Chapter 20 – Caden

I smile as I watch Amelia and Grace, the blonde girl and silver wolf making a great sight. I understand why Amelia wanted to find Grace when we first met - the two make a great team. I want to tell them that we are closer to the halfway point then they think, that if we were to walk behind this cave to the other side of the meadow we will be in Fae territory. But the chances of the Fae keeping my secret from the girls are slim to none.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I look up to see Grace looking at me with a smile, her sapphire eyes warm and bright but I can see she has something to say.

“Thanks but I think we should keep that lucky penny tucked away until we can figure out a way out of this mess.” I stammer out, Amelia giving me a sly look before turning to Grace.

“I am going to get some sleep. We’ve been running from Ragers for hours and I am exhausted.” She states, taking Grace’s bag from her. She gives me a wink and I have the sinking feeling that she is trying to set me up with her best friend.

“Do you also want to sleep?” I ask, Grace watching her friend disappear inside before turning to look at me with a sigh.

“No. We need to talk.” She answers, taking my hand. I feel like my stomach is turning with thousands of butterflies as she leads me away from the cave. We walk in silence, Grace turning to look back at the cave every so often until we are on the far end of the meadow.

“She shouldn’t be able to hear me – us – from here.” I try my best to hide my frown when she releases my hand to run her fingers through her hair while pacing in front of me.

“What’s wrong Grace?” I ask, torn between wanting to pull her into my arms and letting her pace away the agitation I feel radiating off of her.

“The Ragers.” She growls out, stopping in front of me once again. Her sapphire eyes stare into mine and the anger and fear hidden inside those orbs has me pulling her into my arms and wanting nothing more than to take those fears away.

“You and I know that once they find a female, they will hunt her till the ends of The Run until they can claim them. If we cannot stop them, they will take Amelia.” Her voice starts quivering and he body shakes against mine. The worry and fear for her best friend is clear in her voice and I hold her closer.

“She is my only family. She has Bryden. I-” Her voice cracks and so does my heart as I in instinctively run my fingers through her messy hair. The locks are tangled and dirty from the last few days spent in the forest.

“We won’t let anyone hurt Amelia.” I reassure her pulling back far enough away to look into her tear filled eyes. I hate to admit it, but even with tears on her face and watery wide eyes she looks beautiful.

“There is only one thing I can think of doing Caden.” She whispers out as I wipe the stray tears away from her face.

“And what’s that Grace?” I ask, my voice also a whisper.

“We need to take care of them before it’s too late.”