Chapter 33: Allies

SERA

The room felt too small, maps covered every surface, council territories, known headquarters locations, patrol routes. Marcus had gathered everything we had and it wasn't nearly enough.

"The main headquarters is here," Marcus said, pointing to a mark on the largest map. "Fortified structure in the heart of Council territory, at least a hundred guards at any given time, probably more."

"How do we get in?" I asked, staring at the layout, It looked impossible.

"That's the problem," Kade said. "We don't have current knowledge, these maps are five years old. Guard rotations could have changed, new security measures could be in place, we'd be going in blind."

"So we send scouts," I said, "to get updated information."

"That takes time we don't have," Marcus replied, "and getting close enough to observe without being detected is nearly impossible. Council headquarters isn't some abandoned warehouse, It's the most heavily guarded location in all pack territories."

I pressed my hands against the table, fighting down panic. "So what are you saying? That we can't do this?"

"I'm saying we need better intel," Marcus said carefully, "without it, a rescue mission is suicide."

"Then we get a better intel."

"How?" Kade's voice was frustrated. "We don't have anyone on the inside, we have forty six hours left and no way to.."

A knock interrupted him.

One of the gate guards stepped in, looking uncomfortable. "Alpha Kade, there's someone at the gates requesting entry, he says he needs to speak with Sera."

"Who?" Kade demanded.

The guard hesitated, "Alpha Thorne Ashford of Silvermoon Pack."

"No," Kade said immediately, "tell him to leave."

"Wait," I said, "Why is he here?"

"Does it matter?" Kade's eyes turned gold, "he has no business on my territory."

"He specifically asked for Sera," the guard said, "said it's about her father."

My heart skipped, "let him in."

"Sera.."

"He might have information," I looked at Kade. "We have to at least hear what he has to say."

Kade's jaw clenched, "Fine, bring him here, but he's not staying long."

The guard left, tense silence filled the room.

"This is a bad idea," Marcus muttered.

"We need intel," I said, "If Thorne knows something.."

"He's probably here to gloat," Kade interrupted, "or to try to win you back again, not to actually help."

"You don't know that."

"Don't I?"

Before I could respond, footsteps sounded in the hallway, Thorne walked in, flanked by two guards.

He looked better than the last time I'd seen him, less gaunt, his color was healthier, his eyes clearer. Seeing me a few weeks ago must have helped, even if I rejected him.

But the moment he entered, the air became charged, Kade moved slightly, positioning himself between Thorne and me, protective.

Thorne's eyes roamed the room, the maps, the planning, the desperation written on all our faces, then they landed on me.

"Sera," he said quietly, "I heard about your father, I'm sorry."

"How did you hear?" Kade demanded.

"The Council isn't exactly being quiet, they're broadcasting it, making sure everyone knows." Thorne's attention shifted to Kade, "they want all the packs to see what happens to those who harbor Silver Bloods."

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"To help." Thorne reached into his jacket and pulled out a rolled document, "I have something you need."

Marcus stepped forward and took it, unrolling it carefully on the table.

My breath shortened, It was a detailed layout of Council headquarters, not old and outdated like ours..this was current, with notes in the margins about guard rotations, security measures, entry points.

"Where did you get this?" Marcus demanded.

"I am an Alpha and I have my ways," Thorne said, though part of Vivian's preparation requires her to get familiar with the headquarters."

"And she just left this lying around for you to take?" Kade's voice was skeptical.

"She's not exactly speaking to me right now," Thorne's expression darkened. "When she found out I'd visited Sera, she went back to her father's estate, took most of her things but left some documents behind, Including this."

I studied the map, my heart racing. This was exactly what we needed, weak points in the security.

"Why bring this to us?" Kade asked, "What do you want in exchange?"

"Nothing," Thorne looked at me. "Your father is innocent, he's suffering because of Council politics and corruption, that's not right." He paused, "and I owe you for everything I did, everything I put you through, let me help fix this."

"We don't need your help," Kade said.

"Yes you do," Thorne gestured at our outdated maps. "Without current understanding, you're walking into a death trap, I'm giving you a chance to actually succeed."

"And we're just supposed to trust you?" Kade moved closer to Thorne, "trust that this isn't some elaborate trap? that you're not working with the Council to deliver Sera right to them?"

"I'm not.."

"You chose Vivian over Sera, you rejected your true mate for political gain, why should we believe anything you say?"

Thorne's hands clenched into fists, "because I'm trying to make things right."

"Too late for that."

"Kade," I stepped between them before this could escalate. "We need this information, you said it yourself..we can't go in blind."

"We also can't trust him."

"I know," I looked at Thorne, "but we don't have a choice. My father has less than two days, this might be our only shot."

Kade's jaw clenched, his wolf was close to the surface, clearly wanting to throw Thorne out but he also knew I was right.

"Fine," he said finally, "We use the information, but you.." He jabbed a finger at Thorne, "You don't go on the mission. You give us what we need and then you leave."

"Actually," Thorne said carefully, "I should come with you."

"Absolutely not."

"I know the headquarters so well, I've been there multiple times for meetings. I know the building, the people, the routines. I can help navigate once you're inside."

"Or you could lead us into a trap," Marcus said.

"I could," Thorne agreed, "but I won't, I'm risking everything by being here. If they find out I helped you, my engagement to Vivian is over, my pack loses their protection and I'll likely become a target too."

"Then why do it?" I asked.

Thorne's eyes met mine, "because it's the right thing to do and because..." He stopped, swallowed hard. "Because I need to prove that I'm not the man I used to be, that I can be better than that."

Silence filled the room.

Kade looked ready to explode, every inch of his body was tense, his eyes flashing gold intermittently. Having Thorne here, offering help, proving himself useful..it was clearly killing him.

But we needed this, needed the intel, maybe even Thorne's knowledge of the building.

"We vote," I said, "Marcus? Elena?"

Marcus studied the map, "the intel is good, really good and having someone who knows the building could mean the difference between success and failure."

Elena nodded slowly, "I don't trust his motives but I trust that he's desperate enough to actually help."

I looked at Kade, "Your vote?"

"You already know my answer."

"I need to hear it."

He locked eyes with mine, "I think this is a mistake but if you want to use his information, I'll agree to it under one condition." He turned to Thorne, "you step one foot out of line, you do anything that puts Sera or this mission at risk, and I will kill you myself, Understood?"

"Understood," Thorne said.

"Then we have a plan," I said, looking back at the new map, "Let's save my father.”