#Chapter 255 – To War

Ella

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Cora grouses, shooting me a death glare as we gather at the Royal docks. Vanarium–hulled ships fitted with cutting edge defense and weaponry systems are moored along the wharf, their crews flitting around like hundreds of tiny ants as they prepare the vessels for departure. One, the smallest, is bound for the Altaran Islands and my mother; the others are all headed back home to face Damon.

None of us want to say goodbye.

Sinclair bundles me in his arms and nuzzles my neck, his wolf grumbling and growling as he nibbles my mating mark, repeatedly reminding me that I’m his – as if I could forget. Mine, mine, mine. He proclaims, his wandering hands moving over my round belly. We don’t leave for another half hour, but I’m already beginning to worry he won’t let me go when the time comes. Isabel is in the same boat, cuddled up with James and Sadie, trying to pretend she isn’t crying as the big Soldier soothes and pets her. She focuses her attention on her young daughter, rocking and shushing the perfectly content child – as if Sadie is the one in need of comfort instead of her mother. James doesn’t say a word, merely kissing Isabel and holding her a bit tighter.

Of course, when I say no one wants to say goodbye, I’m excluding my sister, who is still complaining about the fact I didn’t warn her Roger would be joining our journey as added security. “Seriously Ella, you had to know I wouldn’t approve!”

“I’m not listening!” I sing in reply, closing my eyes and kissing my mate. I slide my arms around his neck, and Sinclair chuckles as he claims my lips. That’s it. His wolf croons in my head. Just ignore her and let me gobble you up, little mate.

grin, catching a flash of emerald fire in his eyes as he captures my nape and drags my mouth back to his. I lean into my mate, letting him support my weight as we get lost in one another. Heat pools in my belly, and I can

aware that this might be the last time I ever see my mate, but it isn’t only Sinclair I’m going to miss – nor is he the only one for whom I’m worried. When all this began I didn’t know any of these people, now I feel as though

lose any one of these people… but we’re going to war and the unavoidable reality is that come of these shifters won’t survive. The mere thought forces me to clamp my eyes shut. If I continue watching them, I’m sure I’ll start to cry – though today I think tears are inevitable. Anger is easier, so I direct all my pent up feelings towards

to forget finding my mother so I can go

the iridescent sheen of snake scales in sunlight, or the glimmering luster of pearl dust. However the effect only

grisly images fill my mind. I share the pictures with Sinclair through our bond, hoping to inspire him. Decapitation, disembowelment, beating him bloody with his own dumb leg… or maybe you could

steady vibrations in his chest. There’s a flash of sadistic appreciation through our bond, but Sinclair’s wolf seems much more interested in exploring every inch of my glowing skin. “I can’t wait to see all the incredible things you learn from your mother.” He lifts my hand to his lips, holding my gaze as he bestows long, luxurious kisses over my knuckles. “You hold such mysteries for our kind, Ella. There’s no telling the secrets you’re about to uncover.” He murmurs, rocking me back and forth in place. “I can’t wait to see you figure it all out and unlock your power… to watch you come into your

see these gifts manifest, and to see our son come into the world. Oh Goddess, I think as his mood grows heavy. It’s getting close to our departure time, but I’m not ready to say goodbye, not yet. I’ll never be ready.

to that innocent

the air, a sense of

pouring all his tenderness and pa*sion through our bond. “Listen to me, baby. We don’t

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