Chapter 39: The Aftermath

AVA

Once we were sure neither Oscar or I were having any kind of immediate negative reaction to our mating, the three of us headed back to the pack house.

As we ran, I thought I saw something in the woods; someone watching us. I slowed to more of a trot, Callum slowing down to match my speed.

“Ava, you okay?” Callum’s voice through the mindlink was concerned.

“I thought I saw someone,” I replied. “Someone watching us.”

“Let me check it out.”

“Not on your own, Callum.”

“I’m literally your destined protector, Ava, I’ve got this.”

“I told you that I will not let you shove me away from danger forever, Callum. I’m not hiding behind a tree.”

Artemis hid our scent, and we crept forward into the woods, listening and looking out for trouble. There was the faint smell of a wood fire and meat cooking… Someone had set up a camp here recently. But they’d gone.

Then… the smell hit me.

“Rogues,” I growled through the mind link. “They know.”

“Know what?!” Callum’s voice was frantic.

“That I marked y