Rune took off in the direction that the warrior had pointed. It dawned on me that had been a signal for Rune to track.

"Everyone got out, and we are working to put the fire out. I think the cabin will be a loss." He said, turning his back to us and studying the burning cabin.

It was a hint of privacy to allow us to shift. I moved to use my three remaining mates as human shields as I shifted and pulled my clothes on. Frode nodded when he looked over his shoulder and saw me dressed.

"This is the Johansons cabin. They have children. You said everyone got out?" Frode addressed the warrior.

"Yes. We sent a few warriors with the mother and pups to the town center to a spare cabin. Their males are here, fighting the fire still." Frode nodded his approval and stepped forward to get a better look.

The cabin was already completely engulfed in flames. The warrior had been correct. There was no saving the cabin. My heart broke for the pack that had lived here. All their memories were gone and they were without a home.

"What happened?" Erik asked.

"They were making dinner when they heard a commotion. They thought it was their pups, but then they realized they were all inside. The mother and pups hid, while the males searched the area. There was the scent of the hunters, but they were gone.

One of the males followed the trail, but none of them are trackers. He lost the trail by the river. It took a few minutes for the scent of the fire to hit them. They got everyone out along with a few important items. That's when we arrived. The flames were already high by then." The warrior looked at the cabin as a group of wolves were using a large hose to douse the flames.

"So they used an accelerant then. That's the only way the fire would have gotten this bad without them noticing." Erik growled.

"They said they didn't smell any accelerants, and none of us have scented any." The warrior shook his head.

"Could have used magic." Sten cut in. "They may have been able to hide the scent of a small fire that way, also. Giving it time to grow before it was discovered."

Everyone stayed quiet while we considered that. A turning in my gut said that was what happened. A familiar tug grew in my stomach. I needed to get closer.

My feet were moving before I realized it.

"Astrid, stop, stay back," Frode growled, grabbing for me.

Sten's hand shot out and stopped Frode from pulling me back.

"She's curious. She senses something." Sten said, following closely behind me, alert and ready to attack.

A pit in my stomach formed and I felt scared. But it wasn't just normal fear. This was the fear I'd come to associate with dark magic. A deep, nagging fear that you can't shake off or reason with.

Whoever was behind the other attacks and times we'd encountered dark magic was behind this too. They were getting bolder, and closer to home. A chill ran down my back.

"They are getting bolder. This was done by whoever we've been waiting for. The ones who we encountered back at the barn." I said, glancing at the warrior.

We'd been trying to keep some of the details of the prophecy coming true quiet. Our territory and the leaders of the other ones were notified of what had happened. But only those who needed to know all the details did. Otherwise, everyone was told be to alert and to report anything out of the normal. We didn't want to cause panic.

"Let's check on the progress of everything. See if we can help." Frode sighed and wrapped an arm around me as he moved to where the wolves were working to put the flames out.

We spent the next few hours helping the best we could. The guys helped with the fire and sort through some of the wreckage to see if anything was salvageable-not much had been. I treated minor burns and ensured everyone was breathing okay. Rune had returned at some point. The trail had led to a parking lot and then disappeared as they drove off.

Meanwhile, I had been lost in thought. This was the first thing to have happened in a few weeks that was related to the prophecy. We had been told and expected it to be happening much faster. I was tired of waiting for the hunters out. Maybe it was time we took the fight to them.

I found myself arguing both sides, knowing my mates wouldn't love the idea of heading headfirst into chaos. They had made it known they preferred to bring the fight to us. I didn't think that was a good idea any longer. It was endangering those we loved.

It was dark as we walked back through the woods to our cabin. I was working up the courage to voice my opinion about waiting any longer. I was hoping that they were as upset as I was about this fire and I could use that to help push my argument further.

"I don't think we should wait for them to come to us any longer. I think it's time for us to go to them. At least get more information about them, and maybe flush out their leader." I kept my voice even and calm.

"I agree." Erik growled.

"Me too." Rune grunted, bumping his shoulder into mine.

I was a little surprised that they had been so quick to agree. I knew those two would be the easiest to win over, but I expected to need to at least argue my point a little. Frode would be the hardest to get on board, next to Sten.

"I think it's at least worth talking about." Sten shrugged.

"In the morning. We'll talk in the morning when we aren't exhausted and emotions aren't as raw. Mom sent a message. The family is settled as they can be in the spare cabin. They'll find a new place to set up a home for them tomorrow and start construction. They'd been looking to be closer to their family anyway-a silver lining, I guess." Frode smiled just a little.

We finished our walk in silence. Once home, we stripped and showered before collapsing in a heap in the bed. It didn't take long for the snoring of my mates to fill the air, or for me to follow into sleep.