Chapter 36 A Spy in their Midst

Chapter 36 A Spy in their Midst
Lyra

The porch boards creak beneath us as we settle into the shade of dusk. The yellow paint of the old house peels in curling strips. Beyond the steps, Reed chases a toad through the tall grass, his laughter cutting through the quiet every so often.

Serena leans back against the porch railing. “We need to move quickly,” she says. “Kaelen’s people are speaking freely about him now, but they might not be for long.” 

Mitch rests his back against the post, arms folded, trying to look confident. He glances at Serena and then back at me. “So… what’s the cover?”

“You’ll pose as couriers delivering messages and parcels from nobles and guilds outside Running River,” I reply. “I forged a stack of them last night. They’re just props.”

Reed squeals at the lively toad in the grass, and Mitch looks to him before looking back at me. “And once we’re inside the Alpha’s walls?”

“You blend in,” Bram says, his voice low and certain. “Servants move everywhere. Find a broom and pretend to sweep. Find a servant with a tray and offer to deliver it. No one will notice you unless you cause trouble. Just listen for rumors, debts, jealousies, anything that can help us figure out who really killed Arica and why Kaelen wants to pin it on Lyra.” 

Reed runs up the steps. HIs hair is mussed, and he’s holding the toad in both hands. “Look!” he beams, proud of his catch.

Serena smiles, brushing his hair back from his face. “That’s wonderful, Reed. Be kind to the little fella, all right?”

He scampers back into the yard, toad still sitting safely on his open palm.

Mitch clears his throat. “What if they notice we don’t belong?”

“The nobles of Running River can barely see past the noses on their faces. You won’t be seen, trust me,” is my response. 

Serena smirks. “And while we’re at it, remember, the servants’ tongues wag more than any noble’s.”

I nod. “Very good point. You may not even need to hear from the Alpha himself to get what you came for. Now, the route is simple. Gatehouse, servants’ yard, then follow the halls like you belong. I’ll be linked with you the whole time if you need a word in your ear.”

Mitch exhales. “All right. We can do it.”

“No hesitation once you’re inside,” Bram warns. “The more you look like you know where you’re going, the safer you’ll be.”

Reed’s laughter drifts back to us on the wind, light and unburdened. I look at Serena, Mitch, and then Bram. “We leave at dawn.” 



Sunrise bleeds coral over the horizon. Serena kneels to kiss Reed on the top of his messy head, whispering, “Be good for Frank and Jeanie.” He clings to her briefly then lets himself be guided toward the old couple, who embrace him gently. Serena straightens, slinging her pack over one shoulder, and gives me a quick nod.

The four of us move to the edge of the woods bordering Song Pack lands, packs heavy on our backs. When the moment comes, we melt into the shadows, our bodies sliding into wolf form. 

We travel silently, threading through the underbrush in single file. Running River territory is just a ripple on the horizon, and by the time we reach the outskirts, the morning light glints off the rooftops. Here, tucked into the treeline, we shift back, letting human form reclaim us. We pull our clothes from our packs and dress. 

“Stay alert,” Bram murmurs, scanning the nearby street from the cover of trees. I feel his tension even before I see it.

Serena leads, Mitch beside her, clutching the forged courier documents I made. “Remember,” I send through the mind-link, “you’re delivering these messages. Walk with purpose, like you belong. Confidence is everything.”

Her response is immediate: “Understood.”

I crouch in the shadows with Bram. My muscles are coiled and my senses are on high alert. Through the mind-link, Serena’s voice threads into my mind again. “The guards at the gate are checking the documents, but I’m keeping my posture and tone confident.”

“Perfect. You’ll be through in no time. Take the uniforms at the first opportunity,” I say. “Blend in. Listen.”

“We made it past the guards. The courtyard’s empty, and nobody’s looking.” 

“Great! Your first stop will be the storage room on the right, past the fountain. It has a large oak door with iron hinges,” I tell her.

After a few moments I get a response. “Right, we found it. We’re going to pull uniforms on over our clothes.”

“Perfect. Next, down the hall past the kitchen, second door on the left, are the servants’ quarters. Keep your heads low, move like you belong, and if anyone asks, you’re just new. Just tell them Becky, she’s the head maid, hired you.” 

“Moving now,” Serena replies. 

“There’s also a linen room two doors from there. People pass through constantly. Listen for anything about Kaelen, Tessa, or Arica.”

“Got it. Wait… yes, someone’s whispering. About debts, favors… Kaelen’s hand in it all,” Serena reports. 

“Don’t linger too long. The north wing sitting room is where nobles pass through. You might hear something more valuable,” I advise.

For at least an hour, I guide Serena and Mitch around corners and down halls. I’m glad I’ve spent so much time in the Alpha’s castle-like home–back when I was one of his most successful warriors.

Serena’s voice comes through the mind-link again. “I am overhearing someone speaking about Kaelen in a very negative way. This could be valuable.”

“Who is it?” I ask, heart tightening.

“I’m not sure yet, but it seems important. I left Mitch in the kitchen with some other servants so he could make friends and gather gossip. Somehow, I ended up drawing a bath for a very fancy woman in an enormous bedroom.”

Alarm rings in my mind. “Serena, that’s Tessa, Kaelen’s new wife–the Luna. You cannot blow this. Listen to every word she says, and do not let her catch you.”

“I understand,” she replies, her voice tense. “She’s talking to her lady-in-waiting about the council, about debts Kaelen owes, things only a noble would know. I’m doing my best to keep up.”

“Stay focused. Remember everything she says, and don’t let her suspect anything.”

“Yes. I’m trying,” Serena says, slower now. Her updates become shorter, harder to come by.

Then there’s nothing.

“Serena?” I call through the mind-link.

Silence stretches out too long. My pulse races, and Bram notices my unease. 

He stiffens beside me. “What happened? What’s she saying?”

“Nothing. Something or someone has cut her off…”

The castle looms over us, Serena is in there, and I have no idea why she is not responding.