Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 10

Konrad unlocked the cell that housed the two rogues. Dishevelled shadows of men slumped in opposite corners, their ankles and wrists chained to the wall.

'I have food and water here for you' Konrad started. 'If you're willing to talk'

The rogues weakly lifted their heads, the spunk and arrogance from a week ago had drained from their soulless eyes. His tongue flicked over his bottom lip, his eyes darted from his cell mate to Konrad.

Konrad could see the indecision in their faces.

'You don't look so good, if you don't eat or drink, I reckon you'll be dead in a day or two. Is your leader really worth dying a long agonising death for?'

He c****d his head to the side studying the rogues, they eyeballed each other considering the offer. He couldn't help somewhat admiring their loyalty.

He turned on his heels to leave.

'Suit yourself' he sighed.

'Wait' a quiet, defeated croaky voice called from the far corner as a smirk crept onto Konrad's face.

They always c***k he chuckled to himself.

* * *

'Concentrate Kassidy, you can do it' Karla enthused as a blue orb of static energy buzzed between Kassidy's palms.

Her eyes remained closed as she visualised the energy expanding. Her hands slowly moved further apart as the orb grew to twice it's original size.

Karla watched on in amazement, a wide grin spreading across her face, eyes filled with so much pride for the daughter who inherited her magical powers.

'Open your eyes' she excitedly whispered.

Kassidy gasped.

'I did it' she grinned 'I actually made it grow!'

A round of applause sounded from behind them, Kade appeared from around the corner with an ear splitting grin, Jax following cautiously behind him.

With Jax in line to be the next Beta, Konrad had encouraged him and Kade to spend more time together to forge a bond as strong as the one he has with Beta Graham.

'Well done Sis, you'll receive your letter from Hogwarts in no time' he teased.

The orb dissipated when she clapped her hands together, she poked out her tongue at his remark. Jax was transfixed on the purple that glowed in her eyes, a goofy sideways smile appeared when she locked eyes with him and smiled.

Dude, she's my sister

Kade growled at him through the mind link.

He awkwardly cleared his throat and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.

Karla sighed impatiently, she still had so much more to teach Kassidy before the next full moon.

'Can we help you two with something?'

'Alpha Konrad wants to see us all in his office' Jax offered.

'It sounded pretty important' Kade added.

They made the trek to Alpha Konrad's office, he was pacing back and forth, his hands tugging at the platinum tresses of his hair.

Karla was pulled into a tight hug, he visibly relaxed when he inhaled her scent.

'Konrad, what's wrong?' Karla shrieked from the confines of her mates arms.

He stepped away to address the room.

'The rogues that attacked you, they are working for Clayton'

Karla's eyes widen in panic as Kassidy and Kade look at each other in confusion. She answers their unspoken question.

'Clayton used to be a part of this pack, he didn't agree with your father accepting me as his mate' Karla began before Konrad interjected.

'He challenged me for the Alpha position and lost. I gave him a choice, either leave the pack or I'd end his life there and then'

The torment of the memory evident in Konrad's face.

'He chose to leave which I was thankful for, I really didn't want to have to kill my own brother'

Kassidy gasped in horror, Kade grabbed her hand reassuringly.

'What does that mean for us now, are we cancelling the ball?' he questioned.

Konrad paced once again, tapping a finger on his chin as a plan formulated.

'We need to keep you both safe, but we also don't want Clayton to think that he's scared us.'

Jax cleared his throat.

'Alpha, may I make a suggestion?'

Konrad stopped his pacing and nodded once at Jax.

'We tighten security around the perimeter, step up the warrior training and station a warrior with Kade and Kassidy at all times'

Konrad considered this proposal, a devilish glint flashed in his eyes.

'Well volunteered Jax' he muttered with a grin. 'You will be the warrior stationed with Kassidy at all times'

He patted a hand on Jax's shoulder as Kade's mouth swung open.

'He's my beta' he protested.

Konrad raised an eyebrow as he stared Kade down. Kade shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

'If you've finished your strop now Kade, might I remind you that I'm still Alpha of this pack so he's my beta'

'Great plan Jax, have Marco implement the training trials and Carlos stationed with Kade at all times' he turned to face everyone.

'The invitations have already gone out, the ball will go ahead as planned'

'What about the rogues?' Kassidy croaked. 'What will happen to them?'

'Don't you worry about that sweetheart, I've got it all under control'. Konrad smirked.

Jax remained a step behind Kassidy as everyone filtered out of Alpha Konrad's office. She slumped down on her bed with a sigh while Jax leaned awkwardly against her door frame.

'You can come in if you want to' Kassidy grumbled.

He shifted uncomfortably in the doorway.

'You might as well make yourself comfortable'. She motioned over to the pink velvet chair tucked under her dressing table.

'I'm not planning on leaving any time soon'.

Jax sauntered over and sat on the chair, Kassidy stifled a giggle at how completely lost the chair looked under his large frame.

He c****d an eyebrow.

'Something funny Princess?'

She couldn't contain it any longer, her laughter burst out until tears were rolling down her cheeks.

'You think this is funny do you? Don't make me come over there' he threatened, playfully.

When her belly chuckles continued, he grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at her head. She gasped in horror.

'Oh that does it!' she shrieked as she launched a pillow at him in retaliation. It bounced off his head onto the floor.

A soft growl rumbled through his chest as he vacated the chair.

'That does it' he smirked, before pouncing on the bed.

Kassidy squealed, which spurred Jax on, he began to mercilessly tickle her. Kade rushed through the door in a panic.

'What the hell is going on?' he yelled, but stopped and choked on his own breath as his eyes rested on the sight of Jax on all fours, pinning Kassidy to the bed.

'She started it' Jax pouted, sheepishly.

'Get off me you big bafoon' Kassidy shoved her palms into Jax's chest, struggling to keep a straight face.

With a sigh Kade turned to leave

'I'll see you at dinner Kass' he called before stopping in the doorway.

'Just remember who's daughter she is' he warned Jax with a glare.

* * *

He wrapped on the large mahogany door three times.

'Come in' a cold voice rasped.

It took most of his strength to open the heavy door and a while for his eyes to adjust to the darkened room.

'I have what you requested, Master'. He stammered, handing over the envelope to the dimly lit figure in the crushed velvet armchair.

His pale long fingers peeled open the flap and pulled out the delicately scalloped card. A wicked smirk spread across his face, at last, proof that his suspicions had been correct.

'In a week I shall claim my prize'.

A laugh escaped his lips, quiet at first but laced with evil as it echoed louder around the room.