Most of the land was barren, with the occasional stray farm animals, abandoned sheds, and drying crops about every quarter of a mile or so. I remember Devin claiming a big city contractor came out here one day asking Devin for permission to buy the land. He was immediately shot down. Every single offer shot down. The land was ours. It belonged to Caedmon, and it would always be ours. At this moment, the only thing it was used for was running and hunting as wolves. Most of the true mating ceremonies were held out here too, but only when both mates were wolf shifters.

I knelt down in the grass and sank my fingers deep down into the soil again. I recited an ancient script of the Caedmon that I'd learned from Roman's memory and waited. I didn't have to wait long. Breeze began rustling through the trees. Thick straw and bramble rustled with the wind, some of it brushing past my ankles.

Nature wasn't the only thing I had disturbed in that moment. I had called to the ancestors of my past and they had answered. I wasn't surprised. Roman had always told me I had the gift, just not enough powers or confidence.

I rose, closed my eyes, and tried to focus on the elements around me. But suddenly, the spirits I had awakened vanished.

My eyes flew open when I picked up the scent of other Caedmon wolves approaching. I remained in the clearing in the forest. The wolves came out and stopped short when they saw me. The leader of the group shifted and I was relieved to see Nick Hyatt, my brother's second-in-command, emerge. Nick had been named Devin's right-hand man the moment he accepted the Alpha position, but that was no surprise to anyone. When Devin was cast out years before his father's death for being a bastard son, Nick had traveled with him wherever he went. The two men established a construction business in Colorado and were living quite the life until the late Roman had pleaded for Devin's return to claim the Alpha title.

"Elisa?" Nick came forward and gave me a hug. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

The others shifted too. They were carrying backpacks and what looked like loads of mountain climbing equipment.

"I wasn't by myself," I said.

Nick looked around confused. "I thought you left town already."

"Not quite. I thought I'd stay for a while after the wedding," I told him. "It's good to see you. How's Selene?”

Nick smiled at the mention of his true mate. "She's out grocery shopping with the kids and Lindsey."

"Lindsey, the full-time maid, right?" I asked.

He nodded. "Right, she'll be a legal citizen in about a month."

"That's great. You and Selene are so sweet for helping her like that. How many orphans now?"

Selene used to be a counselor at a women's shelter. Her focus hadn't shifted from helping women, but she now had another focus. Caring for homeless kids.

"We have five right now in our home. We were looking to add a sixth, but the county says that our house isn't big enough. Guess what I'll be doing for the next three months?"

I chuckled. "Well, I heard about the pool you built for them last summer and construction is your trade."

"I love it, but you knew that already, though. And whatever keeps Selene happy makes me happy. Plus, we'd get bored without those kids around."

I smiled. "Must be nice to have someone."

"Yes, it is. So, um…you need a lift back to the village?" Nick asked, looking around.

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. I jogged out here because I needed the exercise anyway."

"Alright. We'll be out here until dusk. Holler if you need us."

"Will do," I said. "You're still climbing, huh?" I glanced at the men and the equipment.

"Yes…always. I'm training the men here today."

"How far do you climb?" I asked.

"As far as I can manage," he replied.

"Maybe I'll take one of your classes one day," I told him.

Nick gave me dismissively look. "Devin would kill me, and then Tristan would bring me back to life just to kill me again." He laughed. "Ain't gonna happen."

I rolled my eyes. "No fun." I sighed. "Anyway, send me some pictures of the view, at least."

"You bet." Nick made a gesture in the air and the group of men shifted again. They picked up the backpack with their teeth and headed out again.

Knowing that I wasn't alone on the old Caedmon land told me that I'd have to come back another day to finish what I started.