"He has a mate! I heard them clearly!" Dorianna hissed pacing restlessly across the polished floor.
Raula's breath hitched and a fragile whisper escaped her lips. "Oh goddess!"
A wave of heat washed over her, a dizzying swirl of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Her thoughts throbbed with a chaotic rhythm.
Dorianna, oblivious to Raula's inner turmoil, continued her agitated circuit. "I think there's more to that strange woman.. I couldn't get close enough—Alma left the door open, and I feared my shadows would betray me." A flicker of regret flashed in her eyes. "I should have risked it."
"Did you hear anything else?" Raula's voice was strained, a desperate attempt to anchor herself amidst the storm of her feelings.
"I heard mother say something about the Silveren. She called loudly to him just as he left but I still didn't hear clearly." Dorianna's brows furrowed.
Raula sat back and sighed heavily feeling the weight of her feelings being dumped on her shoulders.
Dorianna glanced at her friend and noticed how pale Raula had become.
It was expected.
Raula was the one to marry Zephyr, she loved him ever since she was a child and she made a big sacrifice for him during the dark war. Surely she would be drained to find out that Zephyr had found his fated mate.
But there was something underlying in her expression that made Dorianna sit down in the chair opposite her.
"What's wrong Raula?" She asked reaching over the table for her friend's hand.
"Jareth spoke to me on my way home from the Alpha's estate. He got in to my carriage."
"That clueless wolf, doesn't know when to give up, does he?" Dorianna growled angrilly before returning her intense gaze to her friend. "What did he say ?"
Raula took in a deep breath that would give her the power to say what she wanted to say. "He said that Zephyr found his mate and that she came out of the Silveren."
There was a brief moment of silence which was broken by Dorianna's sharp laughter.
"It's not funny," Raula whispered, her eyes haunted.
Dorianna's laughter died, replaced by a chilling silence. "Then...what is she? Some water sprite?" Her eyes met Raula's, a silent question passing between them.
"A spirit?" Raula echoed, a shiver running down her spine.
"She looked...unnatural. Bald, white...strange." Dorianna's voice trailed off.
Raula recalled getting a distant glance at the woman. She had only noticed her sharp pretty blue eyes but she had a wrap on her head so she could not say.
"What else did Jareth say? How does he even know these things?" Dorianna wondered.
"Beats me." Raula agreed. "He said that when everyone finds out she is, Zephyr will lose his Alpha Status."
Dorianna scoffed but she had a burning suspicion in her.
"I'm going to see him." She announced standing up.
Raula took control of her wheels following Dorianna who was headed for the balcony.
"Isn't it too early?" She tried but Dorianna shook her head without slowing down.
"Do you believe him?" Raula called after her friend.
"No I don't. But he knows something. I'll see you later."
With that Dorianna leaped out the balcony and disappeared in to the gardens transforming in to her big, brown haired wolf.
Jareth lived on the other side of the pack and walking would waste Dorianna's time.
She arrived at the large house quicker than she would have if she had walked. She transformed back in to her form and carried on towards the front porch.
"Good morning, Pack Princess." An omega greeted her.
"Good morning. Is Jareth in?" She asked and the omega nodded.
"Right this way."
He led Dorianna in to the house. As she followed him down the wide hallway adorned with antique pieces on the walls, she realized that she had not visited this house since Jareth threw a birthday party two years ago. Even then, her mother had forced her and Blaize to attend.
"Wow! My sister pays me a visit. What an unusual and pleasant surprise." Jareth said making his way down the stairs shirtless. " it's been forever."
"We saw last week on the training round." Dorianna said dryly. "How's your mother?" She threw a quick glance around the house.
"Still in bed." Jareth said as he waved over his omega. "Farkas have them make something refreshing for my sister here!"
"I'm not here for long, Jareth." Dorianna pointed out.
"Make it quick then." Jareth said to the omega with a smile.
He led Dorianna to the cushions were they both sat down.
"You're not here to connect with your dear old brother, are you?" Jareth asked with his eyes twinkling.
"I'm here about the strange woman. I know that you know something." She said leaning over with firmness in her eyes.
"I do." Jareth said. "I know everything, it's very juicy ."
"Tell me what you know!" Raula demanded desperately.
Jareth chuckled. "Such wonderful information isn't free." His eyes twinkled in mischief.
The moment was interrupted by two omegas who brought in trays of drinks and sandwiches.
"What do you want?" Dorianna asked through gritted teeth once they were alone again.
"I want a future favor from you." He said.
"That's unfair. I can't promise what I don't know." She replied.
"Then you're not ready to hear this. Why don't you go home and ask your brother?" He said leaning back with a smirk as he sipped from
his glass .
"Fine! I'll owe you a favor." She agreed with a growl.
"Perfect! Swear it with your wolf then!" He urged.
"I swear on my wolf." She said through clenched teeth and then gasped at the inner stamp.
"Now tell me!"
Jareth smiled at her happily before sitting up.
"Your brother has found his mate. He found her in the Silveren." He started,
Dorianna stood up. "That is rubbish! I'm not here for games, Jareth."
"Calm down, you have not even heard the most unbelievable part." He said enjoying himself.
Dorianna was waiting.
"She's the daughter of the dark king." He said.
Dorianna's laughter was hollow, a sound devoid of mirth. "You're insane."
"Find her and Check for the Royal Mark then," Jareth suggested, his eyes glinting.
Dorianna found no words.
"The veil is intact. No one can come in." She tried to assure herself.
"Well, apparently not!" Jareth chuckled.
Dorianna was unsure of what to do or say. A thousand questions were floating in her head.
Angrilly she started to walk away.
"Leaving so soon, Sister." Jareth called after her.
"Step sister." She corrected with a growl before disappearing.
Jareth was laughing as he walked over to a table still sipping his drink and then he scribbled something on a paper.
"Farkas!" He called and Farkas hurried to him with a bow.
"Give this to the chief." He said with an evil glint as he handed over the folded paper.