The Flame-bound Wolf and Her Triplet Mates

11

Chapter Eleven

The morning after the attack dawned cold and somber, the rising sun casting long shadows over the camp. The aftermath of the rogue assault lay heavy on everyone’s shoulders. Tala’s wolves moved like ghosts, their faces grim as they cleared the remnants of the battle. The smell of blood and ash lingered in the air.

I sat on a fallen log near the edge of the camp, staring at my hands. My palms were clean now, but I could still feel the heat of the fire I had unleashed. Images of the flames tearing through both rogues and innocent wolves played on a loop in my mind.

I am dangerous. I am a danger to myself and those around me.

“I didn’t mean to hurt them,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

“You didn’t,” Orion’s voice came from behind me. His presence, solid and grounding, was both comforting and suffocating. “The rogues are responsible for the damage. Not you.”

I glanced up at him, his face hard but his eyes softer than usual. “I need to learn how to control it. What if next time, I—”

“You won’t,” he said firmly, crouching beside me. “You’re stronger than you think, Millicent. We’ll help you the best we can.”

Before I could respond, Tala approached, a wooden staff she was holding in her left hand tapping softly against the ground. “Millicent, walk with me. There’s something you need to see.”

She led me to a small tent on the outskirts of their camp. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and old leather. Tala reached for a small chest and opened it, pulling out a bundle wrapped in faded cloth.

“This belonged to an older elemental. You may have come from the same lineage,” she said, handing it to me.

I unwrapped the bundle carefully, revealing a delicate silver locket engraved with intricate flames. My heart skipped a beat. I ran my thumb over the design and felt heat emanating from it, as if it were trying to speak to me.

“It’s more than a keepsake,” Tala said. “The flames on the locket are an old symbol of elemental wolves—specifically fire-bound ones like you. You need to use your powers to open it. Maybe there is a clue inside.”

“How?” I asked.

Tala shrugged, “I’ve never opened it since I lost my powers before getting it. Maybe try to pass your flames through it?”

I nodded and focused on channeling my flames through to the locket. I felt the heat flow from my heart to through my arm to the locket in my hand. It clicked open revealing a tiny map, its edges frayed with age. A single location was marked, deep in the northern mountains.

“A treasure map?” Tala said. “Maybe the treasure is answers, perhaps, or weapons to help you.”

I stared at the map, a mixture of hope and fear swirling in my chest. I guess this was our next stop on our quest.

Footsteps were heard outside the tent before Tala’s second-in-command, a stocky wolf named Nia, rushed in. “The scouts have returned,” she said, her voice tight. “The rogues are regrouping. They’ll strike again soon.”

Tala’s expression darkened. “How long do we have?”

“A few days at most.”

Tala bristled. “The rogues won’t stop until they’ve claimed what they want—territory, wolves, power. I don’t know if we can survive another attack.”

“We need a plan,” Nia said. “Something that puts us ahead of them.”

“And fast,” Tala added, she thought for a bit before turning to me sharply, “You’ll need more allies to face the rogue leader. My pack won’t agree to join yours easily, but if you can unite others, we may stand a chance.”

***

That evening, Tala led me back to the secluded fire pit. The flames had been rekindled, burning brighter than before.

“You must learn to control your fire,” Tala reminded me. “Or it will consume you—and everyone around you.”

I nodded, determined despite the fear gnawing at me.

Tala instructed me to sit in the fire’s center. “Close your eyes. Feel the flame. It is a part of you, not an enemy to be fought.”

The heat of the fire wrapped around me, but it didn’t burn. I focused on the spark inside me, the one I had felt so many times before. Slowly, I reached for it, pulling it forward.

At first, the flames obeyed, growing and shrinking with my will. But as I pushed further, they surged wildly, threatening to spiral out of control.

“Focus!” Tala commanded. “Do not let it overpower you.”

I clenched my fists, struggling to rein in the fire. Just as panic began to creep in, Flint’s voice broke through the noise.

“You’ve got this, Plum,” he said softly, his voice steady and sure. “Just breathe.”

I exhaled slowly, centering myself. The flames began to calm, settling into a steady glow around me.

Tala nodded approvingly. “Better. But you still have much to learn. For now we’ll take a break.” She turned to my mates. “I’ll need your assistance with something.”

The triplets nodded and followed Tala as she led the way to a tent that was a ways away from every other. We entered and stood at the far end before a panel was pushed open and Nia walked in with another wolf that was tied up. From the stench I could tell that it was a rogue. His eyes glinted with malice as he was dragged before Tala.

“What does your leader want?” Tala demanded.

The rogue smirked, his teeth sharp and bloodied. “Your pack needs to join ours.” He said before turning to me. “And the flame-bound wolf, of course. She’s the key to everything.”

My blood ran cold. “Why me?”

He chuckled darkly. “Come with me and we can ask my leader.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Don’t you want to meet your only living-?” The rogue started to say before he began choking.

Before I could question him further, the rogue convulsed, a sickening gurgle escaping his throat. His body went limp, foam dripping from his mouth.

“Poisoned,” Evan said grimly, inspecting the rogue’s body. “The leader must have an enchanted failsafe for his wolves who say the wrong things. At least we know he had a witch working for him.”

I sighed. Of course. The rogue leader seemed to know everything I wanted to know but I was not going to risk going to him.

I moved closer to Evan who was going through the rogue's pockets. He pulled out a shard of glass that had been shaped into an oval.

“What is that?” I asked. I held it before anyone could stop me. This would prove to be a mistake as a vision immediately took sight.

A cloaked figure stood in a cavern lit by molten fire. His face was clearer now—sharp features, eyes burning like embers.

“There isn't much time left. You can only evade me for so long. the fire will be mine,” he said, his voice a low growl. “And with it, the world will kneel.”

The shard was knocked out of my hand by Orion who was now beside me and my racing heart.

“Are you okay?” Orion asked. I nodded even though my heart was still beating violently, "I think that should be the last time you touch random objects."

"I second you on that." Evan said.

“We need to leave,” I said, my voice trembling. “He’s close.”