Page 63 of Freed Wolfsbane

“Who does it have a connection with?” I ask warily, pretty sure I already know the answer but hoping I’m wrong.

Jad stares me down for a moment before tipping his chin at me. “You and I are the only ones it has a connection with. I have to assume it recognizes you as the heir to the city it has guarded for so many years.”

I close my eyes in resignation because that’s what I figured. By the way both Jad and I enjoyed going through the veil while the guys were uncomfortable, I already knew the veil acted weirdly toward me.

Yay me.

I’m going to have to go alone into the city and snap photographs without any of the Knights realizing I’m there. I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong with that plan.

While Jad also has a connection to the veil, I don’t think he’ll be able to make it very far. He no longer has the fitness of youth, and I’d worry about him getting hurt if he did.

It takes a moment for what Jad said to sink in for my mates. Then the boat erupts with whisper-shouted protests from all four of them. When their voices start rising to yells, I hiss, “Quiet!” My luna power and magic infuses my voice, silencing each of my mates. “I know none of you are happy with this plan, but I don’t see any other way.”

Malachi opens his mouth to say something, but no sound comes out. I sheepishly say, “You guys can talk now.”

“No fucking way are you venturing into a city that’s overrun with people who would love nothing more than to torture and kill you all by your fucking self,” Malachi growls.

“Give me an alternative, Malachi.” My voice is almost pleading. “Please, I would love something that doesn’t involve me walking into a Knights stronghold.”

He clenches his jaw but doesn’t offer another solution because we both know there isn’t one. If we try to attack the Knights from the water, we’ll all be mowed down before we can get close enough to climb the walls. The only shot we have is to portal in behind their defenses.

Bastian shakes his head back and forth, his green eyes filled with fear and a hint of pleading. “I’m sure we’ll think of something else. We just need time, pretty girl.”

I give him a sad smile. “We don’t have time. It’s already been weeks since you guys rescued me. In that time, Ryker could’ve already figured out how to extend the curse to all wolves and shifters. If we lose our wolves, we’ll be no match against the Knights. I also don’t think there is another solution.”

Xander clenches his jaw and balls his hands into fists. “It’s not worth it, sweetheart. It’s too damn dangerous, and your life is more important than losing our wolves.”

I reach over and grab one of Xander’s hands, gently uncurling it and lacing my fingers with his. “I’m not suggesting handing myself over to them. While sneaking in there is dangerous, it’s not a death sentence. And give me a little credit. Sneaking around is something I got very, very good at living with Patrick.”

If I have anything to thank that horrible excuse of a man for, it would be all the practice I’ve had creeping around to avoid the beatings.

“Is there any of your other realm magic you could use?” Saint asks Jad as a last-ditch effort, but I can see reluctant acceptance in his expression.

Jad stares at Saint for a beat before reluctantly shaking his head. “None of my magic will help me swim the distance, climb the walls, and walk without my cane through the city. If I were a century younger, I would do it for my queen without hesitation. Now, however, I fear that I will get caught, announcing our intentions.”

“There’s no way we can go with her?” Malachi presses.

“No,” Jad replies apologetically. “As soon as you pass through the mage magic, the Knights will be alerted to your presence. It will be safer for Briar and Dido to go themselves. Trust my queen to take care of her daughter, wolf.”

Jad’s vote of confidence makes me feel a little more like I can successfully do this. And even though I won’t have my mates with me, I won’t be truly alone. Dido will be there to help me in any way she can.

Scrubbing a hand over his face, Malachi sits rigid with his eyes pinched tightly shut. When they open, they’re the amber color of his wolf. He shoves to his feet and marches the few steps to where I am on Saint’s lap. Placing his hands around my waist, he effortlessly hoists me up into his arms.

Crushing me against his chest almost desperately, Malachi rasps, “I swear to God, Briar, if even a single hair on your head is harmed, I will tie you to our bed and never let you go anywhere again. Do you understand me?”

I let out a watery laugh at his overprotectiveness and press a kiss to his neck. “I understand, Malachi. I’ll be in and out before you even have a chance to miss me.”

I know how hard this is for him to let me go on my own. While I’m trying to work with my mates more, some things about this prophecy demand that I do stuff on my own. All while my mates have to sit back and hope nothing horrible has happened to me.

It makes my heart skip a beat knowing that Malachi trusts me and believes in my abilities enough that he’s willing to let me go. I’d go with or without his permission if I had to, but I much prefer to be in agreement with him.

He huffs a laugh. “Impossible. I miss you the second you aren’t in my arms, baby girl.”

Butterflies swirl in my stomach at his sweet words. I flash him a small smile before Bastian and Xander smush me in a hug at the same time. I wrap one arm around Bastian’s neck and turn to the side to put an arm around Xander as well. “I’ll be fine, guys. Promise.”

“You better be, sweetheart,” Xander mumbles into my hair. “You don’t want to see how overprotective and controlling I can be when the circumstances are right. Trust me.”

My lips tilt up in a small smile. I shake my head in amused exasperation with my mates.

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