Page 83 of Shadow of Death
The men who’d been loyal to him stepped back, distancing themselves.
“Throw him in a cell until we decide what to do with him,” Aunt Elara said before turning to us.
The pack wasn’t looking at me in any way even close to accepting. There was no doubt we were no longer welcome here.
Aunt Elara walked over to us. “I love you both, but I do think it’s best you go for now. We’ll handle business from here.”
“Varic?” I asked.
“He’ll be handled tonight.” Her expression was solemn enough to make me trust he’d be dead before sunrise.
“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” I asked.
“Yes. I think enough shifters have hit their breaking point with him that there is no going back. We’ll be fine. I’ll get you the keys to one of the ATVs, but it’s probably best if you get out of here tonight.”
“Can you travel?” I asked Kicks, who was already up on his feet and getting dressed.
“Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be a hundred percent soon.”
Aunt Elara gave Kicks a hug and then turned and did the same with me. “Safe travels.”
We’d done what we had to for them, and now all I wanted was to go home.
“Where’s the closest dock? Maybe we can find a boat and search the coast for a bigger ship. I think we learned enough on Rod’s to get around the island.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Kicks said, stretching as his body continued to heal.
We pulled up to the nearest dock a couple hours later, and in the distance there was a large yacht.
“Is that…”No way.Could we be that lucky? Although we were due to catch a break, and it felt like the universe was about to shift in our favor.
We walked down the length of the pier, and there, on a small skiff, was Captain Rod.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said.
“Came back. Heard there might be some trouble.” He had a knowing smile.
“You did? From who?” Kicks asked.
“I’ve got my sources, especially along the coast. I hear whispers.” Rod winked at me before his gaze shifted to the wolf. “New friend?”
“Yes. It needs a lift back too, if that’s okay?” I asked. Could my wolf make it to Arkansas on his own? Maybe, but I wasn’t taking the chance.
“Wouldn’t dream of leaving it behind. Come aboard,” he said.
Chapter Thirty-Five
It wasthree weeks later at three a.m. when we walked back into the Arkansas pack.
Other than the watch on duty, everyone was asleep. The sound of the river and crickets chirping greeted us. I took a deep breath, smelling the fresh air of the trees, seeing the buds that had grown into leaves. Nothing had ever felt as much like home as this place.
“I’m going to go check in on Charlie, grab some clean clothes, and then I’ll meet you at the mill.”
Kicks nodded.
I walked into the cabin, and Buddie got to his feet, stretching out and yawning.
“You’re back. Kicks too?”