Balance of Light and Shadow (By Chandrea) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Lewana POV

I wake a few hours later just as the sun is setting. I feel much more rested, but I know we still have a way to go. Azalea was true to her word and left a literal cornucopia of food on the table in the room. I also see the ration bars on the floor, and I am assuming Liam put them on the table, and she moved them.

After eating and discussing things with Serena, we decided she should patrol tonight. I still put on a shift suit with my blades just in case, but the shadows know I’m here anyway, and her glow will help settle everyone on the last night of the full moon.

As soon as Sernea exits the tent, there is an obvious audible gasp at her beauty. She pretends to ignore it, but I can feel her lapping up the attention.

We stay up and watch the pack overnight. Some shifted into wolves to feel the moonlight for an hour or so, but then they went to sleep, exhausted from everything they had been through. The soldiers on patrol are also in wolf form.

When the moonlight hits in just the right way, you can see the shimmer of the fairy and sprite barrier around us in blur and gold. You can definitely feel the protection within the circle, but it does nothing to settle my nerves.

The Gala was last night. We raided 24 hours ago. It’s enough time for Malik to make his way back to us. I know we are taking the remaining wolves home in the morning. 742 are going to their Southern and Western packs. The remaining 610 are coming home with us. We just have to make it till morning.

The night is long and fills me with unease, but as soon as I see the sunlight crest over the hill, I release the breath I have been holding all night. I release a howl, and everyone starts to emerge from the tents.

It takes less than an hour for everyone to have a ration bar and pack up. Phoenix’s follow us to the transport that is waiting before flying home. Faes and Psirens stay on the land to repair the damage and make sure it is protected from the shadows coming back.

A lot of the wolves are in buses with soldiers, while I am flown back in the helicopter we came in. As soon as I am in the air, I basically fall asleep in the cabin, glad to see this place finally behind us.

It’s only a few hours before we are home, and I’m excited when we land. The smell of home is like nothing else. Just the thought of some of Mary’s cooking, or a fresh rabbit from the forest, has me drooling. I’m trying to decide if I should shower before or after I eat when I see Arthur and Valerie at the edge of the barracks.

I can read Arthur like a book. Something is wrong. I race over and ask him, “What is it?“.

He takes a deep breath and braces himself. “Conrad is missing. He never returned home from the gala“.

Liam is right behind me, and I can feel the panic building up within him. “What do you mean missing? He has Connor and Murdock with him. Have they come back?“.

Arthur is talking calmly back to him, but he is panicking, too. “They aren’t back either. We are assuming they are all together, but they have been unable to reach us. We heard from Nightstalker that they made contact to delay Malik getting to you, but nothing since then“.

Valerie then starts mumbling while clearly trying to hold back tears. “At the end of the Gala, something happened. There was gunfire, and a man died. Here is the video“.

She passes me a tablet and plays a news reel, and I listen to a new reporter speak about the incident.

1/2

12:02 Sun, Sep 28

Chapter 209

“Chaos broke out at the end of the elite Gala last night. Law enforcement is investigating the cause of the gunfire that broke out, but sources say it might be linked to corporate espionage or an assassination attempt on one of the Influential guests“.

I instantly close my eyes and search for the bond to Conrad. I can feel Serena gently tugging at it in my chest. It’s still intact. He’s still

alive.

Serena starts to whimper in my head. “It’s weaker than before. I don’t know if it is because he is so far away or if he is injured“.

1 spin and look at the territory gate and start heading towards it. I barely make it a step before Arthur’s arms are wrapped around me to stop me as I start to thrash to break free.

“You can’t go after him, Jellybean. He will be coming here, and you could miss him by going the wrong way. We need you here, and so

does he‘.

I know he is right, but it physically hurts to not know where he is. He could be fighting for his life. Dying somewhere, and then I will never find him.

RS

I let out a loud howl of sorrow before screaming and collapsing to the ground, silently letting my tears fall to the earth. I know I have to stay. I can feel Liam preparing to leave, but he stops as soon as I call his name.

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