The Blind Alpha

Chapter 3: The Hidden Among Us

“They’re entering the gate, Alpha,” Leon said. Kael was seated at his desk, one hand resting on the arm of the chair.

“Good. Go bring them in and welcome them.”Leon nodded, bowed once, and left. The room became quiet the moment the door shut.

Kael. His wolf’s voice was low and uneasy.

Kael’s eyes flashed silver for a second.

“I feel restless,” El said. Like something is going to happen. El had been feeling that way since morning. Restless and on guard. Like a warning he could not explain.

Kael leaned back slightly. “Well, I’m sure it’s just the feeling of meeting other werewolves. You are the Eclipse Wolf. They should fear us.” El growled. Kael, I know what I’m saying. This feeling started before they arrived. Kael’s jaw tightened.

One eye turned silver while the other stayed grey. Both of them held control at the same time. “Well,” Kael said inwardly, “is it a good feeling or a bad feeling?”

It’s not clear yet. “Then we’ll find out.”

He took back full control, and his eyes returned to normal.

Everybody had gathered inside Fang Hall. The elders stood near the throne. Warriors lined the walls. The Mooncrest pack and Ironfang pack had arrived, their scents filling the room.

At the back of the hall, Seraphina entered disguised, moving among the werewolves with ease. The spell over her held strong, masking her witch side beneath the scent of wolf.

She made small talk when needed, smiled when expected, and watched everything carefully. Too much pride and ego. Wolves, they were all the same.

Still, she stayed alert.

This was enemy ground, and somewhere inside this hall was Kael Draven. Her mother’s warning echoed in her head, to avoid Kael at all costs, his senses are not like the others.

Near the middle of the room, Riven stood with a smile that stayed too long on his face. Whatever he had planned, he believed today was the perfect time for it.

He rang the bell. The hall quieted.

“We welcome you, all of you, into the Nightfang Kingdom,” Riven said smoothly. “It is an honor to have the strongest packs gathered here today.” He bowed slightly.

“I am Riven Draven, Gamma of Nightfang. Please allow me to greet the elders of the kingdom. Let us all show our respect.”

Everybody stood, Leon stepped forward.

“All rise and welcome the king to the Bloodmoon Throne, Alpha of the Nightfang Kingdom, Kael Draven, bearer of the Eclipse Wolf.”

Everybody turned toward the doors and bowed, Seraphina did the same. The massive doors opened slowly. Silence filled the entire room.

Kael Draven entered with measured steps, dressed in black and silver. Though blind, he walked like a man who needed no sight.

His presence alone pressed down on the room. Seraphina looked up despite herself. So this was Kael, tall, cold, intimidating, dangerous.

He reached the Bloodmoon Throne and sat. “Shall we begin?”

Only then did everybody sit.

“The necessary greetings have been exchanged,” Kael said, his deep voice carrying through the hall. “We all know why we are gathered here, so let’s get straight to it.” No one spoke.

“We all have a common enemy. The witches.” His tone sharpened. “Especially the Nightshade Coven. Recently, we have heard of witches changing into one of us.”

He turned his face slightly. “And it happened in the Mooncrest pack. Isn’t that right?”

Rowan, Alpha of Mooncrest, stood up.

“Yes, Alpha Kael. The disguise was so perfect we would not have known if not for the Mooncrest tattoo every member carries.” Murmurs spread across the hall.

“We tried to capture them, but there were others. They all disappeared without a trace.”

Kael nodded once. “This new spell is a threat to every werewolf alive. Their magic grows stronger because we did not take them seriously.”

Seraphina nearly scoffed.

Arrogant fools. Now they were scared because witches had grown smarter.

Kael lifted one hand. “Enough has happened. Before they strike again, we need to act. I now open the room for discussion.”

A broad man stood.

“Greetings, Alpha Kael. I am Jack Lynch, Alpha of Ironfang.” He bowed once. Kael gave a slight nod.

Jack turned toward Rowan.

“If Mooncrest was breached so easily, how do we know they are not still hiding in your pack?” Rowan stood at once. “Watch your tongue.” Jack smirked. “Such things would never happen in Ironfang.” The hall grew tense.

Seraphina almost rolled her eyes. They were acting like children. Riven stepped forward. “If I may.” Both men looked at him. “This is not what we are meant to be doing,” he said with a polite smile. “Alpha Rowan could not have known. It could happen to anyone here.”

He looked at Leon.

“At me. At you. Even at our Alpha.” The room shifted uneasily. Seraphina narrowed her eyes, he was not helping, he was stirring them. Kael’s face remained calm.

“I mean, we can't be sure of anything, these witches are cunning and crafty. Any of us could be the coven’s target, especially those of high power, and our most powerful alpha.”

“What point are you trying to make, Riven?” he asked. “Go straight to it.”

Riven bowed slightly.

“My apologies, Alpha. I only mean trust should be earned before alliances are formed.” Gasps and muttering spread across the room.

“Are you saying that I was wrong in calling the most powerful packs in the kingdom for the sake of an alliance for no reason and without us meeting before?” Kael's head tilted slightly, Riven confused.

“Have you met before?” He asked, “Yes, Leon has met with us before, but that was before the recent witch attack, that's why the meeting was today, it was still supposed to be further.” Jack answered.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, beginning to grasp what was going on.

Leon smiles slightly. Riven scoffs unbelievably, not showing it. “But alpha Jack, why did you say that to him then? You obviously don't trust him, since you have met before to discuss this, knowing the witches still did what they did to Mooncrest.” Kael, sighs inwardly.

“So?” Rowan asked. His eyebrow furrowed, frowning.

Jack folded his arms. Leon frowned.

Riven continued innocently.

“If we move too quickly, hidden enemies may already know our plans. Just like the meeting that wasn't supposed to take place now.” Seraphina felt uneasy. Why was he trying to divide them when he belonged to Nightfang?

Then Kael stood.

“Stop.”He did not raise his voice, but the whole room fell silent. “I opened the room for suggestions,” Kael said slowly, “not for petty bickering.” No one moved. “I had hoped some of you had something reasonable to say.”

His voice dropped lower.

“Do you forget where you are... and whose presence you are in?”

Rowan lowered his head. Jack sat down. Riven stepped back. Seraphina stared at him.

Now she understood why her mother had warned her. He was not to be messed with. Then Kael suddenly went still. Something changed, his head tilted.

El surged inside him.

Every sound around him faded.

Heartbeats. Breathing. Leather. Sweat.

And beneath it all, a scent. Impossible. It felt wrong, what was happening?

Something was pulling him closer.

His eyes flashed silver.

“Mate.”

At the back of the hall, Seraphina gasped as something sharp snapped through her chest.