Page 49 of Bound to Exiles (Rejected Wolf Pack #5)

“Dryden’s got half the pack convinced these witches are their salvation, and they’ve moved in.

I count at least a dozen now after more arrived through the night.

They’ve given almost everyone these strange little stones.

They seemed to be experimenting with a few wolves last night, but I could never get close enough to see exactly what they were doing.

” Rowan’s mental voice carried barely restrained fury.

Hot anger ran through my veins. “I can’t believe they’d allow witches in after casting us out.”

Heath growled, “My father’s playing the long game. He knows exactly what buttons to push.”

“And anyone who disagrees gets taken to the jail,” Rowan continued grimly. “They’re setting up some kind of ritual space, and my wolf won’t stop pacing. Whatever they’re planning, it’s happening soon.”

“Keep watching,” I ordered. “Stay hidden. We need—”

The words died in my throat as a jagged blade of agony exploded through the Frost Fang pack bond. My wolf pushed me out, mistakenly believing my human form was better equipped to handle this threat.

More pain lanced through me. I doubled over, a strangled cry escaping my throat.

This wasn’t like anything I’d felt before — not the sharp ache of a packmate’s injury or the dull pang of their fear.

This was something deeper, more fundamental, as if the very essence of what made us wolves was being torn away from multiple wolves at once.

“Gage!” Heath was at my side instantly, his thick arms bracing me as my knees buckled .

Zak appeared on my other side, his hand closing around my wrist. “What’s happening?”

The contact with the two of them helped ground me, bringing me back to my immediate surroundings.

“The pack bond,” I managed through gritted teeth. “It’s bad.”

Another wave of agony washed over me, and I would have fallen if not for Heath’s grip. Through the haze of pain, I felt cool energy flowing from Zak’s hand into my body, soothing the burning sensation.

“I’m channeling healing magic,” Zak explained, his voice tight. “It can’t reach your packmates, but it might help with your symptoms.”

I nodded gratefully, leaning into their support as Zak’s magic spread through me like cool water over abused nerve endings. The pain didn’t disappear completely, but it receded enough for me to think clearly.

“Gage?” Freya’s panicked voice reached me through our Bonded link. “What’s happening? Are you hurt?”

“I’m okay,” I reassured her, though the words felt like a lie with this strange, unfamiliar pain still pulsing through the pack bond. “It’s coming through the Frost Fang connection. I’m not injured.”

“We’re coming back now.” Her tone brooked no argument.

“Brielle’s with us,” Flint added. “She might be able to help.”

Only then did I remember that Freya and Flint had gone to visit the hybrid and Shante. The pain had addled my mind that much.

“Fine,” I said, not bothering to hide my concern across our bonds.

Heath helped me to a nearby log where I could sit, while Zak continued channeling his magic. The vulnerability of being weakened and relying on their support would have once been intolerable. Now it felt comforting to be able to draw on our bonds, to know that my packmates had my back.

“Freya and Flint are coming, and bringing Brielle with them,” I told Heath and Zak.

“Can you reach Rowan again?” Heath asked.

I nodded, closing my eyes to focus on the Bonded link.

“Rowan,” I called through our connection, pulling in the others so we could all hear. “What’s happening now? ”

His response came immediately, tight with tension. “The witches have taken over.”

A growl built in my chest. “What are they doing to my pack?”

Images flashed through the bond — dozens upon dozens of Frost Fang wolves writhing on the ground, unable to shift despite the agony they endured.

Shifters being forced into the jail under Dryden’s alpha command while witches took others away.

Tork, standing by, free but looking shaken as he watched what the witches did to his fellow shifters.

“That traitor,” Heath growled.

“They’re experimenting,” Rowan’s mental voice was cold with fury. “Testing some kind of magic that prevents shifting. Dryden’s providing the test subjects, and the witches are providing the spells.”

“Mother moon,” Heath breathed. “My father’s gone too far this time.”

Zak’s hand tightened on my wrist. “Blocking a shifter’s ability to change forms… that’s what Ravenscroft did to me, but this is on a larger scale.”

“And Frost Fang just let the witches in,” I growled out loud and across the Bonded link simultaneously. “Despite the way they treated Freya and Zak.”

“They were manipulated,” Rowan replied. “But even still, I’m not sure they deserve our help.”

Before I could respond, Dean’s scent reached us, accompanied by Bretton and an unfamiliar female wolf.

I straightened, pushing the pain aside as best I could.

As pack alpha, I couldn’t show weakness in front of a stranger.

Then I looked up and realized I recognized her as a beta who’d stayed behind in Frost Fang.

The shifter’s eyes were haunted, with deep bags beneath them revealing her weariness. Her tangled hair showed she hadn’t spared a moment for vanity on her journey here.

“Alphas,” Dean called, his expression grim. “We caught this wolf crossing our camp perimeter.”