Chapter 156: The Call

Kaelen's POV

"Yeah, I got it." I kept my voice flat. Phone pressed against my ear.

Zephyr's exhale crackled through the speaker, heavy with exhaustion. "Kaelen, you need to understand what happened here. This wasn't some random sighting."

"Then walk me through it." I leaned back, forcing my muscles to relax even though every instinct screamed tension.

"Last night, around two AM. Eastern border patrol—three guards on routine sweep. They spotted movement in the forest." Zephyr's voice sharpened into tactical reporting. "Male wolf, adult, moving with purpose but avoiding main trails. When they attempted to intercept, he bolted."

I stayed quiet, letting him talk.

"Guards gave chase for fifteen minutes before losing visual. But they got close enough for identification. Gray-black coat, heavier build."

Shit, this couldn't be real. I killed Damien that night. Absolutely killed him.

"You personally verify this?" I asked.

"I interrogated all three guards separately. Stories matched perfectly." Zephyr's tone hardened. "These are trained wolves, Kaelen. I trust my people."

"That's not what I asked." I let ice creep into my words. "Did you see him?"

The silence stretched too long. "No. By the time I reached the site, he was gone. But we found evidence. Claw marks on trees, scent markers, disturbed soil patterns."

"Scent markers." I leaned forward. "You're telling me Damien left fresh scent in your territory and your guards just happened to stumble across it?"

"I know it sounds convenient—"

"It sounds like bullshit." The words came out sharp. "Either your guards are incompetent or someone's playing games."

"Goddammit, Kaelen." Zephyr's frustration bled through. "I'm calling because we're allies. If Damien's operating this close to both our territories, we need to coordinate."

I forced my breathing to steady. Zephyr didn't know. Didn't know I'd already killed Damien a week ago.

Which meant either his sighting was legitimate—impossibly, horrifyingly legitimate—or someone was feeding him false information to manipulate both of us.

"What kind of evidence?" I asked carefully.

"Soil samples, fur traces, claw residue. Everything preserved and ready for examination." Zephyr's tone became more professional. "Standard protocol. Sealed containers, refrigerated storage, documented chain of custody."

Too thorough. Too prepared.

Or exactly what a competent Alpha would do.

Fuck. Fifteen years of friendship with Zephyr. He'd stood beside me when other Alphas called for Seraphine's exile. He'd sent supplies during harsh winters without being asked.

But someone had infiltrated my territory twice. Someone with access and authority.

"The guards who spotted him," I said slowly. "Names and backgrounds."

"Henry Dolia, fifteen years service. Elena Frost, eight years. David Chen, twelve years." Zephyr rattled them off. "All clean records. I ran background checks immediately."

"Send me everything. Guard statements, evidence documentation, background files. Timestamps and locations."

"Already compiled." I heard rustling paper. "I'll have it couriered within the hour. But Kaelen, we need to discuss coordination. If Damien's moving between territories, this is bigger than either of us alone."

"I need to verify," I said quietly.

"Of course." Zephyr's voice gentled. "That's why I'm inviting you here. See the evidence yourself. Question my guards. We've been friends too long for me to expect blind trust."

I glanced out the window. Evening light was fading fast, painting everything in shades of gray and gold.

If I left now, I could be there and back before dawn. Before she even fully woke.

"I'm leaving tonight," I said. "I'll be there by morning."

"Tonight?" Zephyr's surprise came through clearly. "Kaelen, if you need time—"

"No time." I stood, already moving toward the door. "If Damien's alive and moving, every hour matters. I'll bring two guards. Have your evidence ready."

"Understood." His tone shifted to pure business. "I'll have my Beta meet you at the eastern border. We'll escort you in."

"And Zephyr?" I paused. "If this turns out to be false intelligence, we're going to have a serious problem."

"I know." His voice was quiet. "But I'm confident in my people."

I ended the call and yanked open the door.

"Well?" Orion asked.

"I'm going to Thornwick," I said. "Now. Tonight."

Lucian's eyes widened. "Alpha, that's—"

"Necessary." I cut him off. "If someone's feeding Zephyr false intelligence to manipulate us both, I need to see it before this spirals. If his guards really saw what they claim..." I paused, jaw clenching. "Then we have a bigger problem."

"It could be a trap," Orion said flatly.

"You think I don't know that?" I snapped. "But if there's even a chance that the wolf I killed wasn't actually Damien, then Seraphine's still in danger. Every hour I wait is another hour he could strike."

Silence fell. Finally, Orion nodded slowly.

"Security arrangements?" he asked.

"Triple Seraphine's protection detail immediately. Twenty-four-seven coverage, rotating shifts. She doesn't leave the cottage without six guards minimum." I pulled out maps. "Lucian, you're in charge while I'm gone. Full Alpha authority."

"Understood."

"And those three names from the financial audit—escalate surveillance to maximum. I want their locations tracked minute by minute." I looked up. "Someone's playing games. I need to know who before I cross into Zephyr's territory."

Orion pulled out his phone. "Cover story?"

"Urgent border dispute requiring immediate Alpha presence. Expected return within forty-eight hours." I grabbed a pen. "Only you two know the real destination."

"And Luna?" Lucian asked carefully.

My hand stilled. The mate bond thrummed with Seraphine's hollow emptiness, her grief settling into that dangerous numbness I recognized too well.

"Tell her... tell her it's routine Alpha business. Northern territory issue."

"She'll know you're lying," Orion said.

"Probably." I moved to the window. "But she'll also know I'm keeping her safe. That's what matters."

Lucian cleared his throat. "And if you don't come back?"

I didn't turn around. "Then you follow succession protocol. Orion becomes Alpha. Seraphine receives full Luna rights and protections. And you hunt down whoever's responsible. No mercy."

"Sir—"

"Go. I leave in twenty minutes. I need two of our best trackers ready." I waved them off.

They left quickly, urgency driving their movements.

Alone, I pulled out the green leather notebook. Our story. I flipped to a blank page near the end.

Seraphine—

I'm handling a situation that might be dangerous. I'm leaving tonight because every hour matters. I didn't tell you in person because you've carried enough today.

But you should know: choosing you was the easiest decision I've ever made. And if the worst happens, if I don't come back, please understand that protecting you was never a burden. It was a privilege.

You're stronger than you think. And you'll be okay.

—K

Outside, a crow landed on the window ledge, black eyes gleaming. It cocked its head, studying me with unnatural intelligence, then released a harsh caw that echoed like a warning.