Page 12 of Bound to Exiles (Rejected Wolf Pack #5)

“Follow your instincts,” Flint privately reminded me.

“My instinct is to wait until we have some privacy,” I moaned. “But when will that ever happen?”

“I really wish I knew, moonbeam,” Flint replied, his eyes darkening with desire.

I drifted toward the door, my wolf eager to be under the stars again. Flint followed me into the night as Heath continued to discuss next steps with Bretton. I knew the two of them could sort things out.

“Rowan, when you’re free, I’d love a run,” I privately called and felt my most primal alpha’s immediate flash of agreement.

“I’ll join you in a few minutes, my mate,” he promised.

I imagined Gage needed to debrief him on everything that had happened in the throne room first.

As soon as I stepped outside, I heard more shifters approaching the den.

“Can we come with you, pack alphas?” asked a subordinate Frost Fang wolf whose name I didn’t remember. Her eyes shimmered with barely restrained tears as she looked between the three of us.

I gave the woman a reassuring smile, remembering how it felt to be packless and afraid. “Of course, you’re welcome to join us.”

Flint echoed my words, saying, “Anyone who wishes to is welcome.”

After he reassured the wolves who’d come with her, they left with looks of hope, saying they needed to gather their things.

“Keep it light,” Flint called after them, “but we will take vehicles when we go. ”

I wondered how a giant caravan of vehicles would navigate the wildlands for any length of time.

“How many do you think will come with us?” I wondered out loud.

“Probably only a few at first,” Flint guessed. “But I’ve never heard of a pack alpha being separated from the pack for long. Our absence will make more and more wolves uncomfortable over time. More subordinate wolves will likely follow later.”

“And what about belligerent, alpha assholes?” Varden asked as he and a group of alphas approached. “Are we welcome, too?”

My wolf bristled at his tone, but I remained outwardly calm, letting Flint handle this. They’d been packmates once, after all.

“If you’re prepared to swear loyalty to the Howling Echo,” Flint challenged him, meeting his gaze.

Gage had used the term ‘pack followers’ earlier, suggesting he wouldn’t pull just anyone into the Howling Echo pack. Either way, as packmates or pack followers, they would need to swear their allegiance all over again, this time to the Howling Echo.

“Better than staying here,” one of the other alphas spat. I thought I remembered his name being Dean.

“We didn’t challenge Gage tonight,” a female alpha pointed out.

I didn’t remember meeting her before, which probably meant she was from one of the outer towns.

“We won’t tomorrow or the next day, either,” Dean promised.

Varden nodded. “We talked it through, and there’s no way any of us could submit to a bunch of betas.”

“But can you learn to work alongside them?” Flint asked. “Because the Howling Echo does not stand on tradition.”

Another voice simultaneously said the words, and I turned to find Zak standing in the open doorway. Flint gestured him forward, then draped his arm over the taller man’s shoulder. The casual touch sent a ripple of awareness through our bond.

“And mages,” Zak added, his eyes meeting mine briefly. “You’ll have to learn to put up with us, too. I intend to train Freya starting tomorrow, and we won’t be hiding our magic.”

My heart jumped at his words. Training with Zak would mean finally learning to control my unleashed magic — power that still frightened me with its unpredictability and unfamiliarity.

An elbow from another alpha cut off Varden’s growl.

When Flint glared at him, he lowered his gaze. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

“You will show the Howling Echo leaders respect,” Flint warned.

Another one sniffed the air, his gaze flicking to me before settling on Zak. “The hybrids aren’t alphas.”

“Trust me, that doesn’t make them any less dangerous,” Flint promised.

I stepped closer to Zak, my wolf defensive on his behalf. “Alpha or not, he’s one of my mates,” I said, my voice steady. “And I’d trust him with my life.”

The alphas stared at us, their disapproval almost tangible in the air, all while Zak’s appreciation buffeted me through the Bonded link.

“Well?” Flint asked, facing the alphas.

None of them said a word.

Zak rolled his eyes. “I’ll swear loyalty to the Howling Echo, too, you know. And I’ll happily accept Gage’s pack mark the moment he sees fit to give it to me. I belong by Freya’s side, and your distrust won’t stop me from doing whatever it takes to protect her.”

Flint grinned. “Spoken like a true alpha.”

Zak harrumphed. “I’m no alpha. I don’t know where I fit into your cute little hierarchy yet. But Freya is my Bonded, my mate.”

He glared over at the alphas, though I noticed he didn’t directly meet their eyes for long.

“Anyone who stands between us will see the full force of my magic. Understood?”

His protective declaration warmed me, and I slid my hand into his. His fingers tightened around mine, and a spark of magic danced between our palms.

“Understood,” Varden said. “I’m going to go get my stuff. Don’t leave without me.”

The alphas faded into the darkness, leaving me wondering how many would actually join us. Part of me hoped some would stay behind — I didn’t entirely trust their sudden change of heart .

Together, the three of us watched for more shifters who might approach for guidance while I waited on Rowan to appear.

“Thanks for having my back,” Zak said to Flint.

“Of course,” Flint said as his grip tightened on Zak’s shoulder.

He silently added, “But if you do anything to hurt Freya, I won’t be your only enemy.”

Zak grinned. “I’d rather have you as my friend.” Then he winked. “Or maybe something more. Who knows what the future holds?”

The heat in his voice made my cheeks flush, reminding me that he’d promised to win over my other mates. Something shifted in the air between them, a tension that made my wolf stir with interest.

A shadow peeled away from the forest, catching my eye, and my mate bond sang with primal need. A split second later, the darkness resolved into Rowan’s massive form. My wolf surged forward eagerly at the sight of my mate, but I held back momentarily.

Flint eyes softened as they met mine. “Go. We’ll handle things here.”

I squeezed Zak’s hand once more before letting go. “Tomorrow, we start training?”

“Tomorrow,” he confirmed, his dark eyes gleaming with promise.