Selene was dying.
I could feel it—the poison spreading, the power fading, the life draining away.
*Can't you heal her?* I demanded of the pack healers.
*It's magical poison,* the head healer said helplessly. *Our herbs, our techniques—nothing works. We need magical healing. A witch. A shaman. Someone who can—**
*Then we find someone.*
*Elena.* Kael rested his hand on my arm. *We can't just snap our fingers and produce a magical healer. They're rare. Expensive. And most won't help Lycans. They fear us. Hunt us. Consider us—**
*Abominations.* I finished bitterly. *I know.*
*But Selene isn't just any Lycan,* Kael said quietly. *She's an Elder. The last of her kind. If she dies, all that knowledge dies with her. The training. The history. The—**
*The prophecy,* I realized. *She knows things. About the Inquisition. About what's coming. About how to defeat them.*
*Exactly.*
I looked at Selene, who was unconscious now, her breathing shallow. The poison had done its work well—corrupted, magical, designed specifically to kill Lycans.
*There has to be someone,* I said. *A witch who owes us a favor. A shaman who's sympathetic. Anyone who can—**
*Actually,* Astrid spoke up from where she sat beside Selene's bed. *There might be someone.*
*Who?*
*A witch I knew.* Astrid's mental voice was hesitant. *Years ago. Before I found you. Her name's Rowan. She specializes in healing magical poison.*
*Will she help us?*
*I don't know.* Astrid sighed. *We parted on... complicated terms. But she owed me a favor. A life debt. She might be willing to cash it in.*
*Where is she?*
*Northern territories.* Astrid stood. *About a day's travel if we run. Less if—*
*If what?*
*If we travel through the spirit paths.* Astrid met my eyes. *It's dangerous. Requires a guide. Someone who can navigate between realms.*
*Like a shaman.*
*Or a telepath.* Astrid nodded toward Darius. *Your son can see things. Navigate spaces. Find paths that others can't.*
*He's three,* I protested. *And he's exhausted from the battle. He can't—**
*I can help.*
We all turned to look at Lucian.
The eight-year-old Lycan royal stood in the doorway, looking more serious than any child should.
*I can guide,* he said quietly. *I can... I can feel the paths. The spaces between. The—**
*You were experimented on,* I reminded him. *Tortured. Enhanced. Your powers were forced on you. They're not—*
*They're real,* Lucian cut me off. *And they're useful. I can help. Let me help.*
*I don't want to use you, Lucian.*
*You're not using me.* Lucian walked into the room. *You're letting me contribute. Let me be part of the family. Part of the pack. Part of—**
*Part of the solution.*
*Exactly.*
I looked at Kael, who nodded.
*If he can really do this,* Kael said, *then we need him. Selene can't wait. And neither can we.*
*Okay.* I turned to Lucian. *But if it gets too dangerous, if you feel like something is wrong—you stop immediately. You come back. You don't—**
*I won't let you down.* Lucian's violet-gold eyes met mine. *I promise.*
*I know you won't.* I crouched down and hugged him. *I just... I worry about you. About what Blackwood did to you. About how it affects you still.*
*He made me into a weapon,* Lucian said into my shoulder. *But I get to decide how to use that weapon now. And I choose to use it to help. To heal. To protect.*
*You're a good kid, Lucian.*
*I'm trying.* He pulled back. *I'm really trying.*
*And you're succeeding.* I kissed his forehead. *Okay. You and Astrid go find this witch. Kael and I will hold things down here.*
*What about the children?* Kael asked. *Felix? Darius?*
*Darius is too exhausted to travel,* I decided. *And Felix... Felix shouldn't be exposed to spirit paths. It's too dangerous.*
*So they stay here?*
*They stay with you.* I looked at my mate. *You're their father. You'll protect them.*
*I will.* Kael's voice was fierce. *With my life.*
*Good.* I kissed him—quick, but meaningful. *I'll be back soon. A day. Two at most.*
*Be careful.* Kael rested his forehead against mine. *The spirit paths... they're unpredictable. Dangerous. Even with a guide, there's no guarantee—**
*I'll come back.* I pulled away slightly. *I have too much to live for. Too many reasons to return. You. The children. The pack. The—*
*Future?*
*The future.*
I shifted.
Lycan form, ready to travel, and Astrid did the same.
*Ready?* she asked Lucian.
*Ready.* Lucian closed his eyes, concentrating. *The path... it's close. I can feel it. Opening now.*
And I could feel it too—a tear in reality, a shimmering in the air, a doorway to somewhere else.
*Go quickly,* Selene's weak mental voice came from the bed. *The poison... it's accelerating. You don't have much time.*
*We'll make it,* I promised her. *Hold on, Selene. Just hold on.*
*Always,* she whispered. *Always.*
We stepped through the tear.
And into... somewhere else.
***
The spirit paths weren't like anything I'd ever experienced.
Not a forest. Not a road. Not anything physical.
It was a space between spaces. A realm of pure energy, of shifting colors and sounds that weren't really sounds, of—
*Focus,* Astrid's mental voice cut through. *Don't get distracted. Don't engage with the spirits. Just keep moving.*
*I'm trying.* I shook my head, trying to clear it. *It's just... so much. So overwhelming.*
*That's the point.* Lucian's mental voice was strained. *The spirit paths are designed to test you. To see if you're worthy. If you engage with the distractions, you get lost. Trapped. Forever.*
*So don't engage.*
*Exactly.*
We walked—or moved, or traveled—I'm not sure how to describe it. Through shifting landscapes that changed every time I looked at them. Forests became oceans became deserts became—
*Astrid?* I sent urgently. *Are we going in circles?*
*No.* Her mental voice was calm. *It just looks like that. The paths reflect your inner state. Your fears. Your doubts. Your—**
*So this is all in my head?*
*Not exactly.* Lucian spoke up. *It's real. But it's also... metaphorical. Physical manifestations of mental states. If you're scared, you see monsters. If you're angry, you see fire. If you're—**
*If I'm hopeful?*
*Then you see light.*
I focused on hope.
On my children. On Kael. On the future we were building.
And the shifting stabilized.
The path became clearer.
*A good trick,* Astrid approved. *Focus on what you want, not what you fear. Basic spirit walking technique.*
*I'm just making this up as I go.*
*You're a natural.*
We traveled in silence for a while—however long "a while" meant in a realm where time didn't really exist.
*Can I ask you something?* I sent to Astrid.
*Anything.*
*Why did you and Rowan part on... complicated terms?*
Astrid was silent for a long moment.
*We were lovers,* she said finally. *Decades ago. Before I found you. Before I even knew your mother was pregnant.*
*Lovers?* I was surprised. *I didn't—*
*It's not something I advertise.* Astrid's mental voice was soft. *Rowan's a witch. I'm Lycan. Our kinds don't traditionally get along. But we... we clicked. We were happy.*
*What happened?*
*The Inquisition.* Astrid's mental voice hardened. *They found out. Attacked us both. We survived, but... Rowan blamed me. Said my Lycan nature had drawn them. Said if I'd been normal, if I'd been human, they never would have—*
*That's not your fault.*
*I know.* Astrid sighed. *And she knows, now. But at the time... she was scared. Hurt. Angry. She lashed out. Said things she couldn't take back. We parted on bad terms.*
*Will she help us anyway?*
*She owes me a life debt.* Astrid's mental voice dropped. *I saved her life. Took a wound that should have killed me. She swore she'd repay the debt someday.*
*So she'll help.*
*She'll help.* Astrid paused. *But she might not be happy about it.*
*That's okay.* I focused on the path ahead, which was becoming more solid, more real, more—*
*We're close,* Lucian announced. *I can feel her. Her magic. Her—*
*Her reluctance?* I guessed.
*That too.*
The path ended.
We stepped through into... normal reality.
A forest. Northern territory, based on the trees, the temperature, the—
*You came.*
Rowan.
She stood in a clearing, arms crossed, wearing robes that shifted in color with her mood—which was currently a deep, unhappy red.
*Astrid.* Her voice was cold. *It's been what? Twenty years? And you only show up when you need something?*
*I need your help,* Astrid said simply. *No games. No pleasantries. Just... help.*
*Help with what?*
*A friend.* Astrid nodded toward me. *The Lycan Queen. Her Elder was poisoned by the Inquisition. Magical poison. We need you to heal her.*
*The Lycan Queen.* Rowan studied me. *I've heard stories. Didn't expect you to be so... young.*
*I'm eighteen.* I shifted back to human form. *And my friend is dying. Can you help her or not?*
Rowan's lips quirked.
*Direct. I like that.*
*Can you help?* I pressed.
*I can.* Rowan gestured toward a small cottage. *But it won't be free. Even with the life debt, I need something more.*
*What?*
*Information.* Rowan's expression turned serious. *The Inquisition. Their leadership. Their plans. I need to know what you know.*
*Why?*
*Because they're not just hunting Lycans anymore.* Rowan led us toward the cottage. *They've expanded their targets. All supernatural beings. Witches. Vampires. Fae. Anyone with power.*
*Why?*
*Because they're not just a religious organization anymore.* Rowan pushed open the cottage door. *They're a political movement now. A military force. And someone new is leading them.*
*Who?*
*That's what I need you to tell me.* Rowan moved to a table covered in herbs and crystals and magical instruments. *What do you know about their leadership?*
*Nothing.* I admitted. *Just that they exist. That they hate us. That they—*
*That they almost wiped out the Lycans once before,* Rowan finished. *Yes. I know the history. The purge. The slaughter. But this time... this time is different.*
*How so?*
*They're organized.* Rowan started grinding herbs. *Disciplined. They have technology we've never seen. Weapons designed to counter specific powers. They've been preparing for decades. Centuries. And now... now they're making their move.*
*Against everyone?*
*Against everyone.* Rowan looked at me. *Which means we can't fight them alone. Lycans, witches, vampires—we need to unite. Or we'll die separately.*
*Unite.* I thought about it. *With vampires? They're not exactly known for cooperation.*
*Not all vampires.* Rowan's mental voice was knowing. *There are factions. Dissenters. Some who remember what the Inquisition did to their kind in the last purge. Who might be willing to—*
*To ally.*
*To ally.*
*Okay.* I nodded. *But first, you have to help Selene.*
*I will.* Rowan finished preparing the herbs. *But this won't be a quick fix. The poison's advanced. Corrupted. It's going to take everything I have to flush it out. And even then...*
*Even then?*
*She'll be weak.* Rowan's mental voice dropped. *Permanently. The poison damages the system. The channels. The ability to channel magic. Even if I save her life, she may never be the same.*
*But she'll be alive.*
*Yes.* Rowan met my eyes. *She'll be alive.*
*Then do it.* I didn't hesitate. *Whatever it takes.*
*Okay.* Rowan nodded once. *Let's go back. Bring me to her.*
*We need to travel the spirit paths again,* Astrid said. *With a passenger this time.*
*I can handle it.* Rowan touched a crystal amulet around her neck. *This will help stabilize the paths. Make them more... predictable.*
*Good.* I turned to Lucian. *You ready to guide us back?*
*Ready.* He closed his eyes, concentrating. *Opening the path now.*
The tear appeared again.
We stepped through.
***
This time, the journey was faster.
Smoother.
Rowan's amulet glowing, keeping the worst of the spirit paths at bay.
When we emerged back at the ancestral lands, the sun was setting—though I had no idea how much time had actually passed. Hours? Days?
Time worked differently on the spirit paths.
*Selene,* I said urgently. *Where is she?*
*Still unconscious,* Kael met us at the entrance. *But she's holding on. Barely.*
*Rowan,* I gestured toward the Healer building. *This way.*
*The witch studied Selene for a long moment, examining the poison, the damage, the—
*She's strong,* Rowan observed. *This should have killed her hours ago. She's fighting it.*
*She's an Elder,* I said. *She doesn't give up easily.*
*Good.* Rowan opened her herb pouch. *Because this is going to hurt. A lot. You might want to hold her down.*
*We'll do whatever's necessary.*
The healing took hours.
Rowan worked in silence, grinding herbs, chanting in a language I didn't recognize, pouring energy into Selene's broken body.
I watched.
Prayed.
Hoped.
*She's going to make it,* Kael whispered, wrapping his arm around my waist. *I can feel it.*
*How?*
*The pack bond.* He kissed my temple. *I can feel her presence. Faint, but there. She's fighting. She's not giving up.*
*Good.*
Eventually, Rowan sat back, exhausted.
*It's done,* she said quietly. *The poison's flushed. The damage is... minimized. She'll live.*
*But?* I caught the hesitation.
*But she'll need time to recover.* Rowan wiped sweat from her forehead. *Weeks. Maybe months. And when she wakes... she might not remember everything. The poison attacks the mind as well as the body. Memories... they're the first to go.*
*She might forget?*
*Might.* Rowan stood. *There's no way to know until she wakes. For now... let her rest. Let her body heal. Let the magic knit itself back together.*
*Okay.* I moved to Selene's bedside, took her hand. *Rest well, Elder. We'll be here when you wake.*
*Elena,* Astrid touched my shoulder. *You need to rest too. The spirit paths... they take a toll. Even for Lycans.*
*I'm fine.*
*You're exhausted.* Kael moved to my other side. *Come to bed. Just for a few hours. The pack will watch over Selene. The children are safe. Rowan can handle any emergencies.*
*I—**
*Please.* Kael's mental voice was soft. *For me. Let me take care of you for once.*
*Okay.* I leaned into him. *Okay. Just... just for a little while.*
*Just for a little while.*
He led me to our room—the same room I'd slept in three years ago as a rejected mate, terrified and heartbroken and alone.
But I wasn't alone anymore.
*I'm proud of you,* Kael said as we settled into bed. *What you did today. The power you accessed. The way you came back from it...*
*I couldn't have done it without the children.* I curled into his side. *Without you.*
*Yes you could.* Kael kissed my forehead. *You're stronger than you think, Elena. Stronger than you give yourself credit for.*
*I'm tired of being strong,* I admitted. *I just want to be... me. Just Elena. Just a mother. Just a—**
*A mate.* Kael squeezed me tight. *You can be that too. All of that. Strong and soft. Powerful and gentle. Queen and mate and mother and—**
*And Elena.*
*And Elena.*
I closed my eyes, listening to Kael's heartbeat, feeling the pack bond humming with life, feeling the peace of finally being home.
*Sleep now,* Kael whispered. *Tomorrow... we face whatever comes next. Together.*
*Together.*
*Always.*
And for the first time in a long time, I believed it.
Really believed it.
We were going to be okay.
Eventually.
Somehow.