Zodiac Aligned

4

“Thanks,” I said, warming a little at her words. "But we’ll figure it out. Eventually.”

“You know you can stay in my tent, right?”

“I appreciate that, but I think it’s better that I stay away for now."

“Okay,” Stella said, sounding like she was only agreeing to make me feel better. “But in my mind, you’re one of us forever.”

A lump formed in my throat at the sentiment, and I blinked rapidly, trying to stop myself from tearing up. “Thank you,” I managed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow," she said, before turning and walking away, without acknowledging Jordan even once.

I glanced at him to see if he was offended, only to find him staring at her with an intensity I hadn't seen in some time. His eyes followed her all the way to her tent, and he only looked back at me once she disappeared inside.

"Who was that?" he asked.

“Kaden’s sister, Stella,” I said. “Why?”

“Ah, so that’s why she hates me." He nodded slowly, as if working something out in his head, but before I could ask him what it was, he rose to his feet. "I'm heading to bed. Night."

As he slipped inside his tent, I frowned after him, wondering what that was about. Freaking alphas and their mood swings. I shook my head and finished my chips before heading into my own tent, praying that tomorrow would bring some much-needed clarity.

CHAPTER THREE

When morning came, I packed up my things and took down my tent, then went to say my goodbyes to Wesley. He looked up as I walked to the Cancer part of the camp and stood up to meet me. A few other Cancer pack shifters glanced at me, but they all stayed away as they packed up their belongings and prepared to depart.

“So this is goodbye for now?” he asked with a crooked smile, his eyes warm.

"I'm sure we'll speak again soon," I said, though I couldn't ignore the pang in my chest knowing he was leaving to head back to the Cancer pack lands. He was the only person here who still treated me the same after everything that had happened.

He cleared his throat. "You could come with us. I could make you a member of our pack again."

His words were kind, and I knew he was only trying to help me, but the thought of being a Cancer again made my gut twist. I'd suffered so much as one of them, and I wasn't sure they would ever accept me, even if my brother was alpha now. If anything, making me a member now, after I'd been cast out by another pack, might only cause problems for him. I couldn't allow anyone to question his leadership, not when things were already so dire. The Cancers—hell, the entire Zodiac Wolves—needed Wesley's leadership now more than ever.

“That's nice of you to offer, but I don't think that's a good idea." Even as I turned him down, I wondered if I was making a mistake. Wesley had always been my rock, the one person I could depend on when I was growing up. Though I'd hated living with the Cancer pack, it was tempting to go back to what was familiar, even if I knew in my heart it wasn’t right. “I’m packless for now. Besides, I still have work to do.” I jerked my head toward the tent the Ophiuchus pack members were guarding. “I’m going with the Libras to interrogate the Sun Witch and see if we can break the mating bonds."

"I understand," Wesley said. "But you'll always be welcome with the Cancer pack. I hope you know that." He lightly touched my arm. "Things are different now. You wouldn't be an outcast anymore."

I hugged him tightly. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to that pack. I hope you know that."

He chuckled low in his chest. "I'm not sure about that, but I'm doing my best."

I reluctantly pulled back from him. "Be safe."

"You too. Talk soon."

I walked away quickly, unsure of what I’d do if I stayed. There were so many emotions running through me still, and last night’s sleep hadn’t cleared them up. The desire to be a part of a pack again, or to be close to my family once more, was overwhelming sometimes.

I headed for the Libra pack next, searching out Ethan’s familiar face among all the shifters. They'd already finished packing and it seemed like they were ready to go. He was talking to a few of the other Libra pack members when I found him. Though there was still snow on the ground, he wore no coat, only a button-down shirt with the sleeves pushed back, revealing his tattooed arms. Shifters always ran hot, but I got the feeling he was so busy he barely even noticed the cold. “Oh, Ayla, good,” he said, as he stepped away from the other shifters to speak alone with me. “I was just about to come and look for you. Do you think you'll be able to teleport all the Libra and Ophiuchus members back to the hotel in Toronto?”

“Both packs?” I asked, even though it was a stupid question. The Ophiuchus pack was still staying at the hotel in Toronto, after all. Of course they would be leaving at the same time as the Libras. But teleporting the Ophiuchus pack members meant teleporting Kaden too.

"Yes, along with Larkin and Jordan," Ethan continued. "They've both requested to come with us. And we'll also be bringing Roxandra, of course. Will that many people be a problem?"

"I'm not sure, but I can try." Both packs had only brought their best warriors, and a few had been lost during the battle. I'd never teleported so many people before, but I'd grown strong in magic over the last few months. I didn't think the moon would fail me.

“Thank you for doing this,” Ethan said, his voice low. "I know it must be hard for you."

I shifted on my feet, trying not to show just how uncomfortable I was. "I'm just eager to get out of here."