DARKEST ( Supernatural Beginnings Series) Book Three

Pacts and Arrangements Part One

Alexis

Red Claw Kingdom had become a second home to me, things had come full circle now and I could finally reveal the full story of how Wolfram and I came to know each other and the connection we both shared that involved “the camp.”

A sense of pride spread through Aasim and myself as I looked out the window from our bedroom suite in the castle. Wolfram's hand gave us the floor above his and the moment we hit the bedroom, Mari climbed into the king-sized bed and succumbed to slumber. I knew she had many questions and some suspicions about what was going on with me and she had every right to be concerned.

Alohi had just resonated with her birth home and the changes would soon take further effect on Mari’s upcoming transformation during the ritual later tonight. This change would take a lot of her energy and make her more vulnerable to the enemy until its completion. It was good to be back here, but none of us would overlook the ominous storm cloud that was spreading and dominating the city that was divided by the two reigning kingdoms.

Outside the castle, the lower-ranked pack members had their homes scattered throughout the grounds, each designed to suit their unique needs and preferences. There were cabins nestled in the dense forest, cottages by the serene lakeside, villas with panoramic views of the surrounding terrain, townhouses for those who preferred the camaraderie of neighbors, and bungalows tucked away in secluded corners for those who valued solitude.

Others would be confused at the stark contrast between the Red Claw Kingdom. In this dystopian world, it was able to stay lush and vibrant , providing for its people as a true king should do, without any effect from the cloud that this land was shielded from. This would not have been possible if I had not escaped the camp back then and ran into Wolfram, who had been led into a trap by Ingrim.

We saved each other that day and he brought me here to recuperate along with several others that chose to follow me during the escape. Here was where Aasim had first arisen inside me, but not just him, also my powers as a witch had been unleashed. This world was not yet in its dystopian state and a deep urge to grant Wolfram a gift came in the form of this shield. The familiar tingle of Wolfram’s mindlink flowed through my mind. Smiling, I glanced over at Mari, still sound asleep in our bed.

I sat beside her just in awe of my mate. Kissing her forehead and moving the strand of her hair that had fallen in front of her face. A soft smile graced her lips in her sleep as she let out a light sigh.

“Sleep well my love.” I whispered and stood up, heading out to meet Wolfram in his office as we had several things to discuss. I took one last look at Mari as I closed the door softly behind me. The pack members would be getting ready for the ritual soon. The excitement could be felt in the atmosphere.

Wolfram's own chambers were adorned with rich crimson and ebony furnishings, a testament to his authority. His office, with its massive obsidian desk, overlooked the entire castle grounds, allowing him to monitor the kingdom's affairs. He sat at his desk engrossed in a piece of parchment that had been placed there.

“Be prepared for the Fangs to show their faces tonight. There is no doubt in my mind they already know about our arrival,” Wolfram said. The moment he heard the door to his office close,

“As I thought, they were the eyes along with Ingrim’s people that were on us in the city when we arrived. We should have taken him out a long time ago, Wolfram, he won’t change”, I said, walking past Wolfram at his desk to the long polished mahogany table that stood in the center of the room.

Taking a seat in one of the high-backed chairs with plush, wine-red upholstery , making myself comfortable by indulging in the array of refreshments that were offered. A selection of fragrant teas and delicate pastries, silver trays held an assortment of sweet treats – candied fruits, almond-studded chocolates, and crystallized ginger. In crystal decanters, amber and ruby liquids beckoned with the promise of fine wines and aged spirits. A bowl of fresh fruits, their colors vivid against the polished wood, awaited those with a penchant for healthier indulgences.

Wolfram stood up from his desk after putting the parchment carefully aside and walked over to join me at the table.

“Though I wish it were that easy, Ingrim is still my kin.” Wolfram said with a sigh, using a toothpick to grab some fresh fruit and eat it. He took a seat in a chair across from me and now our private meeting had begun.

“In the same boat, how many times are you both going to for the sake of being kin until one of you is eventually destroyed? I would prefer Victor to be you otherwise……”

“I get it kid…..humph just who is the King here? On that note, how’s my girl doing? It seems the changes are taking effect a lot faster for her than they did with you.”

“Mari and Alhoi are really amazing! The Saber hunter genes have somehow accelerated and also shielded the effects of the curse during her change, but I can’t help sensing something’s a bit off about the curse though.”

“You’re not the only one that thinks so. Everything in me is screaming Ingrim has something to do with our family's sudden curse, which is awfully similar to that of the Saber’s. If my instincts are proven right like I’ve been suspecting, the Fang’s are involved as well.”

“Which means they won’t let the pact about the marriage arrangements between the two kingdoms go so easily.”

“Indeed, and yet they can’t ignore the Wolf Council law, fated mate trumps everything. Regardless, we need to recheck all our guard plans during the festivities tonight. If that double Ariana is any reference, she is definitely in on things as well. Her appearance is no coincidence in all of this.”

Wolfram waved his hand and a set of plans appeared on the table before us. Together we looked over the details, reconfirming and adjusted what needed to be done for the ritual. A knock sounded at the door, drawing our attention and, with a sniff, I couldn’t help grinning at him, Wolfram’s demeanor changed from one of seriousness to pure adoration.

“Enter.” Wolfram said shortly after Tamzin came through the door, followed by Harold and Connie.

“We’ve come to check in on our side of things.” Tamzin entered with a smile. The seat beside me, which made Wolfram frown in disappointment, but he covered it up quickly, yet Harold, Connie and I still noticed. Harold took a seat beside Wolfram and Connie next to her husband and the meeting delved further into detail.

“Okay, you three lay it on me.” Wolfram said to Tamzin with a wink. A warm rosy hue graced her checks for several moments but she collected herself, cleared her throat and began her recount of all the festivities up until the alignment. All of us were aware of the Fangs and their constant meddling. Mariana wasn’t someone who could be controlled, let alone Alohi. Once her Alpha blood took hold along with the blood of the Saber hunter, she would be a force to be reckoned with and I couldn’t wait to meet the extraordinary leader she would soon become.

Harold dug into the treats that were displayed, serving his wife on instinct from years of their loving marriage. Connie listened intently but knowing her, that wasn't all she was doing. As a formidable warrior herself, even without wolf blood in her veins, she carried the spirit of a hunter. Her instincts and senses were just as sharp as those of wolves. From her expression earlier during the entrance greetings she had picked up on something but hadn’t spoken yet about what that was. We were two hours away from the beginning of the ritual, that was more than enough time for me to speak with Connie about what else we both sensed back at the entryway doors.

Ingrim and Enid had their hands on more than one pot, that was for sure, but too many pots under the heat could lead to a boil over of drastic proportions. My thoughts ran back to the cloud over the city. Its colors strangely matched the color of Alohi’s wolf eyes. It made me think if the cloud really was the source of the city’ s destruction or was it the city’s source of protection instead? No matter how much we had planned for this day, there were always unexpected occurrences that could arise. Even with my Shadow league and Wolfram’s Red warrior’s on guard, the fact remained that his brother’s scheming would be the kingdom’s downfall if Wolfram didn’t let go of the promise he had yet to realize he had already fulfilled long ago.