Chapter 17

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

I looked up from my book at Lin, a smile broke out on my face as I pulled her into a hug. We both burst out laughing after tumbling onto the floor, knocking off some of my pillows. I wiped a tear from my eye as I began telling her everything, saying how ignorant the hunters were but now they may be smarter. We began brainstorming attack plans, knowing I would have to speak at the meeting tomorrow. 

After a few days of rest, I was finally feeling like myself again and my wounds were nonexistent. I did have a few small scars, but they were only noticeable if you stare me down. My mind kept drifting towards Obsidian, wondering how he was feeling now. Despite him gaining his strength back towards the end and being able to shift and walk for miles, I know he was far worse than me. He was tortured longer and most likely had an infection brewing in his thigh from that bar. I doubt the hunters made sure it was nice and clean before stabbing him with it, they don't seem that civilized. 

I was brought from my thoughts with Lin snapping her fingers in my face, "Hello, earth to Sylvia!" 

"Sorry," I mumbled, blinking away the fog. "What were you saying?"

"You were thinking of him, weren't you?" She suddenly asked, eyeing me down.

Shrugging, I stood up and began picking up the pillows. My mind felt heavy from my thoughts as they swirled around, trying to form a lie so Lin wouldn't become suspicious of me loving him. I know for a fact that I am not in love with him, attracted to him, yes, but not in love. However, Lin wouldn't see it that way and would continue prodding me for more answers. 

"I know that silence, you are thinking of him, aren't you?"

Releasing a breath, I gave her a look, "And?"

"You're falling for him."

"Lin, not this again..."

"Come on, Syl, when will you let yourself fall? What are you so afraid of?"

I plopped down on my bed, "Getting my heart broken again."

"It was one time."

"So? And I was bullied for years afterwards, it still gets brought up! If I did tell Obsidian my feelings and he rejected me, I would be humiliated. Far more than middle school."

"I know that, you also lack confidence. I don't care how thick that mask is, I know your confidence and self-esteem aren't high. But so what if he rejects you? It's life and that's completely normal, if anyone tries to use it against you just punch them. You're a princess, damn it and you'll be queen someday. Boss up and show those assholes why you're their future queen."

I smiled, "Thank you, for the pep talk."

"No problem, but seriously girl, boss up."

I silently nibbled on a granola bar as I went over everything that has happened within the packs. Not much went down, they did find another hunter base in Europe and shockingly destroyed it. They have a few prisoners, but they're being difficult providing any useful information. I'm not sure what the packs in Europe do to get their answers, but I'm sure I don't want to know. Malachi has done a good job of keeping everyone in the loop in North America, all the packs have been working together to figure out new ideas and see if they can lure the hunters out. Now that Obsidian is back, I'm sure some of those ideas will be used. 

South America wasn't doing as well, but they also don't have as many hunters in any of the countries there. They found a small group in Brazil, but they had already been murdered by rogues. Other than that, they have been working with all the other alphas around the world to get information and form plans to either attack or defend themselves. 

It was exhausting to go through everything, to think there were hunters all over and we might have to repeat what my grandfather had done. I doubt all the hunters in the world will come here and all the packs will too, but to have wars between hunters and werewolves in each country sounds insane. I don't doubt that Russia will be able to handle their own, those guys have always been the stronger and crazier packs. Their king is the one who taught me what I know today about looking for detail and being one step ahead. I remind myself to be thankful for everything he taught me and the fact my dad had sent me to Russia for a year. 

Let me tell you, it was awesome, and I had even learned some Russian. Granted, I cannot communicate well with them, it was many years ago that I had gone there so my Russian is very rusty. However, I still know the basics so I could at least introduce myself without saying something to offend them. Unlike when I offended the German packs and almost started a war between us, I was grounded for a while after that. 

I finished my snack and shoved all the documents back into the folder, my brain hurting from all the information. Glancing at the clock, I quickly ran to my room to shower and get dressed before the kings arrived. Thank the gods it was only the kings and not their strongest alphas, it's always far too many people when that happens. 

"How are you feeling?" My father asked as we greeted each king.

I nodded, "Way better, ready to kick some ass."

My dad chuckled and dropped the conversation, knowing I would begin pestering him to let me start training again. He made a strict rule that I am not to begin training until next week, ignoring my dramatic claims of torture. 

I couldn't help but feel down when I saw Malachi walk in without Obsidian, part of me was hoping to see him today. I wanted to make sure he was okay, and this meeting was my only way of doing so, considering I don't have his phone number or anything. Worry began building when I saw how tired and concerned Malachi was, his normal cheeriness and bright eyes were absent. Instead, he was dull with exhaustion and his skin a few shades lighter, his hair was a little disheveled and his smile was tight and fake. 

"Malachi," I said softly, earning his attention. "Where is he?"

He frowned, "He's not doing well. The infection in his leg is taking a lot from him, thankfully it won't kill him. But he's far too weak right now and I haven't slept in days due to the stress of it all. I'm still in charge of the packs and gods, I don't know how you guys do it."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"It's not your fault, it's those damn hunters. I know it's nearly impossible to eliminate all of them, but at least the idiots behind all of this. Did you guys manage to find the traitor yet?"

"I'm not sure, my dad said he's going to talk about it at the meeting today. How long till Obsidian will be back on his feet?"

"Another week they're thinking, that's if we can get him to eat and drink. Right now, he's getting fluids and nutrients through an IV. I have never seen him this sick, not even when his dad—never mind."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "His dad? What did he do?"

"Nothing, it's his story to tell and he'll murder me if I blurt everything out," he sighed. 

I nodded, understanding what he meant, "You need to rest."

"I've tried but can't."

"What if we send someone over to help you out?"

He looked up, "Like who?"

"Well, my dad's general can help you. He has covered for my dad a few times when I couldn't, or my mother couldn't."

"Oh gods, that would be great. At least, until Obsidian is strong again."

Smiling, I patted him on the back, "Come on. After this meeting, we can talk to my dad."

"Thank you."