It was exactly a week since Zephyr had last seen the 'witch' as he had named her. The last time was when he had told Zeeb to torture her.
Even with her being moved to his room, he had not set eyes on her, he had stayed away and made sure his room was heavily guarded especially after finding out that his sisters sneaked in.
He'd immersed himself in the brutal rhythm of training and strategic planning, a desperate attempt to quell the tempest of unfamiliar emotions that had surged within him since her arrival.
It was no exaggeration to say that Alpha Zephyr had been emotionless for the past twenty years. Like the rest of his pack members, the dark war had taken a huge piece of his soul and left him a hollow shell.
Compounding the tragedy, he'd been thrust into the mantle of Alpha at the tender age of eight, burdened by a traumatic sacrifice. His existence had narrowed to a single, burning purpose: vengeance. To avenge his father, his brother, his shattered and secluded pack.
Now, there was a possibility that the dark king was ahead of him and he would not allow it.
These thoughts swirled in his mind as he started making his way to the shimmering shield at the border where he would be meeting Ralph, Zeeb and Xander.
"Zephyr." A gentle but stern voice called him and he stopped.
He was just moments away from the hallway end where he planned on transforming in to his wolf and vanishing in to the night.
Luna Vilka, a beautiful woman in her forties with long glistening brown hair and stunning grey eyes approached him with her companion trailing slightly behind.
"Mother." Zephyr acknowled with a curt nod.
Luna Vilka gave a warm smile and her hand brushed her son's cheek affectionately.
"Hello, My Son." She greeted softly with her hand lingering before falling away.
Her gaze swept over him, scrutinizing his every movement, before settling on his implacable face.
"You have been very scarce." The Luna commented.
"I've been occupied." Zephyr replied .
Vilka took a step closer to him with a flicker of concern in her eyes.
"Are you well?" She asked.
"I'm well mother." Zephyr answered but his mother was not convinced.
"There's something different about you." She muttered. He was clearly irritated and Zephyr was never easy to read. His jaw was tightened and his veins throbbed.
"I'm fine mother. I have to leave now. I have somewhere important to be." He said gruffly and he turned to leave but she held on to his arm gently.
"So late at night? It's not the full moon." She said, her voice laced with confusion. "What's wrong my son?"
Her face showed fear as she gulped. "Is it the beast?" She said her voice trembling in panic.
"No mother."
"But something is wrong." Vilka insisted with her eyes pleading with him to tell her the truth.
"Yes." He answered to which Vilka responded with a sharp breath.
"Is that why Otsanna was here earlier in the week?" Vilka asked. "I was working on the garden when I saw her leave."
Zephyr let out a strained sigh.
"Yes, that was why she was here but it has nothing to do with the beast." He confirmed .
Vilka nodded. Even though her heart stil hammered in worry beneath her chest, she was a little calmer.
"Is it about the attack you're planning? The solistice party?" Vilka urged not willing to let go.
"It's not about it but it can affect it." Zephyr said and his patience was fraying. "I have to leave now. I'll speak to you when I come back."
"I assume you're going on your own and not taking your horse." She said gesturing towards the window.
"Yes." Zephyr answered simply.
"Go well my son." Vilka said with a nod and as Zephyr walked away, Alma, her companion stepped forward.
"You know he won't see you when he comes back."
"I do." Vilka said sadly.
Zephyr went straight out the window and disappeared in to the woods in his wolf form. The voices nagged at him, in his head, in his mind making him run even harder and faster.
He landed on the ground in front of Ralph and Zeeb who were startled by his sudden presence.
"Alpha Zephyr!" Zeeb exclaimed. "You gave me a fright."
"That's hardly a fitting sentiment from the gamma." Zephyr said and then his eyes caught the small animal Zeeb held in one hand.
Zeeb followed his alpha's eyes and then he gave a sheepish grin.
"A Kangroo rat, Zephyr. A huge surprise, isn't it? You know how rare they are." He said excitedly looking down at the squirming animal.
Zephyr turned to Ralph who sighed and shrugged.
"I tried to tell him." The Beta said.
Zephyr had no time for Zeeb's antics so he proceeded to open the shield.
As expected, Xander stepped through the opening but he had a glum expression on his face.
It was Ralph's turn to joke.
"You're seeing us two times in one week which has never happened yet you look unhappy." He said.
"Did you get it?" Zephyr asked stepping forward.
When Xander brought forward the instrument of dark magic which was wrapped up, Zephyr took it wondering why Xander looked so weighed down.
Xander was the older brother to them all. He had always been, right before the war and it was that mood that made him take on the role of being the spy.
Even Zephyr had a soft spot and respect for Xander who had helped him navigate the darkness and shaped him in to the Alpha he was today.
So for Xander to have such expression on his face, there was truly something wrong.
"Did something happen during the journey? Perhaps the mountain pack she wolves forced their way with you in exchange for the Shadow weaver?" Zeeb joked and Ralph chuckled.
It was an attempt to lighten the mood but it didn't go far.
Zephyr stepped forward. The look in Xander's eyes were serious.
"What's wrong Xander?"
"I know who she is," he said, the words hanging heavy in the air.
A collective breath was held.
"She's his daughter."