Elias exined the situation to the Alphas–how the barriers ir could cast would shield their packs from being seen, essentially cloaking them from my father and the ck witch. Once that was sorted, I went to find ir.


    When I told her what was happening, she didn’t take it well at first.


    “I can’t believe that b***h is still obsessed with that damn portal,” she snapped. “She’s been


    trying to open it for twenty years.”


    “Well, looks like she finally figured out how<i>,</i><i>” </i>I said. “And now we need to protect as many wolves as we can. Can you go with the Alphas and set up barriers around their packs?”


    “What about your training?” she asked immediately.


    “I’ll work with what we did today on my own, at least until you get back. But if you don’t go with them, they’ll alle here. Thousands of wolves flooding the forest around the castle-


    that’ll blow our cover in seconds.”


    ir sighed. “Alright. I’ll go with them and get their protections up. But I’ming straight back here after that–and we’re picking up where we left off.”


    “Deal,” I said with a nod.


    Once she left with the Alphas, Elias dragged me into the dining room, insisting I eat something. I hadn’t eaten a single bite all day.


    I waspletely exhausted. Afterst night, I hadn’t gotten any real sleep, and I could feel my body beginning to shut down. But there was still so much to do. I had to start organizing and digging deeper into whatever Mia–the ck witch–was nning with that portal.


    After dinner, I headed to the library. I searched through the shelves until I found the old witchcraft texts, then pulled out every book that looked like it might hold anything on portals.


    I spent the next hour flipping through pages, scanning for any mention of interdimensional travel.


    a lot–descriptions of alternate realms, ounts of what lived there–but nothing how to <i>open </i>a portal to one of those worlds. And certainly nothing about how to <i>stop </i>one from opening.


    If Mia had figured it out, it must’ve taken her years–ir said she’d been at it for two decades. I didn’t have that kind of time.


    < CHAPTER 68


    “Luna?” someone said softly from the doorway.


    I looked up. “Hi, Stephanie.”


    “Mind if Ie in?” she asked.


    “Sure. I could use a break,” I said. “Where’s the baby?”


    “He’s sleeping,” she replied with a small smile.


    “Good,” I nodded.


    She stepped in and nced at the pile of books. “How’s it going?”


    More Rewards <b>> </b>


    “I don’t know,” I admitted. “There’s too much to figure out and not enough time to do it.”


    “Yeah… I know the feeling,” she said quietly.


    “I have no clue how we’re going to stop her from opening that portal. We don’t even know where they are.”


    “Well, hiding seems to run in your family,” she offered gently.


    I gave a dryugh. “Yeah. Guess that’s the only talent we inherited.”


    Stephanie walked over and ced a hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? Maybe things will make more sense in the morning.”


    “I wish I could,” I murmured. “ir said she put a protection spell on me–that they can’t get into my head anymore. But that doesn’t really mean anything to me right now. Not after what happenedst night. It still feels too real.”


    “I get that. You really do look drained, but I understand why you’re avoiding going to bed,” Stephanie said gently.


    “Did Elias send <i>you </i>in here to check on me?” I asked, raising a brow.


    “He just asked if you’d said anything to me,” she replied casually.


    “I’m fine, Elias,” I called out, making sure he could hear me through the door.


    “Just making sure. I’m heading to bed now,” he responded from the hallway.


    “Goodnight,” I said, listening to the sound of his footsteps retreating down the hall.


    “Like I told you, he’s only worried about you,” Stephanie reminded me.


    “He doesn’t need to be. I’m okay,” I said firmly.


    More Rewards


    < CHAPTER 68


    “Alright then,” she said<i>, </i>not pushing any further.


    I stayed in the library all night, buried in the books, and Stephanie stuck around to help for as long as she could. Eventually, she crashed on the couch around two in the morning, while I powered through with cup after cup of coffee to keep myself awake.


    By the time the sun came up, I waspletely frustrated. I hadn’t found anything useful.


    At six, I headed upstairs to change, then went for a jog around the edge of the barrier and up and down the castle stairs for good measure. It was the most physical movement I could squeeze in.


    Afterward, I took a shower and got dressed for the day.


    As I was stepping out of the wardrobe, Elias was sitting up in bed, watching me like I might shatter at any second.


    “Don’t start,” I said instantly, and he just chuckled, knowing exactly what I meant. He knew I hated being treated like I was fragile. I wasn’t the same broken girl who’d shown up at his pack months ago.


    I had grown. I’d changed. I’d be stronger, and I wasn’t about to undo that.


    We headed downstairs together for breakfast, and just as we sat down, my phone started


    ringing. <fnfb2b> Original content can be found at findnovel</fnfb2b>


    “Hello?” I answered.


    “Lyra, it’s ir. I just left a pack in North Carolina. We were getting ready to head to the next one when I felt her,” ir said, her voice serious.


    “Who are you talking about?” I asked.


    “Mia. I could sense her. That only happens when we’re near each other. Which means she probably sensed me too. I don’t know if she’sing for me, but just in case, I decided to stay here and told the Alphas to continue without me. I didn’t want to risk being seen with them,” ir exined.


    “Where exactly are you?” I asked.


    “Just left North Carolina,” she replied.


    “Alright. It’s a gamble–she mighte looking for you. If she does, call me right away. And I want to know everything. If she’s angry, or if she wees you back and takes you to dad’s pack. Either way, you need to keep me posted,” I said.


    :


    < CHAPTER 68


    “I will,” she promised.


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    “And don’t try anything before we get there,” I warned. “I know you’re thinking about taking Mia’s powers. But if you make a move and fail without backup, they’ll kill you on the spot.”


    “I know. I’m not going to act yet. Keep your phone with you–I’ll call you as soon as I pin down exactly where they’re hiding,” she assured me.


    “Okay,” I said, and hung up.


    “What was that about?” Elias asked immediately.


    “I think we just found where my dad is,” I told him.


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