"Dead livestock and sick pups were a good start, I'll give you that," Jareth said, his gentle pacing belying the sharp glint in his eyes as he sipped his red wine. "But we need something that will truly shake things up, something... more interesting."
Thorak nodded with a grim understanding in his gaze. "Something to Stir the pack."
"Precisely! To agitate them," Jareth exclaimed, a thrill in his voice. "Who knows when this opportunity will arise again?"
He mused, the red wine swirling in his goblet.
Logan, his voice deceptively calm asked, "Are you certain she's in there?"
Jareth threw back his head and a sharp laugh escaped. "Oh, Chief Logan! Your lack of faith wounds me, but I assure you, I wouldn't risk such a plan without absolute certainty." He went back to take his seat and crossed his legs. "She's there. He moved her from his personal chambers to the prison, but that's hardly enough, is it?"
"Hardly! It's an insult!" Thorak growled. "If Zephyr was truly with us, she'd be dead! But the fact that she is alive, breathing... if he is indeed her fated mate, there's a reason for his hesitation."
"Zephyr will betray us," Jareth declared and his gaze settled on Logan's distant stare. "It's only a matter of time."
"You don't believe me, do you, Chief Logan?" Jareth prompted.
"Believe that the Dark King's daughter emerged from the Silveren and is now Alpha Zephyr's mate?" Logan stated flatly. "How plausible does that sound? It sounds ridiculous, Jareth!"
"He brought her out, she didn't emerge," Jareth corrected carelessly waving his hand.
"It does sound unreal!" Thorak agreed. "But I believe it. The mate bond draws souls from opposite realms. The tales of the first mates, the earth and the moon...besides, the Alpha was behaving somewhat different today. His eyes looked alive."
"We have a veil!" Logan growled with disbelief still lacing his tone. "A protective veil the Alpha sacrificed dearly for! No non-member of the pack should be able to penetrate!"
"Then wait until after the riot," Jareth said confidently. "If I'm lying, I'll bear the full consequences. But for now, do as I say, and we will all reap the rewards. Follow my lead and you will finally have what you desire."
A heavy silence descended on the trio.
"With the Alpha gone on the full moon, this plan is flawless. Play your parts, and I will play mine," Jareth finished and a dangerous promised hung in the air.