A strange feeling

A strange feeling

Saviour's POV

Just as we gather our weapons for the journey, Aul and Kira step inside, both looking uneasy.

“Saviour,” Aul rushes towards me. “We heard about Solan.” he mutters, his gaze briefly drifting to Raven who ticks her dagger into her belt.

“Everyone has heard,” Raven responds, her eyes a bit red from all the crying.

“We're moving into every pack. We need to search everywhere.” I say, catching the tick in Kira's jaw.
“What is it?” I question, wondering what she's hiding.
Kira steps forward, briefly glancing down at her hands. “I couldn’t sit still when I heard. I had to come.”
I nod… waiting.

“There is something else,” she whispers, instantly gaining everyone's attention, including the pups. “Saviour, two weeks ago… your mother sent me a letter.”

My back stiffens. “What?” I stutter, striding up to her.
“What did she say?” Raven joins me, her eyes hopeful.
Kira hesitates, her voice faltering. “S..she said she… wanted to see her grandchildren. That she needed me to convince you to allow her into your pack. She also wrote a couple of things about injustice but I didn't see it as something important.”

“And you waited until now to say this?” Raven harshly raises her voice but I hold her back, glad when Throne gently takes her hand.

“Did she include any threat?” Alpha Kaelen questions.

Kira shakes her head.

“We also didn't get an address from the letter but we didn't release the messenger she sent either. I've told my men to interrogate him further so we know which way to go.” Aul mutters.

I open my mouth to speak but another person, this time a guard, walks through.
“Alpha King Saviour, a messenger from Knightgale is here to drop something off.” he says.

“Where is it?” I mutter, and immediately a young man with nervous eyes, stumbles in. He bows quickly, sweat dripping down his face. “I b..bring word from the Knightgale Pack. Someone reported to them… that a shoe was found.”

“A shoe?”

“Yes, Alpha King.” His voice trembles and he keeps his head low. “They claim it belongs to your son. Found in the river. The waters carried it down to the shore of the west island… very far from here.”
Raven grabs it from the stranger and sniffs. “It smells like salt but Solan's scent sits faint in it.”
I narrow my eyes at the man. “And tell me… how did this stranger know it belonged to my son? Solan does not walk around announcing his shoes to the world.”

The messenger swallows hard, his hands shaking badly. “I…I don’t know. I was only told to deliver the message.”

“Of course,” I mutter, dismissing him.

“Something isn't right.” Aul says. “Why would the person who found the shoe report it to Knightgale Pack?”

“It feels like the Knightgale Pack is trying to point our attention in the direction of the island. Perhaps they know more than they claim.” Alpha Kaelen says.
“So are you suggesting we ignore them?” Kira asks.

“No,” Raven rushes. “We don't know what really happened but we need to find my son as soon as possible. Even if it means we separate into two groups. I will not abandon a possibility due to uncertainty.”

This really makes no sense. Even if a stranger found a missing shoe, why would they send it to Knightgale pack? How did they know it belonged to Solan?
Why did the messenger look so scared, like he was…”

“Sav,”
My head snaps towards Victor.

“I have a feeling about this,” I respond through our mindlink.

“I think the messenger wasn't sent. Who sends a message without a letter?” Victor says and I breathe in deeply.

“Then maybe he's trying to help us find Solan… maybe he knows something but can't say it.”

“We need to go to that island.” Raven says firmly and I nod.
“But first I need the pack secured. In case this is a plot to lure us out. I want tighter security around the pack house.”

“And if it's a trap?” Alpha Kaelen asks.

Throne exhales. “We must act, whether we are being fooled or not, we cannot ignore it.”

Alpha Kaelen nods. “But we must tread carefully.” he says, holding my gaze and I nod, getting his silent message.

No harm will come to Raven. I would first die.

“Gafar, I'm putting you in charge of security.” I say and the man salutes. “I want eyes watching, every second. The secret route should be blocked and no one enters or leaves without my permission.” I order.
“Yes, Alpha King!”

“And the pups,” I continue but Alpha Kaelen speaks out.
“I'll watch over them. Solan has been taken, I will not risk another pup.” he grunts.

“I don't want to stay,” Jace suddenly exclaims, looking nervous. “I’m not staying behind! I’m not hiding while Solan is out there!” He says with a stronger tone.

“Jace, go back upstairs…” Victor commands gently.

“No!” Jace shouts again, his voice cracking. “I won’t. I can fight! I can help! I’m the one who should go… I'm the one who should have been taken if he didn't come to look for me.” His fists shake as he speaks. “I want to look for him too.”

“Enough!” Throne's roar causes the boy to flinch, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

But Jace doesn't stop. “I can’t just sit here like a coward while he’s out there alone! Please, let me come. I beg you,” then he turns to me, his hands clasped together. “Alpha King, please let me come.”

I step forward, towering over him. “Jace, look at me,” I start, staring into his red rimmed eyes.
“You are not to blame for this. Do you hear me? You did not hurt Solan. You did not drag him away. You did what he asked… you ran for help. And because of that, we know what happened. Do not carry a burden that is not yours.”

“But…”

“No,” I crouch low, gripping his shoulders hard. “We can't be bothered about you on the journey. We might get ambushed if this is a trap… anything can happen. It will break your parents if you get hurt.”

He sobs, shaking his head. “But this is my duty. I'm his beta.”
I glance at Victor who runs a hand through his hair. “No, Jace. Quit this, right now! Your time will come to fight beside us. But right now, your only duty is to stay alive. Do you understand me?”

His lower lip trembles but he doesn't say anything more. “I'll be in my room then.” He snaps, running up the stairs.

“Let's go,” I mutter, knowing this time, we'll return with Solan. I will cut down whoever I have to, so he can be home again.