Epilogue

Mia

I shoved open the door to the mechanic shop, and the bell above the door frame clanged as the door swung back shut. The smell of grease and rubber filled my nose, and the hum of machinery buzzed from the back of the shop. I scanned the room, searching for someone—anyone—who could help.

My eyes landed on Tori sitting behind the desk, her fingers flying over a keyboard. I rushed over, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I skidded to a stop in front of her. Tori looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. "Mia?" She pushed her chair back, standing. "What's wrong?"

I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a wheezy exhale. I took a moment to catch my breath, then blurted, "I just saw the news. There's a fire. Up north. Where Rowan and the others are."

Tori's eyes narrowed. "What kind of fire?"

I shook my head. "They didn't say much, just that it was in the middle of nowhere. Not near any serviceable roads. And that the fire stations up there are few and far between."

Tori frowned and grabbed the remote on the desk, turning on the television hanging over their waiting area. The news flickered on, and she flipped through the channels until she found one with a banner running along the bottom of the screen.

Fire Breaks Out Near Secluded Home in Northern British Columbia

My heart pounded as the news anchor spoke, describing the scene. "A fire has broken out in a remote area of Northern British Columbia, posing challenges for emergency responders due to its location far from main roads. The blaze started near a solitary, rustic home in the woods, and with limited fire stations in the region, containment efforts are expected to be slow."

Tori's knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the desk. "They're smart. There's nothing we can do, but I'm sure?—"

"There's nothing you can do?" I hissed. "There are packs up there. Can't you send them to help?"

She gritted her teeth. "My people are already tracking a threat, and Jasper is dealing with a situation with a newly pregnant she-wolf. We're stretched thin, Mia." Tori blew out a breath. "And you know the northern packs. They don't want to help. They don't want to get involved."

I clenched my fists. "I've heard about their alphas."

Tori's eyes flashed. "It's not our job to?—"

"The northern alphas only care about themselves. You know that!" I shook my head.

Tori's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care so much, Mia?"

It was a fair question. Besides loving our forests, I'd given her no reason to take my concern seriously. My throat tightened, and I blinked to stop the tears from coming. "My sister is a rogue."

Tori's eyebrows lifted. "Your sister?"

I nodded, my vision blurring. "The last I heard from her, she was living up north. In the mountains." I swallowed hard. "I know her. She won't leave if there are people in danger."

Tori's lips parted, and she paused for a long moment before finally saying, "Mia?—"

"I have to find her." I shoved my hands in my pockets, my lips pulling into a tight line.

Tori nodded, then met my eyes. "You shouldn't go alone."

I burst out of the mechanic shop and sprinted to my car. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline pushing me. My hands shook as I fumbled with my keys, finally managing to unlock the door and slide into the driver's seat.

I started the engine and pulled out onto the street, barely glancing at the speed limit signs as I sped toward home. The world outside blurred, a mix of green trees and grey pavement.

I slammed on the brakes in front of my apartment building and ran inside. My mind raced as I grabbed a backpack from my closet and started shoving essentials into it. Clothes, a flashlight, a first aid kit. I paused, then added a map of the area. I didn't know if I'd need it, but something told me it would be useful.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. You shouldn't go alone. I needed help. Someone who knew the area, someone who would be willing to drop everything and come with me.

Liam.

I swung the backpack over my shoulder and rushed out of the apartment, not bothering to lock the door behind me. I jumped into the car and tore down the street to his place.

I parked and ran up the front steps, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I pounded on the door, barely giving it a second before I knocked again.

Liam answered, his hair tousled and eyes bleary. "Mia? What the hell?—"

"There's a fire," I said, cutting him off. "Up north. Where Rowan and Evelyn are. I just saw it on the news. Tori says there isn't anything they can do about it because the northern packs are supposed to handle it, but we both know they won't?—"

Liam held up a hand. "Whoa, whoa. Start over?"

I took a shuddering breath. "There's a fire. In the mountains. I think my sister is up there."

Liam blinked, then rubbed a hand over his face. "Seriously?"

I nodded, my heart still pounding in my chest. "I need to find her. I need to make sure she's okay."

Liam didn't hesitate. "Give me a minute." He disappeared into the house, and I heard him rummaging around. A minute later, he reappeared with a backpack slung over his shoulder. "Okay, let's go."

We got in the car, and I sped down Main, my hands tight on the wheel, my thoughts racing as fast as the tires on the pavement. When we passed through town, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like a scene out of a movie. Firemen in reflective gear, hoses and tools being organized, fire trucks and volunteers packing their vehicles with supplies. The smell of smoke hung in the air, making my eyes water.

I slammed on the brakes and screeched to the curb.

"Mia!" Liam complained, but I jumped out of the car and ran up to one of the firemen.

"What's going on?" I asked.

He glanced at me, then continued strapping a hose to the side of a truck. "We've got a hot spot crew heading north. Volunteers are going with them to help with containment."

I nodded, trying to process the information. "That fire in the mountains? The one on the news?"

"Yeah," he said gruffly. "It's bad. No stations out there to respond, so we're all hands on deck."

I swallowed hard. "Thank you." I turned and jogged back to the car, my mind already working out what needed to happen next.

Liam eyed me as I climbed in behind the wheel. "What'd he say?"

"They're organizing a crew to head north. Looks like they're already packing up." I put the car in drive, then pulled up the street a little ways and parked.

Liam frowned. "So, what do you want to do? Follow them, or?—"

I shook my head and reached into the back seat. "If we want to get close, we're going to have to go with them." I knew my sister. She wasn't living somewhere with easy access from the main roads, and my guess was that everything up there was going to be blocked off.

Liam's eyes widened. "What? Mia, we can't just?—"

I grabbed my jacket and backpack, then stepped out of the car. "We have to get up there, Liam. My sister?—"

"You don't even know if?—"

"Stop," I snapped, my frustration boiling over. "We can't wait and hope the northern packs do something. We both know they won't. They have no reason to."

Liam exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold air. "Okay. But we're not firemen. We don't have the training. We don't have the right gear."

I pulled the straps of my backpack tighter. "It's just a ride, Liam."

He stared at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright." He turned and started toward the fire station, his shoulders tense. "But if we die, I'm blaming you."

Buy Book #4 in the series