Chapter 7 Episode 7

~Rielle

The next morning I was summoned. Despite my polite protests, I was cleaned and dressed by the castle maids. My wrists were still far from complete healing so I had to be careful according to the Castle delta that attended to me.

Once the maids were done, I was escorted through the Alpha's castle to the meeting area. It was a large hall with a long table, meant for delegations. At the head of the table was Alpha Lucas. Sitting around him were Lance and Logan and some others whose identity I were not known to me.

I was led to sit and when I looked up, my heart stopped. Sitting opposite me was Alpha Raphael.

Our eyes met and the persistent intensity of his bored into me. I looked away and faced Alpha Lucas.

"Since you are finally here, let's begin," The father that has welcomed me yesterday and had told me the story of my origin, was gone replaced by an Alpha that people would fear and respect.

"As you all are aware, Lucianne has been found and she sits among us today." He addressed the table, his eyes moving from on person to another. "So here we will discuss the next line of action."

The Alpha turns to me. "Yesterday, you wanted to know why your mother was murdered. Why you were hidden away?"

I nodded in affirmation. "Yes, Alpha."

The Alpha took a deep, long breath before he began. "The plot was the work of Shadowfang pack. Their goal was the bring Scarletmoon to her knees so that they could take power. But in other for them to win, your mother had to die."

Bile rose in my throat and I forced it back down. There was no sorrow in the Alpha's eyes as there had been the day before. His expression remained neutral as though he was narrative a tale.

"Because if she were alive, there would have been no way for them to come out victorious. The goddess' gift of the Lunar Nexus would have put an end to their attempts at the throne."

"Lunar Nexus?" I asked confused. "May I ask what that is?"

"Gifted to the first three packs was a celestial power from the moon goddess herself."

"Only the Triad packs have this..."

"Power," The Alpha completed for me. "Yes, only us and other two packs of the Triads have this power."

"It is a power?

"Yes, a power beyond any other wolf ability." The Alpha continued. "It is forged between an Alpha and his Luna. When their wolves combine, they create an entity strong enough to neutralize any foe of their pack."

I could not speak or gasp and was left completely speechless. "The Shadowfang pack killed my mother because they knew without her..."

"There was an higher possiblity they would win and take the Alpha crown."

I clenched my hand into a fist, in unhealed wounds stinging in the process but I barely paid it any mind. My mother had been killed for a mere possiblity of victory.

"That was why they attached her right after your birth, when she would be most vulnerable." the Alpha said. "But their plans was beyond just Scarletmoon. The Shadowfang wanted absolute control."

"Meaning?"

"They wanted control over every pack."

"Every pack?" I echoed in astonishmentment.

"Yes, that was why they wanted to first dominate the Triad." Logan added. "They went after the Crimsonclaw pack as well."

I swallowed, instinctively turning to Raphael. "Did they also kill ..."

"They killed the Luna as well," Lance supplied. "And more,"

I had eerie feeling about his addition. What had he meant by 'and more'? But I kept that question to myself.

Alpha Lucas continued, his voice steady. "The Shadowfang pack's ambition was not limited to just killing the Lunas. They aimed to break the spirits of the Alphas and the packs they led. By doing so, they believed they could create chaos and seize control amidst the disorder."

Lance leaned forward, his eyes dark with the weight of something dark and foreboding. "Their tactics were brutal and ruthless. Assassinations, kidnappings, and even pitting packs against each other. Anything to weaken the Triads and claim dominance."

A shiver ran down my spine as I absorbed their words. The enormity of the Shadowfang pack's scheme was almost so much to fathom. It was like I had been living a completely different entirely, shielded from all of this. My mother's death was not just an isolated tragedy; it was part of a larger, sinister plan. As Jules had said just last night. Everything was coming together like the pieces of a large, complex puzzle.

Alpha Lucas's voice broke through my thoughts. "They failed to consider one crucial aspect: the strength of our bonds. The Triads were not just connected by power, but by loyalty, shared purpose and time. They underestimated the lengths we would go to protect our packs despite that losses we faced. Despite the power that was no longer within our reach. His gaze momentarily turned to Raphael and I watched them share a strange look that I could not understand.

"But that was the past, this is now and according to our informants, they are in their planning phase, The Dominion Plot is in motion. And this time, they will not hold back. "Last time was a calculated strike meant to weaken us," Alpha Lucas said, his tone pitched with severity. "This time, it will be a bloodbath."

My insides turned to mush at his words. "We can't let that happen!"

"I am well aware, dear," His expression softened a fraction as he turned to me. "We will all have roles to play in the war to come and that includes you."

I was taken aback by his pronouncement but I had already steeled myself. I would do what I could. I was tired of being vulnerable and foolish. There was so many other things that mattered in the world I was living in, things worth actually fighting for.

"What can I do?" I asked with less confidence than I actually feel.

"Do you know the identity of your mate?" The Alpha asked.

My blood ran cold at the question. I swallow thickly, I looked around the table to every eye on me, non excluded. "I...I...have...not..." I stammer.

Every memory of Jameson that I tried to push down swam up the surface.

"The man you were to marry was your chosen mate and not your true mate, was he not?" Lance asked.

I nodded, unable to form a word.

"You will need to bond with your true mate," Alpha Lucas said.

I was no where near ready for another mate. The past had attempted to end me. I could not see myself giving in to another man, even if he happened to be my true mate. All the scars were still too raw. "Do not yet know his identity. I have yet to meet him." I told them, the excuse soothing my frayed nerves. And what did me finding my true mate have to do with saving our pack.

The whole table has gone deathly quiet before Lance spoke up. "That is not true," he said.

I blinked at him. Did he really think that I was lying? "You believe I am lying?"

"No, that is what your brother is saying," Alpha Lucas amended. "What he is saying is that you have met your true mate, you just don't know that he is your true mate."

"I am lost. What exactly are you saying?"

"What we are saying is that your mate is the man in front of you," Logan chipped.

I turned to face the Alpha that sat opposite my table. Raphael's found mine yet again but his expression remained impassive as though what they were saying did not concern him in the slightest.

I stood up abruptly, the chair falling in my hurry. "That is not possible! He can't be my true mate."

"It is the truth, princess," Raphael shut me down, his eyes trailing my quivering form. "We are mates,"

The room fell into a heavy silence as Raphael's words settled over us. My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. The room seemed to close in on me, and I fought the urge to flee.

"But how... how could I not have known?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I should feel it, shouldn't I?"

Raphael's expression remained stoic. "The bond between true mates can be complicated, especially when there are obstacles and pain involved. But my wolf has known from the moment we met."

I felt a strange mix of emotions-shock, confusion, and an unexpected surge of hopelessness. "And I didn't know because I have not found my wolf."

"Yes, and because of the traumatic events that befell you." Alpha Lucas elaborated.

"Since both Packs will need the Lunar Nexus to win the war. Raphael has to bond with his mate. You will have to marry Him, Rielle. It's the only way."