Chapter 8: Homestead.

Phoenix’s POV.

“Sirs,” Bubba, our driver, called through the window of one of our Clan SUVs that came to pick us up from the airport. “We’ll be arriving at the homestead in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you,” I responded with a nod to the older wolf who had been with our family for longer than most of us had been alive.

Sparing a glance over to my brother who was slouched over to the side of the seat, head slumped against the slightly frosted window. I felt a familiar tug of concern that had been nagging against my consciousness since we departed the Monet Estate before dawn this morning.

Maddox had chalked his sudden decline up to being departed from his mate. He had even gone so far as to give me details of his and Adel’s moonlight rendezvous which only further impel me with the pain of the knowledge that just in a few days Adel was going to be his. Never mine.

Fin had grown quiet since I had given her his name and walked away leaving her alone and subsequently ignoring his call to return to her and do the one thing I had been tempted to do. Kiss her.

But he didn’t understand. I barely understood. I had hoped that there would be a moment when there could be a chance for Adel and me to explore whatever was brewing between us. I wanted to explain to her that, that’s why I was asking the questions I was asking. Not because I didn’t believe in fate, mates, and the goddess herself. I just couldn’t believe the feelings I was having. The longing I was having was misplaced.

“Maddox,” I quietly spoke my brother's name, reaching out to nudge him. “Maddox.”

My brother struggled to stir, his eyes opened slowly, deep purple marks set below his normally healthy eyes. This was more than mate’s separation sickness. His blue eyes were bright with fever.

“Where are we?” Maddox’s voice was scratchy, swallowing against what I could only imagine was a sore throat.

“Fifteen minutes out…”

“Sh*t.”

“Maddox—”

“Don’t start with me now, Nix. I can’t do this right now with you.”

“What the hell are you talking about—”

“I told you… I’m fine.”

“You’re clearly not fine, Maddox.”

“It’s mate's separation sickness, Nix. It has to be. It’s the only explanation.”

“But you said—”

“I know what I said.” Maddox’s Alpha voice caused the windows to rumble.

He sat next to me panting, the exertion from using his power too much for his sick body. His eyes glowed with intensity. I prayed to the goddess our father, or hopefully, mother, would be able to see past this mate’s separation sickness sh*t to see their son was suffering, and that it wouldn’t be too late to help Maddox.

“Okay.” I ceased my fight. For now.

Maddox calmed down, laying his head back against the window briefly before he sat back up, fixing himself as Bubba pulled into the front gates of the Blood Moon Clan’s homestead. The drive into our territory was over five miles before we hit any actual property. Immediately I was washed with a sense of calm that had been absent from me since we departed the familiarity of our home less than twenty-four hours ago. If it weren’t for Maddox’s health, I would have rolled the windows down, the bitter bite of the January air be d*mned.

“Alpha James asked for me to bring you to the Taj upon your arrival, Oighre.”

“Oighre Maddox needs to rest—”

“I’m fine.” Maddox shot me a withering look, attempting to look as strong as he wanted to be perceived.

“The whole Clan’s been buzzing. Luna Clara has had us all working on projects since you young pups went off to get the new Luna. Heard she’s mighty pretty…”

“That she is, Bubba… That she is.”

It was the first time I had heard Maddox speak openly about Adel. I had always known he had held a warm affection for her, but to know that he had found her pretty made me wonder if he had found her anywhere near as beautiful as I had. If he obsessed about her as I had. If he found himself wondering what she was doing back in her estate. If she was wondering about me… him. I wondered if she filled every single molecule of his existence as she did me.

“Here we are,” Bubba said as he pulled up to the small cabin that we so lovingly referred to as the Taj. Our mother said it was better than calling it storage cabin number twelve.

Maddox slowly climbed out of the SUV with no word to me, or Bubba, closing the door heavily behind him. I watched my brother try to walk strongly toward the small cabin, and concern ate at my gut, pushing against the fear that something seriously was wrong with him.

“Where can I take ya, Nix?” Bubba asked me.

“Don’t worry about me,” I said to the elder wolf. “I can find my own way.”

Bubba rewarded me with a grin that was missing more than one tooth. I felt the side of my lip twitch in response as I pulled the door handle open stepping out into the welcoming, and familiar scents of the North Carolina Forest.

I searched my consciousness for Fin, but he was still pouting, the call to shift was more of an olive branch than a need. I found myself wanting to feel the crunch of the leaves under my leather booths, and the crisp cold air’s bitter bite on my hands.

I wanted it. Needed it to cleanse me of Chicago. Of the Monet Estate. Of Adel. I longed for the imagery of her face to be replaced by the streams and trees. The sound of her voice to be drowned out by the chirps, and songs of the birds.

The more I forged on into the dense woods, the more my mind was filled with her. Everywhere I looked I was reminded of Adel. Every leaf reminded me of the color of her eyes, every shade of soil, bark, and shadow of her hair, even the clouds in the sky were comparable to her d*mned skin. The godd*mned bird song sounded like Adel’s laugh.

The forest that had so many times brought me comfort was the same forest that now had been the harbinger of my hell. Soon she would fill every single fiber of my world. I had never thought about leaving the Clan. Never had the urge. But now I wondered if I could survive existing so close to her, and not be able to have her.

“Nix…!” a voice shouted through the woods causing my feet to still, my breath caught in my lungs, wondering if I had imagined my name on the wind or if it indeed happened. “Sir!”

My head whipped around at the sound, seeking it out to find one of the younger Beta in my father's service, Miguel, running through the woods. My heart sank into my gut.

“Nix. You need to come immediately.” Miguel slid to a stop in front of me.

“What is it, Miguel?” I asked, though in my heart I knew.

“Maddox. He collapsed. He isn’t waking up.”