Renegedes

Chapter 14

The door clicked shut leaving the two of us in the room, the silence hit me like a physical weight. This ..was a mistake no one was suppose to see.

I screamed trying to clear my head, Elara she might spill it out .. I don't trust her enough.

"You have to calm down, " Lucian said running his hands in his hair , she won't be stupid enough if she truly values her life.

Oh..Please Lucian, Elara heard us, saw us, do you think she wouldn't spill out someday.

Maybe she might keep it a secret for now, but what does the future holds.

" You really think fear alone, will keep her quiet " she's clever, she's curious and now she knows too much, too much about us.

Lucian smile didn't falter, he leaned in . " Ophelia you worry too much." You always overthink. That maid she isn't important she's nothing.

Lucian don't you ever forget what is at risk, if the pack finds out , if Damon.... finds out.

He put a finger on my lips, silencing me, " shh" his eyes bored into mine, " I control what happen, you either help me or get in the way don't forget that."

I swallowed, the word catching in my throat. He was right , I had been careless , he scared me more then he enticed me . Because I know how dangerous I could be, and the wolf in me knew how far I would go to protect what I wanted.

I ran my hand down my face , trying to calm the storm inside me ." This...us...it has to stay hidden, one mistake and it all collapses, do you realize that?

I stepped closer, brushing a finger down his chest, one mistake ?

"No " Ophelia , you don't understand every move we make , every secret we hold is calculated and Iris , she's weak, she's gone . She won't come back to ruine us.

You think she's gone for good? You think she won't come back?, not stronger , not starter, not angry?.

Let her come back , I will be ready, we will be ready, and I will stand by you in every process.

I looked at him, his words were genuine, never holding back, his eyes held my gaze assuring and protecting.

I knew this was far from over, every secret we hid, every lie we told , would come back to strike.

****

Alpha Damon stood at the head of the long table, his shoulders tensed, his eyes scanning the room. Around him, his pack leaders, the chiefs all sat waiting silent and alert each one carried the weight of their role, strategy defence and above all loyalty to their Alpha .

Damon sat down sat down resting his hands on the table ." We have a problem " he said, his voice low but carries authority that made everyone in the room lean Forward.

We have been threatened, the eastern petrols was dead, not lost, not delayed, dead.

Seven men worrior Adrian had trained, men who had laughed in the training yerds days ago, their bodies have been found in the borders torn in a way that left no doubt. This wasn't an accident, it was not the work of the rouge.

Elder Rand spoke, Alpha this is an inversion.

"Yes", Damon said calmly "it is ."

The council room went quiet for a brief moment, war has been witnessed, but never one that hit this much.

Another elder slammed his hands on the table, " then we strike back now !"

No, Damon replied.

The single word carried authority, the elder stiffened.

" We did not rush into traps, ". Damon continue" black Ridge wants a reaction, they want choas."

Chief Arlen, head if the worriors leaned forward, " what do you command Alpha?"

Before Damon could reply , another elder shifted uneasily .

"There is another matter".

Damon turned his gaze to him, say it.

The elder hesitated before he spoke, " the pack is restless".

Damon already knew this .

"They wisper," the elder continued. about the attack, about the lack of response and most especially your ...mate .

The room went quiet in an unexpected way.

Damon Jew tightened.

Be careful, he warned.

The elder bowed his head slightly, but forgive me Alpha , but rumors spread like rot if not cut away.

"What rumor?"Damon asked coldly.

"That you and your Luna" , no longer share chambers , the elder said. "That she no longer attend council that she walks alone."

A chief added quietly, they said the bond is weakening,

The words were poison.

Damon rose from his seat, " my marriage is not a topic for the he council to discuss."

"No", Elder Rhem said gently, "but unity is "

Damon eyes flashed, " my authority is not weakened cause I choose silence."

But the pack sees silence as distance, Elder Rhem replied. "And distance as weakness."

Damon turned away from them, we are at war , and war does not wait for gossip.

He turned back sharply, Renegedes crossed our boarders, They killed our worriors, and for that they will pay.

The room straighten.

"but" Damon continued, We will not charge blindly , I want scout doubled, boarders reinforced, no retaliation untill I say so.

Some of the chiefs exchanged uneasy glances.

"With respect Alpha," Elder Arlan spoke. " The worriors are angry."

"As they should be", Damon replied " anger will be usefull when directed well."

Elder Rowan studied Alpha Damon closely . And the Luna ?

Damon silence answered before his word did.

She is safe , he said at last. And that is all that matters.

The elders nodded slowly, though doubt lingered in their eyes.

We should all be prepared for what ......

suddenly another chief entered the room, breathless.

Alpha he said urgently, dropping to one knee.... A messenger has arrived.

"From where ?" Damon asked .

The boarders, the chief said and from the Renegade's pack