Chapter 80 Return of messengers
Aloria
I pace the floor of the pack house common room, my heart racing with each passing moment. The air is thick with tension, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is coming. River left me to go interrogate the witch, his departure bringing with it a storm of uncertainty, and I’m left here, feeling like a coiled spring ready to snap.
The pack house feels both familiar and suffocating, the walls echoing the thoughts racing through my mind. I can’t help being worried if he is safe
The door swings open, and River strides in, his expression fierce and urgent. My breath catches as I take in his presence, the weight of his earlier absence lifting slightly. “Aloria,” he calls, his voice steady but urgent. “We need to talk.”
I rush to him, my heart pounding with worry. “What happened? Are you okay?” The sight of him makes me feel a flicker of hope, but I can see the storm brewing in his eyes.
“Things are moving fast now,” he replies, running a hand through his hair, the tension radiating off him like heat. “I just got back from interrogating the witch. She’s tied to your uncle, and he has plans that could destroy everything we’ve built here.”
A chill runs down my spine at the mention of my uncle. “What kind of plans? What did she say?”
River steps closer, his gaze intense. “We’re not alone in this fight. The messengers I sent to the other packs have started returning and they’re all, but a few, willing to support us against your uncle if he comes for us.”
Relief floods through me, but it’s quickly chased by a wave of anxiety. “What do they want in return? How can we trust them?” The idea of relying on others feels foreign and terrifying to me.
“They want to stand with us,” he assures me, his voice firm. “They believe in our strength, and they know what’s at stake. We’re not isolated anymore. We have allies. All they want is for us to return the favor if ever needed.”
Before I can respond, Kellan bursts into the room, his face taut with urgency. “River, we have a situation,” he says, his eyes darting between us. “The messenger from the usurper king has returned. Aloria’s uncle is sending a negotiator to the old mill pond to discuss terms.”
My stomach drops at the mention of the king. “Negotiate? With him? Why would we even consider that?”
Kellan exchanges a tense glance with River. “If we can buy time, maybe we can figure out a way to turn this in our favor. We need to show the king we’re not afraid.”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “And if it’s a trap?”
“Then we’ll deal with it, but we need to respect a request for a diplomatic meeting,” Kellan replies, his voice steady. “We won’t be caught off guard again.”
The weight of this moment is heavy, but I can’t let fear paralyze me. “What do you need me to do?” I ask, willing to step up in whatever way I can.
“Gather the pack,” River says, his voice resolute. “We need everyone to be alert and prepared if things go wrong. We have to show the king that we’re united and strong.”
I nod, determination rising within me. “I’ll get them together. We need to be ready for anything. Who will go negotiate? My father?”
“No too risky, he needs to stay here,” River says. “I will go.”
“Isn’t that risky too?” I protest. “Maybe someone else should…”
River shakes his head, “if we send someone of lower rank that Alpha they will think we are mocking them.”
“Let me come with you then,” I say knowing the answer before I even say it.
“No, I need you here… safe,” River says.
I grab River’s arm gently, looking into his eyes. “Please be careful. My uncle is cunning. We can’t underestimate him.”
He nods and looking into his eyes, I feel a surge of strength. “I trust you, River. We’ll face this together.”
I hurry out of the room and into the heart of the pack house, urgency propelling me forward. The smell of wood and the faint scent of pine fill the air as I gather the pack, their faces turning toward me with a mix of expectation and concern.
“Listen up!” I call, raising my voice to cut through the murmurs. “River and Kellan have news. My uncle is sending a negotiator to the old mill pond. We need to prepare ourselves if negotiations fail.”
A murmur of apprehension ripples through the group, and I can see the tension building. “This is our chance to show him we won’t back down. We stand together, united as one pack.”
A cheer rises from the group, a wave of energy that bolsters my spirits. We’re not alone in this fight. With the support of the other packs and the strength of our unity, we might just have a chance.
But as the cheers fade, a knot of anxiety tightens in my stomach. My uncle is dangerous, and he won’t play fair. I glance back at River, who stands at the edge of the gathering, his expression fierce and protective. I know he’s ready to fight for me, but I refuse to let anyone else dictate our fate.
“Let’s get everything ready,” I call out to the pack, my conviction unwavering. “We’ll meet the negotiator at the mill pond, and we’ll show them just how strong we are.”
As the pack starts to mobilize, I feel the fire of determination building within me. I won’t let my uncle take away everything we’ve fought for… no we will take back whe he took from my family.