Fiona couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Reginald’s side, especially not to tend to Allen. The betrayal felt fresh in her chest, but Reginald had no patience for her hesitation.
"Go, Fiona. We can’t let him die, or we’re dead too!" Reginald’s groan cut through her as she failed to move quickly enough.
"But..." She bit down hard on her lip, fury building inside her. "I don’t want to go to him! I refuse to check on him! I can’t stand to see him or touch him! I won’t!"
"Fiona!" Reginald’s sharp tone made her flinch. "Check on him now. If he dies, we die with him. I need to know our chances!"
His harsh words stung, especially when worry for him consud her every thought.
She had no choice.
She forced herself up and crossed to Allen. The old bastard lay face-down, his breathing barely there, his leg bent at a sickening angle. Definitely broken.
If no one set it properly before it healed, he’d limp forever. Perfect. Better yet if he stayed disabled or just died.
Once she confird the old monster would live, she returned to Reginald with her findings.
"I can’t reset his leg. I don’t know how, and trying might make it worse," she said. The truth, though she wouldn’t try even if she could.
"No. Let him limp. He deserves it after what he did to you." Reginald’s eyes stayed closed, but she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Tears spilled over again.
"Thank you..." The sobs wracked through her.
She’d thought Reginald no longer cared, but his words dissolved every doubt. He still cared.
"Don’t cry. I need you strong. You’re the only one who can move—can you find our n? Soone to help us? We can’t stay exposed like this. Our warriors should be close. It’s almost ti for the etup."
She didn’t recognize this place, and after the landslide, she wasn’t even sure where they were.
At least this area hadn’t taken the worst hit.
She could see a wall of earth in the distance, like a small hill—that’s where the landslide had struck hardest.
"I’ll try..." She wiped her tears away. "I’ll be back as fast as I can." She stood, ready to leave.
"Fiona."
"Yes?" She thought he needed sothing, but his voice softened.
"Be careful."
Those simple words ward her completely. She smiled through her tears. "I will. I’ll co back with backup."
——
Phoebe’s POV
I swayed on my feet, my head heavy with exhaustion. The casualties had stopped coming, but the injured warriors from earlier needed treatnt before their wounds went septic. So hovered near death, their healing abilities failing.
At least two hundred warriors needed care, fifty in critical condition. Fifteen had lost their healing completely—their wolf spirits were dying.
I understood their terror. My own wolf spirit was dying too, and no one had helped , costing my ability to shift.
These fifteen would face the sa fate unless I could strengthen their bodies quickly, easing the burden on their spirits.
For warriors, losing their wolf spirit and the ability to shift ant the end of everything.
I wouldn’t let that happen to them. I pushed through.
Thankfully, Lynn and Rosa had arrived just in ti. They were lifesavers, and with no active battles, other warriors could help with smaller tasks.
But I’d hit my limit. I could barely stand, and when another wave of dizziness crashed over , I nearly face-planted before strong arms caught .
His powerful grip around my waist snapped back to alertness. I steadied myself and turned to thank whoever had caught .
Perry?!
The king was here. Actually here.
"What are you doing here?!" Perry roared, his fury silencing all activity around the tents. Every eye fixed on us. "Why are you here?!"
I had no answer ready, no notes to communicate with him.
I tried to speak so he could read my lips, but he turned away, scanning the crowded area full of warriors.
"Samuel! Justin!"
The two n erged from the crowd and dropped to their knees before the king. They’d rushed over the mont they heard his angry voice.
They knew they were in deep trouble.
"How dare you bring the queen here?!"
My heart lurched. I grabbed Perry’s arm as he moved toward them. What was he planning?!
I caught the glint of claws extending from his fingers.
No!
——
Fiona returned with Joe and Upton, the twins who’d been warriors in her old pack, Crimson Fang.
They’d survived the landslide by arriving late. She was thrilled to see them—they’d been watching over Reginald’s mother and her brother Draven.
Their delay had happened because Reginald’s mother and Draven were too exhausted to continue traveling. That delay had saved their lives.
They’d also found other warriors.
"Over there," she said, pointing toward Reginald and Allen, still in the sa positions. "We need to get them sowhere safe before the royal warriors track us down."
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