Page 4

4

Kurt

While helping Maya pack up the remaining items in the kitchen, I catch sight of a few pups helping to bring boxes and bags to the charter bus, where Ash and Eddison are helping to load the storage compartments.

It’s been six days since we arrived here. David and I called Amelia on the second day of our arrival, asking if we could delay our return to Ivory Fangs to sort through what Maya and the others would bring with us on our return trip. Luckily, Amelia had agreed that our stay would benefit the Harvest Willow wolves and just asked that we call her before we set out.

“This should be the last of it,” Maya says as she stands, smiling.

“So we should be ready to move out soon?” I ask my niece.

She looks around, taking her time to answer as her smile falls. I know she’s sad about leaving the farm. It’s the only safe place she’s known since Ramos attacked Harvest Willow, and it makes sense that she would be reluctant to leave.

“After packing, we should be able to leave. It sucks we can’t bring furniture with us.” Maya’s voice is filled with sadness, and my heart clenches for my niece. She has had to give up so much, living as a rogue for the last seven years.

“Amelia already said you and everyone can go shopping for furniture after we return to the pack,” I reassure her, watching Maya smile again. Unfortunately, this smile doesn’t reach her eyes, and I can’t help but reach out and pull my niece in for a hug.

“I know. I can’t wait to meet your alpha and thank her for everything she’s doing for us. She should have been the alpha instead of that monster Ramos.”

I smile in agreement, pulling away to poke her nose.

“When we get back to Ivory Fangs, I will show you around and introduce you to our beta, Kaylee. I think you will get along with her.”

I can already see Kaylee and Maya becoming close friends, the she-wolf showing my niece the ropes and helping her come into herself. Maybe—just maybe—Maya won’t need to feel so guarded around others once she has a friend she can confide in.

“From what you and the others have told us about her, Beta Kaylee seems like a good she-wolf—even if she is younger than me.” Maya chuckles, stepping toward one of the many boxes in the room.

We begin bringing boxes to Eddison and Ash, placing them next to the growing pile and returning inside to continue emptying the farmhouse.

A couple of days ago, I asked Maya what she wanted to do with this place. She asked if we could rent it out and keep the land in our family, and I agreed. When we returned to Ivory Fangs, I’d ask Alexander to help me contact a realtor and list it for rent.

With everyone working together, the farmhouse is emptied within a few hours. The storage compartments barely fit everything, with Eddison and Ash having to play a tricky game of bus Tetris.

David has stepped aside to call his mate while I help get everyone situated inside the charter bus. The last time I’d seen them, many of these faces had been small, scared children huddled together in a hidden shelter, waiting for someone to rescue them. In seven years, they’ve grown to become bold and brave wolves—even if many still cannot shift.

“Is everyone ready to go?” Ash asks as he climbs into the driver’s seat and turns on the ignition.

“I think so,” I answer, facing the young man. I thought I would have to worry about Ash on this trip, but he’d surprised me. Every morning before we had breakfast, he was outside training those newly shifted or preparing to shift. They took to him easily, making me realize why Royce has him as his second in command of the hunters.

“Amelia says the guest house is being prepared for their arrival. It seems there’s been trouble at our borders, so we should be careful when we get closer to the pack,” David says, climbing onto the bus.

I watch as Maya stiffens. She and Eddison sit together, and the warrior takes the opportunity to explain the training schedule to her—Maya wants to become a warrior, too. Her worried eyes reach mine, and I give her a reassuring smile before looking at David.

“How bad is it?” I ask, and my friend shrugs.

“Not bad. Just Ramos sending spies. I don’t think he knows his wolves joined Ivory Fangs, but Amelia is worried about our identities being revealed,” he answers before taking a seat.

I mull over his words as Ash goes through the final checks. After confirming with Maya that everyone is on the bus, we take off on our journey home.

Ramos seems to be getting impatient with wanting to know who exactly runs Ivory Fangs. Eventually, the pack will have to face him head-on—and I’m not sure if we’re ready for that.