Chapter 220

Almara’s Pov

We stay in the forest, processing what just happened and how this impacts the plan.

“Robert didn’t call, nor did he respond to our call,” Cody says with a half-shrug. “I think that would fall under the category of us going to rescue him,”

“We can’t all go,” I say remembering how we promised to meet Arthur back at the meet-up spot.

“We’re already at odds with our dwindling numbers. I don’t know if breaking up further is the best idea,” Cody says. I don’t tell him that it doesn’t matter. We’re all going to probably die anyway. It’s a miracle we didn’t all die back at the outskirts.

“Almara’s right,” Roman says. I turn my head to him in surprise. Two words I never thought I would hear him say. “If none of us show up at the meeting spot, Arthur’s going to know something is wrong,”

“Something is wrong,” Cody interjects and Roman gives him a look that makes him bow his head in silencing respect.

“And I know my son. He’ll panic and create an entirely new plan that we know nothing about. It won’t be long before none of us are on the same page and that can’t happen. If we can’t physically be a pack, at least we can be mentally.”

“So, who wants to go back?” Zack asks, speaking up for the first time since we arrived here.

The sun is setting and being in the woods only makes the day look darker. Going back to the outskirts at night is a death wish, entering the city is guaranteed execution. Especially at night.

Our night vision is good, but this is when the vampires thrive. We couldn’t fight off just the familiars, let alone both the vampires and the familiars.

“I’ll go,” Cody offers.

“I’ll go with you,” Roman says. “After all, Robert is my son,” he says and it’s hard to read how he feels about that. Somewhere between disappointed and dutiful. He turns to me and looks me in the eye. “I’ll find Cathy. I still haven’t forgotten what she’s done for us,”

I know he’s referring to when Cathy willingly drank the poison to see if it would be what Arthur needed when he his werewolf nature was compromised. Now, Cathy needs us to save her.

I give a sad, yet appreciative smile to Roman. And then I turn to Cody. “Is there anyone else you can call?” He shrugs.

“Maybe, that’ll just be more lives sacrificed though. Without thinking I put my hand on my belly. The rate at which werewolves are dying is alarming.

“I’ll leave it up to you,” I say.

“Zack, you’ll walk back with Almara. Protect her and the baby at all costs,” Roman says and Zach gives a firm nod.

I want to give Roman a hug but decide against it. Best to keep our departure militant, too much emotion can cloud focus. We depart with the bleak understanding that we may not see one another again.

We’re about halfway to the meeting spot when Zach finally speaks, despite having ignored my previous attempts at conversation. “When are you due?” It’s a question I don’t expect.

“A couple months,” I say and I can’t resist the urge, “Why?” I ask.

“Just wondering when the next war is going to happen,” Zach says causing me to stop walking, but he moves at the same even march.

We walk the rest of the way in silence.

At the meeting spot, it feels like I never left- like what just happened back on the vampire outskirts was all a bad dream. If only we could be so lucky.

There’s no sense of Arthur, yet. I can’t smell his scent and my fated mate senses would be able to pick him up from a mile away. Still, I won’t let my mind wander to worst-case scenarios, at least not yet.

“Are you okay?” Zack asks standing from behind me. I nod and continue sinking to the damp earth, giving my feet a much-needed rest. I take a deep breath in and let the aroma of pine fill my nostrils, it’s a nice refresh but the metallic smell of blood.

I hear Zack groan from behind me and when I toss my head over my shoulder I see he is also crouching down and taking a break on the earth.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I hear is someone calling my name. I groggily open my eyes and see a blurry outline of who appears to be Arthur gently shaking me awake. It is Arthur!

I sit up and throw my arms around him, knocking him off balance. He hugs me back, tightly in his arms and I snuggle in deeper. “I missed you,” I tell him while burrowing my nose into his chest and take a deep breath in.

“I missed you too little wolf,” he says it tenderly but I can sense the hint of concern in his voice. “Have you been taking care of yourself and the baby?”

“I tried,” I admit sheepishly. “But he’s okay,” I tell him just as my stomach growls.

Arthur pulls me away and strokes my hair, I can tell by the look in his eye that he’s holding back what he really wants to say, maybe it’s because Zack’s here or maybe it’s because it won’t do any good anyway. What’s done is done and the important part is we’re all alive right now.

Then Arthur asks a question that pangs me with guilt as I bleakly recall that no, we are actually not all alive. “Where is everyone else?” Arthur’s eyes scan the perimeter.

“Cody and Roman are alive,” I quickly hurry to tell him and see the relief cross his face as the worry lines between his brows smooth out. “They went to go rescue Cathy, we think she’s been taken hostage.”

Arthur narrows his eyes. “Why her?”

I shrug, “Why is any of this happening at all?” I ask back, knowing the answer to either of those questions is beyond us.

“We have to go back for them,” Arthur says bringing his eyes to Zack but it’s me who nods in agreement

“Almara, I don’t think it’s good for you and the baby,” Arthur says putting a protective hand on my stomach, instantly the baby begins kicking. “Zack go hunt some food for Almara and my child, please”

I don’t see Zack run off, but I hear him. Instead, I keep my eyes fixated on Arthur who has his gaze lovingly on my belly and on who is inside my belly. Butterflies tickle my stomach, seeing him love and protect his young is exactly what I need to keep going.

“Arthur, I have to go with you.” I say and his expression darkens, causing my heart to sink. I wish I could take back the words and let this moment last longer, but we still have our daughter to save which is exactly why we have to go together. “For Grace.”

“Almara,” Arthur groans in protest, but I cut him off.

“I’m okay, really. The exercise is good for me and the baby, it’ll make labor easier. Otherwise, I’ll just be riddled with anxiety while you go off and that stress isn’t good for the baby.” I gently lift my head to bring my lips closer to his. “Besides, you know we’re stronger when we’re together.”

Arthur kisses me and it’s like a shock of vitality coursing through my veins. I kiss back harder, intoxicated by his love and in desperate need of it. Arthur playfully bites down on my lip and gently pulls away.

“First you need to eat something,” he tells me in a husky whisper and all I can do is nod in submission to him.