Page 33 of King

“It is. And where areyoufrom?” I ask, looking around.

He grunts and swings open a wooden door, leading me inside. I step into a kitchen area much larger than the one in the elven hut. There’s a water basin against one wall, though it’s set into the table instead of sitting on top. Cabinets line two of the walls, and there’s a cooking stand but no fireplace. A small table and chairs sit in the center, and there are two doorways leading to other rooms, but no doors.

“Sit,” the painted Alpha tells me. “I’m Samuel. That’s Jessen.”

I nod and take a chair, reminding myself to be patient and polite. They don’t seem to want to hurt me, and I have no idea how to find Vaegon on my own. Maybe they’ve been expecting me. They seemed to know where I’m from.

“Drink?” Samuel asks, opening a cabinet and pulling out a glass.

I shake my head, too nervous to put anything more in mystomach. “No, thank you.”

He shrugs and takes the glass for himself, gulping down the water. The other Alpha holds up a strange box to his ear and begins speaking into it. “Prime, someone came through.”

Is he using magic to talk to someone who isn’t here? Do shifters have extra magic in this realm, or is that box enchanted?

“It’s an Omega from Faerie.” He pauses, then looks at me. “I’m not sure. Probably just fell through like Paren.”

Who is this Paren they keep talking about? The elf who came with Vaegon is named Allina, and she wouldn’t have just fallen through.

“Why have you come here?” Jessen asks me.

“I’m here for my son,” I reply, starting to worry that they may not have been expecting me after all.

“And who might your son be?” he asks.

“He came with an elf. His name is Vaegon. He’s a pup.”

My stomach drops when the two Alphas exchange a loaded look.

“Prime,” the Alpha with the box says. “She says she’s here for Vaegon. She claims to be his mother.”

“Iamhis mother,” I growl, threatened by his doubt. This wasn’t supposed to be difficult. I should have been able to walk through, get Vaegon, and return home. Why is this happening?

They both stare at me wide-eyed until the one with the box says, “Yes, Prime. We’ll wait.”

He slips the box into the pocket of his strange leathers and turns to me. “Vaegon is coming,” he says carefully. “It will take about an hour.”

My chest loosens, and I take a deep breath. “Thank you,” I tell him, regretting my outburst. I can feel my hands begin to tremble, knowing that Vaegon is on his way. In an hour, I’ll be back in Faerie, reuniting Durin with his son.

“I’ll go join Reese outside in case any more come through,”Jessen tells Samuel. He walks out the door, letting it swing shut behind him.

“More what?” I ask. “More shifters? Why would more come through?”

The remaining Alpha looks at me curiously but doesn’t respond. I grit my teeth and decide not to ask again.

As we wait, I catch him stealing glances at me. Do I seem odd to him? Our clothing is different, but I don’t think we, as shifters, look that dissimilar. This hut is the strange thing. There are bright lights in the roof that glow without candles or calantars. Cool air blows out of a slatted hole in the floor. I stare through the doorways, wondering what other strange things are in the rest of the hut.

It feels like centuries before I hear a rumbling sound coming from outside. I jump to my feet, fighting the urge to run blindly through the rooms, looking for my son.

Samuel, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly blocks the doorway. I clasp my hands together and force a smile, hoping Vaegon will recognize me as soon as he sees me.

Heavy footsteps fill the next room. Did they bring a small army for Vaegon’s safety? Or are they more threatened by me than they let on? I wish Durin was here. In my rush to get Vaegon back, I didn’t consider my own safety. I’m kind of regretting it now.

The seer wouldn’t send me into danger, though. She believes Vaegon is meant to save the realm. He’s here. I just need to stay calm until I can get us back through that gateway.

Samuel bares his throat to someone and then heads back outside. Seconds later, a massive Alpha steps in the room. His eyes are a stunning gold, and his hair light brown hair falls in clean waves to his shoulders. His face is stern behind his short beard but carries a warmth that puts me a bit more at ease. When he sees me, he doesn’t even glance at my neck. I wonder ifhe’s been Vaegon’s guardian.

I bare my throat in gratitude for whatever role he’s played in keeping my son safe. He dips his head in acknowledgment and moves further into the room to let someone else in. I expect it to be Allina and my son, but instead, it’s a tiny Omega with golden hair and big, green eyes. She’s stunning, but it’s her confidence and enthusiasm that catches me off guard.