Primordial

Chapter Twenty-One

"He always did have a big appetite, even when we were pups," she said with a grin, and my cheeks warmed.

"What's this serum you mentioned?" Asa asked, studying his nail beds intently.

"The serum is a weaponized mixture of wolfsbane meant to kill even the strongest werewolves. They used his DNA as part of the serum, specifically to target lycanthrope genes and unravel them," Grayson replied. "It was tested on him for the last six months he was there, and thank the Goddess it didn't kill him. However, it is strong enough to kill the average wolf. That is why the Board of Alphas is here right now, we are discussing plans to attack them and stop them before the serum is ready to be used in a full scale assault. Problem is, we can't find them."

"I've been diving into the Veil every day for weeks now, and I can't seem to get a lock on their location," I admitted, leaning back into my chair. Asa broke his stare from his hand and nodded solemnly.

"I know, I felt you," Asa murmured. "I searched the Veil since I felt your presence, I'm just sorry it took me so long." His voice trailed off as his shoulders sagged. "Since the day you were lost we swore we would bring you home."

"How exactly did you find him anyways?" Grayson asked suddenly. "Why couldn't you do it before?"

"I, unlike my brother and sister, don't carry the lycanthrope gene," Asa began. "Typically, a Chirak is born either wolf or caster. Mila was born as a wolf, and I as a caster."

"But I'm both," I interrupted, and Asa nodded robotically.

"Yes. You are the first Hyrack to be born among our kind in over three centuries," Asa explained. "It happens, but it's very rare. There have only been five of the Hyrack since the union of the first Alphak and Witmahk." His eyes bore into my chest, studying the pulsing glow of my crystal draped around my neck. "Anyway, I am the next Witmahk after Martin passes down her title, and this requires many hours of study. As part of my training, I spent a lot of time in the Veil honing my skills. About three months ago, I noticed a new presence there. It was faint, but very familiar. I didn't give it much thought, but as you strengthened your magical ability, I could feel your presence in the Veil more and more. I saw you the first time you used your Vision. After that, I spent all my time in the Veil trying to build the connection with you. After so many years and so much distance, your link to the pack dissipated, so it was the only way I could reach you. Every time you've Seen something since then I reached out to you in the Veil. I only just broke through to you a few days ago. When I was absolutely sure it was you, I told Mila and we tracked you here." My heart soared at his mention of Mahtim. She was alive, she existed somewhere out there. I remembered how his voice had pulled at me that day in Makayla's study.

"Mahtim," I said breathlessly. Mila smiled widely and reached out to take my had.

"She and Papak will be so happy to learn you are safe, brother. Ever since I Ascended to be Alpha, they've been taking some time for themselves in the mountain house. They grieved for you, but they never really got to truly experience their grief seeing as they had to do so many things as our Alphak and Witmahk," she described. I smiled widely as I tried to recall the faces of my parents.

"You're the Alpha of the Chirak pack?" Grayson questioned, and Mila nodded with pride, flashing her now blazing red eyes at us from across the table. Asa's eyes flashed green at the same moment, but they disappeared as quickly as they had came. "So that explains how you found us, but what about for the past fifteen years? You couldn't track him? What even happened that day?" he asked incredulously. Asa's breath caught in his throat as if the memory were too painful to relive. Mila glanced at him knowingly and rested her back against the chair.