Chapter 26

26

Kane

O nce I’ve finally got Tami calmed down and in bed, I quickly dress and head downstairs, remembering Kade is outside waiting for me. I pause by the door, brushing my fingers over my claim mark, feeling overjoyed.

Finally, my mate has claimed me, and we are complete. Suddenly, I feel my wolf relax within me. He wants to return to the village and settle our mate in. Was this why my wolf was so unhinged? He just wanted to be claimed?

I open the cabin door and walk past Kade standing on the porch with a grin that grates on my nerves. I know she heard Tami claim me, but I don’t care. I also don’t want to hear about it.

Kade follows me down the stairs and up the hill as I go to grab the trailer. I don’t plan to unpack it since we’ll be leaving for the village in the morning. It’s winter, and the items will be safe in the trailer overnight. But I need to get it off the road .

“Why are you still here, Kade?” I ask, annoyed, as I start to pull the trailer back to the cabin. Kade walks with me.

“That’s a nice claim mark. I’m always jealous of shifter claim marks. Shifters get the bigger bites. I just have a little scar,” she says, running her fingers over her own claim mark.

She should be grateful for her mark, no matter the size. I don’t care if it’s a little scratch as long as Tami claimed me. I run my fingers over my mark again, feeling proud. I give Kade a hard glare, waiting for her to answer me.

“I need your help,” Kade says.

My help? With what? I keep walking, pulling the trailer down the hill until we reach the cabin. I double-check the tarp to make sure it’s secure.

The air is cool and thick, and there’s another storm on the horizon. I can smell it in the air. This will make it difficult to travel in the morning, but I’ll make it work. It’s time to take Tami home. My brother is right; I’ve been selfish in keeping her here.

“The radicals have escalated,” Kade says, helping me secure the tarp.

“Escalated?” Kade sighs and nods.

“While rescuing the human for your mate, we discovered some things. And it’s not good.”

“Tiffany?” I question, and Kade nods.

“There’s an underground ring trafficking shifter babies. The fated mates that refuse to move into Wintermoon are falling victim to this. The mates are killed, and the children are sold off into an underground ring.” I laugh, refusing to believe it. No way is something like this happening. Fate would never allow it.

“I don’t understand it either, Kane. But it looks like it’s part of Fate’s plan. ”

“How are they even doing this? How does a radical kill a shifter?” I question, laughing. This has to be a mistake. There’s no way... But I pause when Kade pulls a syringe from her pocket and hands it to me. Immediately, I get a whiff of lion shifter blood, but it’s dead.

“They’re draining shifter blood from the dead and injecting it into their bodies. It warms the dead blood, masking it and confusing the shifters enough to be infiltrated. I don’t know all the details, but just enough to know it’s happening. There are cubs and pups without families. You of all shifters know how that feels. You lost your parents in the Great War. A young shifter maneuvering the world on his own, solely relying on his wolf. Your wolf raised you.”

“No, House of Zorah raised him. Don’t put your maternal nonsense into his head.” Levi reappears, cleaned up and in fresh clothes. He stands beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I give him a nod, signaling no hard feelings between us. He sees my claim mark and smiles.

“Ah, you are one with your mate now. Maybe I should give you another month alone with her,” he says with a teasing smile. I shake my head.

“No, I need her surrounded by love. The village will provide that,” I say, looking back at Kade. “What do you need from me?”

“We caught a radical posing as a tourist, thanks to Tiffany. They’re going to try to take another pregnant mate. We tried to find Julian, but he’s gone off the radar. You have his scent imprinted; I know you can help us find him.” Levi takes the syringe.

“This is a call for the second Great War, Kade, and you know it,” Levi tells her.

“We just got this land. Can’t we settle in first before everything goes to hell? Help me find the radicals and put this to rest quietly.”

“No, we should tell King Amir,” Levi disagrees.

“How many more shifter babies have to suffer while we wait?” Kade questions, shutting us up. I look at Levi, and he nods.

“Alright. Where’s this radical human?” I ask, and Kade smiles.

“At the station on Mackinac Island. Just a quick ferry ride and a sniff, then you’re back with your mate.”

“I don’t know,” I say, suddenly having a bad feeling. I don’t want to leave Tami alone. Kade looks up at the sky.

“The island is closed due to the winter storm and the roads are blocked. This will be quick, and you’ll be back with your mate. I’ll figure out the rest after I collect the scent.” I look at Levi, and he nods.

“I’ll go with you, brother,” Levi says, but I’d rather he stay here with Tami. But I know my brother. He doesn’t trust my wolf.

“Let’s do this. You know I’m not staying away from my mate for long,” I tell her.

“I’ll teleport back routinely to check on her. I promise,” Kade assures.

I don’t have a good feeling about this, I don’t know why. Julian, and Tami’s avoidance about her phone, worry me. If she thinks I’ve forgotten, she’s mistaken. I haven't given up the idea of searching for him myself.

“Help me get some of this food inside for my mate. She’s carrying now, she’ll be hungry.” Kade smiles and nods, lifting the tarp.

Levi helps me carry the food inside while I dart upstairs to check on Tami. She’s sleeping peacefully, her adorable little snores echoing through the room. I walk to the edge of the bed and gently stroke her cheek. She moans and turns to her side, moving away. I should leave her a note or something, but I’ll be back before she wakes.

It’s already agonizing just thinking about being away from her. It’s going to be a long time before anyone can separate me from her. I draw in a breath, careful to be quiet. I have to do this. It’s the right thing. And Tami would push me to go if she knew.

“I love you, Tami,” I murmur. She stirs, rolling to her side to face me. She’s still deeply asleep, her breathing slow and even. It’s the first time I’ve let the words escape me. I’ve wanted to say them for weeks now, since the first time I laid eyes on her.

“I love you too,” she murmurs back. My heart quickens at her words. I long to hear those words escape her lips when she’s awake, but I’ll take them coming from her sleep for now.

I make the painful walk out of our bedroom and go downstairs where Kade and Levi are waiting. I scowl at both of them; they look like proud parents. We head out of the cabin, and Levi is the last to exit, ensuring the door is locked.

The wolf in me and my brother won’t let us leave without rounding the cabin, double-checking the perimeter. When I’m certain it’s clear, I give Levi a nod that it’s okay to leave. My heart feels heavy as I take the steps up the hilltop, leaving my mate alone.

I hope I don’t regret this.