Page 52 of Wanted by the Wolves (The Last Shifters #2)

Chapter 51

Nova

T he low, rhythmic beating of the dragon’s wings steals my breath. She’s huge, sparkling in blinding color as she descends from the clear winter sky. She comes to a screeching halt in the courtyard. Her form is so big that she brushes against the barn and the cabin before she shrinks down to my height.

In human form, it’s also clear she’s pregnant. Her stomach is rounded, her body literally glowing. Next to her, a presence emerges, a whirlwind of mist shrouding her in a cyclone of darkness.

I shrink into Dex’s side, unsure what the heck is happening.

Dex grunts. “I think that’s the arrival of the king. I can feel his power.”

“He’s the Alpha King? He isn’t even an alpha,” Briggs mumbles quietly, the confusion I feel evident in his voice.

Gage steps off the cabin's front porch, turning to look at me over his shoulder. “It’s all right. She brought her pack—or horde, as dragons call them. Vandera said she was mated to a serpent.”

Yesterday, after spending two full days basically catatonic and recovering in the greenhouse nest, we decided that we needed more of a plan than just heading southeast. Given what happened in the forest, none of my alphas were willing to take the risk of a blind trek through the wilderness, and I don’t blame them.

Gage was able to contact the human witch who works with the dragon. The woman, Vandera, helped Gage years ago, right before the brothers first came here. Apparently, her magic helped power the spells to initially build his wards . Vandera’s mates also know Briggs and Dex from some connection to the former Council. They’ve offered our pack refuge in the dragoness’s territory, and my mates are confident it’s a safe plan.

But for some reason, I’m super nervous and feeling out of sorts. I don’t know if it’s because I feel young around all these people with a shared history or because I still don’t really feel comfortable in my human skin around anyone except my mates. Whatever it is, it’s sent a wave of angry screeching bats dive-bombing into my belly.

The serpent’s shadows seem to retreat into his skin, lightly hovering around him. From behind his veil of mist, a large group of people emerges. An alpha bends over, sucking in deep lungfuls of air.

The vibrant-haired dragon tugs on a fluffy robe before patting the sick wolf’s back in sympathy. The wolf is big and commanding, distinguished with some silver threaded through his hair and beard. The sight of this pregnant omega consoling the powerful man makes a giggle bubble up my throat.

“Sorry.” The serpent winces. “I tried for a smooth walk, but there were a lot of folks to hang on to.”

A woman, whom I assume is Vandera, steps from a group of alphas, moving toward Gage with her arms open. “Would you look at you?” To my surprise, she completely bypasses my healer and stands in front of Dex, whom I’m tucked behind. “Hello, enforcer. I won’t harm her. I only want to give her my blessings.”

I peek around Dex’s back to see a warm smile and soft brown eyes. The human witch is naturally pretty with smooth brown skin and flowing hair. She’s covered in colorful fabrics, and even though she’s probably only a decade or two older than me, she has an old, kind soul that reminds me of my grandmother.

That gives me courage. I squeeze Dex’s hip and take a step forward to meet her. “I’m Nova, and you’re Vandera. Thank you for agreeing to?—"

“None of that.” She cuts me off with a hug. “We’re going to be great friends. I’ve seen it. And your garden will be beautiful. I know just the spot.”

“My garden?” I ask.

She hums in agreement and steps back from our hug, looking me over. “Do you mind?”

“Mind what?”

“Your runes. I know we just met, but you’re the first to gain them outside our circle.”

My head is spinning with questions, but nothing pops out.

“May I?” She lifts her brow.

Right, she asked me a question. “Yeah, okay.”

Around us, Gage and Briggs greet the alphas who have joined our circle. The older wolf holds out a hand. “I’m Fennik, the Alpha of Moon Lake Valley.”

“You’re the Alpha King.” Dex bends his neck, and my other mates follow suit.

The wolf grins. “Semantics. The power found me but I share it with my mate as we rule her territory. But it does look Magic has decided like you’re my new enforcer.”

My mate and the Alpha King shake hands, then Dex introduces Briggs.

The dragoness joins us, pulling my eyes away from the alphas. She wraps a hand around Vandera’s waist. “Don’t let her bully you. We can talk magic later.” The dragon smiles at me, transforming her intimidating beauty into something warm and approachable. “I’m Randi, and I could really use a bathroom if you have one.”

“Of course.” I flush, trying to find my manners. I mean, how do I even talk to people? This is such a weird situation. I haven’t seen another omega in so long, and I kind of want to just stare at her.

Dex’s eyes follow me as I head into the house, but I shake him off. I can do this. I want to do this. The two women trail behind me, keeping a quiet conversation, but I can’t figure out how to join.

I nod toward the hallway, pointing. “Just in there, first door on the left.”

“Thanks,” the magenta-haired dragon says, dashing around me. “Pregnancy bladder.”

Vandera heads straight for the bookcases, eyeing the contents. “Gage told me the spirit of the First Wolf came to your aid. I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I can sense the essence of the magic.” She turns to look at me over her shoulder, a smile on her lips. “We also cast a moon circle that night and the mating runes returned to the wolves in our valley, restoring the power of the Alpha King in our lands. Our combined efforts have begun to repair the magic. You are proof of that, as am I.” She lifts her shawl, then her sweater, revealing two intertwined mating runes running down her back.

A warm laugh startles me, and I turn to see Randi heading our way. “Vandera, what did I tell you? Let the woman breathe.”

The witch shrugs, letting her sweater fall back into place. “I was just trying to explain. I didn’t even ask to see her runes this time.”

Randi rolls her eyes. “Vandi doesn’t understand no. Feel free to tell her off.”

Vandera scrunches her nose, teasing her friend. “She’s just salty because I’m always right.”

“It helps when you see the future but don’t share what you know,” Randi grumbles.

Their banter reminds me of my mates, which puts me at ease. They’re funny and not too serious for a powerful witch and a dragon queen.

Randi stops before me, her hand on her belly and her eyes searching mine. “I know what it’s like being the last of your kind, so I’m just gonna say it—from one omega to another, I promise you my territory is safe. There are other women there too, humans and serpents. Wolves with human mates like Vandera and families with children. Gage told us about what happened. We can talk more about it after you settle in, but I want you to know that in Moon Lake Valley, you won’t have to hide.”

I totally lose it then, my eyes watering. “Okay,” I choke out.

I don’t think I really believed what people were saying could be true, but looking at the two women in this cabin, I’m filled with hope.

“Oh, hon, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” The dragon pulls me in for a hug, unleashing the waterworks in us both.

“You’ve done it now.” Vandera laughs, and at the same time, Randi sobs. A moment later, the witch has us all tangled in a group hug. “See? We’re already friends.”

“It’s the hormones,” Randi hiccups.

“Wait for it,” Vandera warns on an amused huff.

The cabin door bursts open, and the alphas tumble in with a rumble of growls, looking for a threat. Vandera must have known they would come when our distress signaled in the bonds. It’s not a crotch sniff, but it’s still embarrassing.

Randi’s serpent mate pops into the living room. “I told you it was a good cry. It’s fine.”

A shocked sound spills from me, and I’m caught between laughing and crying. This entire afternoon has been absurd. I spent years alone in the forest, and suddenly, my life is full of unexpected people. It’s overwhelming and kind of amazing.

Dex has me in his arms a moment later, and my other two mates follow close behind. We don’t say anything for a long moment, but I can feel their relief in the bond.

“I’m okay. It just hit me that this is real,” I explain into another round of hugs.

It’s a whirlwind after that, with me mostly staying close to my big alpha while Gage and Briggs work with the others to orchestrate the move. We packed a few personal bags this morning, including the items we saved from my nest, but they have a whole plan for moving the animals and greenhouse.

When it’s time to go, Dex squeezes my hand. Briggs and Gage pick up the last bags and join us, forming a circle. Randi’s serpent mate exits the forest's shadows and steps into the courtyard. He’s already taken the others, and it’s quiet except for us. I look back one last time at the cabin that changed my life, trying to memorize it.

The serpent steps into the center of our circle. “Hang on.”

For a moment, the world is a blinding swirl of grey-and-white clouds before we step into a snow-covered clearing. I’m dizzy, my head spinning as I hang on to Dex. The serpent says something to Gage, but I’m currently paying for my amusement at the expense of the Alpha King. It feels as if my stomach is in my throat.

Dex scoops me up, tucking me into his neck. "Breathe for me, sweetheart. It will pass in a minute."

His scent helps with the nausea, and I focus, closing my eyes so I don't see the world spinning. Briggs’s purr kicks in, and finally my body settles enough to peek out. We’re alone in the clearing, but just up a hill is a small cabin, smoke puffing happily from the chimney.

“Where are we?”

“Home, little star," Gage says. “I think we’re home.”