Chapter Five – Watch Before You Move
1256 Words
Carley pov
The mountain road narrowed as Blackwood Keep came into view.
It sat high above the valley like it had grown from the mountain itself, its dark stone walls blending into the cliffs beneath them. Towering pines surrounded the fortress, while banners from dozens of packs snapped in the cool autumn breeze.
The Alpha Summit.
The one place in the kingdom where every powerful wolf gathered beneath the same roof...
...and smiled while hiding their teeth.
I slowed my mare to a walk.
The rest of my party followed without needing instruction.
Rowan rode to my left, his sharp green eyes already scanning the walls.
Behind us, six Ashen Moon warriors maintained a loose formation. They weren't my strongest fighters.
That had been deliberate.
The strongest remained home.
Ashen Moon was always protected first.
"You don't trust this place," Fenrir observed.
"I trust the mountain."
"Not the wolves upon it."
"No."
Fenrir's warm laugh echoed through my mind.
"Good."
---
"I count twenty-six guards."
Rowan spoke quietly enough that only I could hear.
"Visible?"
"Visible."
"So probably forty."
"At least."
I nodded.
Blackwood never relied on appearances.
Every hidden position overlooking the entrance had likely been occupied since dawn.
Disciplined.
Prepared.
Professional.
I respected that.
"It tells us something," Rowan continued.
"What?"
"They're expecting trouble."
"They always expect trouble."
"More than usual."
I followed his gaze toward the battlements.
Archers.
Scouts.
Signal horns.
Nothing appeared out of place.
Which usually meant everything was exactly where it needed to be.
"I'd do the same," I admitted.
"So would I."
---
As the gates grew closer, Fenrir became strangely quiet.
Not tense.
Listening.
Waiting.
"What is it?"
"We're close."
"To Blackwood?"
"To something older."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
But she offered nothing more.
That alone unsettled me.
Fenrir always answered.
---
The guards at the entrance straightened as we approached.
"Alpha Carley of Ashen Moon."
Their captain stepped forward before lowering his head respectfully.
"Welcome to Blackwood Keep."
I returned the gesture.
"My thanks."
"No weapons are to be drawn within the council halls."
"A sensible rule."
"Our stable master will care for your horses."
"They've travelled a long way."
"They'll be treated accordingly."
His professionalism earned my respect immediately.
No arrogance.
No fear.
Simply duty.
As we passed beneath the gates, I felt hundreds of eyes settle on us.
Conversations quieted.
Whispers replaced them.
The rumours had arrived long before I had.
---
Rowan leaned closer.
"Don't react."
"I wasn't planning to."
"I know."
"They're staring because they're curious."
"They're staring because half of them think you're going to kill someone."
I smiled.
"I've only just arrived."
He sighed dramatically.
"Please don't encourage me."
---
The courtyard bustled with activity.
Servants hurried between guest wings carrying fresh linens.
Warriors unloaded wagons.
Visiting Alphas greeted old allies.
A few offered me polite nods.
Others deliberately looked away.
One or two openly scowled.
I acknowledged every one of them exactly the same way.
With a respectful nod.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Respect wasn't earned by another person's opinion.
It reflected my own character.
Fenrir purred softly.
"You make it difficult for them to hate you."
"They'll manage."
"Oh, undoubtedly."
---
A young stable hand hurried forward, clearly nervous.
"I-I'll take your horse, Alpha."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
I stroked my mare's neck.
"She likes apples more than carrots."
The young man blinked.
"I'll remember."
"And don't stand behind her if she's startled."
His shoulders relaxed.
"I won't."
As he led her away, Rowan chuckled.
"You've made a friend already."
"I told him about the horse."
"You also smiled."
"So?"
"You've weaponised kindness."
"I don't think that's how kindness works."
"It works on everyone."
---
The guest chambers assigned to Ashen Moon overlooked the eastern forest.
Sunlight poured through wide windows, warming polished timber floors.
Fresh flowers sat upon the table.
A fire already crackled in the hearth.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Thoughtful.
I set my travel pack beside the bed before stepping onto the balcony.
The forest stretched endlessly beyond the walls.
Beautiful.
Peaceful.
Deceptive.
No place that gathered this many Alphas could ever truly be peaceful.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Rowan entered carrying a leather map case.
"I've spoken with the servants."
"So quickly?"
"They like talking."
"And?"
"They're nervous."
"About the summit?"
He nodded.
"Apparently tensions have been building for months."
I wasn't surprised.
"The western packs?"
"And Iron Crest."
I sighed.
"Of course."
Iron Crest had challenged Ashen Moon's borders three times in the past five years.
Three times they'd returned home empty-handed.
Humiliation had a habit of becoming resentment.
---
Rowan unrolled a map across the table.
"I've marked where each delegation is staying."
I looked over the layout.
Stone Ridge occupied the western wing.
Silver Hollow the southern.
Iron Crest...
Far too close.
"Convenient."
"I thought you'd enjoy that."
He tapped another section.
"Blackwood's family occupies the central keep."
"As expected."
"And the council chamber sits here."
Every route.
Every exit.
Every staircase.
Typical Rowan.
He planned for problems before they existed.
---
He folded his arms.
"So."
"So."
"Game plan."
I smiled.
"You already have one."
"I have six."
"I was afraid of that."
He pointed toward the map.
"Rule one."
"Observe."
"Exactly."
"No assumptions."
"No reactions."
"No unnecessary enemies."
"I never make unnecessary enemies."
He looked at me.
I looked back.
We both laughed.
---
"Seriously," Rowan continued, "listen more than you speak."
"I usually do."
"Watch who interrupts others."
I nodded.
"Watch who avoids eye contact."
"Good."
"Watch who everyone else watches."
His grin widened.
"Excellent."
Power wasn't always found at the head of the table.
Sometimes it sat quietly in the corner while everyone unconsciously looked in its direction.
Those were the dangerous people.
---
"And trust?"
I asked.
Rowan became serious.
"Trust no one."
"Not even Blackwood?"
"We don't know Blackwood."
"We know his reputation."
"We know stories."
I couldn't argue.
Stories had shaped my own life.
"They say he's honourable," I said.
"They say you're a monster."
Point taken.
"We judge for ourselves," I replied.
"Exactly."
---
Fenrir finally spoke.
"One among them carries no deceit."
I frowned.
"Who?"
"I cannot tell."
"You've never been wrong."
"I know."
Her voice drifted into thoughtful silence.
"But another hides something ancient."
A chill crept down my spine.
"Ancient?"
No answer came.
---
A servant knocked softly before entering.
"Alpha?"
"Yes?"
"The welcoming feast begins in one hour."
"Thank you."
After the door closed, Rowan looked toward me.
"Ready?"
I adjusted the bracelet an elderly pack member had woven for me before I left home.
No armour.
No crown.
No ceremonial jewels.
Just a reminder of where I belonged.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
He stopped me before I reached the door.
"Carley."
"Hm?"
"If things become dangerous..."
"They won't."
"If they do."
I met his eyes.
"You'll get our people home."
He shook his head immediately.
"Not without you."
"You know the priority."
"I know."
Neither of us liked saying it aloud.
Ashen Moon came first.
Always.
Even before its Alpha.
---
Together we stepped into the corridor.
Voices echoed throughout the keep as more delegations arrived.
Laughter mixed with political pleasantries.
Behind every smile...
Questions.
Ambition.
Secrets.
Exactly what we'd expected.
I drew a slow breath.
"Watch."
Rowan nodded.
"Observe."
"Listen."
"Trust slowly."
Fenrir's voice settled warmly within my mind.
"And remember..."
"The greatest hunters never announce themselves."
A faint smile touched my lips.
The game had begun.
And before the summit was over...
Every mask in Blackwood Keep would begin to c***k.
- Writer
