Chapter 8 - To save his pack he must walk into a nightmare

Kade’s POV

Since I set my eyes on her defiant silver orbs, I haven't had a moment of peace. I'd barely had the time to process everything Eryndor had said when I saw her in my chambers that night. Just returning from my trip, I was relieved to find her awake until I witnessed her playing with dark magic.

It's been three days since she went limp in my arms, whispering my name before she was taken by oblivion. A wild surge of power tore through the room as her body gave in.

Her pulse was faint, but her breathing was normal. I'd invited the best of healers, but I was told again that she'd wake up when her body's fully healed. But she hadn't moved since. Although she was still alive, I was troubled by her absence.

Wolves would usually recover quickly, but not Nyra. Her breakdown always went beyond simple fatigue. And healers couldn't help because her body was used to healing itself.

The truth was in her smell. She was a wolf. There was no denying that. Wolves, however, do not possess the magic that rattles bones, twists rooms, and summons storms.

Her power was greater than anything I had ever seen or heard.

There was something about her that made her so special. I didn't know it yet, but the Wraithborn seemed to understand. They came for her, and a part of me knew they wouldn't stop until they had her.

I turned away from her chamber and ran a hand through my hair. Questions were like teeth, gnawing at me about Nyra, the Wraithborn, and The Veil. I need answers, but answers require fortitude.

I summoned my most trusted allies, the shadow council, to the council chamber as I sat waiting, as the scent of iron and charcoal filled my nostrils. Riven walked in first, his teeth clenched and shoulders stiff.

Vaela waltzed in after, dressed in silver and scarlet; her eyes were cold and sharp. She was my mate by arrangement; their union was not based on fate but power play.

She was chosen by my father, but the old man is dead now.

We weren't fated, but Vaela had claimed she was free to form an alliance because her fated mate had passed away when we were little.

I had believed her pitiful story, although some hidden part of me sensed cracks in her story.

They took their seats around the table while I sat at the head. Shadows licked the walls as the fire burned low.

"I summoned the shadow council to discuss our most recent attack."

"The wraithborn," Riven whispered. "They were dark, swift, and powerful. I have never seen anything like that before."

"I'm most curious about how they broke through our defenses. Do you think they tore the veil, or is there another way?"

"It's all her fault. The bitch you keep close. She is the enemy. They wanted her. That was why they came." Vaela sneered, unable to hide her resentment.

"Enough!" I barked out, cutting her off. Vaela's eyes heated, but she didn't dare to speak. My order was clear.

Riven folded his hands neatly. "She is not entirely wrong. We had never encountered anything like that until she showed up, and it was clear that they were after her. If they initiate another attack, we would need more than steel and fangs to resist them."

"So, what do you suggest?" I asked.

"Let's kick her out. She is a threat to the safety of our pack! I don't see the need to risk the lives of thousands of loyal pack members because of an absolute stranger. She looks so frail, I almost doubt she's a wolf."

I smiled internally. If only he knew she was more than just a wolf. "No, Riven. We are not going to give them to her just like that. Not until we know why they want her."

"I don't see why anyone would want a loser like her," Vaela commented.

"I don't see why anyone would send their finest army to capture a loser." I countered.

"The girl stays," I announced, standing up.

Riven leaned forward, knuckles pressed to the wood, "Then we need to fortify our defenses and train tirelessly on the right way to attack them. We need to find out their weaknesses and—"

"It won't be enough. There's something deeper here—something we're not seeing. That wasn't a random attack. It was planned, strategic. They have probably existed, but we never saw them until that night. They don't hunt without purpose."

Riven moved uncomfortably. "It's her."

I didn't deny it. In fact, his lack of response was enough confirmation.

"So what?" Vaela pressed, her gaze keen. "What are you going to do?"

I sighed, looking away. "I will do what I must to keep the pack safe. I need to be strong enough to confront Hades directly if necessary.

Vaela stared at me, mouth agape with fountains of tears welling up in her eyes, "No! You aren't going there!" She screamed.

"It's the only way, Vee."

"It's not the only way. If you kick that wench out, we would be fine!" She shouted.

"How can you be so sure?"

She stared blankly, turned suddenly, and scurried out of the room.

Riven paced with his jaw clenched and his eyes flickering between me and the door. His fists were balled at his sides when he finally stopped. "I'm coming with you."

"No." I retorted.

His tone changed, "I wasn't asking."

"Doesn't matter. I'm doing this alone."

Riven stepped forward, and his words came down hard: "Do you really plan to walk into the Dreadmoor alone?"

My eyes were ice when they met his, "Being Alpha comes with sacrifices.

Riven let out a dry laugh, "So, you're willing to throw yourself into the hands of death for some girl you barely know, but you won't even trust me to stand by your side?"

"Watch your tongue," I warned, my voice was low and menacing.

Biting back a curse, Riven's voice broke, "Do you even hear yourself? I've been by your side since we were pups. I've fought for you, bled for you even! And now you expect me to stand back with arms folded and watch you enter the fire all by yourself?

"I am not asking you to do nothing. I need you to protect her while I'm away."

"What? Have you lost your mind?"

I sprang up, tall and unyielding, eyes blazing. "We need her. Can't you see? The Wraithborn came here because of her. She might be the secret to stopping them, but they'll go after her first if I don't return. She's equally as important as I am."

"Exactly!" He spat out. "This is all because of her, and now I'm expected to babysit her?"

"Yes," I answered.

Riven gaped at me, his voice stifled by rage. "She is not my Alpha."

But I am, and that's an order." I countered, my voice so flat that the room fell silent.

Riven's breath was hoarse as he said. "Alright. Throw yourself at Hades. I don't care!" His boots slammed the stone floor hard as he stormed out, the door slamming behind him.

I stood there in silence, listening to my brother's rage reverberating off the castle walls, the weight of my decision growing heavier with each heartbeat.

I took a deep breath and glanced once at the door of the chamber where Nyra lay, my face etched with fire and gloom.

Then I muttered into the quiet:

"If death wants me, let it take me, as long as you're safe."