Page 268 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
“Fascinating,” Elder Woods said.
“I suppose that could be possible,” Elder Queene said. “There are oral histories that talk about the existence of symbols that can block magic, but those accounts are so old, it’s difficult to verify their truth.”
“It’s also possible,” Elder Sage added, “that the symbols were used to keep your mother from shifting. It’s obvious that thesymbols had some sort of magical effect. The real challenge will be trying to understand what effect it was.”
“It made me feel awful,” I said. “I don’t think these symbols were meant to calm her down or keep her happy. I’m pretty sure they were meant to harm her.”
“Given the situation you described in your vision, I understand your interpretation. However, we need to come at this reasonably. The symbols themselves might have a positive meaning—for example, to strengthen the bond between mates or friends or to calm someone. It’s possible that this combination of symbols was meant to disorient her, not outright harm her. Until we’ve had some time to analyze them, it’s far too early to discern their purpose.”
I’d known before coming that I probably wouldn’t get answers today, but it was disappointing all the same. The elders were almost as in the dark about the symbols’ purpose as I was. Apparently, they weren’t even sure if the individual symbols were meant to do something positive or negative.
I was pretty damn sure that they had hurt Blossom. The room itself had feltwrong. I couldn’t see how it could strengthen a bond when it didn’t make me feel anywhere near as nice as when I was with Night or someone I cared about. And if that was the effect those symbols had on me, I imagine Blossom had felt much worse. Who knew how long she had been cooped up in that awful room?
Furthering my theory that the symbols were meant to harm was how Blossom had been tied to the bed and held against her will in King territory. This, to me, was more than enough evidence to show that she had wanted to be as far away from that room as possible.
But I kept those thoughts to myself. I knew absolutely nothing about these writings, and my interpretation of the situation wouldn’t be as accurate as what the elders would find in their research. I just had to wait and see what they were able to find.
“Thank you for helping me,” I said. “It means a lot that you all are helping me find answers.”
“Your thanks are unnecessary,” Elder Queene told me, his eyes riveted to the pages. “We are very curious to find the answers to this mystery ourselves. If anything, we should be thanking you for giving us the opportunity to further our knowledge.”
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to say to that. I appreciated the honesty, but I didn’t know whether I should thank him again or tell him, “You’re welcome.”
“I guess I’ll head out now,” I told them. “I want to get back home.”
“Make sure you’re careful, Alpha,” Elder Sage said as I picked up the empty tote. “Until we know where that room is located and what these symbols mean, it would be best for you to stick to populated areas of the compound or walk with someone you trust—just as a precaution. You are a descendant of pack mothers, and it’s imperative that you stay alive and healthy.”
I hesitated, unease curling in my stomach. The warning was eerily similar to what Lance had told me. It was like he was two steps ahead of me. What did he know that I didn’t?
“I’ll be careful,” I promised.
I headed home. This time, I stuck to more populated paths rather than taking my usual shortcuts. I didn’t want to risk coming into contact with Lance—or someone worse—again.
Within five days, things would start to change. I wasn’t an idiot; I knew most Kings wouldn’t be happy about Night becoming their alpha, but it was too cynical to assume nobody would be on our side. The Wargs had helped many King families, and that accumulated goodwill had to amount to something. I had to believe that because otherwise, how would I find the motivation to keep trying as hard as I was?
But I was tired and beyond done. I didn’t intend to look at any work or think too much about the things that stressed me out for the rest of the day. I needed to make sure that I was keeping myself alert and healthy. Night would protect me, I knew, but I needed to do my part, too. I’d focus on growing the life inside me, and then when the baby was born, I could stand at Night’s side to protect the baby and everyone else I held dear.
100
NIGHT
With everything that was going on, I was sure Bryn was feeling the pressure. I felt the same pressure, but it was tinged with excitement at finally taking on the mantle of alpha of the Kings. I couldn’t wait to put this struggle behind me and move forward with my goals. I just needed to get past this challenge first.
I’d been training as often as I could—alone and with Dom—and Bryn had been trying to distract herself from her anxieties by throwing herself into work with Tavi. We hadn’t had a chance to enjoy each other’s presence, and if it was getting to me and my wolf, I knew it had to be getting to Bryn and hers.
So, when the sun started to descend from its position in the sky but hadn’t quite reached the horizon, I took Bryn out. I covered her eyes with a strip of cloth and took her hand so she wouldn’t bump into or trip over anything while I led her through the forest.
“Remind me again why I have to be blindfolded?” she asked. “If you’re trying to kidnap me, you’ve already done that once.”
I snorted. “Kidnapping you was too much work. You’re a terrible captive—far too annoying.”
“I don’t know,” she sang. “I think it worked out okay.”
I chuckled and brought her hand to my lips. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Soon, our destination came into view: an old, two-story log cabin. I removed the blindfold and watched Bryn intently. At first, she looked confused, but after a few moments, her eyes widened, and she gasped.
“Is this…?”
