C2

Aichonne Blackwood

“Why are you looking at that screen so hard?”

The wagon driver looks back at me while his big horses pull us through the thick mud. I do not answer him because I am busy looking at the pack notes I found on Daryl Silverfang. I need to be ready before I walk right into the enemy camp.

Maggie was right.

My fake mate is a super-powerful Alpha.

My family runs the Mooncrest Alpha Citadel, so you would think I know every big wolf around. I probably heard his name at the Grand Wolf Assembly before, but I never cared about a male I would never meet.

The Silverfang Royal Pack is way bigger than us. It is like comparing a little forest pup to a massive grizzly bear. Daryl’s family owns so many hunting territories and big keeps across the whole Crescent Moon Dominion. They run the Silvermoon Grand Keep, which is the biggest place for wolves to live on the Moonhaven Coast.

His father, Rick Silverfang, is the main leader, but he rules with his four sons. Daryl is the oldest pack heir. Then there is Shane Wolfhart, the middle brother, and Merle Ironfang, the other middle one. Carl Silverfang is the youngest boy.

I wanted to find bad secrets about Daryl, but I saw a bunch of letters about old Rick having a terrible heart sickness. Reading about it makes my chest hurt. It makes me remember when my dad, Hershel, almost died three years ago. I would cry until my eyes fell out if I lost my dad.

The horses stop near the huge stone walls. I pay the driver with a silver coin and jump down. The sun is super bright over the trees, so I put my hand over my eyes to look up at the Silvermoon Grand Keep.

The stone towers are huge. They are not as tall as the buildings in the Alpha Metropolis, but they still look like they touch the clouds. The keep has three giant towers made of black rock and shiny glass. It is where all the top wolves stay, and it is where the big beast rules his pack dominion.

Let us see what you have to say, Alpha Heir.

I walk across the stone courtyard with my heavy leather boots. Every step I take sounds loud, like a warrior going to a real fight.

It is so hot out here.

I pull the neck of my vest to let some air inside. I do not want to meet the big Alpha looking like a sweaty mess. Big wet spots under my arms would look super bad.

It feels like a hot cooking fire out here.

Back in the Alpha Metropolis, the air is always thick and wet, but the Moonhaven Coast is way hotter today. It feels like two hundred degrees. I bet it will be burning by noon.

I walk toward the heavy iron doors and watch all the wolves moving around. New pack members are arriving every minute. That is how it always is at a big alpha keep.

Everything here looks cold and scary. It is totally different from our Mooncrest Alpha Citadel. Our home boutique citadel has ancient wolf heritage and feels warm. This Silvermoon Grand Keep looks too clean and unfriendly from the outside. I bet it is cold inside, too.

Silvermoon Keep. It sounds way too proud.

When I step inside, the cold air hits my face like a splash of river water. Thank goodness.

I stop for a second to look around the giant lobby. A whole bunch of new guests are sitting on the fur rugs, and the lower wolves are carrying their bags.

How do I find you, Alpha Heir?

I can either ask the front guard or find the stairs myself. This place is way bigger than our citadel, but I know there must be a special hallway for the royal family. While I am thinking, four big wolves walk past me carrying hot cups of tea.

I listen really closely to what they are saying.

“We need to finish buying those three old dens in the Whispering Moon Woods by sunset,” a male wolf in a purple shirt says.

“And we need to get those two big stone towers by the weekend,” a tall blond wolf says.

I move super quietly behind the four males, balancing on my high boots like a spy wolf. They are leading me straight to the royal rooms.

Operation Alpha Heir is starting right now.

I slide into the wooden lift right before the iron gate shuts.

“Good morning,” I say with a big smile.

All four males turn around and look at my body from my head to my toes.

“Good morning,” they say at the same time.

They are staring so hard it is funny. They look like hungry wolves looking at a piece of meat.

I am not a weak little pup, but I have to act like I need help right now.

“I am here to see Alpha Daryl Silverfang,” I say, putting my hands together. “I forgot which floor his den is on. I am so silly.”

“Is he waiting for you?” The male in the purple shirt looks at me with mean eyes.

Think fast, Aichonne.

“I am here about a small family pack territory,” I tell them, wrinkling my nose so they believe me. “It is a super secret deal. Alpha Daryl wants to buy it before the other packs find out.”

If I told them my real name, they would scream. I want to catch Daryl with his guard down.

“Oh, yeah,” the tall blond wolf says, nodding his head. “That is a great piece of land.”

He actually believed me.

This spy stuff is so easy when you think fast on your feet.

It is hard not to laugh out loud. All the males are nodding now.

“The royal family is on the very top floor,” the purple shirt wolf says. “Well, only four of them are here since Carl is still sick in bed across the ocean after that bad carriage crash.” He pulls out a shiny bone key and puts it in the wall slot to make the lift move.

I read about that crash. I am glad the young pup did not die.

I smile brightly. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” he says with a wink. “Go to the right when the gate opens. Rosita Frostfang is Daryl’s beta steward. She will help you.”

“Got it,” I say.

This is going so well. Today must be my lucky day.

I lean against the wooden wall and look at my boots, acting like I do not see them staring at me.

The ride to the top of the fourteen-story keep is super fast. This lift moves like it is pulled by magic horses. It is way faster than the old lifts at our Mooncrest Citadel.

The four wolves get off on the twelfth floor, and the weird feeling in the air goes away. I am happy they did not ask me more questions about my fake land.

A second later, I reach the top floor. The iron gate slides open, and I step out onto the soft fur carpet. There are no guards here to stop me. I am lucky I did not get caught yet.

I look to the left and then to the right.

Everything is totally quiet.

Only a big set of glass doors is between the Alpha Heir and me.

You are so close, girl.

I get my courage up and walk down the long hallway. I hope the Moon Goddess is watching over me right now.

Here goes nothing.

I push the glass door open and step into the royal world of the Alpha Heir.

Nobody is here.

The big wooden desk is empty. I see a little nameplate on the wood that says Rosita Frostfang.

I am in the right spot.

My heart starts beating super fast against my ribs.

I want my answers.

I lean over the desk to look at the magic screen, but it is completely dark. Is Rosita taking a nap?

I look at the heavy oak door behind the desk. I know the big beast is hiding inside that room.

What should I do?

My brain tells me to stay quiet and wait.

I walk in small circles around the room, thinking about what I will say. I just hope the royal guards do not throw me out into the mud like a common thief.

I can do this.

Well, I hope I can.

Another minute goes by.

And another one.

Where is Rosita?

I am about to lose my mind when the heavy oak door swings open.

Finally.

A super-tall male walks out.

“I want the truth today, Shane,” a deep, scary voice growls from inside the office.

“I am working on it, Daryl,” the male at the door says back.

The Alpha Heir is right inside.

I was scared he might be at a big pack council meeting or gone from the keep.

The male named Shane smells my scent and turns his head to look at me. His eyes are bright blue like ice.

Wow.

He is super handsome.

His dark hair is perfect, his grey leather tunic looks expensive, and his boots look brand new. He looks very powerful.

He looks way better than the drawings I saw on my way here. I guess I should have looked closer at the royal brothers.

I shake my head to stop looking at him. This is not the time to look at handsome wolves. I have a mission to do.

I give him a small smile.

He smiles back with a big, toothy grin. He looks me up and down and lifts one eyebrow.

I give him a quick wink.

His smile gets even bigger and brighter.

Male wolves are so easy to trick.

This is a good sign for me. I do not think twice.