Page 79 of Kingdoms of Night

The wolves agreed.

“Fine.” Whether it was real or not—he hadn’t heard Puck say it, so he couldn’t be sure—his werewolf senses would give them ample time to hide if necessary. He tossed his hands up and started back down the path. “Don’t slow me down.”

She huffed, but then trotted up beside him and matched her pace to his. He was taller than she was by a half a head and fast, at least when not hauling trees and rocks to clear the fields or roads. She’d probably find it hard to keep up, but that wasn’t his problem. Let her handle the cursed loop if she fell behind.

The wolves ran and circled around them.Do you want to run the whole way? Buttercup bounded up several feet ahead.We can run!

Yes,Hawthorn agreed.We can run as fast as you.

Faster!Buttercup laughed.

He shook his head. The faster they got to the girls, the better. Even if Puck had been honest that they were safe, there was no certainty that they would stay that way.

As the mid-morning sun beat down on them, small beads of sweat formed along his neck and brow. He removed his scarf as he walked, although he had no place to put it.

“I have room in my bag, if you want to give me that.” Idalno closed the gap between them and walked beside him.

With a shake of his head, he grabbed his shirt, now thankfully dry, off his belt and put it on, then tied the scarf around his waist like a sash. He looked like one of Annette’s dolls, a pirate swashbuckler. When she’d begged him mercilessly to play, he’d always done his best to make her giggle and chortle, making silly faces as he gave the doll an utterly ridiculous voice. He looked about as utterly ridiculous now as he’d sounded then. But he wouldn’t leave Anouk’s scarf behind, nor would he trust someone he’d just met with it.

Idalno’s gaze fixed straight ahead on the path. With her shoulders squared even beneath the weight of the pack, she maintained an intense and purposeful stride. A line of sweat darkened along her back. This pace wasn’t easy for her, but she wasn’t complaining, or even talking, for that matter.

Good. Last thing he needed was for her to get some idea about what Puck had said.Fated mates. He scoffed inwardly. Not now. Not ever, probably. He had to keep his distance. Especially with someone like her, who made him want to argue. Someone like that would bring out his monster.

Fated mates?

Laughable.

Especially not after he’d become a werewolf.

The dull-red bricks on the path led them to a smaller shattered gate and then out into low-growing grasslands. A couple hills lay between them and what looked to be a forest of birches and elms. Small blue and white flowers broke up the green along with some shrubs. Blue butterflies and green ones with black tips darted and floated on the breeze. He took it all in eagerly. The more they learned about this realm on the way to the castle, the more prepared they’d be for any eventuality when they reached the girls.

A rabbit hopped away as they passed by. Buttercup’s ears pricked forward, but she kept trotting. Hawthorn didn’t even break stride.

“They’re very well focused,” Idalno said. “If I were a wolf, I don’t know that I’d do so well with it. My best friend is Bealorn. A beast talker. She has a bond with wolves. They look a lot like yours.”

“They aren’t mine,” Feron snapped.

Yes, quite right. We are all equals and none belongs to another.Hawthorn sounded pleased.

So very wise, this human. He’s a good pack leader.Buttercup trotted alongside him.

“Well, it’s a good sign, then,” she continued. “They are beautiful.”

Oh, yes, we are.Hawthorn nudged Buttercup.See, someone else thinks you’re beautiful, too.Told you.

Oh, go on.

Oh, please don’t.He closed his eyes as he quickened the pace.

Apparently the silent treatment was over. Idalno continued trying to talk to him. Her song-like voice was pleasant, easy to block out.

We will go with you to find your niece pup,Hawthorn said.

Telepathic wolves were much harder to ignore. Especially these two. They’d go for periods without saying anything, then they’d start talking about everything.

Do you see that butterfly?

Yes, it’s so good to see butterflies again. I thought they were all gone.

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