Chapter 19
THIRD PERSON’S POV
Kayden leaned back, stretching his shoulders as he glanced around the nearly empty packhouse. Francis, with his arms crossed, scowled as he stared out the window, watching the night fall over Shadow Pack.
“Did you get any details from her mother?” Kayden asked, his voice low.
Francis nodded slowly, his gaze distant. “She mentioned a Mateship Ceremony at
Moonlight Pack, but it didn’t make sense. Oh, wait-”
“She told us before she was attending one- for a friend.” Kayden frowned, shifting uncomfortably. The thought of Malinda
Chapter 19
leaving without a word left him feeling hollow, as if he were missing something crucial. “We’ll go and make sure she’s alright.”
Just as Kayden turned toward the door, Sharon‘ s soft voice floated into the room.
“You‘ re… leaving?” She asked, standing there with wide, uncertain eyes.
Kayden and Francis exchanged a brief look before Kayden answered, his tone neutral.
“Yes. We’re going to check on Malinda.”
Sharon took a step closer, her gaze flicking between them as her lip quivered slightly.
“But it’s late, and… and it’s a long way to Moonlight Pack. Maybe you should wait until morning?”
Kayden‘ s eyes hardened, a flicker of
immitat
manning hin form ” Ann‘
J
Chapter 19
irritation crossing his face. “We don’t need to wait, Sharon. It‘ s important.”
“But Malinda will be fine,” Sharon insisted, her voice barely more than a whisper. She wrapped her arms around herself, glancing down as if ashamed. “You know how strong she is. And you two just got back from patrols –maybe you should rest.”
Francis, who had been silent, turned to face Sharon with a look that was neither harsh nor particularly kind. “Look, Sharon,” he said, his tone firm, “this isn‘ t up for discussion. Malinda means a lot to us.”
She blinked, and for a moment, her face softened with something resembling hurt. But it passed quickly, replaced by a look of gentle submission as she nodded. “Of course.” she murmured. “I just… I worry
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Chapter 19
about you two.
Kayden’s mouth curved into a half–smile, though it was as cold as winter. “Save your concern, Sharon,” he said, giving her a nod before heading toward the door.
“Be careful,” Sharon called softly, her voice clinging to the air like a fading scent. But neither Kayden nor Francis spared her another glance as they left the packhouse, their steps brisk, determined.
Outside, the night was alive with the faint rustle of trees and the distant howl of wolves in the mountains beyond. Kayden shifted his weight, his impatience obvious as he looked toward the forest, Moonlight Pack just beyond the range. “I can’t shake the feeling there’s more to this,” he muttered.
“You and me both ” Francic aorood Hie
Chapter 19
brows knitted together as he thought of
Malinda, her sudden departure, the way
she‘ d withdrawn from them after Sharon‘ s
arrival.
They shifted into their wolves, paws meeting the cold ground, and took off toward Moonlight Pack with swift, powerful strides. The wind ruffled their fur as they ran, their instincts sharp, carrying them swiftly through the darkened woods. The silence between them was comfortable but charged, each of them lost in thought, wondering what they would find when they reached Malinda.
Hours passed, and as the moon rose higher, the familiar scent of Moonlight Pack grew stronger. Kayden stopped on a ridge
overlooking the valley where the pack‘ s village lay, the lights of their gathering halls
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Chapter 19
glowing in the night.
“That’s Alpha King Damon‘ s territory,” Francis remarked, his voice laced with an undertone of both respect and tension.
