Destiny Series: Unlawful Mates

An Invitation

Valtor's heart was pounding as he approached the outskirts of the No Pack territory. The memory of his last meeting with the thugs still tormented him, but the desire to see Kaida again eclipsed his fears. He had disguised himself carefully, abandoning his royal attire for simplicity, he wore clothes that would help him blend in with the mass of the No Pack wolves.

As he traveled this unfamiliar landscape, Valtor couldn't help but marvel at the stark differences between this place and his home in the Howling Empire. No Pack's area was a patchwork of makeshift homes and overgrown wilderness, lacking the grandeur and order he was accustomed to. Yet there was a raw beauty to it, a testament to the resilience of those who called this place home.

Valtor's disguise seemed to work. The few No Pack wolves he encountered barely glanced at him. However, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider, his every step filled with anxiety. He had memorized the directions to Chief Pierce's former residence, but in this maze of dilapidated houses, he found himself lost more than once.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of wandering, Valtor arrived at a modest dwelling that matched the description he had been given. As he approached, an old No Pack wolf watched him warily from a nearby porch.

"Hey, you!" - shouted the wolf sharply. “What business do you have at Pierce's home?”

Valtor swallowed, trying to keep his composure. "I'm looking for... Kaida Pierce," he replied, doing his best to imitate the local accent of the no-pack tribe.

The old wolf's eyes narrowed. "Ah, another one snooping on these girls," he growled. "Listen, pup. You had better stay away from this house. These girls may be nice to look at, but they have a vile mother who would rather tear you to pieces than let you woo her daughters."

A shiver ran down Valtor's spine at the wolf's words, but he pulled himself together. Now he had gone too far to turn back. "Thanks for the warning," he managed to say, his voice firmer than she felt. “But I need to talk to Kaida.”

The old wolf shrugged his shoulders. "Your funeral, boy. Don't say I didn't warn you."

With a deep sigh, Valtor approached the door and knocked. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited, half expecting the door to open and reveal the terrifying mother he had been warned about. Instead, a young wolf responded, her eyes widening at Valtor's appearance.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Valtor cleared his throat. "I'm Valtor, I'm here for Kaida Pierce. Is she home?"

The young wolf, who Valtor would soon discover was Arach, Kaida's step-sister, shook her head. "I'm sorry, but Kaida is running an errand. She should be back soon anyway. Do you want to come in and wait?"

Relieved that he wouldn't have to face their mother yet, Valtor nodded and entered. As Arach led him into a small living room, he couldn't help but notice their appraising gazes. There was something in her eyes that made him uneasy: a mixture of admiration and calculation that made him nervous.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before,” Arach said as they sat down. “What did you say your name was?”

"Valtor," he replied, momentarily forgetting that he should have used a false name. He saw Arach's eyebrows raise at the name, which sounded real.

“Valtor,” he repeated, turning the name in his mouth. "That's an unusual name for a No Pack wolf. Were your parents from outside space?"

Valtor searched for an explanation. “I…yes, they were, "We moved here when I was young".

Arach nodded, although her eyes remained skeptical. “And how do you know my sister?”

Before Valtor could formulate a response, the sound of approaching voices saved him from having to respond. The front door opened and Kaida entered, accompanied by another young wolf.

Time seemed to stand still as Kaida's eyes met Valtor's. He felt an involuntary smile appear on his face and his heart raced when he saw her. Kaida looked stunned, and her mouth opened in surprise.

“Valtor? She whispered, "What are you doing here? Arach's head swiveled between the two, her expression darkening. Kaida seemed t

o remember herself and quickly reconstructed her features.

“Ayla, Arach” she whispered their names, “this is the man I told you about. The one whose life I saved.” Ayla's eyes widened in recognition, while Arach's narrowed even more with confusion.

Valtor stood up, unable to hold back any longer. He crossed the room in two long strides and hugged Kaida, feeling her stiffen in surprise before she hesitantly returned his hug.

“I had to see you again,” he whispered, loud enough only for her to hear. “Can we talk in private?”

Kaida walked away, her expression a mix of emotions: fear, excitement, and something else Valtor couldn't identify. She nodded slowly then turned to Arach and Ayla. "It'll only take a moment," he said, leading Valtor into a small side room.

As soon as they were alone, Kaida's behavior changed. "Valtor, you shouldn't have come here," she hissed, her voice full of worry. "If my stepmother finds out…"

"I know, I know," Valtor said quickly. "But I couldn't stop thinking about you. That night at the palace. I need to see you again." Kaida's expression softens slightly, but the worry remains. "It's too dangerous. For both of us. You have to leave first…"

“Wait,” Valtor interrupted, putting his hand in his pocket. He pulled out an ornate invitation, on thick, gold-embossed paper. "There's a bonfire at the Howling Empire. It's for young wolves like us. I want you to come."

Kaida's eyes widened as she accepted the invitation. "Valtor, I can't. My family..."

“I already put your name on the guest list,” he continued. "Besides, your sister and your friend can come along. Please, Kaida. Just one night."

She hesitated, visibly torn between desire and duty. Finally, with a sigh, she nodded. "Okay. We'll try to come. But Valtor, after that, you won't be able to come see me. It's not safe."

Valtor's heart rose and clenched at these words. He knew she was right, but the thought of never seeing her again after the party was almost unbearable for him. However, he nodded.

When they returned to the main room, the tension was palpable. Arach's eyes were fixed on Valtor, a mixture of curiosity and hope in her gaze. Ayla, on the other hand, seemed to assess the situation more judiciously.

Kaida cleared her throat. "Arach, Ayla... Valtor invited us to a bonfire in the Howl Empire." The reaction was immediate. Arach's eyes lit up with excitement, while Ayla looked worried.

"A party? In the Howling Empire?" exclaimed Arach-. Oh, that's wonderful! Think of all the magnificent wolves we'll meet!" Ayla frowned. "Kaida, are you sure this is a good idea?" What's wrong with you, how about your stepmother?

Before Kaida could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps outside caused everyone to freeze. The door opened, revealing a fearsome-looking wolf with cold, calculating eyes. "What is this about?" She asked, her gaze darting around the room before settling on Valtor. “And who is this?”

Valtor felt his blood run cold when he realized he was face to face with Kaida's infamous stepmother, Marya. The warnings he had received earlier echoed in his mind and he knew he had to leave... quickly.

"I was just leaving," he said quickly as he approached the door. "Thank you for your hospitality."

As he was leaving, he heard the beginnings of an argument behind him. Marya's voice rose in anger, scolding Kaida for having a strange man in the house. Arach's voice rang out, no doubt informing her mother of the invitation to the party.

Valtor's heart ached as he heard Kaida's muffled sobs, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He had set the events in motion and now all he could do was hope that Kaida would find a way to attend the bonfire party.

As he returned to No Pack territory, his mind raced between plans and contingencies. He would make sure the party was perfect, a night Kaida would never forget. And maybe, just maybe, this would be the start of something more: a bridge between their two worlds that could change everything.

With renewed determination, Valtor quickened his pace. I had a lot to prepare and time was running out. The bonfire party would be a night to remember, and he would make sure Kaida Pierce was at the center of it all.