CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

“What? So he has a large army there right now?”

“More than half his troops, yeah”

“Well, the goddess is definitely looking after us. We would have walked right into an ambush. Damian, he's describing a particular herb and I can't wake my mate up over it so I need you to help me figure it out. Maybe we can use it to our advantage.” He said as Damian came into the room with sleepy eyes.

“Alright Alpha. What does it look like?” Damian asked the rogue who was looking more tired as the interrogation went on.

“It's really tiny. It's pink colored and it has a very, very sweet scent. He adds ground curry to it. The moment we spray it on any wolf, they lose their connection with their wolf temporarily. And you know the silencing herb. Every wolf knows it. That's how we move around quietly.”

Damian closed his eyes and when he opened it, his pupils seemed to have disappeared but on a closer look, there was a tiny dot. He walked around the room, making strange noises.

This shocked the rogue.

“What is he doing?” He asked in confusion.

“Probably looking for the herb. Is there a problem?”

“I had an aunt who spoke with birds. She died when her favorite bird was shot. He has to try not to get too close. Master hated birds. Like really, really hates them”

Damian closed his eyes and they were back to their normal color.

“Your aunt allowed her mate's familiar to mark her. That tied their lives together. I haven't even met my mate. Now, I've found the herbs, Oot is bringing it for me. Jethro probably hates birds because of me. He thinks I'll be spying on him. Like I'm that heartless to send innocent birds to his den.”

“That will have to change, birdman. We would have walked into a trap if we had not caught this rogue. Prepare to join us tomorrow. We're going to the Royal Pack” Dante announced, turning back to the rogue. “You are going to do something for me. You won't have a choice so make sure you relax.” He looked him in his eyes and released his aura.

“You will go back to the Blood Stone Pack and you will lie to Jethro. Tell him our pack is nothing to write home about. And when he asks you what happened to your squad, tell him you killed them all as they switched allegiance” he finished.

The rogue nodded ferociously, his wolf more than willing to obey.

“Jake, release him close to the river. He will find his way. Everyone, get as much sleep as you can. Kristen, make sure Seth is ready for transportation tomorrow. I promised the pack the Alpha King will decide his punishment” Dante finished, walking out of the room, exhausted.

He got home and bathed before joining his mate in bed. This woke her up and she could feel the discomfort in their bond more than usual.

This forced him to tell her everything and sleep immediately disappeared from her eyes.

“He has taken them prisoner? We would have been taken as well if we had gone as well. Damn. Well, we need to figure out how much we can tell the Royals. I don't want anyone to turn me into a blood bank”

“Over my dead body. We can't really hold anything back. He will see through all lies. We will just hope the kingdom is more important to him than anything else”

“Maybe they'll even tell us what they've been planning to do to stop the issue. We've been working blindly all the while. Who knows, they could have the solution”

“Let's not raise our hopes up. Who knows, the goddess may have told them we are the solution. I'm so scared of failing. Remember the prophecy?” Dante asked.

“Oh yea, and we're doing a great job. Stop stressing okay? The king will have more war strategists. You won't be the only one dealing with this okay? Let's get some sleep. You've done a lot of work tonight” she told him, wrapping his body around hers.

“I don't know. I've not been able to sleep properly”

“I noticed but trust me, it'll be different now. The danger has been averted. Relax okay?” She said while kissing him on the cheek.

This made him smile and he finally relaxed, giving in to the bliss of his mate's soft and warm body.

***

The next morning, Dante was up and running, giving orders all over the place.

Taylor barely saw him all through. She focused on organizing the travel party. Everyone was over packed and the vehicles were not enough.

“Tess, please help me tell these wolves that we are not going for a vacation. One bag per person. We had to increase the amount of people traveling as there has been a change of plans okay?” She complained, tired of the disorganized crowd.

“Hey guys! Gal, that bag is too much. You won't need that many clothes. One bag per person!” Tessa screamed, frustration already crawling up her head.

“Wait, what exactly are you guys preparing for? You realize the Royal Pack has the biggest market right?”

“Um, Luna, we won't have time,” a soldier replied in a small voice.

“Time? You will have more time than the rest of us at the top. What is he talking about? Do you think we'll all be crowded into the Alpha King's war room?” She asked incredulously.

“Oh, you don't know.”

“Know what!?” She asked, exasperated.

“By the time we get to the Royal Pack, it'll be the day of the Royal Mating Ball” someone told her.