CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
+25 Bonus
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Talia’s POV
I barely slept last night, tossing and turning as my mind was filled with questions. Who was the guest important enough to spook my brother and summon warriors suddenly? As soon as sunlight entered my room, I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and quickly exited my room without waking Della, who had crashed on the couch.
Outside, I wasted no time to mindlink Solon.
“Solon, what happened yesterday?” I blurbed it out as the link went through. My stomach twisted in knots as I was trying not to blurt out all the questions running through my mind at once.
“Alpha Nolan is here. He’s the guest,” Solon said in frustration.
My heart sank and I asked, “What did he want?” I couldn’t bring myself to ask the crucial question: are we going to war?
“He didn’t say,” Solon replied. “Anyways, we’re holding a banquet tonight. You will be attending too.”
“A banquet?” I asked in confusion.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was danger ahead and that’s what scared me. Alpha Nolan wasn’t acting like his usual self from what Della said. This felt like we were walking into a trap.
Solon sighed. “Nolan is dangerous and short-tempered. Just be cautious with him.”
That night, I dressed in a simple lavender gown that matched my eyes. Della curled my hair into soft waves and dusted my cheeks with a faint blush. She made light conversation, but I could see the slight tremble in her hand. Eyen she couldn’t hide her worry.
“Are you ready?” Della asked as she handed me a pair of silver heels.
I took a breath. “I wish you were handing me a dagger instead, but yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Della looped arms with me and said, “Let’s go then.”
The banquet hall was already bustling when we arrived. The long tables were adorned with embroidered runners in our pack colors and platters of roasted meats and fruits. Omegas moved between guests, topping off drinks and taking orders.
I could easily tell the Blood Moon pack members apart. It wasn’t the fact that they were dressed in black with blood-red accents but they had a serious aura about them as if they were on guard.
“They’re so serious,” Della muttered.
“This could be the beginning of the war. They don’t know what to expect just like we don’t,” I responded.
Then the doors to the banquet hall opened.
Alpha Nolan strode in with Beta Marco just a step behind him. They were both dressed in black tailored suits, red silk details at the cuffs and collar. Nolan’s long black hair was pulled back in a low tie, emphasizing his sharp jaw and piercing eyes. He was tall and imposing.
His eyes swept over the gathered guests until they landed on me. For a heartbeat, our gazes locked. I was stiffened by his dominant and familiar aura. There was a flash of curiosity and something else in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.
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CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
+25 Bonus
I walked over to stand by my father’s side with Solon on his right. My father stood up from his seat at the head of the table to greet him and Alpha Nolan stopped only a few feet away.
“Welcome Alpha Nolan, Beta Marco,” my father said smoothly.
“Alpha King,” Nolan replied with a slight bow. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Silverfang is open to all visitors. But don’t mistake our courtesy for trust or weakness.” Father said.
Nolan’s lips twitched into what could almost be called a smile as he sat down. “Of course not.”
“To what do we owe this visit?” Solon asked, getting straight to the point as we sat back down.
Nolan picked up the wine glass at his seat, taking a sip before saying, “I’m here on business. Two of my warriors were killed in a rogue attack. One of them fled into Silverfang territory.”
“That’s not possible,” Solon said quickly. “Our borders are secure. No rogue would be able to make it past our warriors.”
Nolan raised his eyebrows at Solon’s quick response before chuckling. “Are you sure about that? I made it through just fine without your warriors noticing.”
I kept a neutral expression, but I was panicking. What did Nolan mean he entered our territory without our warriors noticing? How was that even possible?
“Did you come here to gloat Alpha Nolan? If not, get to the point or leave,” my father stated.
“Very well. I intend to conduct my own investigation and find the killer hiding in Silverfang territory,” Nolan explained as if he was discussing dessert options.
Solon bristled, his voice rising. “You don’t get to walk into Silverfang and start throwing accusations. This is our land, not some rogue’s den for you to comb through at will.”
Nolan slowly turned his attention to Solon. “And yet,” Nolan said, his tone almost bored, “the Alpha King failed to deliver results when I submitted a similar complaint years ago. Perhaps this time, if I walk the territory myself, I’ll get results.”
Solon’s wolf surged forward. His canines elongated slightly and his Alpha aura pulsed. His chair scraped against the floor as it was thrown back as he stood. “You dare to slander my father?” Solon demanded.
“I would do no such thing,” Nolan responded. “The Alpha King knows better than all of us what I am referring
to.”
‘Solon, calm down. He’s trying to bait you!’ I warned through our mindlink, panic tightening in my chest.
But Solon wasn’t listening. “This isn’t Blood Moon, Alpha Nolan. Watch your tone. Show some respect, or I swear
A thunderous roar cut him off. The chandeliers above shook from the force.
“Enough!” my father’s voice boomed across the hall with his Alpha command as he slammed his hands down on the table. “Solon.”
All anger that Solon had been feeling vanished as he turned to my father, dropping his head respectfully. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Escort your sister out. Now,” father commanded.
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