Mira had texted me yesterday with the news that the Pisces alpha had finally been convinced to come hear us out. I suspected she and her mate had been relentless in badgering him until he'd finally caved in, and I'd never been so thankful for such a persistent friend.
"I think the Libra alpha will come too," Wesley said. "He's definitely interested in hearing what we have to say."
"Good. Hopefully, more will show up too." I sighed as I gazed across the sparkling waters of the lake. "You’d think they’d all be more averse to being controlled by the Leos.”
"Each pack believes it won't happen to them, or that if they keep out of the conflict, they'll be safe." Wesley sounded exhausted as he spoke. "We both know that's bullshit, but I can see how they might think that."
"I guess." I had a lot less faith in the other Zodiac Wolves after they'd abandoned our pack to die at the Convergence. We were supposed to be united, and yet at the first sign of blood, they'd all turn tail and fled. Now it was nearly impossible to get them to even speak with us. It almost made me want to say screw it and let them fall under the control of the Leos if they weren't willing to lift a hand to stop it. The only reason I didn't was that I knew that come back around to hurt Wesley's pack, and Mira's, and eventually my pack as well. If the Leos and Sun Witches became too powerful, we were all doomed to fall.
We said our goodbyes and hung up, promising to speak again soon. I had the brief urge to throw the phone into the water, but I knew that it wouldn’t accomplish anything. Instead, I gripped the phone tight and breathed through the feeling of hopelessness that ran through me.
A twig snapped behind me, and I spun, ready for a fight.
Kaden stepped out of the shadows. “Good form."
His words sent me back in time, to when he was more my enemy than my lover and had to teach me out of sheer necessity. So much had changed, and even with all the hardship, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
I launched myself at Kaden, who opened his arms to me. He’d been away on a trip to get supplies, and even though it had only been a few days, I’d found myself missing him terribly. I reached up and drew Kaden’s face toward mine, tilting my head back so we could kiss.
I’d meant it to be something sweet, something brief, but the moment my lips touched his, I wanted more. Kaden seemed enthusiastic enough to deepen the kiss, hands sliding along my hips to bring me closer to him.
Then Kaden let out a grunt and drew back. “As much as I’d love to keep doing that, I have news.”
I grimaced. "News?"
“Don’t make that face, it’s good news,” he said. “I’ve located the Sagittarius pack. They were roaming close enough to our lands that I was able to catch the scent of them and follow them.”
The Sagittarius pack were notorious nomads with no set pack lands and no place to truly call home. They liked it that way, and I’d heard that some shifters went to the Sagittarius pack if they felt like they wanted to live a truly free life. They were also the only pack that had been friendly with the Ophiuchus pack before the Convergence, though we hadn't been in contact with them since.
“That’s great,” I said. “What happened? Did you talk to them?” I looked over his body on impulse, trying to see if he’d been attacked. I didn't think the Sagittarius pack members would hurt him, but so many things had changed over the last few months. For all we knew, they'd gone and joined the Leos since then. Besides, I was just as protective of my man as he was of me.
“I talked to a few of them, yes,” Kaden said, brushing away my concern. “They’ve agreed to a meeting tomorrow with their alphas. I'd like you to come with me.”
"Of course. I'll do whatever I can to help." Hope filled the hole that frustration had hollowed in my stomach from my conversation with Wesley. This felt like the biggest break we'd had yet.
"I’m confident they’ll be willing to listen. They aren’t allied with the Leos, and we've always had a good relationship with them."
I nodded. "And if there was ever a pack that would fight to not be controlled by another one, it would be them."
"Exactly." Kaden reached for the bag on his shoulder. "I got you something while I was away."
My eyebrows darted up. "You did?"
"It's something I've wanted to get you for a long time, but I never had the opportunity until now." He handed me a box, messily wrapped as if he hadn’t had time to properly do it. Or maybe he just sucked at wrapping gifts.
I didn't care though. I couldn't remember the last time I'd gotten a wrapped present at all. I tore the paper off with perhaps a little too much vigor, and then gasped when I opened the box. A new, professional camera was packed inside, its black edges gleaming proudly in the daylight. Happy tears immediately filled my eyes as I looked up at Kaden. "How...?"
"Jack and I managed to stop at an electronics store in Winnipeg during our trip." Kaden ran a hand through his hair. "Do you like it? I wasn't sure what to get, but the guy at the store said this was a good one. I know you lost yours at the Convergence, but I hope this one is a decent replacement."
"It's amazing." I traced the lens cover with one finger. This was the nicest camera I think I’d ever seen in person. I couldn’t even imagine the possibilities of all the photos I could take with it. I wrapped my arms around Kaden's neck, careful not to crush the box between us. “Thank you. I love it so much, and it means the world that you got it for me."
Kaden brushed his knuckles down my cheek. "You've been working so hard these last few weeks. You deserve it."
We kissed again, and I squeezed him tight, amazed that he'd gone out of his way to get me a present like this. I remembered him listening in while Mira talked about how I'd lost my camera, but I'd never expected him to do something about it. My throat tightened with emotion as I realized it meant he trusted me too. I could take pictures of the entire camp, but he knew I would never do anything to betray the pack or our location to others.
"I'm so excited." I tore off all the packaging and pulled the camera out, inspecting every angle of it. "Now I can actually take photos again without relying on my shitty phone camera." I held the camera up and pretend to take a shot of Kaden. "Say 'cheese!'"
He scowled and held up a hand in protest. "I regret buying you this already."
I grinned and held the camera out of his reach. "Too late. It's mine now, and there's no taking it back."
"Just watch where you point that thing," Kaden grumbled. Back to his old grumpy self. Except I knew now that was all an act, designed to protect his big mushy heart.
I laughed and took his hand, then dragged him back to the cabin so I could show him just how grateful I was for his gift.
Chapter Twenty-Seven