Page 78 of Bound to Exiles (Rejected Wolf Pack #5)

Hugo nodded. “I know we originally said you should leave by the new moon, but given the current circumstances, we’ve changed our minds. And we realize it was petty of us to keep you outside our walls due to fear of your magic. We shouldn’t have treated you that way.”

Freya straightened, meeting their gaze directly. “Thank you. But it’s not just me who deserves better treatment. All hybrids do. All those with magic in their blood. Like Brielle.”

A moment of silence followed her words. I watched Hugo and Idori exchange a glance, something unspoken passing between them.

Hugo finally said, “Many have come here as a last refuge from packs who would keep them from practicing the old ways. Yet it’s true that we ourselves have turned away hybrids for practicing their own kind of medicine. Perhaps it’s time for our pack to reconsider old prejudices. ”

Freya smiled. “We would welcome that change.”

“But it won’t be easy,” Flint cautioned. “Since you’re about to be up against a threat all wolves fear.”

“Witches,” Idori said grimly.

“Yes,” Gage agreed. “Though they’re in retreat now, Dryden escaped, alongside the Ashworth Coven’s survivors. Once they report back, the coven will no doubt send reinforcements.”

“We do have someone tracking Dryden,” Freya said, and I remembered how a huge raven had flown away from the Frost Fang pack house.

“But we might not receive that intel until a day or two later,” I warned, since Freya would need to dreamwalk to Tor before she heard anything his ravens might discover.

“We’ll help,” Hugo said firmly. “Whatever you need to rid our lands of witches who would sever shifters from their wolves. This enemy is a threat to us all.”

Gage nodded, but said, “I hate to bear more bad news, but there’s another urgent problem we’re facing.”

Rowan leaned forward, his lips pulling back in a snarl. “Denraider.”

Hugo’s expression darkened. “We know. They’ve been pushing eastward for months. Taking territory, absorbing smaller packs.”

“We’ve received intelligence that they’re moving faster now,” Heath added. “And recruiting rogue alphas aggressively.”

“We’ve had reports that Denraider is pushing more along the southern border, drawing closer to Idaho,” Hugo mused.

“That matches what we’ve heard,” Heath confirmed. “They seem to be moving faster than before, as if something is driving them forward.”

“Or someone,” Idori suggested. “There are rumors that they have new leadership, though no one has confirmed it.”

Rowan nodded. “A new alpha would want to prove himself. It makes sense.”

A change in leadership could explain their recent ruthlessness.

“We also learned something else,” Gage said, his eyes finding Rowan’s briefly before continuing. “Freya’s sister is being held captive by Denraider.”

Idori gasped softly. “Your sister? A littermate?”

Freya shook her head. “No, apparently, she’s my older sister. I never met her, never even knew about her, until recently,” Freya admitted. “She was sent to Denraider before I was born.”

“Intentionally?” Idori’s eyes widened in horror at the thought of a child being freely given to Denraider.

Gage proceeded to describe the situation with calm authority. He presented Rowan’s infiltration plan as a unified decision, giving no hint of the agonizing debate that had led to it.

Hugo’s eyebrows rose. “That’s extremely dangerous. Denraider doesn’t take prisoners — they kill trespassers.”

“Rowan can pass as a rogue alpha seeking to join them,” Gage explained. “They’re actively recruiting, and he fits the profile of what they’re looking for.”

I felt a surge of admiration for how Gage handled the explanation. He gave enough detail to justify the plan without revealing Rowan’s painful history. Some truths were too personal to share with outsiders, even allies.

Artemis leaned forward, her expression grave. “If they’re recruiting that aggressively, it means they’re preparing for something big.”

“Which brings us to a larger concern,” Freya said, her voice carrying the authority I’d watched her grow into. “We can’t face these threats as separate packs. We need coordination, shared intelligence, unified strategy.”

Everyone’s attention focused on her, and the alphas gave her time to gather her thoughts before she spoke.

“I propose we form a protection council, with representatives from every allied pack. We share information, coordinate our defenses, and make decisions together.”

Her proposal would give structure to our alliance without forcing anyone to submit to outside authority.

I backed her up, saying, “Each pack can maintain their autonomy while contributing to the greater good. ”

“The Bloody Dawn agrees,” Artemis said immediately.

“Moonblessed stands with you,” Hugo added, with Idori nodding beside him.

“We’ll work with Frost Fang to ensure they’re represented,” Gage added.

Where once Freya might have deferred to Gage or remained silent, she now spoke with confidence, making decisions that affected our entire pack.

The transformation from uncertain woman who couldn’t shift when I’d first met her to this powerful, protective Odinswolf was remarkable to witness.

She was becoming something more than just our mate — she was becoming our center, the force that bound us all together.

And maybe not just our pack, but a larger alliance than I’d ever imagined possible.

Heath said, “Moonblessed, Bloody Dawn, and the remnants of Frost Fang won’t be enough if both Denraider and my father’s witch allies come at us simultaneously.”

Gage nodded. “While Rowan gathers intelligence on Denraider, we should all warn everyone we can think of, all of our contacts.”

“I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but maybe Ironwood would fight alongside us,” Freya mused.

“True. If Denraider conquered Frost Fang and Moonblessed, they’d reach Ironwood next,” Rowan agreed. “And they owe us.”

Though Rowan had given up his pack alpha status to Thatcher, the new pack alpha knew that might one day require him to return the favor in some way.

“What about Midnight Path?” Gage suggested. “Astrid may be in Eastern Montana, but she’s always been a reliable ally.”

“I’ll contact her,” Heath agreed. “We need all the help we can get.”

“And what of Frost Fang’s leadership?” Hugo asked cautiously. “With Dryden gone and Fern reconciled, who will lead them during this difficult time?”

The question hung in the air. I glanced at Gage, who seemed reluctant to reclaim his rightful place as Frost Fang’s alpha after what had transpired.

I sighed. “Any conversation about Frost Fang’s leadership should probably involve my sister and her beta council. ”

Freya’s voice whispered to all of us, “Do you think they would more readily accept a young female alpha leading them? Maybe we could ask Artemis how she would feel about repairing things at Frost Fang.” She hesitated. “But I don’t want to do it in front of Hugo and Idori.”

“Understandable,” Gage answered. “Let’s table it for now.”

But it was Freya who told the others, “We’ll figure out a plan for Frost Fang’s future once these immediate threats are dealt with. For now, the loyal Frost Fang wolves will remain under our protection, wherever that may be.”

Hugo and Idori exchanged a look, and I could scent their surprise and growing respect for my mate.

Hugo stood, his expression resolute. “Moonblessed offers whatever support you need. Weapons, supplies, sanctuary for your wounded.”

“And the protection council?” Freya asked.

“Consider it formed,” Idori said firmly. “We’ll send word to our other contacts immediately.”

I reached for Freya’s hand, squeezing it gently. She met my gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

“You’re welcome to use the old pack den within our territory for tonight,” Idori offered. “It’s more comfortable than your camp, and you could all use a good rest before tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Gage replied. “We accept your hospitality.”

“Good luck to you,” Artemis said to Rowan. “Submitting to the enemy won’t be easy.”

“True,” Rowan agreed. “But for Freya, and for her sister’s safety, it’ll be worth it.”

The meeting wrapped up, and we soon found ourselves making our way through Moonblessed. Zak was surprised by how many Moonblessed shifters greeted us or waved or dipped their snouts to us as we passed.

Heath’s demeanor changed as we approached our den. A hint of excitement crept into the bond as he fell into step beside Zak.

“Wait until you see our place,” Heath said, his voice light. “It’s not much, but it’s been our home away from home for years.”

Zak glanced at him curiously. “You have a permanent residence here? ”

“Moonblessed keeps a place for us,” Heath explained. “For whenever we’re in the area on jobs or just passing through. Hugo and Idori have always been good to us that way.”

“Until recently,” Zak challenged.

“Until two hot hybrids shook things up, yeah,” Heath winked. “Good thing we changed their minds.”

“A hot shower does sound nice,” Zak agreed, casting a grin in my direction.

When we arrived at the den, Heath pushed open the door with a flourish. “Welcome to the Howling Echo’s humble abode in Moonblessed.”

Zak stepped inside and immediately closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

A small smile played across his lips as he took in the scents of the space — years of our comings and goings, the lingering traces of countless shared conversations, nights spent planning jobs or simply enjoying each other’s company.

“It smells like all of you,” Zak said softly, opening his eyes. “Like pack. Like a den.”

A note of wonder, of belonging, caught in his voice.

“Yes, it does,” Rowan’s voice carried a heaviness to it, and the reality of what was coming settled over us like a shroud.

Pack war wasn’t just approaching anymore — it was nearly upon us. We were about to send one of our own into the heart of enemy territory with little to protect him.

Gage caught his eye and let his alpha command wash over Rowan. “You will return before Freya’s heat.”