Chapter 120 We leave
DARIAN
The room smells of pine and burning incense, a strange combination that never seems to bother the Alphas but makes my stomach twist. I sit at the long wooden table, flanked by the Moon Ridge pack leaders. The meeting is supposed to be about trade agreements, patrol routes, and settling disputes, but so far it’s all formalities.
“You’ve gone above and beyond, Darian,” the Alpha of Moon Ridge says, his deep voice smooth, commanding. “Your presence here has stabilized our region more than you can imagine. The other packs… they respect you.”
I nod, offering a polite smile, though my mind wanders. It’s not about respect. Not really. I’m here because my father wanted me to be. Because these packs, these alliances, matter for the future of our rule. Because every decision has consequences.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice steady. “I only hope my presence serves the pack well. I am grateful for your hospitality.”
Another Alpha chimes in, a female with striking amber eyes. “It’s not just hospitality. It’s reassurance. The Pavo pack would not have survived last month without your intervention. We owe you.”
I nod again, but my thoughts are elsewhere.
It’s been a while since I saw Iris or even heard from her. I haven’t been able to visit her because my father has sent me on one errand after another, insisting that I clean up Zeus’ mess.
Of course, playing the role of the prodigal son, I’ve obeyed. Wanting to keep him close so I can sniff any plans against Iris that they come up with.
“Your highness," one of the guards says suddenly, stepping into the room, their boots echoing sharply across the polished wood floor. “You have visitors.”
He is looking at me.
My brow furrows. “Visitors?” I glance around, confused. “Here? Why would anyone come this far? And… not a message? Not even a guard? This isn’t...”
The guard’s eyes meet mine, and there’s no hesitation. “They’re waiting outside.”
I stand, my chair scraping against the floor. “Show me.”
Outside the meeting hall, the sun is dipping low, casting long shadows across the courtyard. And there they are. Kelvin, looking tense and pale, and Daisy, clutching herself, tears streaking her face. My heart stutters.
“Darian!” Daisy cries the moment she sees me. Her voice breaks like glass, cutting through my focus.
I move toward them, swift, instinctive. “Daisy? Kelvin? What’s wrong? Why are you here? What happened?”
Kelvin steps forward first, his hands slightly trembling. “It’s Iris,” he says, voice low but urgent. “She’s… she’s at the Haven.”
My stomach drops, and everything narrows to a single point. “What? What do you mean she’s at the Haven?”
Kelvin swallows hard. “Her grandfather… he drugged her. Took her there in exchange for his pardon.”
I feel like the world has just tilted. My fists clench without thinking. Rage and disbelief claw at my chest. “No. He—he wouldn’t dare…” My voice falters. “Iris… she trusted him. She said…she said she was safe. That he was family.”
Kelvin’s eyes are dark, unreadable. “She was wrong.”
I feel the heat rising, fury threatening to consume me. “Damn it!” I roar, pacing a few steps, fists still tight. “I knew not to trust him! I knew it! But she… she insisted! She told me he would protect her, that nothing would happen because they’re family!”
Daisy steps closer, crying out, voice urgent and sharp, pulling me back to the moment. “There’s no time! We need to get to her now! If we wait, if we hesitate, we’re going to lose her!”
Her words strike me harder than any blow. I glance at Kelvin, whose gaze is fixed on the ground, then back at Daisy, and I feel the responsibility crushing me. Every warning I ignored, every assumption I made, every moment I hesitated, it all brought us here.
I nod, jaw tight. “You’re right. We don’t have a second to waste.” My voice is firm, steady, though my blood burns. “Prepare the car. Now.”
One of the guards, standing silently nearby, nods immediately, turning to do as instructed. I pace for a moment, fists still clenched, heart hammering in my chest. The memory of Iris’ face flashes before me, her trust, her defiance, her innocence. I hate that she could be in danger. I hate that I was blind. I hate that her grandfather, of all people, could betray her so easily.
Daisy’s shoulders shake as she wipes at her tears, voice trembling. “We have to hurry. We can’t… we can’t let him think we’re coming slowly. Every second counts.”
Kelvin steps close, lowering his voice. “We need to be careful too. Her grandfather… he’s smart. Calculated. and he’s working with the Lycan king. They will know if we act recklessly.”
I take a deep breath, forcing my rage down into focus. “I don’t care. I don’t care if he’s smart. I care about Iris. I care about her life, and that’s the only thing that matters right now.”
Daisy nods, resolute now despite her tears. “Then we go. Immediately.”
I glance at Kelvin, then back at Daisy, meeting her eyes. There’s a spark there, determination that mirrors my own. “We’ll go,” I say, firm and final. “I’ll get us there. But we need to move fast.”
The guard returns, car ready and waiting. I throw a quick glance over my shoulder at the Moon Ridge Alpha. “Sorry,” I mutter, not bothering to explain further. Nothing matters more than getting to her.
Kelvin steps in beside me, tense but silent, Daisy gripping my arm as we make our way to the vehicle. I feel the weight of responsibility pressing down, a cold certainty that this is going to be the hardest fight of my life.
And yet, there’s no time for hesitation. Not now. Not ever.
We climb into the car, engine humming as it starts. My eyes fix on the road ahead, mind racing, plotting, planning, calculating. Every thought revolves around Iris. her safety, her fear, her trust betrayed. My father’s warning, my own instincts, everything I ignored, they converge into a single, blinding determination.
We’re going to the Haven.
And nothing, no one, will stop me from getting her back.