Chapter 168 In the Shadows pt 1
King Mikhail
Mist had settled low to the ground, muffling the sounds of the forest and our footsteps as we made camp in the area surrounding Blood Moon. I stood at the center of it all; the fog curling around my boots as the army I had forged settled into place.
I was on the verge of getting everything I wanted. With tomorrow’s victory, the kingdom would be mine. There would be no question about the strength of my hybrids, no doubt that our new species was the supreme one. We would crush the wolves beneath our boots and feast on their blood.
Twigs snapped behind me, and I turned, finding Alpha Brian. He no longer reeked of blood, his wounds having finally healed, but he still carried himself with arrogance. No matter. Even if he survived tomorrow, he’d end up a part of my horde in the end. They all did.
He cleared his throat. “King Mikhail, if I could have a word?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What’s so important that you would bother me on the eve of battle?”
“I have news, sire. Of Princess Seren.”
It still burned that she had slipped through my fingers. Meredith was still convinced that she was the key, that this little slip of an abused female was a greater risk to me than the packs combined, and we were so very close to having her in our grasp. My fists clenched at my sides as I thought of it.
“Speak,” I gritted out between clenched teeth.
“A few of the men came to me on our journey here. They heard some of the newly turned omegas talking. Apparently, when Duncan’s people rescued Seren, one of them was mortally wounded.” He ran his hand through his hair. “There was a group hiding, watching the escape and the fight that broke out. They said when Duncan’s man went down, power exploded out of the princess. They’re also saying she healed him right there on the ground. That they saw her pull liquid silver out of him, and when she was done, he stood up like he’d never been hurt.”
I let the silence fall, watching him fidget. Finally, I said, “And you believe the word of some omegas?”
“I went and spoke with them myself, sire. I Alpha commanded them to tell the truth. They believe what they saw.”
I turned my back to him and started pacing. My thoughts swirled at this news. The princess, a healer? What I could do with that power at my fingertips. A healer bound to my will. A miracle weapon that could never die—and could never disobey.
I spun back to face Brian, crossing my arms over my chest. “Speak to no one else about this. Tomorrow, if you come across the princess, you will capture her. Do not kill her.”
He bowed his head. “Yes, sire.”
“Command your people to keep silent. I don’t want news of this spreading.”
“Yes, sire.”
“You’re dismissed.”
I stalked back to my tent and tossed the flap to the side. Meredith was sitting on the cot, poring over an old, tattered book. She looked up as I entered.
“My king?” Her voice was soft and soothing as she asked the question.
“There’s a development. Nothing to worry about until after the battle tomorrow.” I dismissed her concern. “Now, where are you at with the spell? We’re out of time.”
“I’m finished, my king. We need to get the army together. I will cast it at midnight.”
Satisfaction coiled low in my belly, and a slow smile curved my lips. “Excellent news. Gather your people. I’ll have everyone ready.”
I sent out the order to gather in thirty minutes, giving Meredith time to do what she needed, then grabbed the bottle of blood-laced wine that was sitting on my table. I poured myself a glass, taking a sip. The tart flavor of the grapes combined with the coppery tang of blood, and I savored the blend before I swallowed. “To success,” I toasted Meredith, then turned to inspect my troops.
We still had a group of hybrids who fought against my thrall, but her spell would change that. I wanted them front and center for the ritual. My proximity to them made controlling them easier, so I joined my lieutenants and brought them forward. We were in place when Meredith walked out, followed by the Circle of Astaroth.