The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 35 : Restoring

Verticordious • [ver-te-chord-de-us]
To turn the heart from evil.

🖤

~+~

Days pass with no response from any of our allying packs. And though I can understand their need to thoroughly consider dispositioning Phantomridge's captive rogues, time feels as if it's running short. Like there could be another scare with Anastasia's powers at any moment. Like that explosion of her energy was a beacon for Maddox—a target for her.

My mate is silent as I drive us to the safehouse where her friend, Max, still temporarily resides. The last time we had all visited him, I nearly lost my senses. I nearly ripped the poor male's limbs from his body. And if Anastasia wasn't there to calm me down...his fate would've been far worse than that.

I've made a note not to speak to him privately unless she's present—just for his own sake. And just so she doesn't murder me for laying my hands on her childhood friend.

My grip tightens around the wheel as I turn into the backroad leading to the secluded home. But so many quiet thoughts riddle my mind.

Today we determine if Max is suitable enough—and sane enough—to be Anastasia's escort to their home kingdom. He's had two weeks to consider our proposal. Xander and Killian have also taken trips to speak further with the human male since our last encounter, going more in-depth with the plan and steps so he's fully aware of the consequences if things go wrong.

If. That small chance. The small chance that I'm hoping will be inexistent.

"Not much on your mind today, my love?" I ask, reaching a hand over the console between us to squeeze hers.

She's barely said a word since I picked her up at the packhouse. I initially took it as an indication that Lilith had exhausted her once again. And though I told the young warrior to adjust the workouts this week after what happened last Friday, I also know they've begun practicing—or trying to practice—combat maneuvers while in her wolf form.

Anastasia's gaze is focused on the endless trees we pass, but she at least manages to tangle her fingers through mine. "Just tired," is all she murmurs.

"How was training and shifting? I know it's been a while since you were last able to."

"Painful," she grumbles.

I chuckle softly. "That's not unusual for someone who hasn't been in their wolf form for nearly a month."

She mutters something inaudibly, slouching more against her door and seat as she goes quiet again. But I continue to run the pad of my thumb against her skin. And I can't help but wonder if there's something more than just her strength that's been lost since our trip to Lukalla.

***

~ Anastasia ~

The five of us—Xander, Liam, Lilith, my mate, and I—sit before Max in this dull safehouse; and for most of us, this isn't the first time.

Sterling and Killian have been absent for the past two days after being sent together to our allying packs with hopes of coaxing their alphas to relocate the rogues. Even with the emails sent by Samuel, it's still important that we help them understand the severity of our situation. And what will be even harder is explaining why—how my powers can turn them into enhanced creatures.

I haven't been able to shake the thought for the past several days. And it's not that the incident haunts me. I was able to rid my mind of the aftermath after one gruesome session of training with Lilith. But it's almost something other. Something I can't explain.