The air crackled with anticipation as Alpha Zephyr, flanked by his Beta and Gamma, stood poised at the border ready to welcome Xander, the pack's spy who was also the only one that lived beyond the border.
He lived as a member of the Royal Pack helping to secure information needed for the avengeance of the River Pack.
A tremor of raw power pulsed from the sacred stone in Zephyr's hand as he sliced a searing line through the Pack's Shield. Ignoring the flesh-deep burn, he stepped back, and a figure emerged from the shimmering rift.
Xander, broad-shouldered with short brown-hair, offered Zephyr a respectful bow and a warm smile. "My Alpha."
"Xander," Zephyr replied and they exchanged a firm and meaningful handshake. "It's good to see you."
Xander's attention shifted to Zeeb and a playful grin spread across his face. "What in the realm is this?" he exclaimed, ruffling Zeeb's thick, unruly hair. "It's fuller every time I see you. Are you planning on growing some cubs in there?"
Zeeb chuckled, a touch of vanity in his response. "Don't be jealous. The women love it!"
A hearty laugh escaped Xander as he pulled Zeeb into a brief, back-slapping hug.
Finally, he turned to Ralph, his voice thick with emotion. "Little Brother."
"Hello, Brother," Ralph responded. They shared a longer embrace, a silent exchange of shared history.
"This meeting was a surprise," Xander admitted, stepping back. "I wasn't expecting to see you until after the full moon, I was shocked when I received the message from Otsanna." He handed Zephyr a tightly rolled scroll. "But I managed to get this – the seating arrangement for the Solstice party."
Zephyr accepted the scroll and passed it to Zeeb.
"Thank you, Xander. I wouldn't have called you so urgently if it wasn't important."
Xander's eyes scanned their faces, searching for the unspoken problem. Zephyr hesitated, his tongue seemingly tied. Ever since he had met her, his emotions had been a chaotic storm. Agitation and impatience warred within him.
"Ralph," he finally managed.
Ralph cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Zephyr… felt the mate bond."
A short, sharp laugh burst from Xander. "Now I understand the Alpha's… different energy," he teased, a glint in his eye. "You seem more fiery."
Zephyr's jaw tightened, while Zeeb struggled to suppress a grin.
"So," Xander continued, "the Alpha's mate is a late bloomer, or perhaps a very young she-wolf? And how is Raula taking the news?"
Again Zeeb suppressed a chuckle.
Ralph sighed. "She's not from this pack."
Xander's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"He found her in the Silveren," Ralph explained. "Unconscious."
Xander's eyes narrowed. This was no laughing matter.
"His mate… in the Silveren? What is she? Some kind of Siren? A Water Sprite?"
"She's not my mate!" Zephyr growled, the vehemence in his voice surprising even Xander.
"We don't know where she came from," Ralph added, "but she bears the Royal Mark on her arm."
The air crackled with a sudden, charged silence. "What?" Xander whispered, his face paling.
Zephyr produced a rough sketch from his pocket, handing it to Xander.
Xander's gaze fell upon the drawing of a bald woman with striking blue eyes. "You still have it in you," he murmured, a strange mix of admiration and dread in his voice. He glanced up at Zephyr's fierce expression and wisely refrained from further comment. "I've never seen her before. Are you sure it's the Royal Mark?"
"Otsanna confirmed it," Zephyr stated flatly.
"The Dark King has only one daughter," Xander said, his voice tight. "I saw her myself, just before I left the Pack. She was… celebrating with friends."
"I think she's an instrument," Zephyr interjected. "He's planning something, and he planted her here."
"But we're sealed," Xander countered, "and only the Royal family bears the Mark."
"Do you think the Dark King is incapable of breaking our seal after twenty years?" Zephyr challenged, "Or bending the rules regarding the Mark?"
"The Dark king can do anything." Xander confirmed and then his expression softened. "What did Otsanna have to say about the bond."
Zeeb and Ralph stiffened while Zephyr growled.
"She thinks it's real. I think it's Dark magic." He said.
Xander fell silent, his thoughts racing. " I think so too. There was an incident two nights ago," he finally said. "A private ceremony. The only attendees I know were the Royal family and the Shadow Pack Alpha. The guest list was likely very small. You're right. Something is about to happen. Have you interrogated the witch?"
"Tortured her," Zephyr corrected.
"And?"
"She hasn't said a word. She's near death," Zeeb reported.
"If she works for the Dark King, she won't talk," Xander said grimly. "She's likely given him her soul. What do we do?"
Zephyr's gaze hardened. "I want you to get a Shadow Weaver."
A heavy silence descended upon the group. The Shadow weaver was a dangerous weapon constructed of dark magic. It was used to forcefully travel through one's memories.
"How long will it take?" Zephyr demanded.
"Four days' journey," Xander replied. "A week, tops."
"Good," Zephyr said. "I'll make sure she's alive until then." He turned, his eyes burning with a cold fire.
"Watch her closely. I'll find out what I can. Can I keep this?" Xander asked, gesturing to the sketch.
"Yes," Zephyr confirmed.
The meeting was over. Xander offered quick handshakes and hugs before slipping back through the now-closed seal.
Zeeb stepped forward. "Alpha Zephyr, she's in a critical state. She won't survive the Shadow Weaver."
"Then it's fortunate she has a few days before Xander returns," Zephyr replied, his voice devoid of emotion. He saw Zeeb about to protest and cut him off with a growl. "I don't care if she dies after that. Have her moved to my chambers. Channe will stay with her until dawn."
"Yes, Alpha," Zeeb conceded.
Zephyr turned and disappeared into the dense woods.
"It's only a crescent moon," Zeeb murmured, puzzled. "Why is he going into the woods?"
"I have no idea," Ralph muttered, his eyes fixed on Zeeb.
"What?" Zeeb asked.
"I should be asking you," Ralph countered. "You don't look happy about the Shadow Weaver."
Zeeb's expression darkened. "She's innocent."
"What are you talking about?" Ralph asked, incredulous.
"I saw it in her eyes," Zeeb insisted. "She's used to torture. She knows pain. We spent hours in there, and she only screamed once. And when she looked at me, pleading… I swear by the Goddess, I knew she was innocent."
"Are you even listening to yourself?" Ralph asked in disbelief.
"I know it sounds crazy," Zeeb admitted, "but I think the Dark King tortured her for this. Maybe he's using her as a tool."
"And if that's true," Ralph pointed out, "doesn't that mean she deserves no mercy?"
Zeeb cursed under his breath. "I saw it with my Mother," he whispered, a haunted look in his eyes. "The struggle… the innocence… before they took her."
"You're the one who called her a bald siren," Ralph reminded him. "You're the one who said she was dangerous."
"Of course I thought so!" Zeeb defended himself. "Anyone would!"
"There's a good chance she bewitched Zephyr," Ralph argued.
"She said she didn't do anything," Zeeb insisted. "I think it was his doing. The Dark King." He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I couldn't continue. I had to stop the torture."
Ralph's eyebrows rose. "You disobeyed the Alpha's order?"
"I won't murder an innocent person," Zeeb said through gritted teeth, the realization of his defiance sending a shiver of fear through him.
Ralph watched him in silence.
"After the Shadow Weaver, we'll know if she's innocent," he finally said.
"But she'll die!" Zeeb protested. "And how can Zephyr do this? Dark magic is forbidden!"
"That's enough, Zeeb," Ralph said sternly. "We're fighting the Dark King. There are no rules for that. Now, come on!"
The unspoken question hung heavy in the air: what secrets did the mysterious woman hold, and what dark , hidden plots were about to unfold?