Fate’s Design

Aid

Seth POV

“Her wolf didn’t wake up with her? How is that possible?” Beta Jordan asked, his concern more than evident. .

“It’s rare, but it happens.” Gamma Theo said, his expression tense and concerned. “Usually when witchcraft is involved.”

“No witchcraft, just this whole betrayal mess.” I grumbled, before something occurred to me. “Unless…”

“Unless what, Seth?” Durian prompted. “And how is it you think we can help?”

“Unless… there was some kind of residual effect from when she was kidnapped.” I answered quietly.

“That was years ago.” Durian said.

“But it *was* very unusual.” Gamma Theo replied.

Durian ran a hand over his face. “Great. So you think whatever Black Claw did to her has something to do with how this is playing out now?” He asked.

I nodded. “That’s actually why I’m here. Somehow, they knew how to wake an underage wolf. That knowledge might help bring her back now, and our Dr. Porter believes that will help Mason recover as well.”

Gamma Theo nodded. At least he seemed to be getting it. “That all stands to reason.” He said.

“There’s just one problem. We have no idea how they did it.” Jordan interjected, sounding just about as frustrated as I was. .

“But someone at Black Claw surely does. And more importantly, they knew who she was. Something that as far as I can tell, neither she nor anyone in this room knew.” I replied. Jordan raised an eyebrow.

“‘Everyone knew she was the Beta’s daughter.” He said, looking puzzled by my statement.

“That’s not what he means.” Alpha Durian said, his voice low and sure, his jaw set in a determined expression.

They couldn’t be serious.. “I thought you knew.” I said.

“None of the others know.” Alpha Durian informed me. “I am the only one. It did not seem necessary to share her secret.”

“Durian, what secret? What are you guys talking about?” Kelsey’s brother asked, looking like he was struggling to keep his temper under control at the thought that something so important about his sister had been kept from him.

“Kelsey cannot be compelled. Not even by me.” Durian said.

“It’s more than that.” I said, before I had the chance for Durian’s words to register. Gamma Theo and Beta Jordan both looked shocked.Time to rip off the bandaid, I thought. “Not only can she not be commanded, she herself wields the power to command. I’ve experienced it myself. It is just as powerful as the command of my own Alpha— and that was before she had even officially joined our pack, let alone been made Luna.” I said.

They all exchanged surprised glances. “So the attack on our caravan… you believe she was the target all along.” Durian said.

I nodded. “Yes. We do. If we can access whatever records led them to her in the first place, we might be able to do something before it’s too late, for her and Mason both.”

“So why are you here? Last I knew, Harvest Moon and Black Claw were at peace. Why not send a delegate there?” Jordan asked.

“Because Black Claw would immediately turn on them, and they are in no position to defend themselves.” Gamma Theo said grimly.

I nodded. “Precisely, Gamma.” I said, matching his tone.

“What exactly are you proposing we do?” Durian asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Kelsey said you would help us get someone on the inside.” I said, sounding a little more unsure now.

“Of course she did.” Durian muttered under his breath. He sighed heavily. “Fine. For Kels. She found a mate that wants her and is willing to put everything on the line for her. I’m not gonna sit here and watch it all burn down now.”

A wave of relief washed over me. I had half-expected them to just say, ‘good riddance’ after the trouble Kelsey had no doubt cause in her own pack before finding Mason.

“Thank you, Alpha Durian. This means everything to Harvest Moon. It will always be a part of our story.”

Durian nodded. “Kelsey may be a part of your pack now, but she’ll always be family.” He said. “I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll let you know as soon as we have something.”

I wanted to protest. I wanted to be a part of whatever arrangements Durian was going to make. But I held my tongue and simply nodded. “Thank you.” I said again.

“Seth… I assume most of your pack does not know about this?” Durian said cautiously.

“No.” I replied quickly. “Only myself, Mason, and my father. Not even Alpha Max knows.”

He nodded. “Good. It’s safer that way. Wlll you go home or stay here, so that you can link Beta Adrian as soon as we have what we’re looking for?”

“I’ll go home. These are our numbers. Give us a call as soon as you know anything.” I said. They sent me on my way. Once off their land, I shifted and ran the rest of the way, deciding it would be best not to shift on the land of a warrior pack.

Mason POV

I felt like a prisoner in my own mind. This wasn’t like when Caspian was in control and I was at the back. It was more like… being caged in. I couldn’t feel Caspian at all. The thought crossed my mind that maybe it had been too much for him. I panicked briefly before it occurred to me that if Caspian had gone, I wouldn’t still be here. Which meant he had to be around somewhere, probably just as trapped as I was. I wondered if the same thing had happened to Kelsey. Dr. Porter had said that I would bear the brunt of it, but that she would likely suffer some effects of the bond struggling to finish forming through the brokenness as well.

I hoped she was alright. I had only just found her. I couldn’t bear the thought of making it out of this without her, or of leaving her to pick of the pieces of outliving her mate. Neither option was acceptable to me… but what could I do? I couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, couldn’t feel. It was like being trapped in endless nothing. Just darkness wrapped in space.

Caspian POV

Dr. Porter had warned us this might happen, but I was sure she was wrong. My mate could never cause such harm. I howled into the void. There was no response. Not from my mate. Not from my pack. Not even from Mason. It was beginning to look like I was going to have to be the one to save our *sses. No surprise there. I ran into the darkness, but it seemed to go on forever. There was no end, no light, nothing beneath me or around me. So I kept running. I had to get back to my mate.

Tanya POV

No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t be back here again. I knew it wouldn’t do any good, but I tried to contact Kelsey. Nothing. I paced anxiously in the oblivion around me, trying to push down the memories. I knew Kelsey didn’t remember much of it… but I did. I remembered all of it.