Chapter 13

Eden StoneCrow stood at the large picture window in her mate’s office and stared down at the sprawling Estate.  Under a fine layer of snow, path lights winked on all along the numerous sidewalks that bisected the estate, and street lamps flicked to life following the winding road that led up the mountainside to the front doors of the manor.  Even though it was only five o’clock, the sun had already set, and the darkness that blanketed the land mirrored the feeling in her soul. 

Even with her back to him, she could feel her mate’s eyes on her.  He was worried about her, and she was worried even more so for him.  Swallowing down her anxiety, she realized how important it was for neither Monroe nor the other Walkers at StoneCrow to see just how much she was currently struggling under the tremendous burden that was her duty as Domina.  She was Monroe StoneCrow’s angel, and that made her second-in-command.  Right now, it was a position she didn’t want. 

Eyes focused out the window, thoughts swirling with the implications of what was to come, Eden startled hard when the phone on her mate’s desk buzzed before a masculine voice was relaying, “Mr. StoneCrow, they’ve just exited the reservation.  They’re nearly to the compound.”

Behind Eden, Monroe muttered, “Thank you, Delain.” 

The room went quiet and stayed that way for long minutes before Eden’s words punctuated the silence.  “Tell me again,” she bit out feeling frustrated and helpless. “Explain why we needed Chief here and why he needed to be stricken.”

Sitting behind his desk, clad in his typical dark business suit, Monroe stood and rounded his desk.  Hiking up a leg, he perched on the edge facing his angel.  “We didn’t need Chief per-se.  We needed a wolf.  It’s why I secured two at the pack battles.  I just needed a wolf to be stricken.  Honestly, I thought it’d be Clay.  Turns out it was Chief.”

Casting a dark look over her shoulder at Monroe earned Eden a chuckle from her mate as he threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender and explained fully.

“I needed a bargaining chip with the wolves,” he explained.  “And since they don’t give a shit about Walkers, it had to be one of their own.”

“To trade for her?” Eden asked.

“Yes.  We needed a wolf shifter to trade for Sha.”  

“Are you sure?” Eden pleaded turning from the window.  “You’re positive this is the only way?”

Monroe’s office door slid open and there, dressed in head-to-toe black battle fatigues, stood RedKnife KillsPrettyEnemy.  The Skin Walker Sentry dipped his chin by way of greeting to Monroe but quickly slid his dark gaze to Eden. 

“It’s the only way,” RedKnife vowed.  “At the sundance this summer, I prayed for a way.  The Creator showed me her.  I know you’ve been against this from the start, Domina, but it must be done.  Sha will save us all.  She’s the only one who can.”

“Couldn’t we just ask her to come?”  Eden darted imploring eyes between Monroe and RedKnife.

“She wouldn’t come,” Monroe answered gently.  Standing, he paced away from the desk and closed the distance to his angel before circling his arms around her waist and pulling her into him.  “She won’t leave pack territory without being forced.  Not without a reason.  She needs a reason.  She wants a reason.  We’re going to give her one.  This is it.  There is no other way.”

“And what of Alise and Chief?”

Monroe’s lips lifted in a humorless grin.  “They’ll remain in pack territory.  It’s what Chief wants.  They’ll be too distracted with their mating to even give any of this a second thought.  I no longer need him here.  They’re free to go.”

“I don’t know,” Eden worried her bottom lip.  “It just feels…dishonest.”  Pinching her eyes closed she said more quietly, “It’s unfair.”

RedKnife’s words spoken in a deep timbre drew her attention.  “It must be done.  For the good of all Walkers.  For your children, Eden, and for mine.”

Eden blinked her eyes open and looked at RedKnife.  She stared dismally for a few moments before tearing her eyes away and looking up at Monroe.  “Promise me you won’t let her be hurt.”

Cupping her cheek, he lowered his head until his lips brushed against hers as he spoke.  “RedKnife says she can’t be.  It’s impossible.  She is the key, angel.  RedKnife’s visions aren’t wrong.  My research isn’t either.  Sha RedCloud is the one.”

With a reluctant sigh, Eden tucked her head into Monroe’s shoulder and let her Walker hold her tight as she muttered feebly, “I wish it didn’t have to be this way.  I wish we could just tell her. Ask her to come.”   

It was RedKnife who answered.  “She won’t find her medicine if we do.  She’s been with the wolves all this time, but she’s never shifted.  Her animal is buried too deep.  We can’t ask it to come out.  No one can.  Her spirit must be forced, and it must be done now, or they’ll both die.  She’s not just saving us, Eden.  We’re saving her too.”

“Only if everything goes right,” Eden groaned.  Dainty brows furrowing, she pulled back to frown up at Monroe.  “Has Jenny found her a match?”

“Not yet,” Monroe sighed.  “We have no sample from her, but once she’s here on the Estate…”

“I want it made a priority,” Eden demanded.  “Have we got samples from every single person on this estate?”

“Yes, angel, we’ve got samples from everyone.”

“Good,” she bit out.  “I want no stone left unturned.  If she’s going to do this for us, then I don’t want her facing it alone if she doesn’t have to.”

RedKnife stepped forward, “There was a Walker in my vision.  I’ve got an idea who it could be.”

Eden nodded, a sad smile taking her lips as relief pooled in her eyes.

Chief of Security, King Mulholland, entered.  He too was fully dressed in tactical gear.  “Crow?”

Eyes still on Eden, Monroe commanded, “Report.”

“Remy, Baymac, and Leto’s teams are en-route.  Marko, Bellis, and Sam are already at Glacier, stationed in the forest near the compound.  Tyce and Conn’s teams are at the reservation’s border.  It’s time to roll.”

Cupping Monroe’s face, Eden’s eyes scanned his.  “You sure you have to go?  The men can…”

“Be a lot of things,” Monroe cut in, “but the Dominant Skin Walker isn’t one of them.  Dell’s gotta see me, angel. He needs to think I’m legitimately offended by Chief breaking his vow and running off with Alise.  It’s the only way a trade can be made.”

“And how do you know he’ll offer her?”

RedKnife stepped forward.  “In my vision, Sha volunteers.  Her spirit is growing restless and wants free, and the wolves can’t call it forth.  Subconsciously, she’s ready to try something new.  She believes Walkers are the key.”  RedKnife nodded.  “She’s right.  We are.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Eden steeled herself.  Eyes going hard, she lifted them to Monroe and ordered.  “You come home.  Understand?  No war with the packs!  No missteps.  You get Sha RedCloud, and you bring her back.”

Lowering his head, Monroe kissed his angel long and deep before pulling back and releasing her.  Striding confidently toward the door, his barked command of, “On me!” had the silent Sentries that lined the walls falling in behind him.