Chapter 23:

A/N: Hey Y'all! Sorry I haven't been updating for so long but I moved then I moved again. I'm starting my senior year in high school AND I own my own business. So I've been really, really busy lately. I will try my hardest to continue updating for u…. but those of u who like to complain I don't need u to review my story…. those who like my story…thanks and I will continue it for u…Anywayz where were we in the story?

…Thinking….

…Thinking….

It's been a year, give me a minute…

OH right…. At Kahvi's!

…. Shall we continue with the story then?

Chapter 23: The Dance!

"He was paler than the snow. We figured he was already gone." Kahvi snapped at Alex, who was now standing and ready to punch her in the face.

"I don't care!" Alex yelled.

"My lifemates GONE!" Clearbrook yelled running out of the Holt.

"Get your toes frozen then. He's already gone…nothing could have been done." Kahvi said after her.

"Clearbrook! Wait—our healer could have healed him!" Alex glared at Kahvi.

"Your healer doesn't have the strength to heal your whole tribe." Kahvi snapped back at Alex and almost smacked her across the face.

"But she was still able to heal everyone. You don't know this tribe! We don't give up on anyone. Our healer doesn't stop until the last person is healed, no matter how serious the injury or how tired she may be. She's stronger than you think."

"As far as I'm concerned he was already dead." Kahvi smirked.

SMACK

Kahvi felt a rush of warm liquid fall into her mouth and down her chin. Her eyes were wide with surprise and anger. No one ever dared hit her; she was Kahvi, chieftess of the Go-Backs.

She looked to see Cori standing in front of Alex with tears falling down his already swollen face. He had been outside in the cold for too long.

"You're a WITCH! Just like HER." Cori yelled angrily, remembering what Winnowill did to his sister.

Kahvi calmly lifted her fist to her chin and slowly wiped away the blood. Then without warning—

"Why you little—"

She lunged at him, but Rayek caught her before she could touch Cori. Alex stood and put her hands on Cori's shoulders. Their heads touched and Cori knew he had to back off before someone got hurt. He grunted and sat down with a plop and crossed his arms.

"You left one of our men for dead…yet you of all elves should know better. You're a chieftess…would you leave your men in the cold and for dead?" Skywise asked angrily.

Kahvi didn't answer. Her face looked away. Alex walked over to her, their shoulders touched.

"If you ever touch anyone in my tribe, or even think about leaving them for dead again, I won't hesitate to kill you. Especially if it's my son." Alex glanced over at Cori.

She walked out of the Holt to find Clearbrook. Skywise looked at Cori for a moment and Cori nodded. "Go see if she'll be alright, father." Cori thought. Skywise was shocked. Cori had never called him 'father' before. Skywise walked outside to find Alex.

"Are you alright?" He asked Alex when he found her with Clearbrook crying in her arms. Clearbrook was crouched so low that she seemed to have shrunk. Alex was sitting on her knees holding Clearbrook in her lap and leaning over her hugging her.

Clearbrook wouldn't stop crying. Her lifemate was gone. She couldn't accept it. Alex looked up at Skywise sadly. He bent down and held Clearbrook and a fresh set of tears fell from her eyes.

"He's gone! He's really gone!" She cried.

"He died fighting, Clearbrook. That's what he wanted…that's what we all want. If we are to die…we die fighting." Skywise said quietly to Clearbrook.

Clearbrook looked up. Skywise was right. That's just the WAY of the wolfriders; to die fighting. She slowly got up and wiped away her tears. Alex smiled.

"Everything will be alright. We'll howl for him tonight."

Clearbrook gave a small smile and nodded then walked back into the Holt. Alex looked up at Skywise.

"Thank you."

He smiled back at her and took her hand. He pulled her back into the warmth of the Holt.

"There they are." A familiar voice said.

Alex looked around the Holt. "Cutter! Oh, Cutter!" She rushed to him, almost knocking him over. "High one's gave you strength, healer. You brought my brother back."

Leetah smiled.

"We must dance! Drink, sing and be merry. Tonight is the night we have our fun. Tomorrow we go to war." Kahvi said happily and all the little ones were led to a different part of the Holt.

"Skywise…" Alex sent to him.

He squeezed her tighter to his naked body. "What lovemate?"

"What if we don't make it tomorrow?"

"We will. I promise."

There was a short silence between them while Alex rolled over to look at Skywise's beautiful gray eyes.

"What is it, Alex?" Alex sent with the hint of a small smile curling over his lips.

"I don't want to end up like Redlance and Nightfall…they were never recognized."

"No need…sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." Skywise sent and kissed Alex's forehead.

"All I have to give you—is what you already have." Alex sent closing her eyes and curling closer to him.

Skywise looked at her confused. There was silence between them. All either could hear was the music and the dancing for the others. Not many were dancing anymore. Everyone was falling asleep with their lovemates or lifemates.

Through all the noise, something faintly touched Skywise's mind. "I am Syre." His eyes widened. His gaze shot down at Alex who was leaning her head against his chest. (He was lying on his back and his arm was wrapped around her and her head was lying on his shoulder.) He blinked, shocked.

He didn't answer her. He could barely breathe. He tightened his arm around her as if he was trying to figure out if she was asleep or not. He dropped his head and closed his eyes, still in shock.

"Healer…Leetah?"

Leetah turned her head slightly. "Mmmm?"

"I must speak with you…"

"What's wrong?" Leetah asked not opening her eyes but she still sounded concerned.

"I'm with cub."

"What!" Leetah's eyes shot open and she sat up, looking over at Alex.

"Please! Please don't say anything. Nobody knows." Alex sent hastily.

"But Alex—"

"Please!"

"Beloved are you alright?" Cutter sat up and looked at Leetah. Leetah pulled the furs to her and looked at Cutter. Glancing over at Alex and Skywise, she nodded.

"I'm fine, Tam. It was a nightmare." Leetah sent to him.

Cutter lay back down with Leetah and Leetah closed her eyes. "For now, my friend, it will be between just us." Leetah sent to Alex.

"Thank you."

Alex smiled. Skywise looked down at her for a moment trying to decide if she was asleep or not. Maybe she was dreaming?

"Alex?"

"Hmm?"

Was she awake? "Nothing…" Skywise sighed deciding she was sleeping. He closed his eyes and brought her closer to him. Then he thought for a split second.

"Syre…" He could feel Alex tense, then he knew she was awake. "I am Fahr." He sent then fell asleep.

Leetah smiled. "They finally accepted it, beloved. After so many moons of torture, they finally accepted fate."

"It's about time." Cutter laughed and rolled over on top of Leetah. "Souls meet souls, when eyes meet eyes…" Leetah sent to him then kissed him.

(you can guess what happens)