Chapter Eight

Ellie

Sleep was a stranger to me last night. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and the unease of being on the human side of the border didn’t help. I couldn’t put my finger on why.

I knew my brother wouldn’t harm me, and I had the pack’s warriors for protection. Plus, I could hold my own if push came to shove.

But still, there was this nagging discomfort. A reminder of the atrocities some humans were capable of.

Even though the commander was no more, and my brother was reshaping everything, I knew the other soldiers—the ones who reveled in my torment—were still out there somewhere. I couldn’t remember their faces, and for that, I was thankful.

I was even more thankful that my sole reason for being here was to see my brother.

Once the war ended and the border was dismantled, I hoped I’d feel safer.

As dawn broke, I decided there was no point in lying awake in bed. I got up, knowing Jackson wouldn’t suspect my aversion to early mornings.

Jackson greeted me with a smile as I emerged from my room. Clearly, he didn’t share my disdain for the crack of dawn.

A modest breakfast was laid out on the table where we’d dined last night. I felt a pang of guilt, consuming their food when they had so little, and we had so much.

But I knew Jackson would insist I eat something before leaving, so I nibbled a bit. I could always eat more when I got home.

“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to stay?” Jackson asked, his voice laced with hope.

I shook my head.

“You know I can’t,” I responded swiftly, “just like you can’t come with me.”

Jackson managed a smile and nodded.

“Besides,” I added, “I’ll be eighteen soon, and I might find my mate.”

Jackson’s grin widened.

“He better treat you right.”

I couldn’t help but think of Seth. I returned Jackson’s grin.

“Don’t worry, he will.”

After breakfast, Jackson walked me back to the dock.

The captain was ready to set sail.

I gave Jackson one last hug.

“Be careful, little sister,” he whispered.

I smiled back at him.

“Don’t worry, I will. And you be careful too, if you decide to explore beyond the wall.”

He nodded.

I knew it was pointless trying to dissuade him, just like it was pointless for him to try and keep me out of the impending war.

“I’ll send word if I can,” I promised.

I stepped onto the boat and watched as Jackson untied the mooring and tossed it onboard.

“Safe travels and good luck,” he shouted as we drifted into the open water.

I waved him a final goodbye and watched as he left the dock.

My farewell to Seth had been so different. He hadn’t left until we were out of each other’s sight.

I was eager to see him again. I just hoped that fate would be kind and make him my mate.

As we neared the dock, I saw a figure waiting. My heart sank when I realized it wasn’t Seth.

Maybe he was busy, preparing for the war. Maybe he didn’t know I’d be back so soon. But if it wasn’t Seth, then why was someone waiting for me?

The Council packs couldn’t possibly be ready to invade yet.

No one had escorted me to the dock when I left. Seth had just come to see me off.

A flutter of anxiety stirred in my stomach. Fear that something bad had happened.

My worry eased a bit when I recognized my dad. As the boat bumped against the dock, one of the warriors tossed the rope to the dock.

My dad secured it.

He looked at me and forced a smile. I knew something was off.

I hopped off the boat, thanking the captain with a wave before joining my dad on the dock.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice laced with worry.

He nodded and put his arm around my shoulder.

“Yes, of course. Everything is fine.”

His voice betrayed him. Something was definitely wrong.

“How’s your brother?” He asked.

That’s when I knew something was up. He wouldn’t normally ask that.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, irritation creeping into my voice.

“And don't say nothing, because I know something is.”

He stopped and turned to face me. He sighed as he placed both hands on my shoulders.

“It’s Seth...”

He paused, long enough for me to cut him off.

“I...Is he okay? I thought he might be at the dock when I came back.”

Dad looked at me sadly and nodded.

“I know you and him… He told me what happened when you left...”

I took a deep breath.

“Did you warn him off?” I huffed.

Dad sighed and shook his head.

“If anything, I would have been quite happy for you and he to be mates.”

I frowned.

“Would have?” I echoed.

Dad gently squeezed my shoulders.

“While you were gone, he found his mate.”

I closed my eyes, as I felt the bile rise in my throat. I swallowed it back down.

“Who...Who is she? Do I know her?”

Dad shook his head.

“She’s not here,” he began.

“Do you remember when you asked me about my mate, and I explained to you about the bond?”

I nodded.

“Well, Seth felt the bond break with his mate. It either means she’s taken another, or she’s died.”

He watched me as I processed what he was saying.

“But that means we could be together,” I blurted out.

“No, pickle,” he replied, shaking his head, “Seth won't do that, not while your fated mate could still be out there, waiting for you to turn eighteen.”

My shoulders slumped, and I let out a heavy sigh. I looked up at my dad.

“We can still be friends though, can’t we?”

He nodded.

“Just give him a little breathing room, okay? This is a lot for him to take in, especially since he had his heart set on you being his mate.”

He released his grip on my shoulders and we resumed our walk. I stayed quiet. It all felt so unjust. It wasn’t fair that Seth wasn’t my mate. It wasn’t fair that he’d lost his.

It wasn’t fair that I didn’t get a say in the matter. If I did, I’d have picked Seth in a heartbeat. But instead, my mate could be a total stranger, or worse, someone like Dante. Or even Dante himself.

How was I supposed to handle it if he turned out to be my mate?

I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. There were other things I needed to concentrate on. Like the impending war.

“Any new activity at the border?” I asked, eager to shift the conversation.

Dad nodded.

“We’ve picked up more pack scents. Murdoch’s ramped up the training. There’s a briefing later today that we both need to be at.”

I drew in a deep breath and nodded. So much for trying to distract myself. Seth would be at the briefing. I wondered how he’d react.

Could my life get any more complicated?