The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 68

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

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 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 all come here. Thousands of wolves flooding the forest around the castle- that’ll blow our cover in seconds.”

Blair sighed. “Alright. I’ll go with them and get their protections up. But I’m coming 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 was completely exhausted. After last 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 black witch–was planning 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, accounts of what lived there–but nothing how to open a portal to one of those worlds. And certainly nothing about how to stop one from opening.

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

“Luna?” someone said softly from the doorway.

I looked up. “Hi, Stephanie.”

“Mind if I come 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 glanced at the pile of books. “How’s it going?”

“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 dry laugh. “Yeah. Guess that’s the only talent we inherited.”

Stephanie walked over and placed 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. “Blair 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 happened last 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 you 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.

“Alright then,” she said, 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 was completely 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 become 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.

“Hello?” I answered.

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

“Where exactly are you?” I asked.

“Just left North Carolina,” she replied.

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

“I will,” she promised.

“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.