Chapter 133

Julian

In wolf form , all sense of time seemed to vanish. There were no days just sunrises and sunsets and I lost count of both because we were always running.

Running from one pack to another. Keeping to the shadows. Watching and waiting for any sign of Cassie and my boys.

There was none , only whispers. Everyone seemed to know her name now but then that wasn't surprising. They wondered why my people didn't know I had taken a bride and I couldn't even remember why I had tried to keep her a secret. It seemed pointless now as my enemies had known about her. They had known about her and came after her.

And now she was lost to me again. I'd only just gotten her back and she had saved me and I'd gone and lost her. The hollowness in my heart didn't seem to heal but my body did.

At least I was stronger now. Because I would need to be. My whole kingdom was in uproar. People were scared, people were turning on each other. And all of them were looking for me. Some because they wanted to see my downfall and some because they expected me to save them.

I wanted to save them. I just didn't know how the hell I was going to do it. My brain wouldn't concentrate on anything but finding Cassie and making sure her and the boys were safe.

"Shift."

I blinked my wolf eyes up at Ian in shock to find him in his human form instead of his animal. Weeks had gone by without us changing shapes.

"Shift Julian we need to talk." He said again and moved towards the tree line.

Shifting was easier said than done. Usually it came naturally to me but after so long in animal form my wolf was loathe to give human me back control. Screwing my face up in concentration I forced my will. Pain rippled through me as fur flowed back into my skin and my bones straightened with a snap.

"Well that wasn't pleasant to watch." Ian said from his place sat under a tree. His hands were in his lap so his modesty was covered.

As shifters we were used to nudity but I appreciated the effort. Covering myself I went to sit next to him. Stretching out my human legs that hadn't been used for so long and protested loudly.

"Wasn't pleasant to go through it." I admitted with a sigh. "Why are we human again?"

For several minutes Ian just sat and stared. "Because I needed to stretch my legs and -" he side eyed me as I stared at him in disbelief. I didn't believe that for a second.

"Yeah." Ian chuckled. "I didn't think you would believe that. I wanted you to be aware of where we are. Of whose lands we are about to enter."

I looked around me for what felt like the first time. Honestly all of these different pack lands seemed to look the same these days but now I was looking I actually recognised this place. I knew the smell of the air.

"We are close to my home. This is-" I frowned jumping to my feet, I took a deep inhale. "Yes I know this place. I came here for a trades deal. Their alpha is -" pausing I struggled to find the right words. "An acquaintance. We have met several times but I don't think he's exactly friendly to me. Coming here is a mistake."

"Sit down."

I stared at him. Ian was a good friend and I owed him more than my life but him ordering me around wasn't going to wash for much longer.

"Please sit down your highness." He amended.

"I don't think Cassie will be here. The alpha-" I did what he asked for a sigh and honestly it felt good.

"Their alpha is dead. I saw his body on the wall. I'm pretty sure that makes him loyal to you. I did not see his mate. And I can't guarantee that she isn't blaming us for her mates painful death but -"

"Scarlett." That had been her name. "Scarlett was a friend of cassies. I saw them here together once."

"She helped Cassie back at the palace as well. On the day Cathy died she made a distraction so Cassie could escape." Ian added softly.

Hope erupted in my chest. More hope than I had felt in a long time.

"She's here." I whispered and the moment I said it I knew it was true. We had checked every where else and it all made sense. Scarlett had helped Cassie once before. "I can almost smell her in the wind." I sniffed and I was sure I could.

"Scarlett might be a friend but who ever has taken over as alpha might not be , we have to be careful now. More careful now than ever. People know you well here. We can't-"

Ignoring him I began to stride into the woods. If I remembered rightly the pack house was on the edge of the forest. There were cabins and an infirmary as well. This pack was always getting attacked. Even though they were peace loving people. Not surprising. The strong always tried to take from the weak. Even when the weak kept fighting back.

"Stop Julian." Ian grabbed my wrist and stopped me in my tracks. "We can't just walk in there and ask for her. We need to rest and then go in just before dawn. If we skirt around the edge and come in from the hill then we will have the advantage."

"Yeah but-"

"No buts , the time for recklessness is over. You need to now act like king.  We need to watch and see if they have her."

"She's here." I said firmly because she was.

Ian looked thoughtful for a second and then nodded. "Yes I think she is but we can't just run in there. Cassie might be here but we need to know if she's here of her own free will or if she's being held prisoner."