Chapter 222
My blood ran cold. Lysandra was supposed to be in the dungeons, imprisoned for orchestrating the attack against me. Yet here she was, meeting with Thalia in secret.
Before I could think better of it, I unfurled my wings–still strange to command but responding more naturally with each passing day. With a powerful downstroke, I lifted into the night air, keeping to the shadows as I followed them into the forest.
They stopped in a small clearing. I landed silently on a sturdy branch, folding my wings against my back as I strained to hear their conversation.
“…You’ve done as I asked?” Thalia’s voice carried clearly in the still night air.
“Yes, everything has been set…” Lysandra began.
Thalia suddenly stiffened. “Hush. We are not alone.”
I froze, pressing myself against the tree trunk. Had they spotted me?
“I will leave now.” Lysandra melted into the shadows with the efficiency of a trained soldier, leaving Thalia standing alone in the clearing.
“You, she called out, her voice carrying easily to my hiding place. “I know you’re there. Come out, or I’ll come get you.”
With no choice but to reveal myself, I stepped from behind the tree.
“I guess you aren’t happy to see me.” I kept my voice casual despite the thundering of my heart.
“What are you doing here?” Her eyes narrowed, taking in my wings with a flicker of surprise.
“I was only taking a walk. The lie was pathetic.
“And you were doing that, hiding behind a tree?”
“I saw you and Lysandra; I had to know what all the secrecy was about, and isn’t Lysandra supposed to decided to go on the offensive.
Thalia’s expression shifted, calculation replacing irritation. “Let’s keep this a secret, shall we?”
a the dungeons?” I
‘I always suspected you were up to something. Do you mind sharing what you were discussing with Lysandra?” I took a step closer, emboldened by the confirmation of my suspicions.
“You said it earlier; curiosity kills the cat. I know all about your little suspicions, and I have nothing to do with those, but be warned. No one must know Lysandra is free.”
“Okay then. I fought to keep my expression neutral as the pieces began falling into place in my mind. Thalia had to be behind the attacks on the other packs–the ones Kaius had been blamed for.
“Not good enough. She moved closer, her ageless face hard in the moonlight. “So this is the deal. You keep this to yourself, and your mom stays alive. I know she is at the Storm Wardens pack, about to get married–congratulations to her by the way, even if you don’t look very enthusiastic about the news and no need to look so surprised, you should know by now that I have my sources. You will return back to Kaius and pretend like nothing, understood?”
“Don’t you dare lay a finger on my mother. Fury replaced fear, hot and immediate.
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Chapter 222
“Or what?” Her confidence was i infuriating.
‘I will fucking kill you, Thalia.
She laughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. “You think you can kill me? Back at the training grounds, I underestimated you; of course I didn’t know the truth of what you had become; I wanted to take it easy on you. I won’t make that mistake again. Don’t be deceived; you are not powerful; power comes from the inside, and on the inside you reek of weakness. You’ve been warned, Highness.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the clearing, rage and fear warring inside me.
Kaius
“Alpha Orion, it is nice to meet you again.” I stood from behind my desk as the towering Alpha entered my office. His pack was smaller than Ravenhollow, but strategically located and well–respected–exactly the ally I needed.
“I came as soon as you called. See, I know the attacks aren’t from this pack.” Orion’s directness had always been refreshing in a world of political maneuvering.
I gestured for him to take a seat, pouring two glasses of whiskey. “One person who finally has some common sense.”
“We are neighboring packs. If your soldiers had left for war, they would be spotted, and so I know those soldiers aren’t from this pack. But I believe many know that too.” He accepted the glass, taking a measured sip.
“They do?” I kept my expression neutral despite my surprise.
“Yes, but clearly they see a way to unseat you from the throne, and so they are willing to do anything. Though there are others who believe strongly that you are behind it all.” His eyes were sharp, assessing my reaction.
I leaned back in my chair, weighing my next words carefully. “I know that, and that’s why I need your help.”
“That’s a first.” A hint of amusement colored his tone.
“Don’t flaunt just yet. I want to make a deal. You need lands; I have them; all you need to do is convince as many as you can that I am not behind the whole… ordeal. Not very hard, is it?” I took a sip of my own drink, watching him over the rim of the glass.
“No. No it is not.” His expression gave nothing away.
“Good.” I set my glass down, satisfied with his response.
Orion wasn’t so easily convinced. “What if they don’t believe me, or in some cases, choose not to believe me?”
“Then you’ve done your own part of the deal.” I slid a folder across the desk–maps of the territories I was prepared to cede. “Seems too easy?”
“A little too easy. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Well, I have too many enemies; I am simply trying to make more friends.“–The platitude sounded hollow even to my own ears.
“What else do you want for those lands?” Orion was no fool. He knew there was more to this arrangement than what I’d outlined.
I stood, moving to the window to look out over the pack grounds. “I do hope it doesn’t come to that, but sooner than later, these packs could merge to fight against this pack. I wouldn’t let it come to that, but just in case.”
“You want my support.” It wasn’t a question.
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Chapter 222
“I know you have connections, and many would listen to you.” I turned back to face him.
“And if I refuse?” The challenge was direct, as was his nature.
“You won’t.” I held his gaze steadily. We both knew the value of the land I was offering, and we both knew the shifting political landscape made isolation dangerous for any pack.
After a moment, he nodded, standing to extend his hand. “I believe we have a deal, Alpha King.”
I shook his hand firmly, satisfied with our arrangement. It wasn’t a solution to all my problems, but it was a step in the right direction. With Orion’s support, I might be able to identify who was really behind the attacks–though I had my suspicions already.
After seeing Orion out, I returned to my office. I had barely settled back behind my desk when a sharp knock interrupted the quiet.
“The door is unlocked,” I called, expecting Frost with more reports.
Instead, a familiar face appeared–one I hadn’t expected and certainly hadn’t welcomed. Vesper. Frost’s mother.
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