Chapter 23 Unwilling Partners
Amara’s POV
There was too much rage in the tiny space.
In Obsidian Pack territory, I stood in the centre of the former council room. Old weaponry and maps lined the walls, and a large fire was blazing in the hearth. However, the cold still managed to get into my bones despite the warmth.
With stiff muscles and icy, razor-sharp look, Rowan and Kian faced one another.
I was sick of their squabbling.
With a low, menacing voice, Rowan snarled at Kian, "This is not your decision alone." "She is my partner."
Kian clenched his jaw. He stepped forward. "She is not yours to keep." “And when you exiled her, you forfeited your authority to decide for her.”
Rowan's wolf pushed forward as his eyes blazed silver. "Be careful."
"Or what?" Kian fired back.
I touched my temples with my fingers. "Enough."
They gave me not even a sidelong glance.
Rowan poked Kian with a finger. “She is putting your pack in danger. Would you allow me to return her to Lichen?”
With a chilly laugh, Kian laughed. "So you can deceive her once more? For you to give her to Lilith as a treaty? Not in my opinion.”
Rowan growled. "I'd rather die than allow Lilith to touch her ever again."
"From the man who trusted her lies, that's rich!"
My mind was racing.
"Stop it!" I yelled. My voice broke with passion.
They went cold.
I breathed heavily as I looked at them both. My mark pulsed violently, and my cheeks were burning.
I yelled, "You're both behaving like fools." "Are you even aware of what's going on outside? Are families being killed, villages being destroyed, and people being torn apart by cursed wolves?”
Rowan lowered his look.
Kian averted his look, his jaw clenched.
Trying not to cry, I inhaled deeply.
"Your pride doesn't matter to me," I said. "I don't care who was previously correct or incorrect. More people will perish right now if you two don't cooperate. I'm going to die.”
The final syllable caused my voice to break.
Rowan's fists clenched. "Amara—"
I raised a trembling hand.
"No. Don't. Don't speak until it is helpful.”
There was silence.
In the hearth, the fire exploded.
At last, Kian inhaled deeply. His voice was calmer, but he refused to look at Rowan. "We require a strategy. Together.”
Rowan clenched his jaw. He took a swallow.
"For the time being," he said sternly.
A shudder of relief escaped my lips.
Kian steadied me with a gentle touch on my back. This time, I didn't lean away.
With pained eyes, Rowan observed the encounter but remained silent.
We gathered around the ancient map table, which had been used for many years and had scratches and candle wax all over it.
I ran my finger along the edge of Obsidian territory. “She'll launch another assault. Scouts are needed everywhere.”
Rowan gave a nod. "Agreed. My wolves are prepared to fortify the boundary.”
"We need healers on standby," Kian continued. “The sickness quickly spread among the cursed wolves.”
I took a deep breath. "How about me?"
The two men fell silent.
Rowan cleared his throat. "You... you ought not to fight."
Kian furrowed his brows. "She is our most potent weapon."
Rowan angrily remarked, "She is not a weapon."
"Enough," I repeated, this time with more tact. "I will engage in combat. But I'll exercise caution. I'll be in charge of the magic.
Kian's worried eyes were fixed on me. "The last time, you almost killed yourself."
On the table, Rowan's fingers squeezed.
I said, "I don't care." "More people die if I don't use my powers."
Rowan looked into my eyes. He appeared to be haunted. "I cannot let you go again."
Kian's mouth clenched. "I can't either."
Like smoke, the words hung in the air.
Rowan finally let out a breath. "All right. Together, we do it. You battle.” “You're never alone, though. You always have one of us with you.”
Kian remained silent. He gave one nod.
I blinked quickly to contain my emotions.
I said in a whisper, "Thank you."
They didn't both smile. However, there was a slight reduction in the tension in the room.
There was no peace. However, it was a beginning.
I went out into the chilly air later that evening.
Silver light radiated from the high moon. My wrist tingled from my mark.
I encircled myself with my arms and looked at it.
Behind me, I sensed Kian and Rowan.
Neither one said anything.
We all stood there, watching the same moon, breathing the same chilly air.
I felt as though I might not be alone for the first time in weeks.
The messenger then showed up.
A young wolf with blood on his tunic, panting and trembling.
At Rowan's feet, he collapsed to his knees.
"Alpha," he exclaimed. "Obsidian scouts... they witnessed it."
My heart stopped.
Rowan stooped. "What is it? Talk.”
The fear filled the little wolf's eyes.
"An additional village at the border was destroyed."
My mouth became parched.
With a curse, Rowan got to his feet so quickly that he toppled a chair.
Kian took a protective hold on my arm.
He questioned loudly, "Cursed wolves?"
The messenger gave a headshake. “Even worse. Beasts of the shadow. Dozens. They ripped everyone to pieces.”
Rowan's face turned white.
I thought I was having trouble breathing.
I heard my slender, trembling voice. "Did anybody make it through?"
The wolf's eyes were filled with sadness as he looked at me.
"No. Nobody was left alive.”
I could feel the brand on my wrist burning hotter than ever when a chilly wind blasted over us.
Somewhere in the dark, I knew she was grinning.
The Hollow Witch had a message for me.
I will come and get you.