I woke up to the sound of soft murmurs and the weight of a warm body beside me.
Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, adjusting to the dim glow of the underground bunker. The scent of my mates surrounded me- Elijah’s earthy musk, Isaiah’s crisp cedarwood, Austin’s faint hint of fresh rain And Alex’s earth and pin. They were all here, their bodies close, their protective presence a constant force around me.
I shifted slightly, only to feel an ache in my limbs. My body still hadn’t fully recovered, but I was alive. I was here.
As I moved, Elijah stirred, his eyes immediately focusing on me. He sat up instantly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“Hey,” he murmured.
The softness in his voice made my chest tighten.
Alex was next to wake up, rubbing his eyes before fixing me with a stern glare. “You’re supposed to be resting,” he scolded.
Austin, always the most dramatic, let out a long sigh and flopped onto the bed beside me. “Honestly, you’re the most reckless person I’ve ever met. Do you have any idea what it’s like to watch someone you love almost die?”
I rolled my eyes. “I get it. You guys were worried.”
“Worried?” Isaiahechoed incredulously. “Stormi, you were in a coma for twenty days. We thought-” He stopped himself, clenching his jaw.
I sat up straighter, ignoring the stiffness in my body. “And I woke up, didn’t I?”
Alex shook his head. “That’s not the point.”
I groaned. “I am not fragile.”
Austin smirked. “Tell that to your broken bones.”
I crossed my arms. “I feel fine.”
The four of them exchanged a look. The look. The one that told me they weren’t convinced.
I sighed, my frustration bubbling up. “I understand why you’re acting like this. I do. You must have been worried sick, but I am not
a delicate flower. I fought the Shadow Weaver. I survived. I will always fight.”
Elijah let out a slow breath. “We know.”
Isaiah frowned. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t get to worry.”
Austin poked my cheek. “Or be annoyingly overprotective.”
I groaned, “I swear, you’re worse than Mariah.”
Silence fell over the room.
Mariah.
My heart squeezed at the thought of her, but unlike before, there was no sharp stab of guilt–only warmth.
1/4
Chapter 212
Before I could say anything, a knock sounded at the door.
Elijah frowned. “Who-”
The door swung open, and Ryan stepped inside.
I blinked in surprise before breaking into a smile. “Ryan!”
He grinned and rushed forward, pulling me into a tight hug.
Immediately, a low, possessive growl echoed through the room.
Alex.
I sighed. “Really?”
Ryan, unbothered, stepped back with a smirk. “Good to see you too, Alex.”
Elijah’s eyes were narrowed, his arms crossed as he glared at Ryan like he was the enemy.
Austin leaned back against the wall, watching the exchange with amusement. “So, Ryan,” he drawled. “Have you, uh… found your
mate yet?”
Ryan scowled. “No.”
Isaiah smirked. “You should probably get on that. You’re a little too attached to ours.”
Ryan shot him a glare. “It takes times besides I have ever right to be here, Stormi is my savior and I believe she is also my friend.”
Austin gasped dramatically. “Wow. He’s actually keeping count. That’s… concerning.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, enough.”
Ryan shook his head with a grin. “Anyway, I just came to check on you, Stormi.”
I softened. “I appreciate it.”
He nodded, then shot another playful glare at my mates before leaving the room.
The moment he was gone, Austin let out a loud snort.
“Oh, man, that guy is down bad.And since the day I meant him I dont trust him.” Alex said.
Elijah ran a hand down his face. “He’s lucky I didn’t throw him out.”
Isaiah smirked. “Relax. He knows she’s taken.”
I sighed. “You guys are ridiculous.”
Alex and Austin grinned. “We know.” they both said.
Later that day, I decided I needed to move.
I had spent too long in bed, and I needed to see the world I was fighting for.
2/4
Chapter 212
The problem? I still had casts on my legs and arms.
The doctor had told me to wait at least a week before trying to walk but I wasn’t the waiting type.
So, of course, my mates took it upon themselves to push me around in a wheelchair.
“This is humiliating,” I muttered as Alex wheeled me down the underground corridor.
Austin smirked. “Would you rather be carried like a princess?”
I glared at him.
Alex chuckled. “Thought so.”
I huffed but didn’t argue.
As we moved through the bunker, I took in the faces around me.
There were wolves of all ages–young pups clutching their parents‘ hands, elderly wolves resting against the walls, warriors sharpening their weapons.
There were witches, too, their robes tattered, their eyes weary but determined.
I saw families huddled together, whispering in hushed tones.
I saw fear.
I saw hope.
And in that moment, I knew–this was what I was fighting for.
Not just for revenge.
Not just to win.
But to protect them.
To give them a future.
Alex slowed the wheelchair as we reached the main gathering area, where wolves were tending to the wounded.
I swallowed hard. “How many?”
Alex’s jaw tightened. “Too many.”
Austin exhaled. “And more are coming every day.”
Alex’s grip on the wheelchair tightened. “We have to be ready, Storm.”
looked up at him my chest burning with determination.
“We will be.”
Because no matter what it took–I would end this war.
