CHAPTER THREE
1115 Words
After several days of traveling, the Iron Den mercenaries finally approached Kieran’s territory. Blackthorne’s gates loomed like bared teeth. Elara tightened her gloves as Lucian muttered beside her.
“Last chance to run, Ghost.” The taunt in his voice was humorous, they both knew neither would retreat now.
A chill rushed down her spine, her thoughts began to run wild. What if he recognizes her? What if this was actually a trap? Was it too late to turn back now? Her train of thought was interrupted because they had already reached the gate and the guards were right in front of them.
Too late, she thought to herself.
The guards stiffened at their approach, spears trembling. One stared at Elara’s scars, whispering, “Moon’s grace… she’s the Ghost in flesh..”
“I look terrifying” Elara cut in, throwing back her hood. “So I’ve heard.”
Darius materialized from the lodge, platinum hair gleaming. “Ah, the legendary Ghost. Welcome.” His smile didn’t quite reach his frost-blue eyes.
“I expected to be greeted by the Alpha, he did sign the invitation personally.” Elara said as she tried to look at Darius neutrally.
“And what if I am the Alpha, you do not know what he looks like.” Darius retorted.
Lucian looked nervously between both of them, scared that their cover was already blown so soon. Elara just scoffed and said,
“You look nothing like an Alpha should.”
Darius jaw clenched, and he slowly bit out the words, “Well come with me.”
As he led them to Kieran’s mansion, Ghost’s mercenaries just shared a puzzled look about the weird interaction. Usually, Ghost does not talk with any of their employers, Lucian handles the dialogue and she only approves with a nod.
They arrived Kieran’s place and he was standing out front with a woman on his arm and a child just behind them. Something sank in Elara’s chest but her face remained neutral.
Before Darius could make an introduction, The little girl standing just behind Kieran stepped forward and she pointed at Elara and muttered. “Mama?”
The courtyard froze.
Kieran immediately spoke, “Lena is a disturbed orphan with special needs please do not mind her.” He motioned to the woman standing beside him to take her inside.
Elara and Lena locked eyes for a brief moment before Selene, Kieran’s new Luna took her inside. Her eyes were mismatched, one amber and the other gold.
Elara’s heart stalled. My child died in the snow. This is his. She forced ice into her veins. “Well, I assume you are Alpha Kieran.”
“And you are Ghost, nice to finally make your acquaintance. Follow me.”
The Alpha’s War Room
The mercenaries were shown to their resting place and Elara and Lucian went with Kieran and Darius to strategize.
Maps lay strewn across the oak table, dotted with crimson markers. Kieran braced his palms on the surface, the faded claw mark on his collarbone peeking above his tunic. “They strike at dawn. Silver arrows. They never engage, just s*******r and disappear.”
Elara traced a marker near the eastern ridge. “Your defenses?”
“Compromised.” Darius poured wine, his silver ring glinting. “Our best warriors are still healing from the last attack. The pack healer works day and night, but silver wounds… fester.”
Lucian leaned against the hearth. “So you hired thugs.”
“I hired efficiency, unless you think yourselves thugs.” Kieran snapped.
Elara’s laugh was a rasp of steel. “Well, we are just privileged to serve a pack that values loyalty.” She paused, watching Darius swirl his wine. “Heard your last Luna betrayed you. Banished her yourself, didn’t you?”
Lucian stiffened. “Ghost…”
“I have to say I respect that, Alpha.” Elara’s pale gold eyes pinned Kieran. “I’d gut my own second if he turned traitor.” She glanced pointedly at Darius, then at Lucian. “No mercy for snakes.”
Darius’s knuckles whitened around his goblet.
Kieran’s growl vibrated the table. “How do you know about that, that matter is closed.”
“Well, I always research my clients. I don’t just work for anybody. Didn’t you do the same for me?” The pointed look in his eye told her he did.
Elara stepped closer. “Rumors say you hunted her down after exiling her. Mercy revoked.”
Crack. Kieran’s fist split the oak. “You know nothing.”
Lucian and Darius stood tensed in the corner, as if to leave both their leaders to take charge.
“I know cowards kill from shadows,” Elara pressed. “Alphas kill face-to-face.”
Kieran lunged. Lucian moved, but Elara was faster, her dagger pressed to Kieran’s throat.
“Enough!” Darius slammed his glass down. “This is a war room, not a tavern brawl!”
Kieran didn’t flinch, his breath hot on Elara’s face. “I showed her mercy. If pack justice found her later, that’s not my burden.” He bared his teeth. “Bring it up again, and I’ll show you how I deal with insolence.”
Elara lowered the blade, smirking. “Noted. We will be in the quarters resting, first thing tomorrow we plan strategy.” With that she and Lucian left.
“What the hell was that?” Darius asked Kieran once they were out of ear shot.
“She triggered me to get a reaction for whatever reason, I told you hiring mercenaries was a bad idea. It shows weakness” Kieran said while pacing.
“It is a sign of strength to ask for help and want the best for your pack. I will make sure to put the Ghost in line.” He said before exiting the room.
The Guest Barracks – Dusk
Lucian cornered her in the stone corridor. “What the hell was that?”
“Strategy.” Elara unbuckled her vambraces. “Darius flinched when I called him a snake.”
“And Kieran nearly tore your head off!”
“He’s hiding guilt.” She stared out the slit window toward the lodge. “He believes she died by rogue justice… but he wishes he’d killed her himself.”
Lucian gripped her shoulder. “Leave the ghosts buried, Elara. For once.”
She turned, catching his wrist. “Do not speak my name, and why do you care?”
His tawny eyes darkened. “You know why.”
Footsteps pounded outside. A guard burst in, bleeding from his temple. “Rogues! At the eastern gate!”
- Writer
