The Warlock Queen
The Grey Wolves Series, Book 13
Quinn Loftis
All those who’ve stuck with me…even after Alpha Rising ;)
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Sneek Peak
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Quinn’s Bookshelf
Prologue
“My wolf cannot stay here. It wants to run, to hunt, to do anything but wait here. This place no longer feels like home. It wasn’t the physical structure that made this place my den. It was the people inside of it.” ~Fane
Fane stood outside of his father’s office, staring at the closed door. Clearly, staring at doors was his new thing. His mate stood beside him, their son in her arms, and behind him were his closest friends, family, and pack. They waited like sentinels at his back. He wondered if they, too, felt a crushing weight on their chests. Did the tightness that kept him from drawing a proper breath likewise block the air from entering their lungs? So many memories were contained in the room just beyond the door, recollections he wasn’t ready to face. His father’s voice filled his mind, and Fane clenched his teeth, bracing himself for emotions he knew would hit him when he crossed the threshold.
“You’re never ready for the next step, whatever that might be. Perhaps it means that you stand still and listen for where The Great Luna guides, or it might mean you run full speed ahead because there are others in need of your help. But you cannot choose inaction solely because you think you aren’t ready. Not as a leader. You have a responsibility to those in your care, and they look to you for their next step.”
Fane tucked the recollection away and reached for the door handle. Forcing his lungs to work, he drew a steadying breath and turned the knob. Without pause, for fear his resolve might fail him, he stepped inside. Their scent struck him like a slap across the face, and he felt the sting of it, not on his cheek, but on his heart. His wolf rumbled as he let his alpha’s scent cascade over him. Fane drew in several heavy breaths, finally able to get the life-giving oxygen into his lungs. He reveled in the aroma of his parents because he knew it would not last.
Jacquelyn took his hand, and he walked over to the desk where Vasile had worked tirelessly, always in the best interest of the pack. He didn’t move to go around it. It wasn’t time. One day, he would take the seat, and that day would be sooner rather than later. But today was not that day. He turned and faced those who’d filed into the office after him. Their faces were solemn, eyes filled with pain, shock, and confusion. Only an hour ago, they’d been standing in a field with the Great Luna, saying goodbye to his parents, Cypher, and the others that had died. None of them, himself included, were in any condition to have a deep conversation. Much processing needed to happen. But life didn’t stop because they needed time to think and grieve.
Fane met the eyes of each of those gathered around him. Jen held a sleeping Thia, and Decebel’s arm was wrapped around his mate’s waist. The former alpha and his mate sported dark circles under their eyes, and Jen’s were red and puffy from recently shed tears.
Next to them, stood Sally and Costin. Titus clasped tightly to Costin’s hand, and the little boy still had tears streaming down his face. He sniffled, and Sally must have heard because she immediately knelt and opened her arms to him. Titus fell into them and buried his face in her neck.
“I tried to be strong, Mommy. I did. But being strong is hard when my heart hurts so much.” His words were soft, but all the supernaturals in the room would have no problem hearing them.
Jacque leaned closer into Fane, and he felt her in his mind, searching for comfort. Fane gave her what he could. “I love you. We’re going to be okay.”
She didn’t say anything, but she nodded against his shoulder.
Next, his eyes shifted to Adam and his mate, Crina. She, too, had red, swollen eyes fixed firmly on the floor, as if she didn’t want to look around the space that had once belonged to their alpha. Adam rubbed his hand up and down her back, occasionally whispering to her. Next to them, stood Sorin and Elle. The face of Fane’s childhood guard was still as stone and as blank as a white wall. Fane could sense through the pack bonds, now firmly attached, that Sorin hurt deeply. Elle held tightly to his hand, and her unseeing stare made her appear just as stoic.
Wadim had taken a seat on the couch as if his legs wouldn’t hold him up any longer, and he’d pulled Zara into his lap. He rested his head on her shoulder as she ran her fingers through his hair. The incredibly intimate gesture comforted Fane. To know that their pack historian had a mate to help get him through this time brought a small amount of peace to the new alpha. He realized at that moment what his father had felt for their pack. Every single member and their well-being was paramount to him. He wanted to know that they were all healthy and happy and taken care of. Fane understood that before he became alpha, but now it was magnified times a thousand. He couldn’t process the emotions of the revelation, so, instead, he focused on the others in the room.
Thalion and Cyn joined them, even though the rest of their respective races had returned to their kingdom. They’d often been involved in these meetings over the years because of Cyn’s relationship with Peri. Everyone knew she
