ANOTHER CALM BEFORE THE STROM

RYAN'S POV.

"So, what you mean to say is... Aliya was Henry's mate?" She asked, looking very shocked. A lot of things seemed to have come as a shock to us today.

When Rosa had told us about her conversation with Amelia, I knew something was up between Guildford and Isabella. It wasn't a coincidence. Plus, Isabella's sudden appearance at his castle, was really suspicious.

"Yes." I nodded. "And up until now, he doesn't know she is dead."

"How is that even possible?" Audrey asked, her brows scrunching up in lack of comprehension. "They are mates, he is supposed to feel it when she dies."

"I think it's different because she was first banished as a member of the honourable supernaturals. She was a Rogue." Rosa explained.

That was true.

"What exactly is the deal with this Guilford man?" Audrey glared at no one in particular.

"The only thing I have been able to piece together in all these...." Logan paused, making all eyes fall on him. ".... is that Guilford...." He paused again, looking up at me. "Ryan, you once had an intimate relationship with Aliya, right?"

Why was he suddenly asking me that? Regardless of how uncomfortable his question made me feel, due to Rosa's presence, I gave a nod.

"And also with Isabella?" He pushed.

"Yes."

"And with your late mate; Brenda." This time, it sounded more like a statement, than a question.

"Obviously." I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"And me." Rosa whispered. Her expression was clearly that of realization. What were they thinking?

"What does anything have to do with the women I have been sexually involved with?"

"Ryan, isn't it obvious?" Logan asked, releasing a low sigh. "Guilford seems to have businesses with the women you have had some sort of intimate relationship with."

"He was Brenda's uncle, he obviously has some shady dealings with Isabella, he had the same with Aliya, and we still don't know what happened on that very day I lost some of my memory." Rosa explained, looking very disturbed. Why did this theory of theirs, make some sort of sense.

"Calm down, we cannot conclude anything yet." I said.

"Are you sure, Ryan? Because we clearly don't have..." She was still talking when fog suddenly filled the place.

Just wow!

We had waited days, for them to come forth and explain the way forward to us. Atleast, the showed up eventually.

"Sisters." Logan called out to them, as a form of greeting.

"King Logan." They all bowed, before their eyes fell back on me.

"I am grateful you three answered my call." Logan said, giving a appreciative nod. He was the one who summoned them? "There is a lot happening. We are.... confused. Could you all throw some more insights on what needs to be done?"

"Alpha Ryan!" Keturah's voice suddenly boomed, her eyes turning white. More fog filled the place, and I could feel the worry in Rosa's heart. "Protect the unborn child at all cost!!" She resounded her last instruction. "The demigods will sort themselves out. Strike before the enemy does."

"But what does that even mean? You keep speaking in parables. You know our unborn child is a Tinotaur, right? How did all of these happen? My child cannot be an enemy of the king's." Rosa retorted, almost in tears. That sight broke my heart.

"The demigods will sort themselves out." Keturah repeated. "A dark cloud is coming, but you shall conquer." With that, they all disappeared.

The room fell silent, and we all shared glances amongst ourselves. Logan was the first to speak up.

"As it stands, our only problem is the Kennedy chief. Our children will sort themselves out."

Wait a minute....

'The demigods will sort themselves out'.

Did Keturah mean our pups? Of course, I knew Blaze was a demigod, but never had it occured to me that my pup was one as well.

"They wouldn't ask us to protect this pup, if it was going to be dangerous." Audrey added, flashing Rosa a sad smile of relief. I felt my heart lurch at the sight. I knew how worried they had both been.

"I'm glad." Rosa sniffled. "But we have to act really fast." She went all serious. "We need to strike, before Guilford does."

It was so cool how we all quickly deciphered all that the witch elders had relayed to us. Above all, one thing gave me so much strength.

"Victory would be ours." I grinned.

I had never been the type to be scared about a fight or war. But ever since Rosa came into my life, I found myself being scared to fumbled. Scared of not being able to protect her and ours. Scared that I'd lose her, or vice versa.

But I'd never let my fear show, because that was a different fear all together. The fear of making Rosa think I was weak.

"Is that fine by you?" Logan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked, completely at loss.

"I just mindlinked your Gamma and Beta, to prepare the pack's soldiers. With the look of things, we cannot afford to be caught unprepared. Keturah made it clear that we have to give the first blow."

"That's totally fine." I nodded in agreement. "I would also try to keep my meeting with the council chiefs brief today. I wouldn't want them having an idea that something is off, especially if they notice that the soldiers are gearing up."

"I agree with you." Logan nodded.

************

We just concluded our meeting for the day, and I was already making my way out of the council room.

Our meeting for the day had initially been set for evening. I thought of shifting up the time, seeing as evening was the time the soldiers would be more busy with their trainings.

On a second thought, I decided not to. Doing so would only spike the curiosity of the chiefs. So now, we were rounding up at night, and it was only courteous that the chiefs joined us for dinner.

I made my way to the dinning room, and they all followed behind. I was a bit disappointed when I got there, to see that my mate wasn't present. What could have been the reason she ditched dinner?

'She had an early dinner, Ryan. She's asleep', Audrey's voice filtered through my mindlink, and I smiled to myself. Was I that obvious?

'Thank you, Audrey'.

In a blur, dinner was done, and all the chiefs were gradually leaving the castle for their various homes, one after the other.

Just as I stood to leave, Dean MacQuoid blocked my path. We both stared at each other for some seconds, before he eventually spoke.

"Please..." He started in a pleading tone that had me weak to my knees. Maybe it was because I had never seen the man this way. He was literally looking so..... drained. "Please, is she okay? My daughter."

"Dean....." I began, not sure what to say, but he was quick to cut me off.

"Is she okay? Is everything fine? The castle seems a bit off today. She isn't present at the table, neither are most high officials. Your Beta and Gamma inclusive."

Fuck.

"There is nothing to be worried about." I managed to say, without sounding or looking suspicious. "The pregnancy has Rosa mostly fatigued these days. She had an early dinner, and is currently asleep."

"Please you have to help me. I know she doesn't want to see me, but I have to see her. I need to see my child."

Dean pleaded, making me weary of the intrusive gazes from the other people present at the dinning room.

'You'd see her, Dean. But just not tonight', I mindlinked him, before walking off.

A part of me felt so sad for him. But on the other hand, I truly wasn't sure if Rosa wished to see him now. I mean, he was the one topic she had avoided like a plague, since the discovery was made. I guess that was her own way of coping with everything going on.

On getting to our chambers, I walked right in to truly see that she was fast asleep. Dousing the urge to go drop kisses all over her face, for the fear of waking her, I made my way to the bathroom instead.

After having a thorough bath, I stepped out and threw on a free singlet and joggers.

I felt my face scrunch up in worry, the moment Iooked at Rosa's face. She seemed troubled in her sleep, and I only wondered why. Before I could help myself, I stretched forth my hand to caress her cheeks, and saw myself being drawn into her thoughts. Or rather, her dream.

Then, I saw it. I saw it all!

Everything that had happened on the very day that pathetic man had assaulted her, and erased her memories.

Now, it all made sense.

I wasn't going to hold back. I would strike first!

I would strike now, and strike hard.