26.

Farryn had never been the best at tracking but attempting to track with a fever was harder than she had been expecting. She propped herself against a tree at the eastern border. Amelia’s scent seemed to have gotten stronger the closer she got to it but there was no evidence to lead her to think she had been there. She inhaled deeply as her eyes drifted around, looking for anything that seemed out of place to give her a reason to cross the border into unknown territory. It wasn’t until the wind switched directions that she picked up on the faint traces of smoke and sulfur.

She rubbed the tip of her nose as she pushed off the tree and crossed the border slowly. For a moment there was a feeling of peace that settled over her mind. She could feel both wolves watching warily as she walked further from the safety of her territory but neither spoke. Farryn brushed aside a few ferns in her way before the internal warning bells began to go off. The wolves both urging her to return to her home, let the pack conduct the search instead while she continued to rest. Farryn sniffed the air, slow to pick up the metallic scent of blood. She sniffed at her hand that had brushed the ferns where there was a faint trace of gunpowder. Where there were guns, there were always humans to be found.

With her mind made up, Farryn pushed on, following the scent trail until it turned visual. The drops of blood were small at first as if someone had cut themselves while running. But the further Farryn pressed on the more blood was found.

“What do we do now?” Farryn froze at the faint sound of a male voice, the voice sounded distraught.

“We take it home and claim our prize of course, what else would we do?” The answering male was older in tone, more confident than who he was answering. Farryn crept closer, keeping her body lower and close to the trees until the two males were in her line of sight, with a body at their feet and guns resting on their shoulders.

“And if the others come looking for her?” Farryn’s ears pricked in concern, she couldn’t smell almonds, but the stench of blood was too strong, and the body too far for her to identify.

“Then we kill them just the same, and we get an even better bounty in return for our troubles. Quit worrying and help me pick it up!” The older male placed the gun on his back with the strap across his chest and lifted the female’s feet up. The younger male shifted his weight nervously, looking about as if he would see attackers behind every tree before finally he lifted the female’s arms and helped pick her up.

A breath of relief escaped Farryn’s lungs at the sight of red hair before a new wave of sorrow found its home in her heart. The unknown female was clearly not human, and yet whoever she was, there was a family that would mourn her loss with no body to bury.

“Those bastards think they can kill every last one of us!”

“Varin doesn’t want a war Katar so just drop it.”

“They just shot Tsarra and you’re acting as if it’s fine!” Farryn lifted her gaze to find herself hidden beneath two redheaded males who had themselves hidden in the trees. The one named Katar brandished a blade threateningly, the pain on his face was clear. Farryn turned her gaze back in the direction the humans had gone, making sure they were well out of hearing range before she cleared her throat. The males flinched, obviously prepared to be shot themselves, but when the bullets didn’t come, they peered down in confusion.

“Enjoying the show?!” Katar snapped before his companion extended his hand, motioning for silence from the male before he began his descent to the ground.

“Who are you stranger and what are you doing here?” In closer proximity, the male’s pointed ears were more noticeable, though the teeth were normal unlike Celeste or Vini’s.

“My name is Farryn, I am Alpha of the Storm Pack and searching for a packmate who has gone missing. I only saw as she was being taken away, but I am sorry for your loss. Tsarra right?” Farryn opted for a diplomatic approach, seeing as how the male before her was much calmer than the one who remained perched above.

“Don’t you speak her name, dog!” Though his companion was the one to hurl the insult, the elf who had climbed down flinched just slightly.

“I am sorry about him, and about your missing pack member but we can be of no help.” The nameless elf motioned for the other to come down, so they could be on their way. Farryn bit down on her tongue for a moment, she hadn’t asked for help and didn’t like that he had assumed she wanted it.

“I merely meant to keep you both from thinking I meant you harm.” She explained briskly before taking a few steps backward, away from the male who still held his knife in his hand. “Though would either of you be able to tell me who has settled here? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes by invading when I don’t mean to.” For as long as she could remember the eastern land had always been open and unclaimed by any species. The two males exchanged a quick look before the armed one grabbed his companion.

“Head to the town of Frosam, any help you need can be found there.” Without another word, and without allowing his partner to say anything either they set off in the direction that the humans had gone, most likely to try and get the body of their friend back. Farryn sighed heavily, sending a silent prayer to whatever God the elves believe in for their safety before heading East once more towards Frosam.

~
Frosam had not been the type of town Farryn was expecting to find. She was expecting to find something small and quaint, it was more accurate to call Frosam a melting pot. It was oddly unsettling to see so many different species in one place with no blood being spilled, she was even convinced she had seen a human or two but with so many different scents she couldn’t tell the difference. Frosam was more of a city with its size than a town but be it city or town they all had a marketplace where information was easier to come by. A familiar scent of Goddess Dew drew her attention to a smaller stall set up where the vendor sold furs and skins. There was a bundle of the pretty green flowers in a vase behind the young vendor who followed her eyes.

“Pretty are they not?” The young female spoke with an accent that Farryn hadn’t heard before, it was thick and clumsy, obvious that she was not a native.

“They are, how did you find that many?” The Goddess Dew was a flower typically only grown by the High Priests themselves and were found at the alters of the Moon Goddess. Seeing so many used as a decoration naturally drew Farryn to assume the worst about the female before her.

“My mother grows them. She is…” She paused, her lips pressing together tightly as she searched for the correct words. “a priestess.” She concluded with a grin, proud of herself for remembering.

“Apologies, I am Ashia, is there anything certain you search for?” Farryn looked the female over closely, she couldn’t be more than eighteen and seemed rather lean for her height, but she seemed content with where she was now. Ashia shifted her hands behind her back as Farryn observed her. They held each other’s gaze for a moment, Farryn admiring the way she refused to flinch or back down from the strangers stare.

“Unfortunately, Ashia, I don’t have any money on me today. I’m new in town so I wasn’t sure what I’d find.” Opening up in the slightest way to the female caused her to relax, stepping forward to the edge of her stall so she could get a better look at Farryn.

“Ah, but you came looking for something, yes? Perhaps I can help, I know this town well.” The young female beamed at the prospect of helping Farryn, at getting to do something out of her ordinary schedule. Farryn inhaled softly, trying to catch the female’s scent but everything else was too overpowering to pick out for certain which was hers.

“Alright then, perhaps you can help me get to know this town. Who is in charge around here?” Ashia seemed to deflate at such a bland question, she had been hoping for something more exciting.

“The Council is in charge here. Frosam was built two years ago, many people live here, many just visit. Frosam is…sanctuary.” The tone of voice Ashia used was one that did not instill confidence. It was monotone as if she had given the same answer to many times that day. For Farryn though she seemed to be willing to elaborate.

“Six on the Council, all hold equal power,” The slight tilt of Farryn’s head seemed to ask Ashia the silent question she wasn’t comfortable enough to ask aloud. “A Wolf, a Faerie, an Elf, a Vampire, a Dwarf, and a Human sit on the council.” Farryn’s eyes widened in shock before looking around at the market once more, now seeing it with a new perspective seemed to make certain species stand out in certain ways. The Elves and Fae’s with their long ears, the Vampires with their pale skin tone. Shifters of all sorts wandering around, and those who Farryn had originally assumed to be children, now stood so clearly as adult Dwarves.

“How is this possible?” Farryn looked back to Ashia, still trying to piece together what the young female herself was, she had to be a wolf if her mother was a Priestess of the Moon Goddess, and yet something about the female made Farryn doubt that.

“Some are tired of war; some just want life.” Ashia shrugged her shoulders but there was a distant look to her eye. She wanted a different life than this.

“Ashia, is it possible that there is a second market here?” The question clearly offended the female who straightened her back. Her jaw set firmly. “One that is not as well…received?” Farryn clarified quickly. Ashia hesitated a moment before she allowed herself to relax and cross her arms over her chest.

“You said you had no money.” She reminded Farryn sharply, drawing a smile from the Alpha.

“I don’t. But I am looking for something and if I find it here, I have reason to return. What I’m looking for though, wouldn’t be here.” Ashia sighed before unfolding her arms to place them on top of a rabbit hide as she leaned forward.

“Tell me what you are looking for, and I might help.” Farryn pushed her hands into her pockets as she took in the female. They were strangers to one another and yet already putting each other in danger.

“If there is another market, I need to know if they would sell…workers.” Farryn chose her words carefully due to passing ears. There had long ago been rumors of humans capturing other species to use as slaves but Farryn had never been in a position where she needed to worry about whether the rumors might be true or not. Ashia hummed with though as she drew her gaze along the way the Alpha stood.

“You do not look like one who needs help with work?” A coy smile was now playing at Ashia’s lips.

“One of mine is missing. She might be there, and I intend to bring her home.” The smile on Ashia’s lips grew into a grin as she stood up.

“Missing? How do you know she did not…just leave?” Farryn’s patience was beginning to wear thin but Ashia seemed to read her like a book. She didn’t miss the drop of sweat that had rolled down Farryn’s neck.

“Please Ashia, any information you have, I’ll pay you for it.” The young female unhooked her furs that she had hanging up without a word. Farryn watched as she packed all of her things away into a chest. Once it was locked, she left the stall to stand before Farryn. Without the stall between the two, it was noticeable that she was just an inch shorter than Farryn, the shade of the stall had made her eyes seem to be dark brown when they were in fact a light russet color.

“I will join you; this is payment.” She wasn’t giving Farryn an option. If she wanted to know where the black market was, she would have to let her tag along. Farryn shrugged her shoulders with a slight growl, time wasted could bring Amelia closer to her death if she was in trouble. Content with Farryn’s response, she led the way through the market on nimble feet.

“Where are you from? Your accent makes it obvious you weren’t born here.” Farryn found the silence between the two to be unsettling and any information she could get on the girl could potentially be useful.

“Breduin was my home for a time.” Ashia tossed the answer over her shoulder and glanced back to see Farryn’s surprised expression. “We came to Eidira when I was twelve.” She added before bringing herself to a halt at the door for a seedy tavern.

“Breduin is prominently home to Dragonkin.” Farryn hadn’t voiced the fact as a question, her parents had drilled history lessons into her from a young age. Little was known about the Dragonkin folk, but Breduin was a dry land, known mainly for its vast deserts and high mountains. Ashia did not confirm or deny Farryn’s words, yet the glimmer in her eye led Farryn to believe there was more to the young female than what met the eye.

Ashia opened up the tavern door, the reek of spilled alcohol and bodily fluids nearly kept Farryn outside of the building. Ashia walked inside without hesitation, a few eyes followed the two females as they entered but no one lingered long enough to pose as a potential threat. Ashia led the way through a series of back rooms, no one bothered to question or stop her as she did so, in fact, a few moved out of her way. It was subtle, but Farryn didn’t miss it. Ashia brought the Alpha to a storeroom, filled with crates of wines and beers, a few baskets with loaves of bread were thrown about haphazardly, but Ashia didn’t break her stride as she pressed her palm against the furthest wall and Farryn watched as it gave way to a trick door.

“I come often, but never have I seen people for sale.” She admitted as she led Farryn down the dark walkway. The space was tight, both of Farryn’s shoulders brushed along either side of the wall meaning should this all be a trap, she was in a rather tight spot.

“Why didn’t you mention that before bringing me here?” Farryn’s voice was tight with discomfort but Ashia brushed off her unease quickly with a childish smile.

“I did not feel it was important to mention.” Ashia’s shoulders rose and fell as she shrugged them quickly. Farryn’s fingers curled as the white wolf rushed forward in her mind, bringing with her a new wave of nausea. She didn’t appreciate the fact that the female before them was playing with them and now so blatantly disrespecting them. Farryn choked back a groan as she steadied herself against the wall while Namia attempted to calm the more aggressive beast. Ashia looked back in silence as Farryn fought for her breath. The female asked no questions but waited patiently for Farryn to stand herself upright and resume walking.

“You said your mother was a priestess, right? Of the Moon Goddess?” Farryn spoke quieter now, doing her best to hide the pain in her voice.

“She is a priestess of many Gods and Goddesses. Moon Goddess is one.” Ashia brought herself to a stop before an old oak door. Farryn could hear the sounds of muffled voices on the other side and the scents from the tavern had faded away slowly to be replaced with the smell of dust and cobwebs. Whoever was on the other side of the door had used another entrance to get in.

“Please do not do anything stupid when inside.” Ashia’s tone of voice came off as a warning and she refused to open the door until Farryn nodded her head in consent. The room inside was much larger than she assumed it would have been. It was spacious with different vendors lining the walls, the room was dimly lit which helped to hide most people's features, especially those who did not want to be recognized. Farryn entered the room slowly, no one bothered to look in their direction. Her eyes were widened in slight amazement. The underground market was handled in a much more professional manner than the market in town had been.

As Ashia followed closely at Farryn’s side she kept the Alpha close enough to grab in case she needed to. It was obvious she knew this area and its people well. Ashia froze with a hand on Farryn’s wrist to bring her to a halt as well.

“Do not look at the male in front. Do not offend him.” She whispered quickly, her eyes downcast to take her own advice. Curiosity bit at Farryn’s mind but she did what she was asked as they passed the male until the familiar scent of the ocean washed over them. Her head snapped up quickly to catch sight of the black locks she had sometimes wondered just how soft they would feel against her fingers. Ashia grabbed the back of Farryn’s neck to attempt to force her head down but Farryn grabbed the female quickly by the shoulder to lock her into place.

“Please do not!” Ashia pleaded but Xavier’s name had already left Farryn’s lips. The male who had passed them did not break stride as he continued to walk away, not even bothering to look back while several others had stopped to watch the slight spectacle. The male disappeared into the crowd just as quickly as he had appeared. Farryn released Ashia quickly, turning to follow after him but the female’s grip tightened on her neck.

“If you value life, stop!” Ashia’s voice was a sharp hiss. Farryn glanced over with a snarl to find herself looking into red eyes rather than russet. The sight was unsettling enough to silence her.

“He is one of my packmates Ashia, the pack thinks he has something to do with the disappearances.” Ashia’s eyes faded quickly to their natural color as she quickly released the wolf as if afraid she would be attacked.

“I-I am sorry. I did not realize you were with Deacon. Please forgive me.” Ashia lowered her head quickly in respect, her hands shaking with the fear that Farryn would lash out in retaliation. Instead, Farryn stood as still as stone before Ashia. She knew Xavier’s scent, his height, and his build, she knew the way he walked. She knew without a doubt that it was Xavier who had just walked past them and yet, Ashia was confident that she knew who she was talking about. The scent of fear coming off of the female was strong enough to draw more attention to the pair. Ashia was beginning to tremble, even as she peered up slowly when she realized Farryn was not moving.

“I’m sorry to have wasted your time here after you closed your shop early.” Farryn’s throat felt tight as she forced the words out. Namia and the white wolf were both pacing around in her mind, they both wanted answers. Namia wanted to prioritize finding Amelia, the white wolf wanted Farryn to follow after Xavier and get answers from him. Farryn swallowed hard as she turned on her heels and walked out, watching as several people moved out of her way, and knowing that Ashia had not followed her.

When the door to the underground market was shut Farryn ran the rest of the way to the tavern, she needed air, fresh air. As she threw open the door for the tavern she collided with the chest of a tall male who had just been reaching for the door. He was swift to steady Farryn as she reeled backward, keeping her from falling over.

“Careful there, are you alright?” Farryn brushed his hands off of her shoulders quickly, moving to pass him without a word of thanks when a second male stepped into view, drawing her attention upwards to look at them both. They wore the same dark tops and carried themselves in an authoritative manner. They were either responsible for keeping the peace of the town or keeping the peace of the market.

The second male gave Farryn a sharp glare, it was rude of her not to answer his companion when he had so kindly saved her from making a joke of herself. Her lip twitched briefly to flash her teeth before she composed herself and looked to the one who helped her.

“I’m fine, thanks.” The words came out sharper than she had intended but with the males both blocking her exit she was beginning to feel on edge.

“Farryn Amari? Alpha of the Storm pack?” The second male addressed her in a swift and solely professional manner. His shoulders were back, his head high, as he confirmed who stood in front of them. Farryn resisted the urge to fidget with her fingers, why did they know her name? She had already hesitated for too long so there was no use in denying who she was. Her brows twitched together as she took a step back slowly but neither male moved towards her.

“You need to come with us.” He did not wait to see if she would blindly follow two strangers through a town she did not know. The male turned on his heels and began to walk while his companion sighed softly and offered Farryn his best attempt at a kind smile.

“Don’t mind Travis, he’s all business, unfortunately. I’m Peter. We are members of the guard here in Frosam, you’re not in trouble but we do need you to come with us.” Peter moved away from the doorway as he spoke, his kindness did help to ease Farryn’s nerves a bit, but she still did not follow.

“I have done nothing wrong. Why has the guard been sent for me? How do you know who I am?” Her eyes narrowed sharply as a flicker of unease passed over Peter’s face. He had been hoping she would follow along with no questions.

“I’m actually pretty new to the guard, but it’s better if you just come along rather than me explain. Besides I’m not the best one to explain anyways, Travis would be, or our captain really.” Peter’s rambling showed how nervous he was beginning to grow even as he maintained his composure on the outside. Farryn looked towards the direction Travis had gone in, he had stopped a few feet away when he realized no one had followed him. Farryn could see the annoyance in his shoulders in the way they were raised but he made no show of trying to rush the two. If she was being given an option to follow rather than being dragged off, she could believe that she wasn’t in any sort of trouble.

Farryn chewed on the inside of her cheek as she motioned for Peter to lead the way. His shoulders relaxed just slightly as he exhaled before quickly moving to catch up with Travis. As the trio walked Farryn couldn’t help but take a slow breath inwards, nearly coughing in surprise when she did.

“You’re a human?!” She snapped; her eyes locked on Peter as they both turned. The human’s face flushed.

“Yes, I am. Humans live here peacefully just the same as everyone else.” Peter did his best to hold Farryn’s gaze but the rage that crept in forced him to turn away. Farryn snarled sharply and lunged forward, prepared to grab the man who was only a few inches taller than her by the throat before Travis had both of her arms behind her back, and her body pressed against the nearest building.

“You aren’t in trouble with us yet, do you really want to change that?” Travis spoke in a cold manner, unlike the warm hands on Farryn’s wrists. Her responding growl while she pushed her body back against him was a clear enough answer for him as he gathered both wrists in one of his large hands and grabbed the back of her head. Without any hesitation, Travis pushed her head forward quickly enough to break her nose once it hit the wall. It was a trick that probably caused most to calm down, it only enraged Farryn further.

“They killed my family; they killed my entire pack! Humans don’t know how to live peacefully.” She snarled, spitting out the blood that ran into her mouth while she spoke. She saw the way Peter flinched backward, trying to distance himself from her. She saw the way he had paled, how ashamed he looked, but he didn’t look guilty and he was right not to. He hadn’t been the one to pull the trigger.

“You know that isn’t true. You know not all humans are that way.” Travis’ voice had softened just slightly as if he understood on a personal level the kind of pain she was in. As he leaned closer Farryn could pick up a wooded scent, he was a wolf just like her. Namia’s presence in her mind and the comforting scent of one like her helped to bring Farryn back.

“We have no one living in this city who has committed any sort of crime against another, everyone is questioned before they can live here. Frosam is a sanctuary and for that to be effective, we can’t harbor criminals. Peter was not one of the humans who killed your pack. Peter wasn’t even there.”

Travis spoke as if he was talking to a pup who was frightened of the monster under their bed. Farryn had used the same argument to allow Celeste and Vini to stay with her, they had not personally been responsible. Farryn inhaled slowly as she reminded herself firmly that she could not blame an entire race for a crime that a small handful had committed. Feeling that her body had relaxed Travis slowly released her arms and stepped away. She took in a few more calming breaths at the wall before setting her nose back in place and wiping her face.

“I’m sorry Peter.” She spoke as she turned from the wall, forcing herself to hold her head up.

“I-It’s fine.” Peter still would not pick his gaze up from the ground. Travis moved past Farryn and gave his companion a sharp pat on the shoulder.

“She won’t be the last one to try and kill you, Peter, so you better get used to it.” Farryn assumed Travis was making an attempt to comfort the human but from the way his legs shook as he followed along rather closely, she knew he had simply frightened him more instead. The two led Farryn down a back alley to what seemed to be the guard’s barracks. Several guard members were waiting outside, everyone wore the same stony facial expression but Farryn caught a glimmer of sadness in the eyes of two elves who were quick to look away.

The hair on the back of Farryn’s neck rose as Namia whined inside, she wanted to go back. She didn’t like the way some seemed to watch Farryn with pity. The white wolf kept Farryn walking, they knew of her title, she couldn’t walk away without knowing what was going on. Farryn wiped at her face again, the scent of blood was still overpowering everything else. As her hand moved away from her face, she realized her nose had stopped bleeding, she was no longer smelling her own blood. Her stomach rolled but the wolf pushed her forward, reminding her to keep a straight face regardless of what happens.

Peter came to a stop and motioned for her to continue following Travis, a new guard replaced the human, a female wolf who was gripping her hands behind her back so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. The sound of footsteps behind her caused Farryn to look over her shoulder, six other guard members were following behind, all wolves just like her.

“Alpha Farryn, should you have any questions we will answer them the best we can, the wolves of Frosam are here for you.” The female at her side spoke softly, her blue eyes on the barrack ahead of them. A collective ‘we are here for you’ rose from the six behind her and Farryn felt her heart beginning to splinter because as Travis came to a stop and moved away from the door to allow Farryn to open it at her own pace, she knew what she would find on the other side, or rather who.

Farryn turned the door handle and pushed the door in but did not move, for a moment she couldn’t bring herself to move as the chocolate brown hair came into sight. Her jaw tightened as she lifted her gaze towards the top of the door frame, she couldn’t cry here. The guards all remained outside as Farryn entered the room. Someone had placed Amelia on one of the beds and had cleaned her wounds as best as possible, someone had tried to make her comfortable.

Though the wounds had been cleaned the scent of blood and death was fresh. Farryn hesitated before reached out to grasp one of Amelia’s hands and nearly lost her composure. Amelia still had a warmth to her, she had died recently, within the last two hours. Farryn dropped to her knees at the bedside as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She was here in town this whole time and Farryn had been following a street vendor around to the underground market for nothing. Farryn had lost sight of why she had come to the town in the first place. Ashia had told her there were no slaves in the market and Farryn went in anyways instead of coming to search for Amelia.

“She asked us to find you, said you would be coming to look for her soon, that’s how we knew who you were.” Travis stood in the doorway as he spoke but Farryn made no show of acknowledgment to his words. She had failed Emily, had failed Amelia, had failed everyone in the pack. There was no doubt that Darius was dead too. Farryn pressed Amelia’s knuckles to her lips softly before laying her hand back down, wiping her eyes, and standing up.

“How is it, that one of my pack members is in this barrack dead?” It was an accusing question to ask, but Farryn was sounded defeated, she didn’t have the energy to try and accuse one of them. The female who had walked beside her entered the barrack.

“I was out on patrol with a few other guards outside of town and found her. We brought her here to the barrack because she was unconscious, and I didn’t recognize her scent. We brought a doctor, two actually, one wolf doctor and one elven doctor. They made sure she wasn’t in pain in the end, but she had lost so much blood out in the forest, they couldn’t do anything. She knew you were looking for her though, that your whole pack was but that you would be the one to come to the town. We asked her who had done this, she said it was one wolf who was three. We think the blood loss had made her delirious.” Farryn squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before opening them up to examine the wounds on Amelia’s body.

“What other scents were in the forest with her?” Farryn brushed Amelia’s hair from her neck as she spoke, the bite wound on her neck seemed to be more of a grazing wound unlike her own, Amelia had been fighting when they had gone for her throat.

“Um, none?” Farryn pulled the blanket back and lifted Amelia’s shirt, the gauze that had been peeking out from the bottom of her shirt had caught her attention.

“Are you asking me or telling me?” Farryn asked sharply as she peeled back the bandaging. A chunk of Amelia’s side was missing from what could either be claw marks or teeth marks. There was no possible way one wolf could savagely tear apart someone this way.

“T-Telling, Alpha. There were no other scents, just the blood, ocean, and almonds.” Farryn’s ears pricked as she looked over her shoulder.

“Ocean?” She repeated slowly, she put the bandage back on Amelia’s abdomen before putting her shirt back and pulling the blanket back up.

“Yes, we assumed the ocean scent was apart of her wolf… was it not?” The female seemed to shrink back; afraid she was going to set the Alpha into a frenzy. Farryn chuckled dryly as she wiped at her face one last time to make sure no stray tears had escaped. She had been right to suspect Xavier in the first place.

“No, it was not, but I know who’s scent that is. Thank you, both of you, for doing what you could for her, for trying. Is there anyone who could help bring her body back with me? Our pack is to the west a good ways away.” The female relaxed slightly as Travis nodded his head.

“I’ll help, my shift ended an hour ago anyway.” He waved the female off as he stepped further into the room. “What will you do now that you know who killed your packmate?” He pulled the blanket back from Amelia and lifted her lifeless body with ease into his arms. Farryn watched the way her arm hung limply at her side, at the open wound on her neck that nearly mirrored the scar on Farryn’s. Farryn led the way out of the barracks, the wolves in the guard had lined up to pay their respects for someone they did not know, but for someone who was kin, nonetheless.

“I’m going to let my pack tear him apart.” She responded coldly as she led the way home.