The Wolf Kingdom

Chapter Four

                Me and Annie had only been to dinner for a few minutes before my father, brother and the rest of the higher pack members filtered in. We all sat in silence for a while, as a matter of fact the whole dining hall was quieter than normal. Most likely everyone was thinking of our guests that should already be here. My father was talking mom and David and I was talking with Jeremiah when my father called my name “Jazlyn”

                I look over to him and mom, he leans over and takes my hand, “Me and David need to speak with you after dinner. Don’t worry about it for dinner it will be fine, but we can’t wait to talk to you till tomorrow.”

                “Okay… are you sure we are okay?”

                “Yes, sweetheart we will be fine.”

                With that we go back to talking to the others and after a few minutes we all begin to relax. Then a sudden quiet comes over the room, looking up I see the men from early. Alpha Landon, and his betas Andrew and Oscar are at the entrance and slowly make their way to us while all conversation turns to whispers. My brother looks around and back at father and then gets up to meet Landon as he approaches.

                “Landon, please sit next me.”

                Landon gives a nod while looking at the table stopping at me. He is handsome with his green eyes and midnight black hair. I realize that my brother moved a chair and somehow Landon wound up between me and him. Not sure why that makes me nervous I smile at Landon.

                “It’s good to see again Alpha. How has your trip been so far?”

                He looks to me and I am not sure if he is curious or think that I am fishing for details. “It has been uplifting.”

               I look to see the others smiling and David gives me his smirk, in turn I stick my tongue out at him. I know immature but sometimes the only way to handle a brother is with immaturity, it’s actually the first language of the male species. He laughs and starts up conversation about the celebration this week. It seems that all three of the packs are looking forward to it. I try to concentrate but the more time I sit next to him the more Landon’s presence makes me more aware of him.

                Soon the room takes back it’s relaxed feeling. It’s not that anyone has forgotten that Landon came unannounced that would be impossible. While our pack members are relaxed these three seem to be in a permanent state of intensity. Looking at them they don’t let their guard down the entire dinner even though they manage to keep small talk going with the table. Its unnerving to say the least. I keep seeing Landon looking at me from the side and it makes me curious why.

                In no time dinner has come to end and Annie and her mom take their leave with most of the others. Wishing them a good night and letting Annie know that we can start on the decorations tomorrow for the celebration I excuse myself from the table to go and change before I meet with my father. It’s closer to ten when I finally get into some comfy sweats and a tank top. The outfit leaves a thin line of skin visible at my waste but its more comfortable and I plan to go straight to bed.

                My father’s office sits on the ground floor and feeling extra lazy I take the elevator down. As I approach I here my father, Paul and what I think is Landon in the room. I knock and David answers I see Landon and Andrew are there as well. “I can wait if it’s too early father.”

                David motions me into the room, “No sweetheart what we have to talk about includes everyone here.”

                I look around the room a little more scared than curious. It’s been a while since arranged marriages were a thing in our kingdom. I look from Landon to my father and I can feel my heartbeat speed up. I know they could hear it too. Feeling David’s hand on my shoulder I look at him.

                “It’s okay sis you can relax. This has to do with the recent developments that brought Landon here. Come sit on the couch with me.”

                I love my brother while I can be a pain in the ass sometimes, like when I stole his bike with Annie and got it stuck in a mud pit a few miles away, but he was always looking out for me. My father stands and moves to poor some whiskey I notice six glasses, my father never offers me a drink. What ever was happening it wasn’t good.

                Everyone takes a seat around the coffee table on the couch and chairs in the massive office. I take my glass and take a small sip; I am more a rum and juice type drinker.

                “Jazlyn, I know you have been patient trying to understand what is going on and I appreciate that.” My father leans over and grabs my hand, “In the last few months there has been a number of attacks wiping out whole villages. The last one is what brought Alpha Landon to us.”

                I take a bigger gulp of the whiskey. “H. H. How many?”

                My father looks to David then back at me. “I don’t think you need to know that just yet. But its enough to involve all three kingdoms.”

                “Who would do this. There aren’t any known enemies out kingdoms have known peace for eight hundred years father.”

                “Yes, and these attacks look like they may be linked to the peace treaty in a way.” I try to interrupt him, but he holds up his hand and David wraps a reassuring arm around my shoulder. I look over to Landon who is staring at me with his green eyes. “The short story is that the public only knows half the truth about what happened all that time ago. You will know it in time but there is a more pressing matter to handle.”

                I shake my head urging him to continue. I needed to know why these attacks included me. How could I be linked to this and why.  

                “It was revealed in this attack that they assailants are looking for someone a girl about your age. They check every girl in the villages before they…. well before they finish what they started.” I had to choke back the bile over that. “Checking them for what father?”

                He looks at me and I see the anger and fear in his eyes. “They look for a birth mark.”

                It feels like time stills for a moment. They are trying to tell me that these beasts are looking for me. “Father why are you telling me this?”

                He takes a bigger sip and looks around the room. His eyes rest on a Landon for a minute before he looks at me again. “We think there is a possibility that they are looking for you. You’re a grey wolf and one hasn’t been born in about two hundred years and these attacks started around the same time that you first shifted.”

                At first, I am shocked and then fear seeps in, but I haven’t known a lot of fear in my life, so I channel that to anger at first. “We think or they think?” I look to Landon. I feel my brother tighten his hold on me to calm me down. “Its all of us JJ. It’s the only thing that makes sense on why it they would only be attacking our people not attacking all the kingdoms.”

                “It’s only the wolf kingdom under attack?”

                “Yes, the other kingdoms are offering help with security and fighting when the time comes but we are the only one under direct attack right now.” It was Landon that answered me.

                I shake my head to try and clear my thoughts some, as if I can shake what I just learned out of my head. “Why are you only telling me this?” If I was in that much danger and our people were being killed it made sense to tell everyone not just me.

                “We are going to tell the people some of the danger since we will be increasing security starting tonight. But to avoid a panic some of the details won’t be given out. I also think that its not likely they are working alone with how they get into the villages with out any fight back as if they know when to get there.”       

                “You think there is a traitor?” Again, it’s Landon that asks.

                Paul sighs, “It’s the only thing that makes sense since they get in and out without leaving one survivor. They would need to know exactly when to be there.”

                “What does this mean for us father?”

                They all look back to me; my father gives me a small smile. “We will be training more wolves; up security and I am sorry you will need to stay close and under constant protection. Your brother, Axel and Jeremiah have all offered to help so that we don’t need to tell anyone else the full story just yet.”

                All I can do is shake my head in agreement. I would be under house arrest because a group of savages decided that they wanted me. I start to hope that they are wrong, and the beasts aren’t looking for me but, in my gut, I know there is some truth to it. I look around and give David’s hand a squeeze, “I think that I want to go to bed. Is there anything else that we need to go over tonight?” My voice is small and not all like me.

                My brother looks the others, “No I will take you back to your room. Okay?”

                I just shake my head I tell everyone goodbye and move for the door, “I will wait out in the hall for a few a minute.” David gives me a look of understanding. He knows I need a minute to myself, so I leave to wait in the hall while they close up the meeting. After a few minutes Landon and Andrew come out. Landon looks to me and I can’t help but stare into his bright eyes, I didn’t realize how close to emerald the color was.

                “I am sorry for all of is. We have offered our lands for a safe house if the time comes that you need one.”

                That surprises me I didn’t expect them to offer. I was actually wondering why they hadn’t made moves to sell the information on where I am yet. Then I feel bad for saying that since they didn’t need to come here in person…that makes me stop for a second.

                Would a traitor do this? “Why did you bring the information in person rather than send someone else or call?”

                I think he hears the accusation in my voice but doesn’t respond. Andrew on the other hand visibly stiffens and turns a glare my way. Landon growls at him and he turns back to Landon, “The phones aren’t safe and not knowing who to trust it was easier to come ourselves. I like that you asked, it means you see the level of danger there is. Your strong Jazlyn remember that in the coming days and you will always be safe in my pack.”              

                I sigh, “Thank you Alpha Landon. I think I just need sleep tonight.”

                As I say that David comes out of the office and moves to me. He looks between all of us and for a second, I expect the alpha big brother attitude but instead he nods at Landon. “I’ll walk up with her. What time do you leave tomorrow?”

                “First thing in the morning. The secure line should be operational by then.”

                “Okay I will meet you here in the morning.” My brother holds his hand out and Landon takes it. “Thank you, Landon we owe, you for the risk you took today.”

                With that we all go our separate ways and me and David walk in silence. We get to my door in what feels like seconds. David turns me to look at him. “I am going to do whatever I can to keep you safe but if you are ever on your own you will need to know how to fight more than you already do. I want you to start training with us and bring Annie.”

                “Okay when do we start?”

                “Tomorrow morning eight am.”

                “Is there any chance that this is all about someone else and they aren’t looking for me?”

                I see his brow furrow, “There is a small chance, but it would be more dangerous to believe in that than to believe your in danger. Please be safe Jazlyn and stay with us wherever you go?”

                “I will David.” Feeling overwhelmed by what I learned I hug him and go into my room. Tonight, I don’t turn out the lights. The fear of what may be ahead keeps me wide wake for a while but soon I fall into a deep sleep riddled with nightmares about shadowy beasts chasing me through the forest.