CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & EIGHTY NINE
Talia’s POV
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Despite the rain, the morning of the Harvest Gathering was pleasant. Music drifted through Silverfang’s streets. Omegas were rushing around making the final touches. Anyone from outside looking in would have thought everything was normal and that was exactly the way we wanted it to be.
‘Keep breathing and stay calm. We will only show them what we want them to see,‘ my wolf said and I agreed. We only had to get through today without incident.
I stood at the gates in a heavy red cloak, showcasing Bloodmoon pack’s colors. My eyes stung from lack of sleep as I watched the road, my breath curling in the air. Colin’s pack was the first to arrive.
“Always trying to show off,” Nolan muttered.
“I thought you two had gotten over your little squabble,” I teased and Nolan rolled his eyes.
“Welcome, Alpha Colin. We are happy that you could make it,” Nolan greeted Colin. He held his hand out to shake it.
Colin looked at his hand and snorted, “Are you really going to try to keep it this formal after we fought a mad bear together?”
Before Nolan could respond, Colin pulled him into a hug. I could feel Nolan’s confusion through the mate bond and the slight feeling of satisfaction that Colin treated him like a friend. Nolan shoved Colin off of him and Colin teased, “Don’t be like that big guy. We’re practically brothers now.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Nolan huffed and then glared at me as I was failing miserably to contain my laughter.
Colin pulled me into a quick hug and said, “Sorry for the delay. I had to make sure Moonbrook’s new wall was finished before I left. I won’t risk my pack’s safety, not with rogues getting bolder by the day.”
I gave a short nod. It was a relief to hear that Colin took things seriously and got the wall completed.” Congratulations. Moonbrook must be well defended now,” I told him.
Colin scanned the crowd behind me. “Where is your father? I need to speak with him before the ceremony. There are urgent matters that I need to discuss with him.”
“He’s busy with preparations. You know how focused he is,” I lied. “He wants everything to go perfectly.”
Colin narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, so his voice was low enough that no one could overhear him. “Talia, I’ve known you since you could barely walk. You’ve never been able to lie well.”
“I’m not lying,” I said confidently.
“Your nose does a little twitch when you are,” Colin pointed out, causing me to frown.
I turned to Nolan for support. “He’s right,” he said with a shrug. “No need to continue with this. Let’s
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CHAPTER
NECHTY NINE
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continue this in private.”
We led Colin to father’s office. Once the heavy door closed behind us, Colin immediately asked, “Is he… dead?”
“Goddess, no,” I exclaimed. “Why would you think that?”
“Because only death would keep your father from running the Harvest Gathering,” Colin said. “So, if he’s not dead, what is going on?”
“The truth is, Father is very sick,” I explained.
“What do you mean sick? We don’t get sick,” Colin said.
“He was poisoned by Michael. It’s a slow toxin, and there’s no cure. The only thing that could have helped was a potion created from the Frostmoon Vine, but Jason destroyed both the potion and the plant.”
Colin stared at me, anger and disbelief on his face. “Poisoned? You kept this secret from your allies? From me?”
Nolan’s hand landed on my shoulder. “We had no choice. Rudolf did not want anyone to know. We even found out by accident. If anyone found out, Silverfang would become a target.”
“Everything has an antidote. There must be some sort of cure. You just haven’t found it yet,” Colin responded. It made my heart ache to see him grappling with the truth of the matter.
“We’ve been searching for a solution, Colin. We haven’t stopped searching but we’re running out of time,” I said.
Colin stood so fast, his chair scraped harshly on the stone floor. “Take me to him.”
“Colin, you’re not supposed to know,” I told him. “It would be better…”
“Talia, please,” Colin begged, interrupting me. “Rudolf is practically a second father to me, Talia. I need to
see him. Please take me to him.”
I nodded. Colin was one of the few people I trusted. I knew he would never harm my father and perhaps with him here now, he could come up with something that none of us had thought of. “Alright, let’s go before any more packs arrive.”
When we arrived, Father lay propped up in bed, reading a book. His skin looked paler today making the dark marks stand out even more. When he saw us, there was a mix of surprise and shame in his eyes.
Before father could ask what was going on, Colin had already moved to his side, took his hand, and leaned in to speak softly. “Don’t worry. I am going to do everything I can to help you stay safe and get better,” he vowed.
Solon caught my eye and nodded toward the hallway. I followed him outside. “What’s up?” I asked.
“We have a problem,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Alpha Kent is spreading rumors that Father is
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HAPTER TWO HUNDRED & FIGHTY NINE
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dying and can’t lead the Gathering.”
I groaned in frustration. “So, it is what we feared. Kent is working with Jason.”
Solon nodded. “Beta Derek is trying to stop the rumors, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough. Maybe we should tell the truth, get ahead of this before Kent turns everyone against us.”
“No.” I said firmly. “We stick to the plan. We double security, prepare for anything, but this stays between
- us. Father can’t know how….”
A voice from behind me caused me to jump.
“What can’t I know?”
Father stood in the doorway, pale and thin, bracing himself against the wall.
“What are you hiding from me?” he asked again.
