the last Nightspire

A Deal in the Shadows

Alpha Darius sat alone in his office, the soft glow of his desk lamp illuminating the stack of papers before him. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished wood as he stared at the phone in front of him. The decision he was about to make weighed heavily on him, but there was no other choice. Selena needed protection, and there was only one person capable of providing it.

With a deep breath, he picked up the phone and dialed a number he hadn’t used in years. The line clicked once before a low, familiar voice answered.

“Alpha Darius,” Elias Stormgale’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, like the sharp blade of a dagger. “This is unexpected.”

Darius leaned back in his chair, choosing his words carefully. “Elias, I have a matter that requires… discretion. And expertise.”

“I assume this isn’t a social call,” Elias replied dryly. “What do you need?”

Darius hesitated for a moment. “There’s a girl in my pack. Her name is Selena. She’s the last survivor of the Nightspire clan.”

The silence on the other end was palpable. Finally, Elias spoke. “Nightspire. That name hasn’t been mentioned in years. What happened to her pack is… legendary. And you’re saying she survived?”

“That’s her claim,” Darius said, his voice heavy with doubt. “She says Isaac Frostblood destroyed her clan. But the official reports state it was a rogue attack. And according to those same reports, there were no survivors.”

“So, you don’t believe her?” Elias asked, his tone neutral but probing.

Darius sighed. “I’m not sure what to believe. Her story is… compelling. But whether it’s true or not, Isaac has taken an interest in her. He’s been sneaking around, contacting members of my pack. She’s in danger, Elias. And I can’t take any risks.”

“You want me to protect her,” Elias said, cutting to the chase.

“Yes,” Darius admitted. “But it has to be done in secret. She can’t know, and neither can anyone else. If Isaac finds out she’s being guarded, it could escalate things. You’re the best there is at this kind of work. You’re an assassin, a tracker, a shadow. No one will even know you’re there.”

Elias chuckled softly. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Darius. What’s in it for me?”

Darius leaned forward, his elbows resting on his desk. “What do you want?”

There was a pause, and then Elias spoke. “Resources. My clan’s territory needs expanding. We’ve had rogue issues along the southern borders, and I need manpower and supplies to secure it. If you can provide that, I’ll consider taking the job.”

Darius nodded, even though Elias couldn’t see him. “Done. I’ll arrange for supplies and a team to assist with your borders. But I need your word that Selena will be safe.”

“If I take this job, no harm will come to her,” Elias said firmly. “But I’ll warn you now, Darius. If her story is false, if this is some kind of ploy, I’ll find out. And if it’s true… Isaac Frostblood won’t know what hit him.”

Darius felt a shiver run down his spine at the cold certainty in Elias’s voice. “I trust you, Elias. That’s why I called.”

“Good,” Elias replied.

Darius hesitated for a moment before adding, “One more thing. Selena has been living under the name Aneles. She’s Bonny’s best friend. Do you think there’s any connection? Could Isaac have planned this from the start?”

Elias was silent for a beat. “That’s something I’ll need to look into. If there’s a connection, I’ll find it. I’ll need everything you have on her and Isaac. Send the details to me by tomorrow.””

“Consider it done,” Darius said.

The line went dead, and Darius set the phone down, exhaling slowly. He had done what he could. Now it was up to Elias to protect Selena from the shadows. But as he sat alone in his office, a lingering doubt gnawed at him. If Selena’s story was true, then this was only the beginning of a much larger storm.