Page 156 of Untamed

Relief fills me as we turn down the road to RustClaw. Thjis limps over, clapping me on the back with the hand that isn't holding Lyri close to his side. I side-hug him to me, relief that he is back on his feet making something ease up in my chest.

"You grow or something, pup?" He grins, looking me up and down.

I blink at him in surprise. Thjis is a bear of a male and always topped me by an inch or two. But I'm staring down at him just a little.

"Maybe you shrunk?" I offer.

He smacks my arm. "Did not! Well, not where it matters," he adds, "right, baby?" He winks at Lyri.

"I don't think you are smaller," Qitsuk adds. We all choke on laughter a little, sending a tiny, adorable frown crossing her face. "What? He didn't shrink. You are larger, Mactiir." Our laughter increases. "What's so funny?" she grumbles.

The laughter ceases when Orion walks up to us. "So, Alpha, where are you putting the new wolves? I've spread my wolves out amongst them. Your other Beta, Rhet, yeah?, is sprinkling RustClaw in too. By the way, he claims he's your brother? That's a fucking story, yeah?"

"Orion Ferax is your Beta?" Lyri interrupts the male's idiotic babbling with a hint of surprise in her voice.

I look at her and shrug, with my mate still wrapped in my arms. "He's related to Willa."

"He is my cousin," Willa adds.

Lyri smiles at the male. "Welcome to the RustClaw, Orion."

He grins as he gallantly bows to my sister. "Thank you, Luna," he murmurs, smiling handsomely. I swear Lyri's ears turn pink as Thjis warns Orion off with a low growl.

I snort, glad he's blood kin to my mate. Orion Ferax is a fucking flirt.

"Mama!" Willa squirms free of my hold and rushes to greet her Mama. Anya hugs her tight as Jax hovers over her shoulder. I follow, hating to be apart from her even by mere feet.

I catch the scent in the air and grin at Jax. "Nice job," I mouth. He smirks knowingly, holding out his fist behind our females. I bump my fist with him as Orion laughs silently next to us.

"Males are idiots. I saw that," Lyri mumbles. She turns a gimlet stare on Thjis.

"I would never!" he protests.

We all laugh, even Lyri, at the blatant lie.

"Mama, we have to go to the Lake," Qitsuk whispers to her Mama.

Anya shudders in revulsion. Both Jax and I eye our females sharply at the odd reaction. Why are these two mysterious females so upset about Adsun Lake?

Willa turns, tugging her Mama with her as if she will march right back to Mauja.

"After everyone is settled and we have a chance to eat and sleep then we will go," I caution my mate.

She stops and looks at me, then looks over the pack. "Oh," she says. She and Anya share a significant look.

"What is the Lake all about?" Jax asks suspiciously.

"Balance, I suppose," Willa murmurs. "The flames in the north are high, again. Nature is still at war, my Mactiir."

I share a meaningful glance with Jax. He steps away, phone to his ear. We'll know shortly if the forest fire has sprung back or not. I don't have any doubt, though. If my Bliss says it's happened, then it has.

"Get everyone settled as best we can. Guards on the warriors. Make sure we separate anyone of high rank. We'll head back to Mauja when we can. First, though..."

I walk to the truck and open the gate. With my claws extended, I sink them into Blout's shoulder and haul him to the ground that way.

"Anya, do you know him?" I ask my mate's Mama.

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