Amy and Rowan begin dismantling the medical tent with help from all able-bodied wolves, while the injured are moved either to the med building or the pack house. Ronnie informs Amy that the doctor has left with the slower-healing patients, but her father insists on staying in the pack house. After securing her father in his bedroom, Amy and Ronnie prepare for the arrival of the council, ensuring that the wolves are being moved to the Agora for safety.
Amy contacts Rick, who is struggling to decode crucial files due to complex ciphers. She advises him to use an app she created, Codexx.amy.ti, which can learn and decode the various cyphers automatically. Rick is frustrated but begins using the app as time grows short, with only thirty minutes left before the council arrives. Amy urges Rick to gather as much information as possible quickly.
As urgency mounts, Amy shifts and asks Ronnie to ride on her back despite his injuries, with Nix carrying them swiftly toward the pack house. Meanwhile, Amy checks on Megan, who is conserving her energy to support Amy’s magic during the impending council meeting. Megan explains that her power will be repurposed to strengthen Amy’s magic, allowing Amy to focus on the conversation and control their magic if needed.
Approaching the pack house, Nix suddenly stops, sensing magic nearby. This unexpected detection heightens the tension as they prepare for what may come with the council’s arrival. The chapter ends on a breathless note, emphasizing the urgency and uncertainty facing Amy and her allies.
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Chapter 593
I urged my father to stay calm as Rowan and I immediately set about dismantling the medical tent. Every able-bodied wolf from the house came rushing out to assist with the breakdown. I instructed the guards to relocate the wolves still recovering to the farthest rooms in the medical building. Those who were healing but could move on their own shuffled slowly toward the pack house, exhaustion evident in their steps.
“Amy, everything here is taken down,” Ronnie said, exhaling heavily. “The doctor has gone back to the hospital with those who need more time to heal, but your father refuses to leave the pack house.” I pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose, trying to ease the tension building there.
“Where exactly is he now?”
Ronnie shifted his weight awkwardly. “Greyson helped get him settled into his bedroom.”
I gave a brief nod. “Once we get confirmation that the council has arrived, I need you and the others to—”
Ronnie cut me off with a dismissive wave. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the descenting spray ready and waiting.” His confidence was reassuring, so I nodded and scanned the clearing one last time. “Let’s head back.”
Turning on my heel, we began the walk back. “Are the guards moving everyone to the Agora?”
Ronnie checked his phone and nodded. “Yeah. Half the pack is already there.”
I exhaled, a wave of relief washing over me. “Any word from Trey?”
He shook his head. “Nothing yet. Which is good, honestly—we’re not ready.” His gaze lingered on me. “Are you going to be alright?”
I managed a small smile. “Yeah. I can feel Nix and Megan both on edge, ready to jump into action.”
Pulling out my phone, I dialed Rick. “Hey.”
“What’s going on? How much time do we have?” His voice was breathless, as if he’d been running non-stop.
“We still have some time.” I paused, hearing a loud slam on his end. “Everything okay?”
He growled lowly. “Yeah, I found the files, but hunting down what we need is taking longer than I expected.” At that moment, Ronnie’s phone dinged.
“Can’t you just search by keywords?” I heard him growl again, and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
“Great idea, genius. Not like I haven’t thought of that myself. But everything’s coded.” Another slam echoed through the phone. “Every damn file is locked in some ridiculous code, and I can’t crack it because each one uses a different cipher.”
Ronnie gestured toward me, but I held up a finger to pause him. “Are you on my laptop?”
Rick grunted, which I took as a yes. “Look for the app Codexx.amy.ti; it should make your job easier.”
“What the hell is that?” I heard him mutter, but then the sound of typing.
“It’s an app I created to decode ciphers. Rowan and my father used so many different codes that I started programming them all in. Every time I cracked one, I added it.”
“Yeah? What if this crap isn’t in your little app?” He snorted.
“Amy,” Ronnie tried to get my attention again, but I kept my finger raised.
The app booted up.
“It also learns. If you input any new codes you break, it adapts and improves.” I was trying to calculate if we’d have enough time to decode everything before we needed it.
“Son of a bitch, here it goes,” Rick grunted. “This could have saved me a massive headache, Amy.” I chuckled quietly.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize everything was in code.” I sighed. “How much longer do you need?”
“A year?” He groaned. “How much time do we actually have?”
Ronnie finally called out, frustration clear in his voice. “For fuck’s sake, Amy.”
I spun around to see him holding up his phone. “We have thirty minutes. If we’re lucky.”
My stomach dropped.
“Rick…”
“Fuck.” He started typing furiously. “Can this app decode while I’m searching?”
“Yes, it can.” I began running toward the pack house. “Hurry, Rick. We’ll need anything you can find on as many members as possible.” I ended the call as I heard him grunt again.
I stopped and looked at Ronnie, waiting.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.
“I can shift,” he added, shaking his head.
“I know,” Nix growled. “But you’re still healing, and you’re slower than me. Just get on.”
Nix crouched slightly to make it easier for Ronnie, who groaned as he climbed onto our back.
“This is embarrassing,” he muttered.
Nix snorted as she took off at a sprint. Ronnie’s hands dug into our fur, gripping tightly. “Holy Goddess, you’re fast.”
Nix chuckled again, and I turned inward, finding Megan curled tightly around a flowerpot.
What are you doing? I asked silently, walking over. She barely lifted her head.
Nix and I talked quietly about what might happen when the council arrives. Megan cracked one eye open.
“I’ll probably be the odd one out,” she murmured.
I tilted my head, sitting beside her. “I don’t understand.”
“You might need Nix if there’s a fight,” Megan sighed, closing her eyes again. “And you might need your magic. But me… you won’t need me.”
“I’ll always need you, Megan.”
She lifted her lip in a small smile. “I know, silly. I just mean my energy can be repurposed for this next part. Nix is saving her strength just in case, but I figured I could channel my energy into your magic. That way, you can focus on the conversation, and if we need to, I can help control the magic.”
I ran my hand gently down her side. “You really are smart.”
Suddenly, Nix came to an abrupt stop, nearly throwing Ronnie off balance.
“What’s wrong?” Ronnie asked, alarmed.
Nix lifted her snout as we neared the pack house. “I smell magic.”
Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tense note, with the weight of impending confrontation hanging heavily over the pack. Amy’s determination to protect her family and unravel the mysteries locked within coded files underscores the resilience and unity of the group, even as time slips through their fingers. The quiet moments shared between Amy and Megan reveal the deep bonds that sustain them, highlighting the importance of trust, support, and the subtle strength found in their collective magic.
As Nix senses the presence of magic near the pack house, the story leaves us poised on the brink of an uncertain future. The characters’ readiness to face whatever comes next, despite exhaustion and uncertainty, reflects their unwavering commitment to one another. This chapter beautifully captures the blend of vulnerability and courage that defines their journey, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, hope and solidarity remain their greatest weapons.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
Tensions are mounting as Amy and her allies prepare for the arrival of the council, with every moment feeling more urgent and fraught with uncertainty. The weight of impending confrontation hangs heavily over the pack, and the pressure to decode crucial information before time runs out adds a layer of desperation to their efforts. As Amy leans on her friends and their unique strengths, the emotional stakes deepen—especially with Megan’s quiet resolve to support Amy’s magic, revealing a bond that goes beyond words.
The sudden halt in their journey, triggered by Nix’s detection of magic, hints at unseen forces at play, raising questions about what—or who—awaits them at the pack house. This moment crackles with anticipation, suggesting that the next chapter will delve into the complex interplay of power, loyalty, and hidden threats. Readers will be eager to discover how Amy and her pack navigate these challenges, and whether their combined courage and cunning will be enough to face what’s coming.
