Bree shakes her head. “I can’t transport this many people. It takes a lot of energy.”

  Maia’s beautiful hazel eyes avoid me as she looks back at Bree, and my stupid heart clenches. She’s mad at me, but I can’t stop myself from wanting to be near her. She looks at the faeries with a smile that I wish was directed at me.

  “You guys have magic. Can’t you help Bree make a portal?”

  Wilk shakes his head. “We are unable to create portals to places unknown. It happens by accident on occasion when we are unfocused, but it is a risk not knowing the final destination.”

  Great, I’m surrounded by a bunch of magical creatures that can’t do any helpful magic. Traveling on foot it is, then. If it were just Maia and I, I’d shift and carry her on my back. What would it feel like to have her so close to me? When I wrapped my arm around her waist in that room in Fae, I nearly combusted just from the scent on her neck and the rapid beating of her heart. And then the dress didn’t help my control…

  I look around at the thick trees we have been walking through for over an hour. This spot is perfect for making camp, if only we had supplies. “We need to make camp so Maia can rest,” I tell Wilk who walks easily beside me. “I don’t have any equipment so we’ll need to gather some firewood and as many ferns as we can find.”

  Wilk grins at me and I shake my head, confused. This faerie dude is seriously always smiling. He scans the small opening that the five of us stand in. “We do not need any of those things.” He looks at his servant, Qadira. “Would you mind helping me, Dira?” Dira?

  The pink-haired faerie girl smiles even wider and nods. The two of them wave their arms around elegantly and small sparks of light fill the darkness surrounding us. The trees that circle us begin bending inward, meeting at their tops to create a dome of protection above our heads. I can hear Maia’s small gasp as she stares up in awe at the faerie magic. The trunks groan against the strain but don’t break under the pressure. The floor between the trees rises to fill the openings until we are completely closed off from the rest of the forest, trapped in our own earthly igloo.

  I guess now would be a bad time to tell the others that I’m claustrophobic, but it doesn’t feel so bad once Wilk creates an opening between the branches at the top of the dome, letting moonlight filter in on us, and a small flickering fire starts in the very center of the floor. Well, this is far more impressive than the makeshift lean-to I had in mind. I guess the faeries joining us isn’t such a bad thing.

  Chapter 13

  ⟣⟡⟢

  Maia

  “This is so freakin’ cool,” I say in awe as I look around the large room the faeries created for us. “Was that hard to do?”

  They both shake their heads and Wilk gently touches Qadira’s arm. “Together, our power is much stronger. If I were on my own it may not work this well.” He smiles down at his so-called servant. He doesn’t look at her in that way at all, and I want to ask so badly about how he feels about her. Another time, though.

  I have a thousand questions in my mind. “Is your power endless? Do you ever get tired? I noticed you don’t do spells. Why?”

  Qadira shakes her head. “We get tired just as you would if you were to exercise. A little rest and nourishment keeps the magic flowing.”

  Wilk joins in with a happy smile, as usual. “And unlike witches, faeries do not need spells. Our magic is elemental, though we have some tricks, like creating clothing or teleportation.”

  Bree groans and I look over to see her arms crossed and frown deep. “We don’t need spells either. They are just useful when we need to be precise.”

  I giggle at their competitiveness, and a hand presses gently to my back. I look up into Seth’s nervous eyes as he speaks. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

  Go somewhere alone with Seth? Yes, please.

  My anger toward him has faded way too fast, and I almost can’t remember why I even got so mad to begin with. Almost. He has never done anything to harm me, and he has protected me every step of the way, but I’m still hurt. I sigh and nod to him.

  I look toward the others who are settling down on the new thick grass that the faeries pulled from the earth. Bree grins, not hiding her feelings even a tiny bit at Seth’s question. Do not blush, Mai!

  I avoid her gaze as I look toward Wilk. “Is it possible to make a door out of here?”

  He smiles sweetly and waves a hand in the same way he had only minutes ago. A small rumbling comes from behind me as the earth falls back down and an opening appears between two bent trees. I don’t look up at Seth as I make my way outside.

  I know he’s following me. His footsteps are soft and smooth, but I’m all too aware of his presence still. I stop beside a small trickling creek that snakes through the woods, having no end in sight. The air feels dry, but I can see the moisture everywhere around us, even in the dark. I can’t believe I’ve never been to Maine before, but I’m quickly falling in love with the wilderness.

  I can smell Seth’s piney scent beside me but I refuse to look up at him. “You wanted to talk?” My eyes are focused on the water flowing in front of me.

  Seth’s fingers reach up to me, stroking along my cheek to slide the stray white hair behind my ear. His hand continues it’s caress until he’s gripping my chin gently. “Please look at me, Snow.”

  He pulls softly so that my head tilts toward him, but I close my eyes. If I look at him, I just know I’ll forgive him for his lies. Bad idea. My eyes are closed and I can feel his chest against mine. I’m practically asking him to kiss me.

  He moves closer to me and my eyes fly open. I’m met with his deep brown gaze locked onto mine. He’s looking into my eyes like he can read the unspoken words behind them. We’ve been in the woods for over a day, so how does he smell so damn good?

  Seth releases my chin, but he stays close to me. “I’m so sorry, Snow. I need you to know that. I didn’t know what you were when Nate had me look after you. I assumed you knew about the cure, and I should’ve been honest once I found out that you didn’t. You were right when you called me an ass, and I won’t deny that I have a temper, but I can promise to protect you and be honest with you from now on.”

  Aaaand, forgiven. Just like that.

  I swear that my knees about crumble at his words as each one fan a warm breath against my cheeks. “Okay,” I say simply. Lame.

  Seth’s smile shows all of his perfectly straight teeth. He’s only inches from me and his hands leave his sides to rest on my hips. “Okay? Does that mean I’m forgiven? Because I have a lot more groveling in me.”

  I giggle and it feels crazy to be doing so after everything, but it also feels incredible. “No need to grovel, but I can’t pretend I wouldn’t enjoy it.”

  A low growl comes from deep in Seth’s chest and I can’t explain why that sound fills me with desire. Must be my animal side that is attracted to the beast in him. Weird.

  My body gravitates toward him and I can’t stop my hands from wanting to feel the hard muscles that surround the animalistic sound as I touch his chest. Seth sucks in a breath and his smile falls fast. He licks his lips and tightens his hands on my waist.

  “Why do I like it so much when you growl like that?” Oops. I snap my mouth shut. I didn't mean to say the words out loud, but there they are.

  Seth begins to smile again as his head dips toward me. “Maybe your wolf isn’t so dormant after all, Snow,” he whispers so close to my lips that my brain begins to malfunction.

  Down girl, I tell the hidden wolf inside of me, though I doubt she’d listen when I can’t seem to control my very human hands as they slide behind Seth’s neck. I stare into his eyes which darken under my gaze, nearly black now. Just kiss me!

  “Seth,” I whisper as his eyes close with mine, but before I can feel the warmth of his kiss, his entire body stiffens against mine and he jerks his head away from me. He sniffs the air, making fear roll through me before I can complain about him not kissing me.

  “What‘s wrong?” I ask as quietly as I can.

  Seth shakes his head and slowly moves me around to his back. I hear the rustling in front of us, but it’s too dark to tell what’s making the noise. I cling onto the back of Seth’s shirt, real fear gripping me. I don’t even know how many terrifying creatures could be out here in the middle of the night.

  “Who’s there?” Seth’s voice is authoritative as he speaks loudly.

  The rustling grows louder and my body instantly relaxes when I see the red fox stumble into our path, seemingly wounded. The fox looks up at us, scared and shaking under Seth’s gaze. I move to go help the creature but Seth stops me with an arm around my waist.

  “Wait, Snow. It’s not just an animal. She’s a shifter.”

  I gasp and take a step back. How can this poor wounded creature be a shifter? My mouth drops open as the fox shifts, bones cracking and red hair disappearing to reveal a small naked woman with short black hair. Her skin is a light brown and she has to be no more than seventeen from the look of her scared round eyes and baby-soft complexion.

  Seth quickly removes his sweatshirt and hands it to the shivering girl, looking away from her as he does so. He is wearing a black tank top that hugs his abs in the most delicious way, and his large bare arms glisten in the moonlight. Yum.

  I shake my head, trying to clear the inappropriate thoughts and I have to force my eyes back to the no longer naked girl. “Are you alright? What are you doing out here?”

  She dips her head to me as she continues hugging herself for warmth. “I am so sorry for scaring you. I was abandoned by my skulk days ago and I haven’t been able to shift for fear of freezing to death.” Tears fill her chocolate brown eyes and I can’t help but reach out to her.

  I pull the poor girl into my arms and rub my hands along her back. “You’re alright now. We can help you. Is a skulk like a family? I’m sorry but I don’t know much about fox shifters.”

  Seth answers for the girl. “A skulk is similar to how a pack works. They have an alpha, or leader, but they don’t have a second in command like us wolves have the beta. It works more like a king or queen with a group of princes or princesses at their side.” He looks at the girl in my arms and his expression softens a bit. “May I ask why they left you?”

  She nods and sniffles past her slow flow of tears. “I was… orphaned at birth, only to be raised by a few of the skulk princesses. I… I was injured a week ago. It was a hunter trap.” Seth growls and it makes my heart hurt, wondering if he has had that experience before. The girl continues, “My skulk left me then. I guess it was just a matter of time before they found a reason to cut me loose. I broke the trap after being stuck for two days and have been heading south since then.”

  I hurt for the girl. Nobody should be treated that way, and I wish her skulk leaders were here so I could give them a piece of my mind. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.” I look at Seth. “Can she travel with us?”

  He looks from the girl to me and I can tell he’s hesitant, but he gives in with a long sigh. “Of course. I’m Seth of the Shaw pack in Vermont. This is Maia.” He looks at me with a soft smile and I suddenly wish we were alone again.

  The girl looks up at me. “My name is Rylee.” Her smile is kind and I loop my arm with hers, hoping to ease some of her fear.

  We all make our way back to camp and rest for the night. Our group is growing already, and I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for this unusual pack of creatures.

  Chapter 14

  ⟣⟡⟢

  Seth

  I’m getting sick and tired of always being interrupted before I can taste Maia on my lips. For a future alpha, I suck at keeping my mind clear and my emotions under control. When Maia is near me, all rational thought goes out the window with every ounce of self control tacked onto the back.

  Bringing the fox girl, Rylee, back to the others went a lot smoother than I expected. I have to give it to the faeries, they’re pretty easy-going. I don’t mind Qadira. She is kind and attentive, even helping Rylee by providing her with fresh clothes and winter coverings. Wilk, on the other hand, is much too friendly with Maia for my liking.

  He doesn’t shy away from touching her shoulder when they speak or smiling at her every time she looks his way. I won’t hesitate to knock the prince of Fae out if need be, but I hope it won’t come to that.

  We’ve been hiking for an entire day, keeping a slow pace for Maia’s human body to keep up. I can tell we’re nearing a town by the sweet smell in the air mixed with gasoline and tar. A sure sign of humanity.

  I catch the scent of coffee and bread, causing my stomach to rumble. As an alpha heir wolf, I have this ridiculous need to keep the others around me fed and healthy as long as they're in my care. I know for a fact that Bree and the faeries don’t see themselves as being in my care, but I still feel that protective instinct, as if we were a family.

  This morning, I caught two wild rabbits and we cooked them for breakfast, but we haven’t had food since then and it’s nearly night again. I turn toward Maia where she walks beside Rylee. Maia feels protective over Rylee, as if she were a younger sister, and I love her for that.

  No. Of course not love… I shake the thought out of my head and focus on speaking clear words. “We’re only a mile from a town. From there it’ll be easier to get back to Stowe if we can find a car.”

  Everyone sighs with relief and I stop beside a fallen tree to sit. I pat the seat beside me for Maia, but Rylee jumps onto the empty spot too fast for me to protest.

  “I’m so glad we’re resting, Seth. I could use some freshening up before we get around other people.” Rylee smiles up at me and I nod with my own small smile.

  My eyes look past the small fox-shifter and find Maia glaring at the back of Rylee’s head. Odd. “Snow,” I call, and her face softens toward me. “Are you okay to continue? I smell coffee, and I know how much you like coffee shops.”

  I can’t help but tease her about our first meeting. I just want to make her smile by any means necessary. It works, and a grin forms on her perfectly pink lips.

  “I used to like coffee shops, but too many creeps hang around in those places.” She glares at me, but her smile is clear. “I think I’ll be drinking tea from now on.” She clicks her tongue and flips her long white hair over one shoulder.

  Gah, she’s so flippin’ sassy and I love it.

  I shake my head at her as I shrug. “They’ve got tea there too, so you’re in luck.”

  Before Maia can throw a retort back at me, Rylee’s round eyes cut into my view. “I love coffee, Seth. I can’t wait to get some.”

  I nod to her. “Great.” I feel around in my pockets and remember that I’m wearing magic faerie pants. “Uh, I’d say coffee’s on me but I’m wearing Wilk’s made-up pants so I don’t have my wallet.”

  Wilk laughs and steps closer to me to pat me on the back. Maybe he’s just a touchy guy. “No worries, Seth. I have got plenty of money for whatever we might need. It is one of the perks of being a Fae prince.” His clipped and proper tone always weirds me out, but I’m grateful we won’t have to go hungry.

  My eyes fly to his pointed ears and bright green eyes. His wings lay resting against his back. “Wilk, how exactly will you blend in with the humans? You and Qadira look like you’re wearing Halloween costumes.”

  Bree chimes in after being shockingly quiet throughout our hike. “The faeries can glamour themselves.”

  Maia pokes her head around Rylee to land in my eyesight again. “Don’t they teach you that in ‘wolves-and-things 101’, future alpha?”

  I shake my head. “No, that’s probably covered in the 305 class.” She rolls her eyes at me and I find myself smiling again.

  Wilk speaks again and when I pry my eyes away from Maia long enough to look at him, he is already glamoured. Wow.

  He is the same boy, but with rounded ears, short spiky blonde hair, and a simple t-shirt with jean pants. His eyes are a completely normal shade of green. The change is so drastic that I have to take a step back. “Alright, then.”

  Qadira’s change is slower, but much the same. She holds her hands out and a long-sleeved jacket covers her as her wings disappear within her body. Her bright pink hair shifts to a light brunette color and her pink eyes are suddenly brown.

  Maia pulls her hair up into a ponytail on her head and looks from person to person. “Well, we’re just a bunch of young adults strolling from the mountains and into an unknown town. No problem, right?”

  Wilk winks at her and I hold back my growl. “Of course, cutie,” he says, somehow not sounding creepy. “No problems will come as long as we’re together.”

  Man, I hope he’s right.

  ♢♢♢

  Maia

  “Oh my gosh, this is so good!” Bree moans through her mouth full of pepperoni pizza and I shake my head at her. For a petite little witch, my friend eats like a starved ogre.

  Seth chuckles beside me and I want to sink into the sound. I look toward him as he takes a much less monster-sized bite of his own slice. He smiles at me and I can’t believe I ever called this man an asshole. He’s much too yummy.

  The six of us continue to eat in silence at some hole-in-the-wall pizza joint in a town called Jackman. Apparently we haven’t made it all that far through Maine, even after a day and a half of traveling southwest. I don’t know how much money Wilk has exactly, but when we strolled into town, he walked right up to an older man in a brand new Lincoln Navigator and bought the vehicle right then and there.

  The SUV is roomy, with eight seats for us all to ride comfortably together, but food was the main thing on our minds before taking the five hour drive to my home in Stowe. I can’t wait to hug my dad again. In my whole life I haven’t been away from him for more than a sleepover at Bree’s house. As mad as I was at him just three days ago, I can’t hold that anger any longer.