Chapter 16 Interrogation
River
I stand in the pack jail, the weight of the man’s words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. ‘The lost princess.’ I repeat the phrase in my head, trying to make sense of it. I need to understand what this means for Dust and for our pack.
I turn on my heel and head toward the pack’s war room, where Kellan is likely working. Kellan has always been my confidant, a steady presence in the chaos of pack life. He’s sharp, loyal, and doesn’t shy away from asking the tough questions. If anyone will have insights into this lost princess claim, it’s him.
As I push open the heavy door, I find him poring over a map of the territory, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looks up as I enter, his expression shifting to concern. “River, what’s wrong?”
“Sit down,” I say, my voice low but urgent. “We need to talk.”
Kellan nods and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What happened?”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “I spoke with the man who attacked Dust. He said something about her being the lost princess.”
Kellan raises an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. “Lost princess? That sounds like madness. Are you sure he wasn’t just rambling?”
“I thought so too,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “But there was something in his eyes… fear or desperation, I can’t quite tell. He seemed convinced. Do you have any idea what he might mean?”
Kellan leans forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. “It’s possible he’s mentally ill, River. I’ve seen wolves who have lost touch with reality. It can happen after trauma, especially if they were part of the pack that lost their way.”
I nod, considering his words. “That could be the case, but there’s something nagging at me. This isn’t just about him. There’s got to be more to it.”
Kellan’s gaze sharpens, and I can see his mind working. “You know, there have been rumors for years about a lost lycan princess… supposedly she was abducted as a baby. It’s said she was taken from her family, thought to have been killed in the process, as a sacrifice. But no one ever found her body.”
My pulse quickens at his words. “Do you really think there’s a connection?”
“Maybe,” he replies slowly. “If the rumors are true, then it’s possible that this man believes Dust is that lost princess. The stories have circulated among the packs for a long time, but they were often dismissed as fairy tales, you know the Lycans never really share stuff. Still… if there’s even a shred of truth to it, it could change everything.”
I lean back in my chair, my mind racing. Dust a princess? What would that mean for her? For us? “Kellan, I need you to look into this. I want you to find out everything you can about the lost princess… any leads, any old records, anything that could help clarify this situation. We need to know if Dust is in more danger than we thought.”
Kellan nods, his expression serious. “I’ll gather information. I have some contacts in the elder circles who might know more about the story. We’ll also need to check with the Lycans, see if anyone is willing to talk. It might take some time, but I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“Good,” I say, feeling a sense of urgency settle over me. “And keep this between us for now. I don’t want to alarm Dust or the pack until we know more.”
“Understood,” Kellan replies, standing up and placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out, River. Whatever it takes.”
As I leave the war room, my mind races with possibilities. If Dust truly is the lost princess, it changes everything… not just for her, but for the entire pack. I need to protect her, to ensure that this newfound knowledge doesn’t put her in more jeopardy.
I head outside, the sun shining brightly, but the warmth does little to ease the chill settling in my bones. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re standing on the precipice of something monumental. Dust deserves to know the truth, but I need to have answers first… solid, undeniable answers.
As I walk through the grounds, I can’t help but glance back toward my room, where Dust is waiting. I think of the way her eyes lit up when she saw the beauty of the pack, the way she smiled, even amidst her uncertainty. She deserves to feel safe, to feel loved, and I won’t let anything come between us.
With newfound determination, I make my way toward the edge of the territory, the scent of pine and earth filling my lungs. The wind whispers secrets around me, and I know I have to stay alert. The world is shifting, and I can feel it in my bones.
I’m not just fighting for Dust anymore; I’m fighting for our future. And whatever darkness threatens to come our way, I will face it head-on. I am the Alpha, and I will not let anyone take away what is mine.