Chapter 14 A Seed of Doubt
Xander
Five hours before Vanessa's imprisonment
Max slams the door to my private office open just as I pick up my cup of coffee. I pause mid sip and raise an eyebrow at him.
His mouth stretches into a sheepish smile as he turns to close the door, handling it gently this time.
"Shouldn't you be working right now?" I ask, dropping the cup back on the table.
"I already finished most of it anyway, well most of what I think I can finish in one night." He picks up my coffee and takes a sip, wrinkling his nose as he does so. "For someone so icy and rugged on the outside, you sure like sweet things like a child. I almost had a tooth decay right now."
"And for someone so lazy, you do have a knack for being so bothersome," I retort.
Covering his mouth with both of his hands, he lets out a mock gasp. "How dare you, Xanny?"
"What do you want, Max?" I sigh.
He clears his throat, a serious expression taking over his features. "There's been a rogue attack at the Shadow Wind Pack, and they are soliciting our help for reinforcements."
My eyebrows furrow at that information. This is the third attack within two weeks which is quite unusual. They many be the smallest pack on this side of the country, but still one of the strongest. The frequent attacks are becoming more concerning.
"Set up a meeting with the pack's Alpha so we can discuss this more in detail."
"Already set, Alpha. We leave in the next thirty minutes. And yes," he holds up a finger as I open my mouth to ask, "all your stuff is packed and ready to go,. we'll be there for about two or three days," he finishes.
I can't help the grateful smile that tugs on the corners of my lips. Except for the fact that we grew up together and have been friends since childhood, his competence and ability to carry out tasks without me asking and to my satisfaction is what solidified my reasons for choosing him as the Beta of this pack.
"Excellent. I'll be ready in a few minutes." I walk to my room to pick up one or two essentials I may need. On my way out, I pass by Vanessa's room, my feet coming to a standstill.
I contemplate knocking to let her know I will be out of town for a few days, but then, decide against it.
It's not like she'll actually notice or will want to come along, and if she actually needs anything, she can always reach me through the phone.
I turn around and head to the waiting car with Max already in the driver's seat, then start the three-hour journey to Shadow Wind Pack, the second car just behind us.
As soon as we arrive, we are ushered in with grateful smiles and hopeful eyes.
We gather at the pack's meeting room and without beating around the bush, start the discussions on strategies and next line of action.
"In the span of two weeks, we've had three rogue attacks, lost twenty pack members and killed fifty-two rogues," Alpha Jaxon starts. "Their hideouts have also been combed out and we've only managed to capture a few of them."
"The few ones captured, have they been interrogated yet?" I ask.
"Yes. Although the information gathered was minimal but it's a start. We now know that they have different hideouts stationed in all parts of the country and also, the purpose of these attacks which is to takeover packs in the shortest possible time."
I scoff at that. Rogues are pack members who have been banished and no longer have ties to a pack, thereby making them the weakest werewolf links, and are no match for a full pack.
"What about their mode of operations? Have there been suspicious activities within the pack? Are there any insiders? Because these things don't happen without at least someone from the inside giving them confidence," Max analyzes.
Alpha Jaxon sighs. "As much as I want to deny the possibility, I can't. The pack executives are actively carrying out investigations and should conclude with concrete evidence very soon."
I nod at that. It's best to do that now than wait for things to get even worse.
For the next two days, we analyze, discuss, and re-strategize more, while also promising to deploy more warriors to their pack.
Since there isn't much left to discuss, I ask Max to go back to the pack before me as I have some things to round up before heading home.
I'm shaking Alpha Jaxon's hand one last time when my phone vibrates for the thousandth time in that hour.
I think of declining Max's call one more time but decide against it. It must be something important if he kept calling consistently knowing I must be busy.
"Max, why are you calling me for the–"
"Xanny, finally!" he sounds out of breath like he was running. "You need to come home right now, Vanessa is locked up in the dungeons as we speak."
What?!
"What? Why? Wh–"
"J-just get here fast." The call ends.
I don't have time to say a proper goodbye to Alpha Jaxon as I jump into the car and speed-drive back home.
I barely acknowledge any greeting as I barge into the Royal Court room, almost throwing the doors off their hinges.
"What the hell is going on?" I shout.
They don't seem surprised by my outburst which infuriates me even more.
Wade stands to his feet and explains the situation to me, and I listen carefully.
"What? A forbidden rune object? That's ridiculous!"
A rune like that could wreak an entire pack. Where would she even get that?
"You know this is how we do it, Xander. We had no choice."
I scoff. Of course they didn't.
I spin around and head straight for the dungeons.
Something twists itself inside of me as I take in her appearance. She's seated in the corner, arms clasped on her knees as her blue eyes stare into space.
She doesn't notice me until I'm in her line of sight.
"Hey," I say quietly.
"Hi," she responds, then scrambles forward. "I swear, I don't know how it got there! It wasn't me."
"I know. I believe you." I give her a small reassuring smile and her eyes fill immediately, but refuses to let them fall.
I turn to the guard. "Release her. Now."
He shivers a little at my tone and bows. "I apologize, your Highness. It's not within my power and we've been ordered not to even if it's you asking until there's definite proof."
I growl and my fists go through the walls.
What are they playing at? Is this their way of rebelling? Because she's human?
I turn back to her, reaching out to hold her hand and squeeze. "I'll get you out of here. I promise."
She nods, squeezes back and gently pulls away.
One other thing bothers me. My wolf.
He's been silent since we got here, and I only hope it's not the calm before storm.