Chapter 151


    Chapter 151 – Exile


    E


    The journey to the hidden territories was swift once we reached the coast.


    We boarded a small ne and ascended into the heavens at top speed, and I swear Sinir didn’t


    rx until we were cruising at 30,000 feet. I didn’t realize how tense he’d been even after we left Moon


    Valley, until we were out of danger and his muscles finally unwound.


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    The flight took more than six hours, though I slept most of the way. When we finallynded Sinir


    gently untangled our bodies, which instantly woke me. I emit a sleepy moan, looking up at him blearily.


    “Are we there?”


    “Yes,” He confirms, leaning over to cup my cheek. “But stay here until I can make sure it’s safe, okay?”


    Without another word, he disappears out the door with his men, descending the small staircase leading


    down to the tarmac. I lurch to my feet, moving to the windows to look outside. My first glimpse of the


    hidden territories takes my breath away; the horizon is dominated by a glitteringke, framed beneath


    the towering peaks of snow-capped mountains. At the center of theke, looking as though it’s floating


    on the water, is an opulent city which is only visible at certain angles. The rest of the time it looks like


    nothing more than a ball of light.


    Eager to get out and explore, I quickly spy my mate, prowling around the area with Hugo and our


    guards to make sure no danger is hiding just out of sight. In the distance I can also see a line of shiny


    cars waiting for us, and I roll my eyes. Overprotective wolves.


    I emerge from the ne and breathe in the foreign air, my newly awakened senses assailed by strange


    and unfamiliar scents. I cradle my belly in my arms, feeling a wave of curiosity from my pup. Rafe may


    not know what’s going on, but he knows I’m feeling alight with interest. “Are you ready, my darling?” I


    ask him, “We’re going on an adventure.” He flutters in my womb, and I feel thoroughly encouraged.


    I don’t even get to the end of the tform before Sinir turns and sees me. A wave of disapproval


    assails me, and then his voice sounds in my head. I told you to stay put.


    What, so you can protect me from all this fresh air and the beautifulndscapes? I sass in reply, taking


    the first step down the stairway. Sinir bounds to my side in an instant, scooping me up and growling


    deep in his chest. “Naughty mate, you have no idea what dangers could be awaiting us.”


    “Oh, like the bath snakes you once warned me about?” I ask archly, finding it impossible not to smile at


    the memory.


    ‘That was a joke. This isn’t.” Sinir grimaces. ‘We’re in unknown territory now – quite literally. Don’t


    ask me to take your safety for granted because I won’t do it, E.”


    ‘We have to feel safe somewhere, Dominic.” I reply gently, stroking his jaw. “Otherwise we’ll drive


    ourselves crazy with worry.”


    ‘The only ce I ever feel you’re safe is when you’re in my arms.” Sinir shares, and suddenly I


    understand why he’s always touching me. It’s not only for affection, but his ownfort as well.


    ‘Then what on earth were you doing leaving me alone in a ne?” I tease, nuzzling my face against his


    neck.


    My mate shakes his head with an indulgent purr, “how we ever thought you were human, I’ll never


    know.” Sinir remarks dryly. “Only she-wolves can manage to be so insolent and so sweet at once.”


    I giggle as he carries me down the steps, btedly realizing that we probably left the secrets of my


    past behind and out of reach. Of course, thoughts of my past only make me think of my sister, “When


    will Cora arrive?” 1


    “Soon.” Sinir promises, kissing my brow. ‘They wereing from the shadow pack.” I don’t need


    more exnation. When we fled we took different paths for the sake of safety, and Roger, Henry and


    Cora had gone east while we’d gone west. It makes sense that the others had a longer journey.


    As Sinir carries me towards the line of cars, the back door to the middle vehicle opens, and then a


    distinguished looking man emerges. He’s probably five or six years older than Sinir, and thus a


    decade older than me, but he wees us with a wide smile and open arms. “Dorn!”


    “Gabriel!” Sinir replies, shing his fangs but showing no aggression. He puts me down only long


    enough to embrace the other man, then promptly tucks me under his arm. ‘This is my mate, E. E,


    this is King Gabriel Montir of Vanara.”


    My eyes widen when I hear this man is royalty, but then again my mate was almost a king as well. I


    extend my hand to him, “Pleasure to meet you.”


    Gabriel sps both of his hands around mine. “It’s an honor.” He replies warmly, a somber note


    entering his expression as he looks back and forth between us. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve been


    through.”


    “Why? You didn’t do it.” I quip, before I can think better of it.


    Gabriel’s tender expression cracks, and then he’s throwing his head back withughter. “Well I see why


    you picked her, Dorn.” He expresses to Sinir, even though the mood has been permanently


    dampened. “But I do feel for you. It’s all over the news and I can’t believe it. How one man could take


    out the entire Alpha council, all the betas. It’s unthinkable.”


    “Well he didn’t do it on his own, or honorably,” Sinir grumbles. By now I’ve been caught up on all the


    developments regarding the Prince’s coup, and I know these wolves consider the use of poison a


    cowardly, disgraceful tactic. “Still, it is hard to fathom.” He agrees, squeezing me a bit more tightly. “But


    we’re here now, and we can only move forward.”


    “Damn right.” Gabriel confirms, gripping my mate’s shoulder. “Come on, we’ve got a wee party


    awaiting you.”


    I dig in my heels. “But what about Cora and Henry?” I ask anxiously. “What about Roger?”


    “A couple of the cars will stay behind to collect your family once they arrive.” The King announces,


    surprising me. He certainly seems very clued in to our affairs. Though I suppose this should be the


    case, since he’s made all the arrangements.


    I’m still not convinced, and though Sinir could easily sweep me along against my will, he turns to me


    and rests a hand on my tummy. “We need to get settled and find you a doctor. As soon as the others


    arrive we’ll meet them.”


    “Why a doctor?” I demand indignantly, feeling defiant for reasons I don’t understand.


    Of course, Sinir doesn’t seem to have any issues understanding. He simply purrs and shifts nearer.


    “You haven’t been examined since your wolf woke, and we’ve been through a lot. You need a check


    up.”


    “But Rafe is fine.” I insist, notching my chin up.


    “He might be, but I want to know about you.” Sinir murmurs in a firm tone. “Don’t you want to find out


    if you cane off bed rest?”


    I peek up at him from beneath myshes, sulking even though he’s right – or perhaps because he is.


    “Yes.” I murmur sullenly.


    Sinir rumbles out a knowingugh, sweeping my legs back up into his arms. ‘That’s what I thought.”


    Sinir gives me the window seat in the car so that I can stare out at my new surroundings, marveling


    at the incrediblends which turn everything I believed I knew about the world upside down. Sinir


    has been here before, and he’s more concerned with talking logistics with the King, so he simply


    strokes my spine as I turn my whole body to the ss and gaze out in awe. It’s beyond surreal. Once


    upon a time I suppose people had to travel in order to know what the rest of the world looked like, but


    with modern technology I thought I’d seen photos and videos of just about every corner of our.


    Now I’m learning I was very wrong.


    “What do you think, trouble?” Sinir asks as the Alpha’se to a pause in their conversation.


    We’re currently speeding over a mirrored bridge which makes it feel as if we’re driving right across the


    surface of theke, and the closer we get to the city, I realize why it seemed to glow: It’s a city made


    entirely of ss. It reminds me of the intricate ice sculptures I’ve seen at winter fairs, when artists


    create entire worlds out of the beautiful but impractical substance.” It’s incredible.” I breathe. “I’ve never


    seen anything like it… but how is it possible? I would have thought ss was too fragile for such


    complex structures.”


    “Ah, but it’s not ss.” King Gabriel corrects with a wry smile. “It’s a rare crystal found only on this


    continent – called Vanarium. It’s stronger even than diamonds, and conducts energy so that the city


    powers itself without any need for polluting fuels or alternative energies.”


    “Amazing.” I murmur, my heart skipping a beat as we finally enter the gates of the city. The cars wind


    through glittering, peaceful streets which are so clean I feel I could eat off the pavement without


    comint. All the people turn and wave as we pass, and I wonder if the King’s vehicles are different


    enough from themon peoples to be so obvious. I’m surprised when I see some shifters in their wolf


    forms, who gallop alongside the car by way of greeting. They all look so happy, but I can’t help feeling


    as though something is missing here.


    ‘There are no forests.” I realize after a moment.


    “Not all wolves are forest dwellers.” Sinir exins, “each pack has their own element – the Vanarans


    draw strength from water and prefer wide open spaces.”


    “Oh.” I dete a little, and Sinir gives me a squeeze. “Don’t worry, little wolf. We’ll find you some


    trees to frolic in.”


    “Actually, we have different biomes set up around the city for wolves who immigrate here from around


    the world. And at the pce we can turn your rooms into a miniature Moon Valley, if you like.”


    “Where is your pce?” I inquire with interest.


    Gabriel gives me a wide smile and points at something through the center of the front windshield.


    ‘There.”


    I follow the direction of his finger, and feel my jaw drop in astonishment…