Page 285 of Vasmora

It would never go away, though.

A shadow moved across the grass, and I looked up to where Raivox’s form blotted out the moonlight. The Corvugon descended somewhere on the other side of the circle of buildings that made up the university’s center square, the hard thud of his landing carrying over the distance.

Zevander joined the two of us, and as we made our way toward the center of the campus, Fennyx stopped ahead and turned. The way his brows pulled tight had me twisting around.

A half-dozen wolves stood alongside the entrance to the tunnels.

The one remaining wolf in our group bared his teeth as he prowled toward his pack brothers.

“Are they infected?” Torryn asked.

“I don’t think he knows,” Lothare said from where he stood beside us. “He resisted infection, therefore, he’ll be seen as strongest. He’ll likely take Fennyx’s place as alpha, and he may not accept them after what they did to their own brethren.”

“It wasn’t their fault, though,” I argued. “Their minds were not their own.”

“The wolves don’t see it that way,” Verena said, coming to stand on the other side of Rykaia. “In their minds, they betrayed Wanyheai. They allowed themselves to be lured by evil.”

I held Rho tighter. “If he rejects them, he won’t have a pack.”

“If they heel to him, he can forgive,” Verena said. “Otherwise, he will fight and kill them.”

I frowned while watching the wolf stalk closer. “How can you be sure he’ll win?”

“Because it wasn’t luck that kept him from becoming infected. He’s strong. Fast. Intelligent. He’ll make a fine alpha.”

As the wolf approached, the others snarled, baring their teeth. The threat written on their faces didn’t seem to deter the wolf, though. And as he prowled in front of them, they lowered their heads. Silence lingered. Then one of them tipped his muzzle back, letting out a howl, and one by one, the others joined him.

Verena exhaled and smiled. “Seems they’ll be fine, after all.”

Sighing, I pressed a kiss to the top of Rho’s head and lowered him to the ground at my feet.

Lothare turned to face Zevander, his hand outstretched toward him. “This is where we part ways, my friend.”

Zevander shook his hand, drawing him closer for a pat on the shoulder. “Thank you. For saving Aethyria.”

Stroking his hand over his jaw, Lothare snorted. “You think my father will be impressed?”

Zevander shrugged. “Fuck him, if he isn’t.”

Lothare chuckled. “You’re a good man, Zevander Rydainn. Until we cross paths again.” He squeezed Zevander’s shoulder before turning his attention to me. “And you, Maevyth, Goddess of Death. After seeing you wield that whip, I pray that I never get on your bad side.”

I smiled, and he wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace.

“You take care of him, yeah?” When I nodded, he released me and pointed at Zevander, then me. “I’ll consider it a grand insult, if I’m not invited to the Bonding Ceremony.”

Rho bounced at my feet, pawing at my dress, and I lifted him back up into my arms.

“I am going to miss you so much, little one.” I kissed him on the nose, narrowly missing the playful snap of his teeth “Promise me you’ll grow big and strong.”

He dragged his wet tongue across my cheek, and I giggled, before handing him off to Lothare. The pup whined and squirmed in his arms then let out an adorable howl.

“Goodbyes are never easy.” Verena crossed her arms. “So I’m going to keep this brief. Thank you. For being one of the most intriguing mortals I’ve ever met.”

I nodded. “Thank you for being one of the fiercest wolves I’ve ever met.”

“Promise you’ll come visit Kestellias.”

“I look forward to it.”