20

Let's go kill a phoenix.

Henley

Over the next three days, Parker's living room looks more like a war council room than a family room. The couches and coffee tables have all been shoved against the wall and in the center of the room is a large table that has papers spread out all around it. There are a few chairs scattered about, but for the most part, everybody is on their feet. They're all planning. Scheming. Trying to find out how to kill a phoenix.

Though Parker hasn't let me out of his sight, he is busy talking with alphas from other packs. Earlier we heard news that King Basilicus, the dragon king, will be by later today. I'm not sure what to make of the entire ordeal. It seems excessive for them to do all of this just for me. Will has tried to explain it to me—how important lunas are to the pack—but it doesn't seem right for them to make a fuss over me. I'm not a wolf shifter. I wouldn't be accepted into the pack at all if it weren't for Parker.

Still, I am thankful that everybody is here. I know that Blaze wouldn't dare make a move with all these alphas in the room. Instead, I know he's biding his time. If we've learned anything about him over the past few months, it's that he's patient. He waited until the opportune moment to take me and I know he'll do it again. I just worry about what will happen if he gets the opportunity again. This time, he won't make the same mistakes. Blaze is a psychopath, but he's cunning.

An alpha walks into the living room, holding a large chunk of some kind of crystal. It's in a short but chunky shape. "I've got it." He holds it above his hand like it's some kind of prize. In reality, you could probably buy it for a few bucks at some hippie crystal store.

"What do you have?" Mr. Thorne eyes the crystal with the same scrutiny that I feel.

"If I may approach the girl," the alpha says.

Parker stiffens, crossing his arms over his chest. "May I inquire why you want to approach my mate?"

Mr. Thorne shoots Parker a look, probably to stop him from back talking to other alphas, and then he turns his attention to the alpha. "What is it you've got?"

"I believe that this will block her powers," the alpha explains, lowering his head.

"Let's give it a shot," Mr. Thorne says. He takes the crystal from the alpha and hands it to me.

I look at the metal in my hands and then at Mr. Thorne. "What do you want me to do?"

"Try to teleport while holding this," he instructs.

I do as instructed, but nothing happens. I shake my head, holding the crystal back to him. "I can't. He's right—this blocks my powers."

Parker's eyes bulge. "How did you find this?"

"We've been searching the warehouse, like you asked. This crystal was everywhere around the loft bedroom," the alpha explains. "I figured it was important."

I eye the crystal with a new appreciation. It doesn't look like anything special—it's just a purple rock. But there obviously is something special about it. And… it could be the clue to ending this thing with Blaze.

I glance at Parker, who is also looking at the rock. He glances at me, his expression a mixture of relief and—strangely—horror.

Parker shakes his head. "I just realized—when we find a way to kill that phoenix, we're also finding a way to kill you."

I smile at him. "Parker, you can't worry about that. Everybody dies eventually. And I have you to protect me."

He doesn't say anything, he just pulls me into his arms and squeezes me against him. I can feel the tremble in his body, so I let him take the comfort. He's been a wreck since I was taken. I know he hasn't been sleeping much.

Ever since we got back, Parker has refused to leave my side, even to sleep. His dad, unwilling to force us to part, has set up sleeping arrangements in the basement. There is a whole group of us, including Will, Blaine, and at least three of Parker's siblings. I doubt even Mr. Thorne will be able to pull Parker from my side until Blaze is taken care of.

I look at the crystal in Mr. Throne's hand and wonder what else that crystal can do. It's not like it's sharp enough to stab Blaze with it. Who knows if it would even kill him? It's all just speculation at this point.

But as the group of shifters mull over the crystal, there is a sharp knock on the front door. Mrs. Thorne runs out from another room to open the door.

Mrs. Thorne has been the perfect host—I swear she's spent most of her time in the kitchen, cooking for all the shifters. She's run herself ragged trying to make sure everybody is comfortable and has everything they need. She's been especially attentive to me since I returned, treating me like a daughter. It warms my heart to know that I'll soon be joining such a kind family.

When Mrs. Thorne opens the door, she bends herself in a deep bow. "King Basilicus, we weren't expecting you until later. Please, come in."

The room goes completely silent as power washes through the room. I don't know if King Basilicus is aware of just how much power he radiates, but it literally oozes out of him.

Dragons are just as terrifying as I remember.

A boy about my age stands beside King Basilicus. I recognize the boy at Prince Evander—he's the youngest child of King Basilicus. His older brother, Prince Stellen, is the heir. But I imagine Prince Stellan is busy with his newborn twins and his elf wife.

Mr. Throne approaches King Basilicus while the rest of the wolf shifters stand back, watching the dragon king with awe.

"Thank you for coming, King Basilicus," Mr. Throne says, bowing slightly to the dragon king. "It means a lot to us that you're willing to come and help protect my son's mate and the future luna of our pack."

"Of course." King Basilicus offers him a smile. "I brought my son, Evander. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." Mr. Throne nods to Prince Evander.

"After we spoke on the phone, I did some research. My council was able to find something that I think may be of interest to you." King Basilicus pulls a cell phone from his pocket.

It's strange to see him using a cell phone. It's so… mundane. And I know from personal experience that wolf shifters aren't big on tech. There are people my age in the pack who don't own a cell phone, which I find strange. But I guess when you can mind speak with anybody in the pack, there is no point.

He holds out his screen to Mr. Thorne who eyes the screen in interest.

"What is it, Dad?" Parker takes a step closer to his father.

Mr. Throne glances from the screen to look at his son. "We can kill the phoenix. For good."

A buzz of excitement rushes through the room as alphas whisper to one another. Parker, for once, relaxes. His entire body seems to droop with relief. I realize I can feel his excitement through our incomplete mate bond.

Mr. Throne rubs his hands together. "Then I guess it's time for us to track down a phoenix."

"I can help with that." King Basilicus pockets his phone. "My eldest son happens to have in-laws who are very resourceful."

In-laws?

Oh, right. Prince Stellan is married to that blonde chick—the elf. Or, I guess she's half elf, half fae. I know from talking with Parker that elves were once thought to be extinct until they came forward last year and revealed themselves for the sake of their once lost princess. It all sounds like a fairytale to me, but maybe I am proof that supernaturals once thought to be extinct aren't exactly uncommon.

"You know where the phoenix is?" Mr. Throne asks.

King Basilicus nods. "And if your son's mate could teleport us there, we can end this."

Parker steps in front of me. "No. She doesn't need to be anywhere near that phoenix. Nor do I want her near a weapon that could possibly kill her."

King Basilicus levels Parker with a look. The rest of the wolf shifters back away, but not Parker. He stands his ground.

"Parker, take a walk with me while your father and the rest of the alphas prepare the weapon," King Basilicus says.

It's not a request, but a demand. One that I'm not sure Parker can refuse.

Parker, still clasping my hand, pulls me along with him. King Basilicus eyes me for a moment, then looks at Parker. Parker tugs me closer to his side and the dragon king nods.

"Fine, your mate may come with us." King Basilicus opens the front door, motioning for us to walk outside first.

King Basilicus, Parker, and I take a walk down a familiar path. It's a path I've been on several times, though not lately. It hasn't exactly been safe for me to take a walk as of late. Hopefully, after today, that won't be a problem anymore.

We walk for about five minutes before anybody says anything. At that point, King Basilicus stops and turns to face us.

"What I am about to tell you does not go any further than right here," King Basilicus says, his eyes intensely focused on Parker's face. "You do not tell your alpha. You do not tell your friends. I don't even want you to discuss it with your mate. I need you to vow it."

Parker nods. "As long as it's not information that could hurt my family, pack, or mate, I vow I will keep your secret."

King Basilicus nods, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Last year, when my daughter-in-law met her family, it was revealed to us that an oracle is alive."

Parker's eyes bulge. "An oracle?"

"Yes." The dragon king takes a deep breath. "She has chosen to remain hidden. The elves know of her existence, as they are the ones who have helped hide her. She also chose to reveal herself to my family. But nobody else knows—until now. She came to me a few days ago with the information I would need to help you and your mate."

I look between King Basilicus and Parker, wondering why Parker is so shocked.

I know what an oracle is—they can see the future. Maybe they're rare or something and that's why Parker is acting so shocked about their existence.

"No harm will come to you or your mate," King Basilicus continues. "But for us to get to this phoenix, we need your mate to teleport us. If not, we'll never catch him. Ever. But he will eventually catch you."

His words settle between us and Parker falls silent. I can feel the internal war he's fighting. He wants to keep me away from the battle, but he also wants to end this. He is fighting his own basic instincts.

King Basilicus puts a hand on Parker's shoulder. "Your mate is a phoenix. She is the strongest supernatural that's ever existed—she's even stronger than a dragon shifter. You do not need to worry over her, Alpha Parker. You've got yourself a warrior mate, even if she doesn't know it yet."

Me?

A warrior?

I nearly snort at the idea of being a warrior. This is me we're talking about here. I frequently pass out if there are too many humans around. I'm no warrior.

But Parker glances at me, his eyebrows furrowed, and then he nods. "You're right. She is a warrior. And she can handle this."

King Basilicus smiles widely. "Excellent."

But I keep my eyes on Parker, my heart swelling.

Parker believes in me—that means more than anything the dragon king says. And the way Parker looks at me… it's everything.

I love him.

And soon, he will be safe. We all will be.

If I learned anything from Blaze killing Parker, it's that I will do anything to protect my mate. I almost lost him once. I don't think I could handle it if anything happened again, especially not if it were permanent.

Blaze is going to regret the day he decided to come after me, my mate, and our pack.

"Let's go kill a phoenix," I say.

Parker's grin widens.