Chapter 45

Damien

As I walked out of the room, I pulled out my phone and found Erik’s name. He picked up immediately. “It seems someone wasn’t entirely honest yesterday,” he said, clearly amused.

“Well, it is a delicate situation,” I said back smoothly, “And, with shifting alliances, I’m sure you understand my need to withhold information.”

“Indeed. I’m sure if I was in your position, I would do the same,” Erik said, “So, the Princess lives.”

“Before I confirm or deny that, where do your alliances stand?”

“Evergreen stands with the true princess, the one foretold, risen from Iceclaw and returned to the North,” Erik said fervently.

“She is alive,” I confirmed, “And here, with me.”

“Rodolfo told me as much,” he said, “And will you honor your engagement now that Iceclaw has fallen?”

“More than ever. She is my mate,” I told him.

“The prophecy does not speak of a mate, though,” he shot back. “How can you be sure?”

“I am sure of both, that she is the promised princess, descended from the Goddess, and that she is my mate.”

“Rodolfo told me that he and the other wolves in the Bean also felt the pull. Are you sure that you’re not just feeling your destined union, not a mate bond?”

“She feels it, too. And, as far as I know, she has never felt it for another,” I assured him. “We will be wed on the Mating Moon. I would like all of our friends and allies to feel welcome to attend.”

“You can count on Evergreen evermore. My Luna and I will be there with a small, trusted delegation to witness the union and pledge loyalty.” I could always count on Erik for a party.

“Beta Rolf tells me you have information about the incident last night,” I asked.

“Yes, when he stopped by to see Rodolfo earlier, he had followed a lead from the Crescent to a regular at the Bean. There is a wolf who is missing two fingers on his left hand, rough fellow, shaggy hair, grey teeth. Standard issue rogue,” Erik was matter of fact. “Anyway, he was bragging at the Bean about killing a human with two others from the South. The human was a servant to Silverburn and part of what he called ‘The Project.’ He was meant to steal and bring the Night Flame to the border and pass it to them. This was before Rodolfo had heard from your Beta about what had happened with your assistant, and by the time he had gotten to the Bean, the rogue was gone. Rodolfo thought he was making it up on account of the Night Flame being a myth. But, with the promised princess rising, am I also to assume that it is not legend but history?”

“The Night Flame was restored to the rightful heir and it has awoken,” I told him. “It has been safeguarded in Silverburn since the beginning. We are unsure of the power, but it woke up to her presence. I saw it, and still don’t believe it. It is true that Peter stole it to take to the wolves who branded and marked him, and we saw those when we found him last night. He got it to another human before being killed. I know it is trying to find its way back to Katla, and it will. It is what is happening in the South that is concerning me now.” I left off how we knew another human had it, and he didn’t ask.

“Goddess, so it is true then? They are taking humans and enslaving their minds?”

“You know more than me about that. Erik, do you think you could work your channels to find out more about this ‘project’?”

“I will do my best,” he vowed. “Please tell the Princess that Evergreen stands with her.”

“I will, once she is ready to hear it. She just learned who she is yesterday, and it will take time,” I told him.

“Time is not something that we appear to have at the moment, Damien. Might I suggest taking her to the North sooner rather than later. The Night Flame will find her again. It is prophesied.”

“That decision rests entirely with Katla on when she is ready. It’s been a lot for her to process of course, and she still does not know the prophecy.”

“Why would Lucien have kept that from his daughter?” he asked.

“It wasn’t just his daughter. The only power that was left within their pack was to bind memories. The pack remembers nothing of the prophecy. He told me right before he was killed,” I confided.

“If only there were some memories I could bind,” Erik joked. “It is remarkable that they were able to preserve some of the Goddess’ magic though, if only a very small part of it. In all seriousness, how will Katla take her place if she has no idea what she is capable of?”

“She is learning…quickly. That’s all I’m going to say about that. I know your penchant for gossip, after all,” I told him.

“This is not run-of-the mill gossip. This is life and death confidential information that I will hold sacred,” he said. “As far as Evergreen knows, Katla perished with her father when you escaped.” I had never heard this side of Erik before, and I hoped I could trust it. “And, nobody is going to ask the secretive and elusive Damien Silverburn for information about the evening. I’m the only idiot who knows him well enough to do that, and even then, those walls are thick that you put between us.” The last thing Katla would need while processing everything would be rumors swirling more than they already were. It was better to let Viti’s story be the one of speculation until she was ready for the truth to be revealed.

“Agreed, and I do consider you a friend,” I said. “These rogues, do you know where they ran? They need to face justice for what they did,” I took the conversation back.

“The one from the Bean is known to frequent the free region between Iceclaw and Moonbeam territories, but rumor has it that Viti has been in bed with the Rogues and they are forming permanent settlements along Iceclaw borders with Lunarpaw. Alpha Jacob is concerned about them on his doorstep, but has aligned himself with Viti since Iceclaw has provided his pack protection. It’s better for him to be allied with them than against them.”

“Goddess, this is bad. And what of Moonbeam?”

“They are being secretive in their standing, and Alpha Andres isn’t saying. I’m guessing that they are waiting to see what is happening and if there is a benefit one way or the other. Evergreen is allied with the Princess who will rise, but we are keeping our cards close when it comes to Iceclaw. Of course, we have a couple of packs between us and them since we are in the East.”

“What of Crimson Moon or Blacktalon?” Or Hollowroot or Riverstone?”

“I’m not sure, but you and Katla should come to a meeting with the Eastern packs. It has been far too long since our ally to the North has joined us.”

“When is the meeting?” I asked.

“In a week. Do you think she’ll be ready?”

“I don’t know, but I will be there. Perhaps she would be willing to come if her identity was concealed? I will pitch it to her and let you know what she says.”

“Damien, just because you have been antisocial doesn’t mean the others were. Many an alpha knows Katla Iceclaw, and she has been the talk of all of the eligible Alphas for years. Her father held her close at events, but she turns heads. And her scent, well you know better than anyone… it’s unlike any other. So, her presence will not go unnoticed should she come, especially since she is presumed dead.” Sargon was not amused by this observation.

“I’m not antisocial. I just had different interests,” I said.

“Your Leashed?” Erik mused. “I’m sure Katla Iceclaw will be very interested in…what did you call it yesterday … your ‘proclivities’?”

“Well played, old friend,” I said. “The Leashed know it was an arrangement until I found my mate.”

“Are you sure they’re just going to unchain themselves just like that?” he asked, but it was more rhetorical. “My boy, take it from someone who has been there. Those that have served you, in whatever capacity, always expect something in the end. Please take my advice and let Katla know what she is walking into. You don’t want to start your life together with her thinking it is a lie.”

“Thank you, Erik. As always, you give the advice I needed when I didn’t ask for it. I need to go, but I will let you know about any developments. Please keep your ear to the ground, for us.”

“I will. May your hunts go well under the crescent.”

“Yours, too.” And I pressed the red icon on the phone to end the call. “Fuck,” I thought. I had forgotten all about the Leashed. It seemed like a lifetime ago and a faint fuzzy memory, but it wouldn’t be that for them. Erik was right. I needed to find a way to send word ahead that they were to all be released from service. How was I supposed to tell Katla about them? It’s not like I knew her then, and the pack will be happy that she is coming. So, maybe it’s best just to unleash them and let that be unspoken history. But how should she be introduced? My Luna? My betrothed? My mate? The promised princess? “Let her choose,” Sargon suggested.

I needed to talk to Katla, and just as I thought it, she appeared in the doorway.