Page 44 of The Mating Quest

Something flickered, perhaps approval, in Caderyn’s eyes. He nodded. “Tis your sword and a fine name. Use itwell.”

Then he jerked up his head, appeared to listen. “My duties call me. Take heed, Ilana Simmons. Remember you are a soul of light as well asdark.”

She never would forget. Ilana looked at Ethan, who smiled. “Damn Mage, that is one fine blade. Can I holdit?”

For the first time since seeing Plyx, she grinned. “This is my toy now for fighting evil. No way, wolf. Get yourown.”

“Naw. I got these.” Ethan stretched out an arm and claws grew from his fingers. “I’mgood.”

Ilana laughed. “Between your claws and paws and fangs and my new sword, we’d make a goodteam.”

His smile dropped as he gave her an intense look. “Yeah. Wewould.”

Chapter 14

The next day after lunch,they prepared to depart. Ethan formally issued good-bye to Aiden, issuing an invitation to visit his pack in Florida whenever the alpha and his people wished. But through the parting words and handshakes and back clapping, he couldn’t stop thinking ofIlana.

How her face glowed last night when Caderyn gave her thesword.

How her face glowed last night when Ethan suggested they made a goodteam.

For the quest, yes. So far, so good. But deep down, he wondered if he’d meant more. He scoffed as he headed into the meadow, where Tristan had told them to meet. Anything else with Ilana but this quest was ridiculous. He had a pack to oversee. She had a wandering soul. Admitted as much. Never stayed long in oneplace.

Yet he felt a tug toward her that had nothing to do with this assignment. Something deeper, and he suspected, moremeaningful.

No time to muse over it today, though. Tristan warned them the next assignment would be more dangerous. Dragons. Not his own kind, but scaly, fire-breathingdragons.

The air felt clean and refreshing as a breeze billowed the meadow grass. He inhaled the smell of horses, hay and forest. He would miss this. Almost like a vacation, with the majestic, jagged mountains ringing the peaceful valley, the children shouting as they played soccernearby.

He set down his pack on the grass and joined them while waiting for the others. Women! They always took their time saying good-bye and packing. Ethan bounced the ball with his feet, and passed it. The boy scored a goal and everyonewhooped.

On the sidelines, Keegan and Kara, Tristan’s twins, sat on the grass watching the game with their mother and Nia. Other parents had joined them, along with Zoe and Snake. To his dismay Tate hovered nearby, looking as if he wanted to join in the fun. Still regarded as odd by the other Lupine children. Zoe had privately told him that the other children showed no interest in playing with him or learning signlanguage.

Tate had finally learned to speak, and his voice was different, of course. He knew how to lip read. But the other pack children shied away fromhim.

How he wished he could elevate his status in the pack. He knew, more than most, how important it was to have pack status after being ostracizedhimself.

Finally the others arrived. Ilana in black, as usual, but more cheerful as the new sword bounced against her back. Caderyn had also given her a personal gift from him – a leather baldric that crisscrossed her chest and sheathed the sword on herback.

He had no doubt she knew how to grab that weapon and wield iteffectively.

Ethan left the game and went to Chloe, who finished hugging Ava. Then it was his turn. He grabbed his sister, gave her a bear hug and set her back. “You going to be okay,kiddo?”

Ava laughed and wiped at her eyes. “I’m no kiddo, big brother. I have almost as much power as thewizards.”

He chucked her chin. “You’ll always be kiddo to me. I’m your bro. Listen, those wizards can be intense. You take it one step at a time with this training and don’t let Tristan intimidate you if you makemistakes.”

She looked back at Ranger, hovering nearby. “I’ll be fine. I have someone watching myback.”

He was glad of it as well, though a little sad at letting her go. They had been separated for so long and it felt as if they’d barely had timetogether.

But she was family and Ethan felt a fierce loyalty to all his remaining family. “If you ever need me, sis, call me. I’m here foryou.”

Ava nodded. “Same here, brother. Only I don’t need a cell phone toanswer.”

Ilana stepped forward, to his surprise. She hugged Ava. “Thank you for serving,” Ilana saidformally.

Ava nodded, looking in the distance as if seeing something. “Thank you, Ilana. For now and everything you willdo.”