“He’s on nights. I was sleeping at Jackson’s,” she explained, her green eyes dull with fatigue.
Katalina shook her head. “How’d you make it past the guards unseen?”
“I’m psychic,” Anna answered simply.
“I didn’t think your powers could control you in such a way anymore?” If Anna was losing herself to her sight again, Cage wouldn’t survive.
“I let it,” she whispered. “I asked Cage to let go of his control so I could see. I needed to see, Kat.”
Meeting her gaze, Katalina made sure her next words were firm. “No more risking yourself for me. This is my fate, and I’ll work it out on my own.”
“He’s coming for you, Kat, not the packs. He wants you.”
Pursing her lips, Katalina let Anna’s words sink in. She’d always known deep down the war was about her and her ability to join two packs together.
“Come on.” Katalina started toward River Run. “You must be freezing. Maybe next time, the powers that be should have the foresight to remember a coat and shoes.”
Anna laughed lightly. “Do you think maybe we could keep this between you and me and not tell Cage? He’s going to sulk for a week if he sees the cuts on my feet.”
“There’s no way Cage isn’t scenting the blood on you, and last I knew, you’ve not developed the ability to heal like a wolf.”
“It would be handy,” Anna muttered. “Then I wouldn’t have to feel so silly with you carrying me in my nightdress through the forest.”
“Hey, at least you have clothes. I’m the one who’s got to turn up naked at her old man’s house.”
Anna giggled. “Wolves are used to nakedness.”
“Grew up human, remember.”
Her gaze darkened again. “How will that help us, Kat?”
She said the question more to herself than Katalina, but Katalina still answered, “I don’t know. I guess my humanity brought an end to the war between Dark Shadow and River Run, so maybe it will end another. Let’s hope it does anyway, because I’d quite like to live.”
“Me too,” Anna mumbled, her gaze going to Jackson’s house as they stepped from the cover of the trees. “It isn't fair to be given happily ever after and then have it taken away. I’ve suffered enough. We’ve all suffered enough.”
The pair of them studied the house as the front door opened, and Cage dashed out.
“No one can know,” Anna murmured quickly. “This fate, it is ours to bear.”
“I know,” Katalina whispered. “They must have hope, to take it away, would be a fate worse than death.”
“Anna!” Cage’s voice was half growl, half cry.
“You’re in trouble,” Katalina teased, trying her best to shake the terror from her tone. “She’s all right. Just a few cuts on her feet,” she continued louder as Cage raced toward them.
He took Anna from her arms seconds later, his gaze seeming to check every inch of his mate for more injuries. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again. I knew this would happen. I knew if I let go, it would take you from me.”
After shifting, Katalina padded alongside the couple as they argued quietly, their fear and frustration evident in every syllable.
“I wasn’t taken, Cage. I’m right here.”
“Don’t try to soothe me with your words. I’m not letting you go,” Cage grumbled.
“Good. I never want you to, but I also don’t want to be locked in a gilded cage. My sight is a part of me, and you’re supposed to love all of me.”
Cage’s steps faltered. “Of course, I do. It’s just… I hate that you can go places I can't. Where I can’t protect you.”
“But you do, Cage. My love for you keeps me anchored in this world. No matter how far I fall into a vision, you will always be able to reach me.”
“I hope you’re right,” he whispered, fear in his tone.
“Before we were mates, Cage. Before you didn't live inside my soul, it was so hard to remember who I was, to not become consumed by the different futures flashing before me, but it’s different now. Please trust I'm strong enough to come back.”
Smiling, the wolf faded from his eyes as he hugged her closer to his chest. “You're the strongest person I know,” he whispered. “Claws are nothing compared to the burden of fate.”
Katalina trotted ahead and away from a conversation that was weighing down her already heavy heart. Katalina could accept her burden, but it wasn’t fair that Anna had to carry it too. As she passed Jackson, Katalina butted his leg and then entered the house. Once inside, she shifted and retrieved the clothes she kept there for such occasions. Jackson, Cage, and Anna entered as she finished pulling on her sweater.
“So?” Jackson and Cage snapped together.
Katalina withheld her smile. “So, we’d best clean and bandage Anna’s feet.”
They answered with the annoyed growls of their wolves but proceeded to follow Katalina’s suggestion. Which she’d been counting on because the last conversation Katalina wanted to have tonight was about her significance in the impending war.
“I’ll get the first aid kit,” Jackson offered as Cage seated Anna on a kitchen chair.
“Jesus, Anna, how far did you walk?” Cage gasped, as he inspected her feet.
“Not far,” Anna lied.
“She was deep into Dark Shadow. I was out for a run,” Katalina explained.
“Alone?” Jackson questioned, passing the kit to Cage as he stared Katalina down.
“Bass is on patrol and I couldn’t sleep.” Had Bass been there, sleep would have still evaded her, but Jackson didn’t need to know that.
“You still shouldn’t be alone. Didn’t Bass leave you with
