Page 45 of The Alpha’s Seer (The Shifters of Stormhollow #1)

Chapter Forty-Five

BLAIR

Someone presses a mug of hot tea into my hands, and my fingers curl around it, desperate for the warmth.

“Drink, it will help,” Luna Marie whispers, stroking my hair.

I lean into her, letting her cuddle me like a mother would. The tea is sweet, and I gulp it greedily, not caring that I’m burning my mouth. I’m in a daze, staring at the lake through the packhouse windows. I can’t even recall how I got here.

“Where’s Calix?” I ask, frowning when I realize he’s still not back. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, but I know he should be back by now.

Luna Marie inhales slowly before answering me. “Most of the warriors came back last night. Calix and Asher didn’t.”

I rise to my feet, almost knocking the tea onto the floor.

“Luna Blair…” Luna Marie calls after me, but I ignore her, heading for Cox.

He’s outside, staring into the woods with a solemn expression on his face, and he doesn’t even glance my way when I sit down.

“Where is he?”

“He’s not mind-linking with any of us. He told me to keep you safe. That’s it.” Cox continues to stare at the woods. “So, no, you’re not going to look for him.”

I frown. “I wasn’t going to. I can’t leave the women.”

Especially Azra and Willow, both of whom had been my rock while I was held captive. I need Calix, though. I haven’t seen him since our brief reunion outside my prison.

“He will come back.” Cox clenches his jaw when he sees Lexie leaving a cabin with a yawn.

She looks in his direction, but he looks away, refusing to maintain eye contact. I wonder what has happened between them.

“Are you and Lexie…”

“I’m not talking to you about this.” Cox shoots me a glare, and I roll my eyes.

“Okay.”

Cox is a private person and loyal to the end to my mate, so I let this slide. But if I’m to rule this pack, he’ll need to learn to at least be kind to me.

Right?

I push myself up and stare at the woods myself, aching for my mate.

Calix, talk to me. Let me know you’re alive. I try to mind-link him again, but nothing comes back to me.

What if he’s dead?

I can’t help but worry. Those men were vicious, far worse than animals. Faolan hates everyone, and worst of all, he’s my half-brother by blood. A product of rape that my mother hated.

I still can’t believe that happened to my mother.

Leon. My throat swells with emotion when I think of him.

I have one brother—Faolan will never be a brother to me.

He ruined the only brother I have, and I have no doubt that Faolan would have killed him for freeing me.

My heart aches at the thought of Leon giving his life to save mine.

Somewhere in that darkness, my brother prevailed, but he paid the ultimate price.

God, I hope I’m wrong.

“Blair?”

I whip around at the sound of my name to see Azra studying me. She's stunning, with long black hair and deep bronze skin, large brown eyes framed by thick lashes. Being chained up hasn’t dulled her beauty.

“Azra,” I say softly, reaching for her. Our fingers lace together, and she gives me a small smile. “Are you staying?”

I know most of the women have already contacted their packs, but I selfishly want Azra to stay. I need her to stay because she deserves to be safe for the rest of her life, and I know she will be safe with us.

“For now,” she confirms with a nod, and relief sweeps through me. I didn’t realize how badly I needed a friend, and Azra was just…perfect. She frowns and tips her head toward Cox, silently asking what his deal is.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I mind-link her back.

He’s an asshole, but he’s a loyal one.

Azra nods. “Lexie is working on getting our wolves back. She said it should work, that the wolves have been silenced, not banished.”

“That’s great.” I mean it. I think the women losing their wolves was one of the worst parts of being held captive. The abuse was disgusting, but at least Azra wasn’t forced to give birth to a child like some were.

Like Willow.

“Blair!” Azra gasps, lifting a finger to the woods as Cox leaps from his seat.

I follow her gaze to see two wolves padding towards us, one with something in its mouth. I can’t make it out, even when I squint, but I do know one thing—my mate is home.

“Calix!” I half scream, my heart thumping in my chest as I throw myself in his direction, my hair whipping behind me. I stumble, falling onto my hands and knees, but I don’t stop, gritting my teeth and dragging my aching body up so I can see my man.

His eyes lock onto mine, and I hear him in my head; a moan escapes my lips.

I’m here, baby.

Then I see what’s hanging from the wolf’s mouth beside him, and my stomach churns.

“Calix…is that…” A hand moves to my throat in an attempt to stop the vomit rising there. “Faolan…”

People come out of the packhouse and the surrounding cabins, whispering excitedly as the large wolf beside Calix walks forward and drops what’s in his mouth onto the ground. Then he shifts into Alpha Asher, and Calix shifts too.

I throw myself into Calix’s arms, both protecting his modesty and losing myself in him. His scent envelops me, and he strokes my hair, his lips kissing any and all skin they can reach.

“I’m here, baby,” he murmurs before our mouths meet. His hot tongue is in my mouth, my hands clawing at his hair as I sob and pull him close. I’ve missed him so much.

“That,” Alpha Asher announces, kicking the object on the ground with disgust, “is Faolan. The bastard who orchestrated all of this. The killings, the kidnapping, the impregnating of our women.”

A collective gasp sounds from around us, but I bury my head into Calix’s neck. I don’t want anyone to know I’m related to that monster, and I never want to see him again.

Ever.

“I give you his head to play with,” Alpha Asher continues. “You are safe now. No one will attack our packs in the dead of the night. No more will anyone take our women. This is the end, the end of the rogue pack.” Alpha Asher boots the head into the crowd with a grimace. “Enjoy.”

Then, he stalks back into the woods, leaving everyone staring after him.

“Faolan,” someone whispers. “Who is he?”

I bite my lip, and Calix cups my chin, tipping my head back to stare into my eyes.

“He is nothing to you. No brother, no blood, nothing. You know why?”

Calix knows, I realize, shame burning my cheeks.

“Because he doesn’t fucking exist anymore. You’re safe, Blair, and no one ever needs to know.”

My eyes sting with tears. “Leon?”

I have to know.

Calix sighs and pulls me close. “He’s gone, baby.”

My heart aches, and a sob leaves my throat as I cling to Calix. “Did he kill him?”

Calix stiffens. “In a way, but it was me who ended his life. I know you may hate me for that, but he would never have been the same again. Those men were tainted with evil, corrupted and—”

I lift my head and stare at him.

“You killed him because of what he did to me. But you have to know he saved me too.”

Calix bows his head. “I’m sorry.”

But as much as I weep for my brother, I know Calix is right. Leon had to fight so hard against the darkness within him to get me out. It would’ve eaten away at him. Leon wasn’t dark—he was goodness and light. He deserves to be at peace.

With Mom and Dad.