“I won’t stop fighting until death comes for me,” Cody added.
“I won’t go easily, not even for death,” James growled.
“It’s been an honor to know each and every one of you,” Austin said with shining eyes.
“Even if we don’t walk off the battlefield tomorrow,” Mason said.
“We’re grateful for the time we had together,” Jason finished. “With all of you.”
“We’re going to make the Morrigan regret ever stepping into this world,” I told them passionately. “And if any of you think you’re going to die and leave the rest of us to clean up her mess…” I looked around at each one of them. “Think again, because I’m a goddess now and I will literally drag you back here to put this world back together.”
My voice cracked. “I can’t do this without all of you.”
“You won’t have to,” Austin said firmly.
I wasn’t the only one who let tears fall without feeling a drop of shame. I also wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to let go of everyone’s hands to wipe them away.
We stood there in silence but let everything flow through our bonds. I shared everything in my heart, not holding anything back. I was determined that this wouldn’t be the last time we did this. Everyone would walk away from this battle, and we’d celebrate our victory just like this.
If I let myself think, for even one second, that this would be the last time all of us stood here together – I would break.
Chapter 30
Anna
I stood under the bright rays of the sun as they reflected off the ocean and the sand, banishing the shadows from the beach. Just to be sure we could speak unheard by anyone else, I’d woven a sound-proof barrier against eavesdroppers.
The salty breeze lifted my hair, flowing through the blond strands, but I left it alone. Our wolves who were going to fight in the battle today were lined up in formation in front of us. Each of them was loaded up with ammo as well as steel. My heart ached that I wouldn’t be able to shield each and every one of them from what was to come.
Austin was walking along the beach, slapping backs, and getting everyone ready for the battle to come. I watched him move among them and noticed that they stood taller when Austin was next to them, puffed out their chests with pride after Austin gave them encouraging words, and their nerves disappeared. Austin was a natural leader – he was born for moments like this.
Cody was on the other side of the beach with the wolves who had come from other packs, and those who no longer had a home to call their own. We’d sent word out that anyone who fought with us would be given a place in a pack – somewhere to belong. What every wolf craved deep down inside.
I felt a glimmer of magic and threw a shield around the area only a second before a gateway opened. The crowd murmured, and weapons were raised in preparation of an enemy attack, but it was just Froston who stepped through.
Froston didn’t look surprised as much as resigned. “I see you didn’t take my advice,” he said with a frown. “Younglings are so impatient.”
I sighed. “Will you tell me the truth if I ask you whose side you’re going to fight on?”
Froston gazed at me for a moment. “You look so much like your mother,” he murmured to me. “And you have her fighting spirit.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. I wasn’t going to let him avoid the question, not now that he was well aware of our plans and our numbers. Father or not, I couldn’t let Froston run to the Morrigan to warn her of our impending attack. Not with all the lives that were on the line.
“Where is your mother?” Froston asked as he glanced around.
“Whose side are you on?” I pressed, not willing to waver.
Froston smoothed his shirt and looked at me with his glacier blue eyes. “I can seal the gates to Winter, but I need to be on this side to make sure they stay closed.”
My jaw dropped, and Froston gave me a sad smile. “It’ll prevent the Morrigan from gathering supportive forces from that side. The new king has summoned everyone to court to pledge fealty, leaving her with only her earthly guards.”
“We need to move now,” I said urgently. “Drake knows about our plans and could bring everyone from Winter